8 TV Plot Twists That Were Planned But Still Feel Like They Weren’t

Some TV plot twists went so far out of left field it appeared as if the creators just made them up on the spot, but they were planned out and aired as intended. Unexpected plot twists can be an exciting and engaging part of the television viewing experience, but when they don’t feel like they align with previously established events, they can leave audiences scratching their heads and wondering if they were even planned that way at all. While some of these twists ended up working out for the better, they still came across as oddly chaotic and disorderly.

Long-running series often must come up with new twists to keep audiences engaged but end up going against the character’s natural motivations or traits. Shocking romances, strange decisions, and the character’s mental struggles have resulted in unforeseen twists that madeviewers question how far in advance the writers decided to go this way. There are some plot twists, such as in the dream reveal in Dallas, that, although planned before the end of the season, still felt like the show was retconning, while others, like Joey and Rachel’s romance on Friends, just looked like they were running out of ideas.

8 Debra Morgan’s Fate

Dexter (2006 – 2013)

The Showtime series Dexter had its fair share of controversial plot twists. However, there was one that stood out as very disorderly, and that was the fate of Dexter’s sister Debra Morgan. After being shot and becoming brain-dead, Dexter mercifully pulled the plug and dropped her body in the sea in the Dexter finale. This was a poignant and tragic moment as planned by the writers, however, something about it felt off, and that a character as strong and determined as Debra should die at the hands of a mercy killing was not in line with her narrative arc.

7 It Was All A Dream

Dallas (1978 – 1991)

The soap opera Dallas was known for its viewer-grabbing cliffhangers and outrageous illogical plot points; however, nothing can stop its ninth “dream season.” This was an entire season that was revealed to be a dream experienced by Pam and nothing that had occurred was considered canon. This twist reveal allowed the deceased character of Bobby Ewing to return, and Dallas was able to undo major plot points. While it was uncertain exactly at what point the creators decided to bring back Bobby, it felt like it cheapened the realism of Dallas and nothing after it felt as high stakes.

6 Glenn Rhee Dumpster Scene

The Walking Dead (2010 – 2022)

The Walking Dead was never afraid to shock audiences with the death of beloved characters and Glenn’s seeming demise at the hands of a pack of brain-thirsty walkers in season six felt like it was going to be one of the series most tragic. The Glenn dumpster scene appeared as if his guts had been ripped apart by the undead, however, it was later revealed he survived, and these were another body’s intensities. While this twist was planned, the graphic depiction of Glenn’s non-death made it feel unplanned and like The Walking Dead was stretching itself past the limits of believability.

5 Dennis Reynolds Leaving For North Dakota

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005 – Present)

After 12 seasons It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia looked like it was about to undergo a major change with the possibility that Dennis Reynolds, played by Glenn Howerton, was going to exit the series. The finale ended on a cliffhanger where Dennis decided he was moving to North Dakota. This cliffhanger was a result of Howerton landing the lead role on A.P. Bio, and a perception that he could not appear in both series. However, when season 13 premiered Dennis quickly returned, and it turned out the Always Sunny cast was just playing into the mystery, and he never left.

4 Joey Tribbiani and Rachel Green’s Romance

Friends (1994 – 2004)

The addition of a new romance between the cast of Friends in season 8 felt like absolute blasphemy, especially as it concerned Rachel Green, whose on-again-off-again relationship with Ross Geller viewers had been rooting for since season one. That was why the plot twist of Rachel and Joey Tribbiani getting together felt like it came completely out of left field to the point that even the cast was not happy with it. While this plot twist may have been planned, it was the strongest indication that the writers did not know what to do next and the series was running its course.

3 Mitch Kessler Dies In A Car Crash

The Morning Show (2019 – Present)

When the first season of The Morning Show first aired in 2019, it felt like a relevant examination of contemporary issues. The theme of sexual misconduct was primarily explored through the character of Mitch Kessler, played by Steve Carell, who in an unexpected twist was killed off in a car crash during the second season. While this felt abrupt from a narrative viewpoint, it was planned by the showrunner Kerry Ehrin who felt the character had effectively run its course (via Variety.) Originally she planned for Mitch’s exit to be more ambiguous, but Carell requested a more active departure.

2 Daenerys Targaryan Becoming The Mad Queen

Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)

In Game of Thrones season 8, Daenerys Targaryen officially turned into the Mad Queen in a move that felt oddly unplanned and against the established narrative arc of her character. For the previous seven seasons, Game of Thrones had carefully built up Daenerys as a savior for the oppressed and a potential candidate to come out on top and lead the Seven Kingdoms. While Game of Thrones may have always planned for Daenerys to lose her mind and turn into a villain, it was a dissatisfying conclusion to her story and felt chaotic and unplanned.

1 Tracy McConnell’s Death and Ted Mosby Ending Up With Robin Scherbatsky

How I Met Your Mother (2005 – 2014)

The controversial ending of How I Met Your Mother was a disappointment to many viewers as there was a perception it undid many of the previously established character arcs. The reveal that the mother of Ted Mosby’s children was Tracy McConnell, only to have her character quickly die and Ted quickly reunite with his long-time love interest Robin Scherbatsky felt like an unearned and haphazard conclusion to the series. Nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother building up to Tracy’s reveal, only to end with a conclusion viewers could have guessed from the pilot felt like a cop out.

Sources: People, Variety