7 Huge Sci-Fi Hits That Completely Fell Apart In Their Final Season

The sci-fi genre features many outstanding TV shows, but not all of them are able to finish as strongly as they deserve. Sci-fi stories have been captivating audiences for generations, delivering speculative glimpses into potential futures or warning of the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. As a natural evolution of its stories, many sub-genres have developed, broadening the appeal of sci-fi even further. Some of the very best sci-fi TV shows are able to grip audiences of all ages, weaving stories that are complex, compelling, and creative. However, not all sci-fi shows can maintain their quality over the entirety of their respective runs.

Sadly, history is littered with disappointing last seasons of great TV shows. Just because a show has incredible promise in its early stages, that doesn’t always remain intact to the very end. In some cases, it all falls apart at the final hurdle, with the last chapter in otherwise great shows simply failing to deliver a satisfying conclusion. There are examples in almost every genre, but for some reason, final seasons that let great shows down seem to be disproportionately prevalent when it comes to sci-fi television.

7) Westworld (HBO, 2016-2022)

Although some consider Westworld an amazing sci-fi show that fell apart after season one, it managed to retain much of its initial charm and suspense over the majority of its run. Its first three seasons all weaved an intricate and subtly terrifying tale that raised questions about artificial consciousness and the various ethics associated with creating it. Unfortunately, Westworld‘s final season seemed to lose sight of these ideas, with its philosophical depth giving way to a plot that felt both needlessly complex and poorly paced.

6) The 100 (The CW, 2014-2020)

In many ways, The 100 found its success as a TV show that evoked The Hunger Games. Its story follows survivors on Earth a century after a nuclear apocalypse, featuring conflicting communities struggling to carve out a living in the unforgiving conditions. While its quality faltered somewhat over the course of its run, The 100 completely fell apart in its seventh and final season. The last chapter of the show proved to be hugely disappointing, feeling rushed, disjointed, and completely disconnected from everything that had made it so watchable.

5) Battlestar Galactica (Syfy, 2004-2009)

The 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica swiftly eclipsed the original, earning itself as one of the best sci-fi shows of its era. Its gritty and scientific tone proved to be a winning formula, and it found a huge following and seemed to be an instant classic. That is, until its final season came around, and the show went completely off the rails. As well as leaving unanswered questions that frustrated Battlestar Galactica fans, the decision to end things on a heavily spiritual note was utterly bizarre, forever tarnishing the show’s legacy.

4) The X-Files (Fox, 1993-2018)

There are few sci-fi shows that can boast the success enjoyed by The X-Files. Known for its suspenseful narrative and terrifying villains, The X-Files earned itself a place in society’s pop culture consciousness, with the quality of its best years shaping the sci-fi genre’s future. However, the show simply went on too long, and its final years saw that quality decline considerably. By the time its eleventh season came around, the show effectively lost everything that once made it great. The final season’s storytelling was weak, and its mishandling of multiple characters made it seem that the whole show fell apart right at the end.

3) Alias (ABC, 2001-2006)

Although Alias doesn’t wear its sci-fi elements on its sleeve, it did make use of enough of the genre’s tropes to fit reasonably well within its confines. Once considered one of the best spy shows on television, J. J. Abrams’ show combined elements of spy action with its light sci-fi ideas, making it exceptional viewing. That is, of course, until its final season. The departure of Abrams to make Mission: Impossible III, combined with star Jennifer Garner’s pregnancy — which resulted in less action-heavy stories — ultimately meant that the show’s final season saw Alias fall apart, even if it was simply a matter of poor timing.

2) Heroes (NBC, 2006-2010)

In its first season, Heroes seemed destined to be one of the best sci-fi shows on TV. Its large ensemble cast, fascinating premise, and excellent drama felt incredibly original while still leaning on established superhero tropes. After season 2 was negatively affected by the 2007-2008 Writers Guild strike, season 3 got the show back on track. Unfortunately, its fourth and final season was an utter mess, failing to capture the spirit and tone that once made Heroes great.

1) Lost (ABC, 2004-2010)

There are many sci-fi shows that wish they were Lost, so influential was it in its heyday. The show’s central mystery lent itself perfectly to suspenseful stories and epic plot twists, many of which remain some of the best moments in recent TV history. When it came time to wrap the show’s story up, however, the final season of Lost saw its entire narrative fall apart. Widely cited as one of the worst last seasons of all time, Lost‘s final chapter effectively ruined the five seasons that preceded it with an ending that felt contrived, bizarre, and incredibly dissatisfying.

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7 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Deserved Another Season