From surprise revivals to infamous letdowns, this episode of How it Hits explores why ending a series well is one of the toughest challenges in storytelling.

The article examines the challenges TV shows face in delivering satisfying endings, noting that even highly acclaimed series often struggle to conclude on a high note. Examples such as Dexter, The Walking Dead, The Office, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and Lost are discussed to illustrate how finales can leave fans divided, disappointed, or even feeling that their investment in the show was wasted.

While some shows, like Breaking Bad and Mad Men, are praised for their strong conclusions, many others are criticized for either overstaying their welcome or failing to provide closure. The article suggests that knowing when and how to end a series is crucial, as a well-executed finale can elevate a show to legendary status, while a poor one can overshadow years of storytelling.

Why are TV endings so hard to get right?

Fair warning, spoilers ahead, but honestly, if you haven't seen these shows by now, the internet's probably already ruined them for you anyway. Nevertheless, you've been warned. Why do so many great shows refuse to just… die? Some shows peak, hit the perfect exit ramp, and instead of taking it, they just… keep going. Today, we're exploring what can happen when you drag a show past its prime, and why the final episode can either make fans love it, or hate it for years. This is how it hits. Take Dexter. It started off as one of the best shows on TV. It was smart, tense, even darkly funny. Then we got Lumberjack Dexter. To be fair, the story didn't end there. Dexter, New Blood brought him back years later, and now Dexter Resurrection, where he's back again. Which both seem to have been received relatively well, so redemption is possible. But still, the original series was just a mess by the end. The Walking Dead, a show about zombies, that just wouldn't die. There was always another spin-off, another villain, another endless march. And then there's The Office. Once Michael Scott left, it felt like the party was over, but the guests just kept hanging around in our living rooms. These shows prove that the hardest part of TV isn't always starting out strong. It's knowing when to leave the stage. But sometimes, shows do end, and that last episode can be the difference between a satisfying goodbye and an all-out fan riot. The Sopranos cut to black ending. Genius? Or... Wait, did our cable just go out? Game of Thrones spent nearly a decade building up its story, but the final season rushed to tie up every loose end. And the result was... I knew I was a better story than Bran the Broken. Well, yeah, I think we're all better off just forgetting that. And How I Met Your Mother. After nine seasons, Ted's big love story was Robin. Again, these kinds of finales don't just divide fanbases, they keep fans arguing long after the credits roll. Other times, finales don't just make us angry, but kind of just leave us feeling... Empty? Remember Lost? Polar bears, smoke monsters, mysterious numbers, so many unanswered questions, all leading to an ending that left fans asking, wait, what? What just... What? And Dexter, again, not only did it go on for too long, it ended with one of the most unsatisfying finales ever. These to me are actually the more frustrating endings, because it's not just the anger, it's the feeling that all that time invested meant nothing. TV shows are almost like long-term relationships, years invested in characters, drama, laughs, so when it ends badly, it feels personal. To be fair, endings are hard. But when shows are able to somewhat stick the landing, like Breaking Bad or Mad Men, it can turn a great show into a legendary one. The truth is, TV shows should be treated almost like guests at a party. Show up, make us laugh, make us cry, leave us with great memories. And then leave, because nothing kills a good time faster than a great show that just doesn't know how to say goodbye. I'll see you tomorrow at lunch. I am looking forward to lunch. But hey, what about you? What's a show ending you absolutely loved? Or one you'll never forgive? Let us know in the comments. And as always, thanks for watching, and we'll see you next time on HowItGoes.

President Trump on Thursday addressed ABC's decision to pre-empt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" over comments Kimmel made about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Trump comments on Jimmy Kimmel being pulled off air

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the president to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. CBS News' Kelly O'Grady reports.

Washington

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow Lisa Cook firing

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled new action against left-wing groups following the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, targeting the anti-fascist Antifa movement as a "terrorist organisation."

Trump targets Antifa movement as 'terrorist organization'

ABC said that the late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been "pre-empted indefinitely" after comments Kimmel made on the show in response to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

New York

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel show over Charlie Kirk comments

In southern Pennsylvania, three police officers were fatally shot and two others were injured in a violent incident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and searching for leads on the suspect or suspects involved.

Haar Road

Three police officers killed, two wounded in Pennsylvania shooting

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the U.S. and Beijing "have larger agendas to work out" after media reports of China's internet regulator ordering top tech firms to halt purchases of the American company's AI chips and cancel existing orders.

Beijing

China tells tech firms to stop buying Nvidia's AI chips, FT reports

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it lowered interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, its first rate cut since December 2024. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady has more.

Fed cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

Large-scale protests took place in central London in response to Trump’s state visit, with demonstrators highlighting his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Trump's historic UK state visit met with protests in Windsor

On the same day a ground offensive was launched in Gaza City, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding emphatically denied by Israeli officials.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel committing genocide in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said that foreign laboratory tests on biological samples obtained from her husband showed that he was poisoned.

Yulia Navalnaya says foreign tests show her husband was poisoned

Prosecutors formally changed Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and said they intend to seek the death penalty. Authorities also revealed exchanges between Robinson and his roommate.

Utah County

Prosecutors formally charge Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle and were greeted by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe has the latest.

Windsor

Trump greeted by British royal family at Windsor Castle

The eyes of the global financial markets are on the US Federal Reserve. It's expected to be cut later on Wednesday, around a quarter-point. But US President Donald Trump has called repeatedly for much steeper rate cuts.

Global markets watch as Trump challenges Fed independence

The U.S. Secretary of State has visited Qatar a week after Israel attacked a meeting of the Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Marco Rubio met Qatar's Prime Minister and the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Doha

Marco Rubio visits Doha, holds talks with Emir and PM

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray provided updates Tuesday on the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder

A judge has dismissed two state terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more details.

Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in CEO killing

Israel said it has launched its ground offensive in Gaza City. It comes as a United Nations inquiry finds that Israel's nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide. Israeli leaders have denounced the report as "distorted and false."

Israel launches main phase of ground offensive in Gaza City

U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit as Britain faces protests over immigration and growing support for the pro-Trump Reform Party. CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports from London.

Trump begins state visit to London amid rising political tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday (Sept. 15) the U.S. military carried out a second strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

Caracas

Trump announces second U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened investigations into the ‘radical left,’ following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Kirk’s podcast encouraged people to turn in those who celebrated the conservative commentator’s killing.

Charlie Kirk’s killing prompts broad threats from Trump administration

The United States and China reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, U.S. officials said.

Washington County

U.S., China reach framework deal on TikTok

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as close U.S. ally Qatar gathered other Arab nations' leaders for a summit to issue unified condemnation of last week's Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

What to know about Rubio's trip to Israel, Qatar summit

President Trump announced the U.S. military has carried out a second strike on alleged Venezuelan "narcoterrorists" in international waters. Three men were killed.

Trump announces second strike on alleged drug boat from Venezuela

Arab and Islamic leaders are gathering in Qatar for an emergency summit following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. The meeting aims to show unity and increase pressure on Israel.

Arab, Islamic leaders meet in Qatar after Israeli attack on Hamas

HBO's medical drama, "The Pitt" beat out heavily-favored Apple TV's "Severance" for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, Apple TV's "The Studio" walked away with 13 awards and broke the Emmy record for the most wins by a comedy in a single season.

Los Angeles

"The Pitt," "The Studio," and "Adolescence" win big at Emmy Awards

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials amid the nation's recent strike in Doha, Qatar, and intensified attacks in Northern Gaza.

Israel hosts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched through London in a rally billed as in support of free speech. Many of the chants and speeches at the rally, which was organized by a far-right activist, were protesting against immigration.

Thousands in London march in rally organized by far-right activist

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

Breakdown