10 Shocking TV Finales That Changed Everything

This British crime series was a worldwide phenomenon upon its release, spawning spin offs and an ill-judged American remake (speaking of madcap endings, look up that version’s very literal interpretation of the title for a laugh) as well as introducing an entire generation to seventies cool. Its ending, however, was one for the books, splitting audiences and fans between ardent defenders and those who couldn’t stand its complicated nature.

The show teased the origins of its protagonist Sam throughout its run, as his pursuit of Gene Hunt hinted that he may be in a coma and imagining life in the seventies, his life in 1973 may be the real deal and the coma may be a misdirect, or both might be the case and, able to move between the two, he can’t decide which reality to live in.

Culminating in reveal after reveal, the series eventually concluded with an uncertain denouement which saw Sam “return” to his life 1973, never explaining for sure whether the world around him is a delusion brought on by a brain tumour, a coma dream, or the product of time travel.

Told you it was a weird one.