Cliffhangers: Love em or hate em?
I hate being kept in suspense.
I know that sounds silly since I’m such a fan of suspense movies, thrillers, and scary novels. (Though, in novels, I’m never really in suspense as I usually read the ending by the time I hit 1/3 of the way in, just to see if I’ve got it figured out right…and I usually do…lolol!) Anyway, for someone who likes suspenseful stories, I just don’t have much tolerance for being kept in suspense about anything! I am an “instant gratification” girl. I want to know, and I want to know now.
So why do I torment myself with TV shows and movies and even books that result in cliffhangers?
You know how they got started, right? Girl is literally hanging off a cliff, or tied down to the railroad tracks, then we fade to black until next time. It kept those audiences coming back for the next reel…
And obviously Hollywood never forgot the lesson. Because they kept on doing it.
Who can forget The Empire Strikes Back? All appears lost, Han is a statue. Did we not ALL hold our breaths for a couple of years until Return of the Jedi? 
And don’t forget Back To The Future II—when Marty realizes Doc died shortly after going back to the old west and sets off to save him?
Of course there’s the Lord of the Rings movies…I was there, in the theater, with my family, on opening day of every movie. Even knowing they would each end in a cliffhanger and I’d have to wait a year for more, I still showed up on opening day. And you can bet I’ll be at Pirates of the Caribbean III next weekend when it opens, since I’ve been waiting to see how they’re going to bring back Captain Jack since I saw II on opening day last year!
It works for books, too. I absolutely held my breath between installments of Stephen King’s serialized novel, The Green Mile. I still have all six of those little paperbacks, and I raced to the store to buy each one on its release date. And I read the first several Stephanie Plum books and was always dying to see how the next one would start…who would Stephanie be with…and what would she be eating?
You’d think someone like me who wants instant gratification would wait until all the things are out and can be consumed one after the other.
But noooooo…
With the single exception of Deadwood, which I got addicted to just as HBO was canceling it at the end of Season 3, I’ve never watched TV shows on DVD, one after the other. (I’m still ticked about that…Deadwood was a great show!)
TV shows used to have weekly cliffhangers…(”Same bat time, same bat channel!” and one of my fave shows, Quantum Leap with Scott Bacula!) Some (Heroes and 24 and the recently canceled Jericho) still do. But it seems like they save the huge ones for the season ender. That probably makes sense because they want to ensure that A, they get renewed, and B, the audience comes back even if they’ve been kept waiting for months!
I think the most classic “season-ender” cliffhanger on a TV show was the whole “Who Shot J.R.?” hoopla for Dallas. (Either that or the Brady Bunch in Hawaii when the kids are trapped in that spooky cave and Marcia and Greg have to use body heat to stay warm. Okay, I made that last part up…hee hee…)
And the tradition continues. Some of the best TV show cliffhangers I can think of from recent tv include:
1. Last year’s 24. All is well, everything’s good, then wham, in the very last moments of the show, Jack Bauer is kidnapped by the Chinese in retaliation for the break-in at their embassy. I SO didn’t see that coming, and I was very anxious to see how they’d resolve it.
2. The first season of Lost. Walt is kidnapped by the others, Jin, Sawyer and Michael’s boat explodes out from under them…great stuff!
3. The season of Friends when Monica & Chandler are getting married and a pregnancy test kit is found in the bathroom trashcan.
4. Rex dying in the last episode of season one of Desperate Housewives. (I’m STILL mad that they killed him off!)
5. The whole series finale of The X-Files. To this day I wonder about Mulder and Scully!
6. Grey’s Anatomy season one, when Addison arrived and asked Meredith if she was the slut who’d been sleeping with her husband.
Which brings me to this…
Grey’s Anatomy’s cliffhanger this year, in my very humble opinion, SUCKED BIG ONES. Good grief, why not just hand us a razor blade and invite us all to slit our wrists over the summer? There was nothing “exciting”, there was just one down, depressing moment after another! Who wants to return to a show that doesn’t have you bouncing on your seat but leaves you reaching for the Prozac?
Big thumbs down for Grey’s…I am holding out MUCH higher hopes for tonight’s Heroes and Wednesday night’s Lost.
So, anybody else have any favorite cliffhangers…or least favorite? Am I the only one who hates to love ‘em?
Morning Plotmonkeys and friends. Happy Monday!
- The season of Buffy when she died was probably the biggest one I can remember. Since I don’t watch t.v. much anymore, I can’t get anymore current than that.
Comment by Stacy ~ — May 21, 2007 @ 6:25 am
They are making a new X-Files movie.
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/pearlman/342633,CST-FTR-xfiles16.article
Comment by Heather Harper — May 21, 2007 @ 8:03 am
They cancelled Jericho???? God dang it… Poop Heads. I haven’t been keeping up with the other puter down, now I have to go find it.
I haven’t watched Grays’ yet. It’s on the DVR, along with Lost.
Did anyone see the end of HOusewives last night? Didn’t see that coming.
You’ll have to figure it out- I won’t spoil it.
Not that it was a cliff hanger, but Extreme Makeover Home was shot here. It was on 2 hours last night.
They cancelled Crossing Jordan too. And Gilmore Girls. What the hell am I going to watch next season????
Comment by ev — May 21, 2007 @ 8:44 am
I could only laugh as I read this because it hit too close to home. I loved Dallas and boy do I remember all the contests and t-shirt, etc “Who Shot J.R?”
But, because I’m an instant gratification person I can’t stand to be held in suspence by a TV show. Therefore, I don’t watch TV shows or many movies, because I can’t skip ahead to the end.
I do the same thing as you with books - I already know the ending by the time I’m half way through. I thought it came from my having read an entire novel one time, falling in love with the hero, only to find out he died at the end - horribly - being driven off a cliff by a crazy ex-lover. Now I always make sure its a happy ending before I read the whole thing.
I didn’t start reading the Stephanie Plum series until there were 10 of them. After I got to about 5 or 6, I went to the library, checked out all the remaining ones and lined them up. I read the first chapter of each one, skipped to the last page to see who she ended up with, then moved to the first chapter of the next one.
I did go back and read them all, and am waiting not-so-patiently for the next one, but I know the first thing I’ll do is read the last page to see if it’s Morelli or Ranger.
Like it really matters and won’t be different in 14!!!
Glad I’m not the only one who can’t stand to be in suspence.
Comment by Jodie — May 21, 2007 @ 9:09 am
I HATE end of the season cliffhangers…don’t even get me started on “Grey’s’ the other night…..is there anyone who is happy? NO! I even watched it again over the weekend to see if I missed anything. Geez, all I can say is
(that got a quintouble one because I am so MAD!). It’s starting to ‘jump the shark”!
Comment by katie — May 21, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Heather you made my day!! I did not know about X Files. WAY cool!!!
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Stacy, I never watched Buffy…always meant to, but I just could never get past Sarah Michelle Geller as the original Kendall (who I hated) on AMC…lol!
And Ev, yes, Desperate Housewives was *very* interesting! Wonder (trying not to spoil anything) if the scarf will rip. :P (and yes, I liked Jericho, too. Kind of lost track of it lately, though, I think the long haitus hurt them, too.)
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Jodie, I’ve said it before, you and I are cyber twins.
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Whew, Katie, glad I wasn’t the only one to feel that way. After the show ended, my hubby looked at me and repeated Meredith’s last line…”This is SO over.”
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 10:11 am
First last week was the final Gilmore Girls ever!!! I really was wishing they would do one more season…so that ended tuesday badly. Then Melinda got voted off on Idol so that ended Wednesday badly. On Thursday I was so pumped to watch Ugly Betty and Grey’s…until they were both over and I was like
. I just have to agree with my brother that unless something really great happens in the opener, Grey’s is not going to ever be the same show we all love. Plus, I got hooked on Veronica Mars last year and tomorrow is it’s series finale too…I don’t know what I’ll watch next year now.
Comment by Liza — May 21, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Desperate Housewives was an amazing ending. I too am dying to see what happens with the scarf. But also with Lynette’s mother being around and her diagnosis. Also, what will happen with Gabby now that she knows she is an “asset” according to her new…well this is hard trying not to blow the whole thing. But I also loved the whole Bree thing, that threw me for a loop! LOL!
Brothers and Sisters season finale was a bummer too. Talk about bawling!!
Comment by Kelly F. — May 21, 2007 @ 10:20 am
The best dang season finale cliffhanger was the third season of Star Trek: The Next Generation with the episode Best of Both Worlds part 1. . . “I am Locutus of Borg. . .” veeeerrrrry cool!!!
Lois
Comment by Lois — May 21, 2007 @ 10:31 am
Leslie, as soon as I’m done with this book (6 pages and counting!) I need you to call and clue me in on Grey’s and Desperate Housewives. I’ve watched NO tv this week.
Liza… I have one word for you…HEROES! Though I should reserve my judgment until the season finale tonight. I still haven’t watched the episode I recorded from last week!
Back to work…
Comment by Julie Leto — May 21, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Hero’s is my favorite and I’m sure it will leave me going crazy until it starts back up again.
I’m kinda on the fence about the cliff hangers. I love to hate them. The writer in me loves them because I always think what a great ending hook, I’d so turn the next page. The normal person in me (there is one in there somewhere
) says 
I can’t wait to find out this or that.
Way cool on the X-files. I didn’t know they were doing a movie.
I do have to say that some books although I love them drive me crazy as well. I read Linda Howards Raintree - the 1st one and when it ended it didn’t end at all. You have to read the next one to find out what happends. It ends in the middle of an action scene. So while I loved the book when I got to the end I sat there and said “No way!” I have to wait?
Of course I’ll be at the store to buy it today since I believe it came out on Saturday or Sunday.
Comment by Vicki — May 21, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Leslie, I, too, HATED the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. It was so damn depressing, with NOTHING to make me want to tune in next season (but of course I will, in hopes that the writers get their sh*t together and give us someone or something to root for!). The ending was just such a downer and so damn predictable — I have to agree with Katie’s numerous
Desperate Housewives was pretty good — It definitely left you with a cliffhanger and makes you want to tune in to find out how Edie gets herself out of her current “bind”
I didn’t see that coming AT ALL.
I’m excited to watch the finale of Dancing With the Stars tonight. I’m rooting for Apollo — He is just too cute, and so is his partner!
And then there’s the American Idol finale. I love Jordan and think she has an incredible voice, but I think Blake has a very “unique” Maroon-Five kind of voice, which I love. Can’t go wrong with either one!
Julie — You know you can download the episodes of Grey’s and Housewives that you missed, right? After you finish this book you can have a “finale-feast”, LOL! With lots of margaritas! :cocktail:
Comment by Janelle — May 21, 2007 @ 11:32 am
I can’t believe they canceled Jericho!
That is a never answered cliffhanger.
Desperate Housewives had a fantastic ending.
I loved last years 24 cliffhanger, hopefully tonights finale will be good.
Comment by Susan — May 21, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Leslie and Liza:
Seriously, when Grey’s ended, I said to myself, “now, I can put
on my Friday comment”. What makes me sad is I love that show. I NEVER buy any tv show dvd, EVER! I got them for Christmas and watched the first two seasons in record time! Now, I am SO depressed….not even McSteamy can make me feel better (you know that is a bad thing!)….now, they just need to get rid of Tim Daly and that other chick on Addison’s new show and it will be a hit!
Janelle: I am also rooting for Apolo (okay, he’s from the PNW, so it’s sort of a law). He and Julianne are SO much fun to watch. I couldn’t believe it when Len said they were raunchy….if they were raunchy, then that is fine by me!
I have six hours of tv to record tonight and tomorrow and then NOTHING! No more DWTS or Bachelor or Grey’s NADA! Guess, then, I will have to read some books I have in my TBR pile that has not been touched!
Comment by katie — May 21, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Well, I down to only watching 24 for the season. Hope the cliffhanger this year is as good as last. I’ll give Heros a try in re-runs. I actually have picked up a couple of shows that way in the past. As of Idol, I like Jordin and Blake, but I was pulling for Melinda. I think the winner will be Jordin because she is younger they can control her a little bit more than they could Blake. He is too original to be held within the normal Idol boundries.
Comment by Liza — May 21, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Leslie - until I read your last post I’d forgotten about what happened here last night. I was crawling out of my bathtub, all relaxed and mellow - making goo-goo eyes at hubby
(too much information, I know, but you’ve got to get the whole set-up). For some reason, something caught my attention and I turned around and guess what was stuck to my screen making kissy faces at me?
Absolute mood killer because all I could do was laugh at the stupid thing and say, “It’s a good thing Leslie’s not here!” Then it wouldn’t go away and I had to keep the window open all night because I didn’t want the stupid thing to be trapped between the glass and the screen. When I got up in the night to go to the bathroom, I have to confess, I turned on the light and checked around really good to make sure it hadn’t found a way inside.
Comment by Jodie — May 21, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Reading through that again I guess I had to call it “stupid thing” because I didn’t want to use the “f” word.
A whole new meaning to a 4 letter F word….
Comment by Jodie — May 21, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
lolol Jodie!
Grr…frogs…
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Liza, I haven’t been watching much of 24 this year. I tried to keep up online, but got a little weary because it started to feel like last season with new faces. I am so into Heroes, which is on opposite of it!
Maybe I’ll get caught up on DVD sometime.
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
YAYAYAY! Janet’s new book comes out next month! Can’t wait to find out which guy Stephanie ends up with. I can’t pick which one I’d like….I’m kinda leaning to Ranger
Comment by Melissa — May 21, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
Melissa, I’m a Morelli fan. At least for Stephanie. She needs someone with a real sense of humor…lol!
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
“Quantum Leap” always did great cliffhangers. I was a huge fan. Heck, I still miss that show. And “Early Edition”.
“The Dead Zone” did a pretty good finale back in January with Johnny confronted by the leader of the ominous group bent on bringing on armaggeddon who wants him to join in. I’m not much for the Stillson story arch, but well done and I look forward to seeing where they go from here next month.
I think “ER” this year did a pretty impressive finale/cliffhanger. I just had to tune in hoping we didn’t kill Ray off anyway. Then the explosion and ensuing riot… textbook cliffhanger. I’m with you, I’m too impatient to really appreciate the suspense. I want to know what happens NOW.
Comment by Laure — May 21, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
One day I’m pulling for Morelli thinking, “He’s so wonderful. How can she hurt him by going to Ranger?” and then he’ll do something really stupid and I’m just holding my breath waiting to see what sexy thing Ranger is going to do.
And the sad thing is, she will never pick! They’ll be on Sassy Eighty Five and I’ll still be standing in the isle of B&N on release day flipping to the back page because I can’t even wait until I”m out of the store to see which ones hanging on at the end.
Comment by Jodie — May 21, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
Holy Cow, I can’t read mysteries because I flip to the end while I am barely in the book.
Comment by katie — May 21, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Ev
Comment by Cherylann — May 21, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
Desperate Housewives was good I didn’t see any of that coming especially Edie. I hate when they leave you “hanging”
I watch CSI and they did a cliff hanger and now have to wait until the Fall
I want to know now
Comment by Cherylann — May 21, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Jode and Laure
I went to the Library today to reserve Janet’s new book and I can’t wait either to see who she picks. I am not sure who I wnat Stephanie with, but I also can’t wait to see what new sexy thing ranger will do.
Comment by Cherylann — May 21, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
Hi everyone,
Leslie,
I pretty much feel the same way about everything that you mentioned.
I never read the end of the book. id when I eas you but I don’t anymore.
I guess I’m hoping for a surprise ending.
Today is my birthday and I am having a flower planting and fudge making
holiday to celebrate. The fudge is coming out super.
The camp smells fabulous.
The yard is full of color and I am feeling good about that too.
All in all not a bad day the sun was even shining for a few houts.
Have a nice evening all.:love2:
Comment by jeannie — May 21, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
I watched Gilmore Girls last week and the finale wasn’t that great. It was the end for good, I thought after 7 yrs it would have been better. Looking forward to the Heroes finale. Hope this ones better.
Comment by Stacy S — May 21, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Leslie, Honestly, other than the Dodgers/sports (I remember, not your thing), I don’t watch that much TV, but, did see the last few episodes of GREY’S. I do agree with your assessment of the finale, & didn’t like the spin-off at all (none of its characters/actors were compelling, & it seemed sleezy). I say, keep its main character on GREY’S, & fix the original show.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — May 21, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
I still have Crossing Jordan on tape. That is the first that I heard that they were canceling it. I know the previews showed them going down in a crash and that Woody is already signed up for a new series. But I was hoping that he was the only one going off the show.
Man, I’m bummed now.:cry:
As far as Grey’s Anatomy, I told my husband that they could have at least had one good thing happen on the last show.
I did however like the last show of Desperate Housewives. It keeps you hanging, “No pun attended.” You know that Edie didn’t really hang herself, they are not going to take her off the show. I heard Gabby talking on a talk show and she said that she and Carlos would finally end up back together. So I have to assume that she will be getting the marriage annual.
Thank God there was one happy ending with Susan and Mike getting married.:love2:
Happy Birthday Jeannie.
Comment by Tina Byrd — May 21, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
I am in a quandry. I actually liked the end of Gray’s in some ways. I like what Derrick did, and how Chrstina melted down. I don’t like who they chose as Chief Resident and what happened to George. And to bring in her other sister- she is only on for 13 or so episodes. Should be interesting.
I will have the new Janet book read before it hits the shelves. LOL I love both men, why does she have to choose??? And I read every word, just so I don’t miss a laugh.
Harry Potter I will sneak and read to end to see who dies. Maybe.
There is a petition for Jericho going around cbs.com, then the shows. They wrote a letter saying they will resolve the end of it.
I haven’t watched the end of Jordon yet, so I don’t know how they ended that.
I am now going to watch Dancing. I could care less now about Idol, but will still do my weekly blog on it tomorrow night- if for no other reason than my west coast friends will want to know ASAP.
Comment by ev — May 21, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
I didn’t read all the messages.
But what did you think of the Desperate Housewives ending last night?
I think my favorite cliffhangers of course were when JR got shot.
I have to catch up on the last few episodes of Blood Ties but last night was season finale and Lifetime did pick it up for a new season.
This is going to sound wierd from a tv addict, but I haven’t watched much tv in last few months cause when I am home at night I am online, my brother plays something on playstation and my other brother sleeps in the bedroom until I get offline. Even the soaps, which I really hate to miss but with soapnet i know can catch up.
Comment by BadBarb — May 21, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Oops, I goofed. The Jericho petition was at TVguide.com, Ausiello report, then I found it through there.
I haven’t watced the finale for Blood Ties yet. Go to her blog on the show, it’s funny.
I am looking forward to the Women’s Murder Club based on the Patterson novels this fall.
Comment by ev — May 21, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
Melissa, Cherylann and Ev - did you know you can go to Evanovich.com and read the 1st chapter and part of the 2nd chapter of the new book? So far, both men are very much a part of Stephanie’s life….
Comment by Jodie — May 21, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
I loved Nora Robert’s “In the Garden Trilogy”. After “Blue Dahlia” I was very impatient waiting for the next book.
Anyone who likes the paranormal will like this series.
Comment by Carol R — May 21, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
ohh Thanks Jodie
Comment by Cherylann — May 21, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Yes Jodie and thanks. I always read Pattersons but don’t want to with Janet’s- go figure.
They also cancelled Veronica Mars.
TV Guide is a font of information.
Comment by ev — May 21, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
So sad over the season fianle of grey’s .. .:cry: I hope season four starts off better …
Comment by Yolanda — May 21, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Comment by Janelle — May 21, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Happy Birthday, Jeannie!
I decided to check back in before bed and was stunned to find all these great new messages!
What’d everybody think of HEROES? I LOVED the end of that. Hiro is my Hero. Anybody else think he’s going to end up being HIS hero, the one he’s idolized all his life?
Comment by Leslie — May 21, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
Can’t say 24 did much in the way of cliff hanger this year either. WAS THERE ONE? If so, I blinked and missed it. Ditto on Grey’s. HATED that Meredith’s sister was the girl Derek came close to picking up at the bar and is now an intern. HUH?
Alias - season enders - kill me why don’t you - so glad the season finale left me satisfied.
Happy Birthday, Jeannie!
Comment by Carly — May 21, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
lolololol I loved today’s blog!
moment was George. Just what is going on with him???
It’s sooo funny how much everyone here thinks a like. Was bored through Greys and my only
As for Desperate Housewives I think I’m the only one who was devestated over Edie, or maybe I’m the only one who believed she did what she did (don’t want to give it away for anyone who missed it)
And for anyone who did miss it you can watch it on Abc.com
As for American Idol, the two I was hoping to see in the finale are there so I can’t wait to see who wins I love them both, don’t get me wrong I think Melinda is great but she didn’t have the total package, Jordon and Blake are so much fun and full of engergy and very talented so I’m really looking forward to it!!
As for classic cliff hangers no one did it better than Dynasty, Dallas, Knots Landing.
Series finale–Cheers, Friends, and my all time favorite Seinfeld!!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — May 22, 2007 @ 12:09 am
HATED Grey’s, haven’t seen 24 yet, because we watched Heroes, which was kind of predictable. LOVED Jericho, and I actually thought the Gilmore Girls was spot on perfect.
Comment by Mary — May 22, 2007 @ 7:05 am
Have to catch up with Hereos and the final Gilmore. I think I am saving them for the last, along with Blood Ties.
Comment by ev — May 22, 2007 @ 7:43 am
Thanks!
Comment by jeannie — May 22, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Comment by Dee — May 23, 2007 @ 10:50 am