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Everyone knows this will never have an ending, right?

posted 8 years ago by ydobon-1
22 replies | jump to latest

Blatant sci-fi doesn't have a chance in hell of succeeding on network television. Which means that this will last for one season, end on the completely obligatory cliffhanger and then be canceled, leaving the story unresolved. If it somehow gets renewed for another season, THAT season will end on an obligatory cliffhanger and then it will get canceled.

And for anyone who doesn't understand why this bothers me, try this; From now on, whenever you watch a movie, turn it off about 10 minutes before the end, and never watch the rest of it. If you read novels, don't read the last chapter. When listening to music, always turn the song off before the end.

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[–] GaelinW 8 years ago

I don't know. Grimm has lasted for 5 seasons on the same network. Heroes ran for what, 3 or 4, again on the same Network. If any of the big Big Three Networks is going to give it a shot, it is NBC (and they've been promoting the hell out of it). That said, NBC also owns Syfy, so it will have a place to go if the ratings aren't great.

I don't trust people who don't like pets and I don't trust people who pets don't like.

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[–] tlvx 8 years ago

Blatant sci-fi doesn't have a chance in hell of succeeding on network television. Which means that this will last for one season, end on the completely obligatory cliffhanger and then be canceled, leaving the story unresolved. If it somehow gets renewed for another season, THAT season will end on an obligatory cliffhanger and then it will get canceled.

And for anyone who doesn't understand why this bothers me, try this; From now on, whenever you watch a movie, turn it off about 10 minutes before the end, and never watch the rest of it. If you read novels, don't read the last chapter. When listening to music, always turn the song off before the end

Movies (& Miniseries) are about the climax. However, seasoned Television series' are about the journey.

If you need to know how it ends... than the show isn't really good enough, throughout.

Obviously, the moment a TV series has an ending... it can no longer in good conscience continue.

The whole point in TV, is to try to put on a never-ending show, that brings back millions of viewers over and over again.

While I seriously doubt this show's long term success, I don't think the "ending" is really relevant to its goal... which is to entertain for an hour, from one week to the next.

[–] ydobon-1 8 years ago

You know you can edit your posts, rather than just reposting nearly identical messages, right?

Movies (& Miniseries) are about the climax. However, seasoned Television series' are about the journey.

If you need to know how it ends... than the show isn't really good enough, throughout.

Obviously, the moment a TV series has an ending... it can no longer in good conscience continue.

The whole point in TV, is to try to put on a never-ending show, than brings back millions of viewers over and over again.

While I seriously doubt this show's long term success, I don't think the "ending" is really relevant to its goal... which is to entertain for an hour, from one week to the next.

I disagree that TV shows don't need an ending. The only real difference between a TV show and a movie is that the TV show is longer. Compare a TV show with the old movie serials. How do you think the people who faithfully went to see each chapter would feel if the studio had never filmed an ending and just left it on a cliffhanger?

What needs to happen is that TV networks need to commit to telling a complete story. Either don't end seasons on cliffhangers, or film a final episode to wrap up the story when the series is canceled. To just leave the plot unresolved shows a complete lack of respect for their viewers.

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[–] tlvx 8 years ago

I disagree that TV shows don't need an ending. The only real difference between a TV show and a movie is that the TV show is longer. Compare a TV show with the old movie serials. How do you think the people who faithfully went to see each chapter would feel if the studio had never filmed an ending and just left it on a cliffhanger?

What needs to happen is that TV networks need to commit to telling a complete story. Either don't end seasons on cliffhangers, or film a final episode to wrap up the story when the series is canceled. To just leave the plot unresolved shows a complete lack of respect for their viewers.

I see where you're coming from.

But, getting a western studio to commit to a show from start to finish, without knowing its level of success, is a paradox. -- To wit: the more a show succeeds, the longer it lasts, without ending. Conversely, if the show gets cancelled, the shorter it lasts, but still with no ending.

What you're describing is what the BBC already does with Miniseries. I've seen a number of excellent Miniseries' from start to finish on BBC. Probably because the BBC is funded by the government, and is less focused on margins than a company like NBC... which is all about the bottom line.

What you want exists, just not from the major American networks.

[–] Pi_1 8 years ago

While obviously we would all like every show we enjoy to receive a send-off with a proper ending, to expect that is unrealistic. I enjoy the ride while it lasts, and if the show is cancelled on a cliffhanger, oh well. The ride was well worth it, despite the lack of an ending. Some of my all-time favorites ended on cliffhangers, and I still re-watch them today. Often, true endings are unsatisfactory or leave us disappointed anyway. There is something to be said for leaving a show forever open-ended and allowing our imaginations to run wild, even years later.

[–] ydobon-1 8 years ago

Often, true endings are unsatisfactory or leave us disappointed anyway. There is something to be said for leaving a show forever open-ended and allowing our imaginations to run wild, even years later.

Would you feel the same way if they did that to movies?

Star Wars - Luke fires the torpedoes at the Death Star - The end, no sequel.

Jaws - Brody is trapped on the mast with the shark circling - The end, no sequel.

Close Encounters - The mothership approaches Devil's Tower - The end.

Raiders of the Lost Ark - Indy and Marion are tied to the pole, the Nazis start to open the Ark - The end, no sequel.

Lethal Weapon - Riggs is tortured by Mr. Joshua while Murtaugh and his daughter are held captive by the General - The end, no sequel.

Rocky - Rocky and Apollo Creed fight for a few rounds - The end, no sequel.

The Terminator - The terminator chases Sarah and Kyle into the factory, kyle is killed in the explosion, the damaged terminator starts crawling after Sarah - The end, no sequel.

Die Hard - McClane has killed all the criminals except Hans, who is holding his wife hostage - The end, no sequel.

Can you honestly tell me that any of those movies would be as popular as they are if they just ended on a cliffhanger that was never resolved? Would audiences keep paying to watch movies that have no ending? If not, then why would you devote an entire season (or longer) of TV viewing to a show that will never have an ending?

Would you read a novel that didn't have an ending? Play a video game that was never finished?

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[–] tlvx 8 years ago

Would you feel the same way if they did that to movies?

Star Wars - Luke fires the torpedoes at the Death Star - The end, no sequel.

Jaws - Brody is trapped on the mast with the shark circling - The end, no sequel.

Close Encounters - The mothership approaches Devil's Tower - The end.

Raiders of the Lost Ark - Indy and Marion are tied to the pole, the Nazis start to open the Ark - The end, no sequel.

Lethal Weapon - Riggs is tortured by Mr. Joshua while Murtaugh and his daughter are held captive by the General - The end, no sequel.

Rocky - Rocky and Apollo Creed fight for a few rounds - The end, no sequel.

The Terminator - The terminator chases Sarah and Kyle into the factory, kyle is killed in the explosion, the damaged terminator starts crawling after Sarah - The end, no sequel.

Die Hard - McClane has killed all the criminals except Hans, who is holding his wife hostage - The end, no sequel.

Can you honestly tell me that any of those movies would be as popular as they are if they just ended on a cliffhanger that was never resolved? Would audiences keep paying to watch movies that have no ending? If not, then why would you devote an entire season (or longer) of TV viewing to a show that will never have an ending?

Would you read a novel that didn't have an ending? Play a video game that was never finished?

This isn't the movies.

You seem like you've been deeply hurt by a show cancellation at some point, and I don't think we can fix whatever it is that haunts you.

All we can do is direct you to some shows and Miniseries' that did have good endings.

True Detective, Season One, was excellent. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2356777/episodes?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1

Penny Dreadful was also quite an interesting series, from start to finish. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2628232/

Rubicon, was a hidden gem.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1389371/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_12

As for Miniseries':
Dr. Thorne was a solid Victorian era period piece.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4938084/

The Night Manager, was another excellent show.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399664/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Hunted, was one of my all time favorites.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2069449/?ref_=nv_sr_1

If those don't tickle your fancy, there are literally hundreds of great shows to choose from: http://www.imdb.com/chart/toptv/?sort=us,desc&mode=simple&page=1

Don't let the demise of a few shows get you down.

[–] ydobon-1 8 years ago

This isn't the movies.

You seem like you've been deeply hurt by a show cancellation at some point, and I don't think we can fix whatever it is that haunts you.

I've been hurt by MANY cliffhanger endings over the years and they all suck.

Dark Angel - The heroes have been revealed to the world and are all together in an abandoned part of the city which is surrounded by the police. Canceled.

Star Crossed - A signal has been sent into space and an invasion fleet is on the way. Canceled.

Revolution - The human enemies have been defeated, but now a dangerous AI is planning to enslave everyone on the planet. Canceled.

The Event - Aliens living on Earth bring their own dying world right next to Earth. Canceled.

Alphas - All but one of the characters, along with hundreds of others, are apparently dead. Canceled.

Tomorrow People - The evil organization has been defeated, but one of the stars has been brainwashed into starting it all over again. Canceled.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior - One team member's life is in danger, there's a gunshot. Canceled.

Alcatraz - Who or what is bringing the prisoners back is never explained, but they discover that someone apparently knew this was going to happen and planned for it. Canceled.

Breakout Kings - The fate of the team is in jeopardy and they're offered a deal if they'll turn on the cop leading them. Canceled.

The Fades - Main character fixes one problem and creates a new one that may threaten the world. Canceled.

Outcasts - Colony is facing non-corporeal aliens and a hostile takeover by Earth. Canceled.

Should I go on?

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[–] CharlesTheBold 8 years ago

The worst case I remember was on the fantasy TV show "Joan of Arcadia". A formidable new villain is introduced, we are given some additional backstory on the main character, Joan is considering telling her secret to some friends and asking their help, and then CBS pulled the plug. (This was not a "failed show"; it received several Emmy nominations its first season)

This bugged me so much that I wrote my own sequel and posted it on Fanfiction. Several other fans did the same thing.

I also stopped watching CBS.

[–] ydobon-1 8 years ago

The worst case I remember was on the fantasy TV show "Joan of Arcadia". A formidable new villain is introduced, we are given some additional backstory on the main character, Joan is considering telling her secret to some friends and asking their help, and then CBS pulled the plug. (This was not a "failed show"; it received several Emmy nominations its first season)

I remember that. 

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[–] netsez00 8 years ago

I agree with the OP, I WANT ENDINGS!

It isn't as hard on American networks with bottom lines as you think. Many shows have 2 season endings planed, one if it looks like ratings are good and it will be picked up and has a huge cliff-hanger, another with a wrap up or a mini cliff-hanger where people can be satisfied if it is cancelled yet leaves an opening for a new season. Both Under the Dome and Extant ended that way.