Warning! Spoilers ahead for all the mentioned TV shows! Fantasy television, like any genre, often grapples with plot lines that can disrupt its tone and narrative flow. Although these story arcs don’t necessarily ruin the entire series, they can hinder a show’s legacy, preventing it from being viewed as a quintessential part of the genre. While it’s possible for a series to recover from a controversial plot point that turns viewers away, the situation is exacerbated when a show struggles to navigate major storytelling blunders.
The following entries do not represent the fantasy series that sailed through their narratives without any missteps. Instead, they highlight shows that, after certain plot developments, never quite regained their initial luster. In various cases, these issues emerged towards the conclusion of the series, ultimately tainting its legacy. Landing a final season is challenging, particularly in the fantasy realm. It can be even more disheartening when a series reaches its peak too soon, leading to critical missteps in its early episodes that might forever cloud its reputation.
10 The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
Elena’s Transformation Changed the Essence of The Vampire Diaries
Despite being an iconic supernatural teen drama, The Vampire Diaries veered off course towards its conclusion. A pivotal moment came with Elena’s departure, a situation stemming from Nina Dobrev’s wish to leave her role. This departure had deeper roots, linked to the dynamics of her sire bond with Damon, which redefined her character significantly.
The early seasons thrived on the tension of Elena and Damon’s romance, but the introduction of the sire bond diluted Elena’s character, making her feelings appear more as a result of magical influence rather than genuine affection. Moreover, the bold choice to transition her into a vampire set a risky precedent, reshaping the emotional foundation of the series.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) |
86% |
73% |
9 Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)
Final Episodes Missed Their Mark on Character Development
Though Game of Thrones boasted several exceptional seasons, it began to falter in its later installments. The final season was rife with miscalculations, particularly with the portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen’s descent, which irrevocably altered viewer perceptions of the series.
Struggling to conclude the series while George R.R. Martin’s novels remained unfinished, Game of Thrones had previously crafted coherent storylines and memorable moments. However, as the finale approached, the character arcs became less satisfying, particularly regarding Daenerys’s arc, complicating the show’s stature within the fantasy genre.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Game of Thrones (2011–2019) |
89% |
85% |
8 Once Upon A Time (2011–2018)
Unsustainable Fairy Tale Format
The first season of Once Upon a Time is often regarded as its strongest, showcasing a captivating blend of fairy tales. However, a noticeable quality decline appeared beginning in season four with the introduction of characters from Frozen. Originally focused on established fairy tales, the show’s shift to newer intellectual properties suggested a lack of creative direction.
By resorting to contemporary narratives for conflict, the series demonstrated a creative inertia. Reprising previous character arcs without significant evolution only served to highlight this stagnation. Although Once Upon a Time remained engaging in its early days, the eventual decline was unexpected.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Once Upon a Time (2011–2018) |
78% |
78% |
7 Lost (2004–2010)
Conceptual Sustainability Issues
Lost was pivotal in redefining television, though its approach to storytelling became increasingly problematic over time. The premise focused on survival could only stretch so far, prompting the writers to resort to shocking revelations each season—eventually leading to audience fatigue.
The introduction of time travel veered the narrative into a confusing and convoluted lane, straying from its core mystery and fantasy appeal. This inconsistency undermined the later seasons and contributed to a finale that was widely criticized.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Lost (2004–2010) |
86% |
89% |
6 True Blood (2008–2014)
Overpopulation of Supernatural Elements
True Blood’s atmospheric style and intricate romantic entanglements initially captivated audiences. The series peaked during its third season; however, significant changes began after revealing Sookie’s fae heritage. Following this unveiling, the narrative took a turn towards supernatural overload.
Where the clash between human and supernatural worlds had been fascinating, it diluted the series’ uniqueness by bestowing varied supernatural identities upon a multitude of characters. The intrigue that surrounded Sookie’s history was diminished, ultimately detracting from the overall storytelling.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
True Blood (2008–2014) |
68% |
73% |
5 The Magicians (2015–2020)
Impact of Loss on Character Dynamics
Season three is often hailed as the zenith of The Magicians, with its focused narrative around the quest for seven keys. Nevertheless, the narrative shifted dramatically following the pivotal death of Quentin in season four. This loss, undermining the show’s ensemble dynamic, impacted the storyline significantly.
The absence of Quentin, viewed as the central character, altered the underlying chemistry and dynamic of the show just as it was heading into its concluding chapter. The final season struggled to reconstruct this element, as time became a limiting factor.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Magicians (2015–2020) |
91% |
74% |
4 Riverdale (2017–2023)
Fantasy Elements Overwhelmed the Narrative
Riverdale initially thrived on its quirky tone and eccentric storylines until it leaned too heavily into fully-fledged fantasy elements. While the series had always hinted at the surreal, it was the introduction of magical elements and alternate realities that pushed the narrative beyond sustainable limits.
The transition to overt witchcraft and magic in season six marked a significant shift, where the self-aware humor struggled to keep pace with the escalating wildness of the fantasy genre. Though still entertaining, it became increasingly challenging for Riverdale to maintain its original narrative integrity.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Riverdale (2017–2023) |
81% |
49% |
3 The Flash (2014–2023)
Complexity Overwhelmed Narrative Structure
The Flash benefitted from a devoted fan base and a robust source material, contributing to its longevity, yet it began to falter as early as season four, particularly after the introduction of the Flashpoint timeline. The earlier seasons boasted concise narratives; however, introducing time travel complicated the continuity and pacing of the story.
While Barry Allen’s emotional motivations for time travel were relatable, this plotline cluttered subsequent seasons, leading to pacing issues and character development disruptions, as the series struggled with the ramifications of the Flashpoint timeline.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Flash (2014–2023) |
89% |
59% |
2 Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018–2020)
Season One’s Climax Leads to Premature Darkness
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina presented a captivating fusion of teen drama, supernatural elements, and horror, yet execution faltered as the series progressed. Season one deftly balanced Sabrina’s witch identity with her desire for a normal life, but the swift dive into darker themes, especially her commitment to the dark side, diminished its appeal.
The subsequent plotlines surrounding Sabrina as the Queen of Hell led to confusion and overshadowed her attempts at normalcy. After the inaugural season, the relatability of Sabrina’s human friendships weakened, creating a disconnection from her original character.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020) |
82% |
72% |
1 The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)
Final Season Unveils Series Shortcomings
Many of the last-season issues in The Umbrella Academy were not solely attributable to the writing team; various factors contributed to its perceived failure. The relationship between Five and Lila stood out as particularly perplexing, demonstrating the deeper issues that plagued the finale.
Season four faced an uphill battle, exacerbated by the introduction of an uncomfortable romance that felt abrupt, particularly in light of the show’s overall pacing and narrative structure. This season underscored the rushed nature of the writing, resulting in underdeveloped threads that ultimately alienated its audience.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024) |
78% |
61% |