From Sunnydale to Springfield: TV’s best plot twists

Who doesn’t love a good plot twist? Whether it be a character death, or a plot point that alters the rest of the show’s storyline, these unexpected moments can leave fans gripping the edge of their seats just to find out what will happen next. Listed below are my top five favourite plot twists in television that perfectly establish the much-needed shock factor that makes them such entertaining and enjoyable shows to watch.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – ‘Second Best’

Buffy is no stranger to a plot twist. From Angel losing his soul, to the introduction of Dawn, it goes without saying that this show knows how to pack a suspenseful punch. However, I want to offer one moment that doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves. Season three’s episode, ‘Enemies’, results in Buffy figuring out Faith is working alongside the Mayor to destroy Sunnydale, Angelus returning, and Xander getting punched in the face. Towards the end of the episode, Faith and Angelus capture Buffy, and Faith dishes out a monologue essentially describing how great Buffy is (we know!). As Buffy aggravates Faith, she reveals details about the Mayor’s ascension, claiming she is the world’s best actor for deceiving the Scooby gang. Angel replies, ‘second best’, and it is revealed he had been working with Buffy all along. From the homoerotic tension between the two slayers (‘Fuffy’ fans are well and truly alive) to Giles revealing he staged the extraction of Angel’s soul to fool Faith, it truly is an underrated plot twist in the show. It works well to establish the storyline for the rest of the season, and haunts the narrative of season four too.

Grey’s Anatomy – ‘Addison Montgomery-Shepherd’

Grey’s Anatomy is undoubtedly known for its dramatic and intense plot twists, with suspenseful finales and character deaths galore. Between the plane crash episodes and the death of George O’Malley, you can certainly get your fix of unexpected moments. However, the original twist that set the tone for these thrilling finales is often overshadowed. Despite the first season only being nine episodes, it leaves you rooting for Meredith and Derek. So when Kate Walsh walks into Seattle Grace, you just know something was bound to happen. Derek looks all but uncomfortable as she approaches, introducing herself to Meredith as Addison Shepherd, delivering her iconic line, “and you must be the woman who’s been screwing my husband?”. The episode ends, and I cannot imagine the pain fans must have felt in 2005, waiting in suspense for season two. Luckily, I could binge the next season in three days, and it did not disappoint. Something that made the season one finale even more perfect, however, was the fact Ellen Pompeo had no idea who Addison was, as the showrunners intentionally kept it a secret in order to make the reveal authentic. This moment was crucial in hooking viewers, and after twenty-two seasons, it’s safe to say it did the job.

The Vampire Diaries – ‘Enzo’s Death’

Unfortunately, The Vampire Diaries loved a good death scene. From Jenna Sommers, to the fall of Klaus Mikaelson in The Originals, this show was no stranger to the loss of a fan-favourite character. However, the ultimate plot twist came in season eight, where Enzo, who was planning on taking the cure to spend the rest of his mortal life with Bonnie, was killed by Stefan. Stefan had switched off his humanity in his relentless pursuit to kill Elena, after striking a deal with Cade to save Damon’s soul. Doubling the shock factor, Bonnie then injected Stefan with the cure, turning him human. Bonnie and Enzo were already an unexpected relationship to fans, and the death of such a beloved character set up the show’s finale, with Stefan sacrificing himself to ensure Katherine stayed dead once and for all.

The Good Place – ‘The Bad Place’

The season one finale of The Good Place is often regarded as one of the biggest plot twists in television history. Instead of living in a utopia and having been rewarded for their virtuous lives, it is revealed at the end of the season that the core group were part of a psychological torture experiment meant to punish them for living such selfish lifestyles. The plot twist certainly left fans speechless, and established the trajectory for the rest of the show, transforming it from a standardised sitcom into an exploration of personal growth and reform.

The Simpsons – ‘Maggie shot Mr Burns’

The season six finale of The Simpsons first aired in May 1995, and originally positioned Waylon Smithers as the drunken culprit of a crime he hadn’t committed. However, by the end of the episode, Homer is arrested, and becomes the prime suspect in a case convoluted with suspense, drama and mystery. At the time, internet forums had only one question – who shot Mr Burns? With Lisa proclaiming everyone had a reason to shoot the corrupted tycoon, fans began to suspect the likes of Principal Skinner to Moe Szyslak. In September 1995 it was revealed that it was in fact Maggie Simpson who shot Mr Burns, accidentally triggering the revolver stashed in his suit because he attempted to steal her lollipop. After many awaited months from the unexpected cliffhanger in May, it certainly was shocking for fans at the time, and for that reason alone deserves the final place on this list!