Top 10 Storylines TV Writers Regret

“Lost” (2004-10)
Anyone who watched “Lost” knew the show was often packed with hidden details and clues. So, fast forward to the series finale's end credits, and viewers are left staring at images of the deserted island, trying to figure out what it all means. Many fans wondered if this hinted that there had been no survivors all along. However, it turns out this wasn't exactly the writers’ idea. Network ABC added those scenes to help ease audiences out of the intense finale and into whatever was shown next. The showrunners were left disappointed by this decision since it overshadowed their emotional conclusion, where the characters finally come together in the afterlife.

“Stranger Things” (2016-)
“Stranger Things” fans have learned not to get too attached to characters, a lesson the showrunners know well, too *ahem Chrissy*. Another example is Joyce’s beau, Bob Newby. Unfortunately, while trying to help Joyce and the others escape from the Hawkins Lab, Bob gets caught by a pack of Demodogs. Despite his valiant efforts, he sacrifices himself, giving the others time to flee. It was gut-wrenching; Bob was a fan favorite, and we were rooting for his future with Joyce. Sean Astin and Winona Ryder were disappointed to see him go, as were the writers who reportedly kept delaying his fate. However, they teased that fans may still see him (and Chrissy) again.

“This Is Us” (2016-22)
Early on, it’s revealed that Jack Pearson, the family’s patriarch, isn’t around in the present day, but it takes time to explain what happened. In season one, Kate mentions feeling responsible for the tragic event. A flashback shows Jack, who’s struggling with alcohol use disorder and marital issues, calling his daughter before driving off. As we now know, this is not how he passes away. Still, creator Dan Fogelman later regretted sending viewers off course since it took focus away from key storylines like Jack and Rebecca’s relationship struggles. Looking back, he believes they should have kept the story straightforward to keep viewers engaged with the real issues and evolving character dynamics.

“The Walking Dead” (2010-22)
Some TV series thrive on leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating that big, game-changing reveal. Others, like “The Walking Dead,” charge straight ahead, as writer Robert Kirkman felt they did in the season one finale. In that pivotal episode, Rick discovers that the zombie virus has gone global, with no remedy in sight. Cue the collective gasp! Suddenly, our survivors are thrust into a world overrun by the undead. However, Kirkman had his doubts. Was this revelation too much, too soon? Perhaps diving into global chaos from the get-go was overwhelming for viewers. Yet, it didn’t seem to hurt the series, which only continued to soar in popularity.

“Grey's Anatomy” (2005-)
It’s a huge deal to have your series air after the Super Bowl, so you’d definitely want to make a bang. “Grey’s Anatomy” took that quite literally with a two-episode storyline where Dr. Meredith Grey must remove an active explosive from a patient. The surgery goes well, but things take a turn when she hands the device to disposal expert Dylan Young, played by Kyle Chandler. Apparently, Chandler tried to suggest alternate ideas for his character, but the script had sealed his fate. Shonda Rhimes later admitted she regretted that decision, especially after casting Chandler. Still, whenever she feels pangs of remorse, she can remember that this gripping two-part episode earned her an Emmy nomination.

“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
No matter what TV series you watch, there will always be that couple you root for, and hope will make it. Maybe it’s in line with the writers’ vision, and maybe it isn’t, but we’d still like to believe they stand behind their decisions. Well, Stelena fans, listen up (Delena fans, you may wanna cover your ears). Series developer Kevin Williamson revealed that he actually envisioned Stefan and Elena as endgame. However, when Nina Dobrev left after season six, Elena had just gotten back together with Damon. Since she only returned for the finale, there wasn’t enough time to rekindle things with Stefan. If she’d stuck around longer, who knows? Maybe things would’ve ended differently.

“The 100” (2014-20)
You know a writer has second thoughts about their decisions when they pen an open letter of apology to the fans. “The 100” series developer Jason Rothenberg did just that after the huge backlash over Lexa’s death shortly after her romantic scene with Clarke. Fans were heartbroken. They loved Lexa because she was such a deep and fascinating character who wasn’t just defined by her sexuality. Rothenberg got that fans were angry about the age-old trope of killing off LGBTQIA+ characters and admitted they messed up, even if it wasn’t intentional. He also said there’s still a lot of work to be done to improve inclusion on a broader scale.

“Friends” (1994-2004)
The younger generation couldn’t BE any less enthused with many of “Friends” outdated storylines. It turns out that the writers agree with some of the criticism. Co-creator Marta Kauffman isn’t too keen on “The One with the Chicken Pox” or the storyline where Phoebe dates her sister’s stalker. However, in maybe her biggest regret, Kauffman openly acknowledges mishandling intersex and transgender characters. She regrets elements like the infamous rumor in the Brad Pitt episode and the comedic portrayal of Chandler’s transgender father. Looking back, she sees the need for a major course correction, especially in the language used. If “Friends” were made today, she’d likely insist on a more respectful representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
This is perhaps one of the most notorious examples of an LGBTQIA+ character facing an untimely death. Worse still, it was essentially only written to advance Willow’s storyline. Also, having Tara meet her end by crossfire only adds to the injustice of it all. Fans were outraged, flooding the writers with letters of disappointment. Some were so upset it turned them off the series entirely. Marti Noxon, a showrunner in the later seasons, now thinks maybe it wasn’t the best move. Tara was one of the few well-rounded LGBTQIA+ characters on TV back then, and a really likable one at that. Looking back, Noxon wonders if killing her off was the right call at all.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Creator & Star Lena Dunham Voiced Regret at Introducing the Character As “A Little Too Soulless”

Series Creator Matt Groening Called the Episode a “Mistake” & Noted It’s Way Off His List of Favorites

Creator Josh Schwartz Admitted He’d Want a “Do-Over” on How It All Ended

Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino Wasn’t Thrilled with How This Led Fans to Fixate on Rory’s Love Life

“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19) & “Young Sheldon” (2017-24)
Throughout “The Big Bang Theory,” we learn various details about Sheldon’s father: he liked football, TV, and beer; he once wrestled a bobcat for licorice; he wasn’t much of a family man, and he died when Sheldon was 14. “Young Sheldon” retconned much of this, turning George Sr. into a much-loved character. Sadly, though, the one thing they couldn’t backtrack on was his fate. In one of his Vanity Cards, Chuck Lorre admitted he regrets ever deciding that Sheldon lost his father when he was a teenager. Little could he have known back then how attached viewers would become to the character and how difficult it would be for us all to say goodbye.