ManySci-Fishows have come and gone throughout TV history, but only some of them have had endings that truly satisfied fans. Science fiction as a genre is known for its hits and misses when it comes to wrapping up the narrative, often getting bogged down by the unique settings and narratives that it is also so well-known for. This is the case with movies as well, as there are plenty ofscience fiction films with good and bad endings.
Yet some TV shows stand out with their endings, wrapping things up perfectly and finishing the story with a bang. This is especially noteworthy considering so manyscience fiction TV shows were canceled too soon, leaving fans hanging and wanting more from their stories.Series such asStar Trek: The Next Generationended perfectly,offering viewers heartwrenching finales and send-offs that feel earned.
Over the years, there have been several sci-fi series based on the movieStargate,but perhaps none so foundational as the original seriesStargate SG-1.The story begins roughly a year after the events of the film and revolves around a task force created to protect Earth from different galactic threats. This task force uses the titular “Stargate” to travel between worlds, offering different locales for each episode of the show.
Stargate SG-1was nominated for nine Emmy Awards during its 10-season run but never won.
TheStargatefranchise is full of twists and turns, andStargate SG-1is no different, resulting in incredible writing throughout.The ending of the first series, titled “Unending,” is the best in theStargatefranchise,showing the crew as they are attacked by a fleet of Ori ships. They are then forced to activate a time dilation field, trapping them there for 50 years and showing the horrors of science fiction.
Following a modern-day astronaut named John Crichton who is sucked into the future by a wormhole in space,Farscapewas a unique take on science fiction television from the get-go. The story is deeply character-driven, focusing on John’s attempt to get back home. This, coupled with the threat that he and his new crew face at the hands of the corrupt Peacekeepers organization, makes for an interesting watch from beginning to end.
Originally,Farscapewas canceled too early, as it was planned to have five seasons but was canceled in a hurry after only four. However,the series was saved after its cancelation by a two-episode miniseries that came afterward calledFarscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.Not only did this address the questions left hanging from the series' ending cliffhanger, but it also brought the series together in a satisfying and tragic way.
Taking place on the Babylon 5space station, which was built to ensure equal diplomacy between the different species of the galaxy, this famed sci-fi series follows the drama and politics that occur there. This takes place as Earth descends into totalitarianism, causing the human military members on the station to resist the takeover. This is all done with excellent writing that shows how the actions have consequences, making every moment feel like it has an impact.
Babylon 5was written to be a “novel for television,” and because of this, everything from character arcs to story beats was planned out ahead of time (viajmsnews.com).
One of the reasons thatBabylon 5’s ending is so good is because it makes the viewer feel as though a whole story has been told.In the final episode of the series, the space station is shut down once and for all, closing that chapter in this sci-fi world’s history. It rounds out a series that had been clearly planned from the start, allowingBabylon 5to round out the series with something emotional and satisfying.
Star Trek: The Next Generationhas one of the most recognizable casts inStar Trek,and for good reason. The series, which, like much ofStar Trek,focuses on the episodic exploration of the galaxy and the things found within it, features a cast of iconic characters, including Captain Picard himself. The series is a masterclass in crafting narratives of discovery, creating difficult decisions for the crew in the process.
Will Riker’s Complete Star Trek Timeline Explained
Star Trek: The Next Generation’s William Riker had a long and accomplished Starfleet career even after his time on Captain Picard’s USS Enterprise-D.
The final episode of the series takes Captain Picard and places him in a battle of witswith another fan-favorite character, an omnipotent being known only as Q. This is the same character who previously put Picard on trial in the first episode of the series, and it is revealed that this trial never really ended. This reveal alone is a spectacular one, and with that hook, the ongoing battle of minds that results from this is instantly fun to watch.
A time-bending adventure that quickly turns terrifying,Darkbegins as a story of missing children. When young residents begin to go missing in a rural German town, the families involved discover a wormhole has opened up in the local cave system. This leads them on a quest to find their families that not only sends them across time but also draws them closer together.
The finale toDarkis an emotional gut punch of an episode, one that brings tragedyto the world this series has so carefully created. It sees a choice laid out before the main characters, one that ends in them choosing to snuff out the life of two entire worlds, created by the use of time travel. The story lingers on these characters, moments before they disappear, showing just how devastating this loss really is.
Another emotional watch,Cyberpunk: Edgerunnersis a science fiction anime series set in the world of theCyberpunk 2020tabletop roleplaying game. It is directly linked to the video gameCyberpunk 2077as well, something that contributed to the series' initial popularity. However, the short series stands on its own two feet, following a street kid named David Martinez and how his life changes after finding a life-altering piece of technology called a Sandevistan.
It’s Official: A Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Prequel Is Out, And It Was Just Stealth Dropped Without Any Warning
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has made an unexpected return with Kadokawa releasing a new prequel manga titled Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness.
In the final episode of the series,David challenges a notoriously terrifying and powerful “full borg” named Adam Smasher to fight one-on-one.He does so as a distraction, allowing his friends to escape, but dying painfully in the process. This essentially allows his girlfriend Lucy to achieve her dream, offering a bittersweet ending to a series that is so full of death and destruction.
After being trapped in the time stream after a time-travel experiment gone wrong,Dr. Sam Beckett is left jumping from time to time by inhabiting the bodies of others.To jump from person to person, he must influence the course of events and alter the timeline, as someone has changed the course of history. It is assumed that this is the only way for him to ever get home, and so the series follows his journey to help people and change the timeline back.
The last episode puts a nice bow on things, with Sam helping to bring Al and his love together in a sweet moment. He then finally jumps into what seems to be his own body for the first time, speaking to a bartender about his adventures throughout time. He discovers that all this time, he has been able to go home, only pushed forward by his own desire to fix what was broken.
WhenStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithwas initially released, there was a considerable time gap between that film and the previous movie in the trilogy.Star Wars: The Clone Warscovers this period, more deeply exploring the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi while also introducing a new character, Anakin’s padawan, Ahsoka Tano. What follows is a children’s show with incredibly deep story beats, offering some of the best moments inStar Wars.
Star Wars: The Clone Warswas originally canceled by Disney when they bought theStar Warsproperty, only to be brought back years later.
Star Wars: The Clone Warstook a long break between seasons, with the final episode released years after the series started. This episode, titled"Victory and Death," shows Ahsoka and her desperate attempt to survive in the midst of the notorious Order 66.It shows a new perspective on this part ofStar Warshistory, even ending with a shot of Anakin having already turned into Darth Vader.
Based on the Bruce Willis sci-fi adventure of the same name,12 Monkeysfollows what is generally the same plot.This mystery sees the main character, James Cole, sent back in time in an attempt to stop the release of a deadly virusthat has since ravaged the entire world.This brings them into conflict with the “Army of 12 Monkeys,” an extremist organization responsible for the virus' release.
The series ends with a showdown between the main characters and the leader of the Army of 12 Monkeys, called The Witness, to save the future from the release of this deadly virus. However, this comes at a cost. When The Witness dies and the timeline is forever changed, James disappears for good, never having existed in the first place.
1The Expanse (2015-2021)
One Of The Best Series In Modern Sci-Fi
Originally based on a series of novels,The Expanseis a series that takes a hard-hitting look at political relations in a science fiction setting.It follows a UN Deputy Undersecretary as relationships between nations begin to fall apart, causing tension throughout the galaxy.This only escalates as war breaks out between the planets, forcing the main characters into increasingly dire situations.
Though some questions are left unanswered, the final episode ofThe Expansesees the defeat of Marco, the leader of the Free Navy and one of the series' greatest threats. This, along with the alliance forged between Earth, Mars, and the Belt creates a compelling ending, as well as a natural stopping point for the series. Although the novel series did go on with more books, this conclusion is still one of the bestSci-FiTV show endings in television history.
Source: jmsnews.com
