D one right, a cliffhanger can be the most effective plot device on television. The best can leave you tearing out your hair, wishing the next episode was available immediately.
The greatest offer mystery by teasing answers but never making the outcome obvious. So widely talked about was the twist that Jimmy Carter even joked about the fictional murder during his second presidential campaign. Sitcoms β such as The Office US and Friends β went on to incorporate the device to tease relationships Jim and Pam, Rachel and Ross , keeping viewers coming back for resolution. Soaps, from EastEnders to Neighbours , have used cliffhangers to bring viewers back for more day-in day-out.
So, what are the best cliffhangers in television history? The Independent has compiled the greatest in television history. Karma for killing Gale comes for Walter White in season five. The meth maker believes his days of cooking are long over. Having lunch with his family, everything seems perfect. And then everything goes wrong. So, so wrong. It's an honour working with you. Fondly, GB. The debate over whether certain final scenes of television shows are actually good will rage on and on.
The Sopranos remains front and centre of the conversation. It's a seemingly banal occasion β a restaurant dinner scene. We watch on as Tony sits there, observing other customers. Carmela arrives, then AJ and Meadow, who the last we see, is parking her car outside. A bell rings, Tony looks up and the screen cuts to black.
The Freys turn on them, killing Robb, Talisa and their unborn child. Cut to black. The cliffhanger that kickstarted the end of season cliffhanger trend. By the end of season three, one of them took justice into their own hands, shooting JR in the back twice.
