10 HBO TV Shows That Left Audiences Shocked With Season Finales

HBO has been the most well-regarded service for prestige television in the 21st century, with many of their shows leaving audiences shocked by season finales. The network is responsible for developing some of the best TV shows ever, including The Sopranos and The Wire. They’ve also had some commercially appealing blockbuster series like Game of Thrones and, more recently, The Last of Us. HBO knows the trick to developing high-quality, addictive television, and a shocking season finale is a surefire way to bring someone back for more.

A shocking season finale doesn’t necessarily entail a last-minute cliffhanger, though it has happened on HBO shows like Game of Thrones and Barry. Several plot twists could happen throughout an episode, or the events could simply be bizarre or shocking in their subversion of television norms, which occurred frequently on shows like The Leftovers or The Wire. HBO’s shows have consistently led the way, setting trends for the highest television standard for decades. They certainly know how to pull off a shocking season finale.

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10 “Mother’s Mercy”

Game Of Thrones – Season 5, Episode 10

Almost every Game of Thrones season finale could qualify for its shock value (for better or worse). However, season 5 ending with Jon Snow being brutally murdered landed perfectly during Game of Thrones’ upward trend as a cultural phenomenon, and the cliffhanger ending left fans in disarray for a whole year. It’s a Game of Thrones moment that made fans cry, mainly because, for the first time, there were no answers from the books to confirm whether Jon was genuinely alive or dead, as season 5 marked the TV series passing George R.R. Martin’s novels.

9 “Arrivederci”

The White Lotus – Season 2, Episode 7

Part of what makes The White Lotus so addictive is that the finale in seasons 1 and 2 is set up in the first episode. Viewers know a character (or several) is going to die, and as tension and anxiety ramp up episode by episode, the show becomes a guessing game about who will perish in the finale. Season 2 sadly claimed the life of Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya, but not before she went berserk on a boat with a handgun, taking several of her enemies down with her. The rest of the White Lotus visitors have had life-altering experiences, leaving audiences stunned.

8 “With Open Eyes”

Succession – Season 4, Episode 10

Season 4 solidified itself as the best Succession season with its shocking finale, finally answering the question of who would succeed Logan Roy as the CEO of Waystar Royco. For anyone hoping the Roy siblings would pull it together, the season 4 finale came as a depressing blow, as they were dismantled by their failure to work together. After the touching “meal fit for a king” scene, the Roys have victory within grasp until everything comes crumbling down at the last minute, allowing Lukas Matsson to win and the Roy family legacy to fall apart.

7 “Made In America”

The Sopranos – Season 6, Episode 21

The Sopranos finale wasn’t for everyone, but it was undoubtedly one of the most shocking in television history, literally cutting to black and leaving audiences to theorize for decades whether Tony got whacked. The Sopranos changed television forever, and the interpretative ending continued its trends, toying with the conventions of TV endings. Visual clues hinted at a hit being carried out, leaving room for audiences to theorize and discuss for years.

6 “Look For The Light”

The Last Of Us – Season 1, Episode 9

The Last of Us continues HBO’s trend of shows that force viewers to question the protagonist’s morality. Joel is the hero of season 1, but the finale sees him massacre a hospital full of Fireflies in order to save Ellie. Not just the armed gunmen either; Joel kills scientists and innocents in his blood lust. At the end of The Last of Us season 1, even Ellie doesn’t know how to feel about Joel, which makes it such excellent television. The brutality is stunning, but it’s Ellie’s last unnerving glances at Joel that leave audiences shaken up.

5 “Now Am Found”

True Detective – Season 3, Episode 8

True Detective season 1’s ending is phenomenal, leaving audiences with much to think about. But season 3, episode 8’s final plot twist offers dismay on another level. Mahershala Ali’s Detective Hays has pondered the season’s central mystery for decades, explored through parallel timelines. In the 2015 timeline, he has dementia, causing memory loss as he’s interviewed about the case for a TV program. In “Now Am Found,” Hays finally puts the final piece of the puzzle together, but his memory fails him when he arrives to close the case, losing it forever.

4 “The Bicameral Mind”

Westworld – Season 1, Episode 10

Westworld may not have lived up to expectations, but season 1 is still unbelievable television with an awe-inspiring finale. Not only does The Man in Black finally reveal himself to be William, allowing the season’s timelines to click together, but the episode ends with a bloody massacre as Anthony Hopkins’ Robert Ford ends his own life for his desire to prove the hosts can be sentient. Sadly, Westworld never reached these heights again.

3 “I Live Here Now”

The Leftovers – Season 2, Episode 10

The Leftovers is a forgotten HBO show that deserves to be rewatched, with unbelievable second and third seasons. The late episodes of season 2 take a turn for the surreal as Kevin Garbey dies and is sent to some form of afterlife. Of course, the only way for him to return to the living is to sing karaoke. Beyond the existential ideas posed by season 2, the plot with Meg, the Guilty Remnant, and the bomb threat on the bridge is thrilling and masterful.

2 “The Black Queen”

House Of The Dragon – Season 1, Episode 10

The first season is primarily a build-up, establishing the cause and sides of the Dance of the Dragons, which will ensue in House of the Dragon season 2. Tensions rise and fall throughout the season, but the final two episodes see events culminating following the death of Viserys Targaryen. Rhaenyra and Alicent attempt to gather allies, but things go south in the Stormlands when Aemond and Lucerys run into each other, resulting in Lucerys and his dragon getting munched by the much larger Vhagar. The violent ending is surprising, but the actual shock comes from seeing the face of Rhaenyra, a grieving mother now out for vengeance.

1 “You Get What You Need”

Big Little Lies – Season 1, Episode 7

Big Little Lies season 1 is filled with meaningful shock value, as, like The White Lotus, audiences know someone has died but don’t know who until the end. Alexander Skarsgård’s Perry Wright ends up being the answer, as a violent conflict results in him being pushed down stairs to his death. The ending leaves audiences with a ton to ponder, especially given how the series explores abuse and trauma.