20 Greatest Season Cliffhangers In TV History

By Baz Greenland /

18. Babylon 5 - Season 3 Finale (Z'ha'dum)

The Shadow War ignited in the latter half of season three; Babylon 5 delivered some of its most spectacular episodes yet as two and a half years worth of teasing was paid off. After the spectacular battle against the Shadow fleet in the previous episode, the season three finale took things to a whole other level as Sheridan's wife returned from the dead and the Shadows came to Babylon 5 itself. Many great season finales have teased the death of the main character but this one actually does it. Back in season two Sheridan was told if he went to the home world of the Shadows - Z'ha'dum - he would die. In this episode the prophecy comes true as Sheridan rebels against his enemy, sending the White Star crashing into the Shadow city and jumping into five mile deep chasm to his death. The season ended with the galaxy - and the audience - stunned by these events. Sheridan was dead. Garibaldi had been captured by the Shadows and the war had taken an unexpected twist. A master-stroke in story telling that capped off one of the greatest seasons of sci-fi of all time.