15 of the most shocking TV finales of all time

When it aired: June 19, 2016

The third and planned final season of "Penny Dreadful" packed in a lot of plot and new characters. It was messy in good ways and bad. In its shocking series finale, which was jam-packed with some of the best action ever made for the small screen, its main character, Vanessa (played by Eva Green) begs her on-and-off lover Ethan (played by Josh Hartnett) to kill her to save the world from complicated supernatural beings.

When it aired: May 23, 2007

The season three finale of "Lost" took an unprecedented turn for a network series, or even any TV series. In the two-part finale, it's revealed that the flashbacks shown throughout the season have actually been flash forwards. What a twist!

When it aired: October 9, 2011

By the end of "Face Off," villain Gus Fring's face literally comes off. Throughout the episode, Walter White plots to build a bomb that will end his rival and make him the king of the meth business.

When it aired: June 23, 2013

This episode of "Mad Men" was shocking in a way that no other episode on this list is. For the first time in the series, Don Draper starts getting honest about who he is: he tells his co-workers and clients in a very important pitch meeting that he grew up in a brothel, and by the end of the episode he's taken his children to see it.

When it aired: May 14, 2009

In the fifth season finale, Seattle Grace gets a patient so tattered from an accident that he's unrecognizable. By the end of the episode, Meredith Grey realizes that the patient is George O'Malley, but they can't save him. George was one of the most beloved characters on the show, and his death marked a new era, and proved that the show could function without the original cast.

When it aired: December 8, 2002

"Whitecaps" is one of the best episodes of "The Sopranos," and one of the best TV episodes of all time, with incredible performances from Edie Falco and James Gandolfini. In the episode, we see Carmela and Tony's relationship go from sweet to the messiest it's ever been, as Carmela starts to call Tony out on his infidelity and lies throughout their entire marriage. Oh, and she also tells Tony that she's got a huge crush on Furio, the long-haired Italian who was one of Tony's most loyal associates.

When it aired: December 4, 2016

In the season one finale, Robert Ford, one of the main characters in the series, is shot in the head by Dolores. Ford also gives the hosts free will. This was a shocking turn of events that for most shows wouldn't happen until later in a run. This really set up a lot of violence, high stakes, and intensity in season two.

When it aired: May 18, 2006

Everyone knew that Mischa Barton's character Marissa Cooper was going to get killed off on "The O.C.," because the actress wanted to pursue a career in movies. But her death was still devastating, especially because Ryan was there in her final moments.

When it aired: Entire season became available on Netflix July 11, 2013

The first season of this early Netflix hit ended fittingly: Piper's journey in prison, which started to reveal sides of her she didn't even know about, ends with her beating up fellow inmate Pennsatucky, who threatened her life. Pennsatucky survives, but it was agony waiting to find out what happened.

When it aired: April 20, 2018

"Jane the Virgin" both embraces and satirizes the telenovela. At the end of the excellent season four finale, Jane's relationship seemingly comes to an end when she finds out that her husband Michael, who died years ago, is alive.

When it aired: February 3, 2017

The season two finale of "Crazy-Ex Girlfriend" takes a quite unexpected turn: Josh Chan leaves Rebecca Bunch alone at the altar, because on their wedding day, he decides that he wants to join the priesthood. It's both hilarious and devastating.

When it aired: June 15, 2014

People who read the books saw everything in this episode coming, but most fans were shocked to see Tyrion Lannister kill his father Tywin on the toilet, right after he killed the love of his life, Shae, who betrayed him. This action-packed finale also had a brutal fight between Brienne and the Hound, and ended with Arya heading across the Narrow Sea to Braavos.

When it aired: February 1, 2018

"The Good Place" completely changed what the show was capable of in its season one finale, and did it again with the season two ending. At the end of the episode, all of the main characters who are in the afterlife are sent back to the moment right before they died. There, they can prove if they've truly become better people so they can make it to the Good Place.

When it aired: May 11, 2006

In the season two finale of "The Office," Jim tells Pam that he's in love with her, and it's one of the sweetest moments in sitcom history.