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20 Best Uses of The Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche in TV

Best Television Cliche - The Unresolved Cliffhanger - Sopranos Final Scene

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20 Best Uses of The Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche in TV

If you are looking for the best uses of the unresolved cliffhanger story cliche in TV you have come to the right place. The Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche is a narrative device often used in TV shows, movies, and books where a story arc or plotline ends on a suspenseful and unresolved note, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the resolution in the next installment.

This technique is used to keep the audience engaged and interested in the story, encouraging them to continue watching or reading to find out what happens next.

The unresolved cliffhanger can involve a character’s fate, a mystery that needs solving, or a looming threat that requires resolution. It is a commonly used storytelling device that has been used in many different genres of fiction.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Breaking Bad Season 4 Finale Gus Elimination
Breaking Bad, Image Courtesy of AMC

#20 | Breaking Bad

The end of season four saw Walter White’s plan to eliminate his rival Gus Fring finally come to fruition, but it also left viewers wondering what would happen to him next. The show’s final season didn’t disappoint, with a nail-biting climax that left viewers on the edge of their seats.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Walking Dead Season 6 Finale
Walking Dead, Image Courtesy of AMC

#19 | The Walking Dead

The season six finale of “The Walking Dead” ended on a major cliffhanger, with the villainous Negan about to kill one of the main characters. Fans had to wait six months to find out who met their demise, sparking intense speculation and anticipation.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Twin Peaks What Happened To Agent Cooper
Twin Peaks, Image Courtesy of ABC

#18 | Twin Peaks

The original run of “Twin Peaks” ended on a cliffhanger that left viewers wondering what had happened to Agent Cooper, who had been trapped in the Black Lodge. The recent revival series answered some of these questions, but still left fans with plenty of unresolved mysteries.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Stranger Things Season 1 Finale
Stranger Things, Image Courtesy of Netflix

#17 | Stranger Things

The end of season one saw Will Byers finally rescued from the Upside Down, but with a final shot of him coughing up a slug, fans knew that the story wasn’t over yet. The season two finale also left viewers with some unanswered questions, setting up the next season.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - X-Files Season 7 Finale
X-Files, Image Courtesy of FOX

#16 | The X-Files

The X-Files was famous for its cliffhangers, but the most unresolved one was the end of season seven, which saw Mulder abducted by aliens and Scully pregnant with his child. The subsequent seasons didn’t fully resolve these plot threads, leaving fans with mixed feelings.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Alias Finale
Alias, Image Courtesy of ABC

#15 | Alias

This spy thriller ended on a cliffhanger that saw the main character, Sydney Bristow, apparently killed by a gunshot. The subsequent season revealed that she had actually faked her death, but the unresolved nature of the cliffhanger made for a tense and emotional viewing experience.



Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Sherlock Moriarty Return
Sherlock, Image Courtesy of BBC

#14 | Sherlock

The third season of “Sherlock” ended on a cliffhanger that saw the reveal of Moriarty’s return. Fans had to wait two years for the next season, which finally resolved the cliffhanger in a shocking and unexpected way.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Battlestar Galactica Cylons
Battlestar Galactica, Image Courtesy of NBC

#13 | Battlestar Galactica

This sci-fi series was known for its intense cliffhangers, and the season three finale was no exception. The fate of the human race hung in the balance as the Cylons launched a full-scale attack on the Colonies, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - The Leftovers Season 2 Finale
The Leftovers, Image Courtesy of HBO

#12 | The Leftovers

The second season finale of “The Leftovers” left viewers wondering what would happen to Kevin Garvey after he appeared to die and then come back to life. The subsequent season answered this question, but the cliffhanger was a powerful and haunting moment in the show’s history.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - 24 Jack Bauer Wife Killed
24, Image Courtesy of Fox

#11 | 24

The end of season one saw Jack Bauer’s wife Teri killed off in a shocking twist, setting up the show’s high-stakes storytelling for years to come. While the subsequent seasons had plenty of their own cliffhangers, the unresolved ending of season one was a standout moment.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Homeland Bomb Vest Finale
Homeland, Image Courtesy of Showtime

#10 | Homeland

The end of season two saw a major character’s death, but it was the subsequent cliffhanger that left fans truly on edge. Brody was seen heading towards a bomb vest, leaving viewers wondering whether he would detonate it or not.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Buffy sacrificing herself to save the world
Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Image Courtesy of The WB

#09 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The end of season five saw Buffy sacrificing herself to save the world, leaving viewers wondering how the show could possibly continue without her. The subsequent season found a way to bring her back, but the unresolved cliffhanger was a powerful moment in the show’s history.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - The Wire End of Season Four
The Wire, Image Courtesy of HBO

#08 | The Wire

The end of season four saw a major character killed off, leaving viewers wondering how the show would move forward. The subsequent season proved to be just as compelling as the previous ones, thanks in part to the unresolved cliffhanger.



Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Hank Discovers Walt's Secret Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, Image Courtesy of AMC

#07 | Breaking Bad

The end of the mid-season five finale saw Hank finally uncovering the truth about Walter White, setting up an epic showdown that would unfold over the final episodes. The unresolved cliffhanger left viewers hungry for more, making the subsequent episodes some of the most intense and satisfying in the show’s history.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Jon Snow Fate Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones, Image Courtesy of HBO

#06 | Game of Thrones

This epic fantasy series was full of cliffhangers, but the most unresolved one was the fate of Jon Snow at the end of season five. Was he really dead? Would he come back to life? Fans had to wait a whole year to find out.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - The Americans Series Finale
The Americans, Image Courtesy of FX

#05 | The Americans

The final season of this spy drama left viewers with a major cliffhanger, as Philip and Elizabeth Jennings were forced to flee the country and leave their children behind. The unresolved ending left fans with mixed emotions, but it was a fitting conclusion to the show’s complex storylines.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Madmen Finale Peggy Don
Mad Men, Image Courtesy of AMC

#04 | Mad Men

The end of season six left viewers with a major cliffhanger, as Don Draper’s protege Peggy Olson was seen leaving her job at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. The subsequent season revealed her new job, but the unresolved ending left fans with a sense of anticipation and excitement.


Best Television Cliches The Big Twist Lost Final Moment Twist
Lost, Image Courtesy of ABC

#03 | Lost

This iconic show used cliffhangers masterfully, with each episode leaving viewers with more questions than answers. But the ultimate cliffhanger was the series finale, which left many viewers feeling unresolved and frustrated, while others saw it as a brilliant way to end the show.


Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche - Dexter Finale
Dexter, Image Courtesy of Showtime

#02 | Dexter

The end of season four saw Dexter’s wife Rita murdered by the Trinity Killer, setting up a tense and emotional final season. While some fans were disappointed with the show’s ultimate ending, the unresolved cliffhanger made for some truly gripping television.


Best Television Cliche - The Unresolved Cliffhanger - Sopranos Final Scene
The Sopranos, Image Courtesy of HBO

#01 | The Sopranos

The final scene of “The Sopranos” left viewers wondering whether Tony Soprano was about to be assassinated or whether he would continue living his life of crime. The unresolved ending sparked endless debates and theories, making it one of the most talked-about cliffhangers in TV history.


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This has been the 20 best uses of the unresolved cliffhanger story cliche in TV. Let us know what you think of the list in the comments below!

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