Polarizing Plotlines: 10 TV Shows That Turned Fans Into Fiery Foes

1. "Game of Thrones" (2011-2019)

Remember when "Game of Thrones" was universally adored and had fans pining for the next episode? Those were the good old days. The series followed the intricate and deadly power games between noble families vying for the Iron Throne in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Everything was hunky-dory until the eighth and final season. Characters changed personality overnight (quite literally, in Daenerys Targaryen's case), plotlines were hastily wrapped up, and a certain Night King's anticlimactic end left fans raging like dragons.

The show's final season holds a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a sharp drop from its previous seasons, transforming once passionate fans into fiery critics. Did you know the series was initially pitched to HBO with a pilot episode so bad it had to be reshot entirely? Imagine if they'd applied that to Season 8...

2. "Lost" (2004-2010)

In one corner, you had the "It's all about the journey" folks, and in the other, the "What on earth was that ending?" faction. "Lost" began as a gripping survival drama following a group of airplane crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island. It was full of thrilling cliffhangers, deep character arcs, and a confusing but captivating mix of science fiction and supernatural elements.

However, as the series trudged into its later seasons, the plot spiraled into a complicated web of time travel, mystical powers, and polar bears (yes, really). The finale became a theological allegory that left many fans feeling...well, lost. Interestingly, despite the polarizing plot, "Lost" has maintained an 85% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Not bad for a show that essentially turned into a metaphysical puzzler.

3. "Dexter" (2006-2013)

"Dexter" was a groundbreaking show that made us sympathize with a serial killer. Michael C. Hall's compelling portrayal of Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst with the Miami police department who moonlights as a serial killer of killers, had fans hooked. However, fans' love turned into distaste as the series moved into its later seasons, particularly with the much-maligned finale.

The plot became riddled with implausible scenarios (even for a show about a police forensics expert who's a secret serial killer) and questionable character decisions. By the final season, many fans felt like they'd been stabbed in the back, much like Dexter's victims.

4. "How I Met Your Mother" (2005-2014)

It was supposed to be a simple story a father was telling his children about, well, how he met their mother. The show started off as a light-hearted, often poignant exploration of friendship, love, and life in New York City. But as the story dragged on (and on, and on...), some fans grew tired of the constant teasing and tangential plotlines. And then came the finale.

Plot twist! The mother's been dead the whole time, and this story is really about how Ted still loves Robin. Some fans loved the unexpected twist, while others felt it betrayed the entire premise of the show. Despite this, the series boasts an impressive 83% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Interesting trivia: the scenes featuring Ted's children were all filmed during the first season to keep the kids from aging as the series progressed, meaning those poor actors had to keep a secret for nine years!

5. "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" (2016)

The original "Gilmore Girls" series, which ran from 2000 to 2007, was adored by fans for its charming characters, fast-paced dialogue, and idyllic depiction of small-town life. The mother-daughter duo of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, living in the quirky town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, warmed many hearts. When Netflix announced a revival in 2016, fans were ecstatic. But "A Year in the Life" turned out to be more polarizing than a New England winter.

While some fans loved returning to Stars Hollow, others felt the revival betrayed the characters, particularly with Rory's career struggles and questionable romantic decisions. It currently holds a lukewarm 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In a fun twist of life imitating art, Alexis Bledel (Rory) has a son with Vincent Kartheiser, who played Pete Campbell in "Mad Men" – Rory's favorite show in "A Year in the Life."

6. "True Blood" (2008-2014)

"True Blood," based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels, gave fans an intoxicating blend of horror, drama, dark humor, and heaps of supernatural romance. The show followed Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, navigating a world where vampires have just "come out of the coffin". Initially, the show's mixture of steamy romance, complex relationships, and bloody violence was a hit with viewers.

However, as the series continued, the plot became as cluttered as a vampire's coffin with numerous supernatural creatures (werewolves, witches, fairies, werepanthers – you name it) and convoluted storylines. By the time the show stumbled over its finish line in season seven, many fans felt like they'd been drained dry.

7. "Heroes" (2006-2010)

Remember the excitement when the first season of "Heroes" premiered? The show, about ordinary people discovering they had superpowers, felt fresh and innovative. The plot focused on their attempts to prevent catastrophic futures, all connected through the prophetic paintings of a heroin-addicted artist. But then, the magic began to fade.

Season 2 saw a dramatic decrease in quality, and as for Seasons 3 and 4, let's just say some fans wished they had Hiro's time-traveling abilities to go back and un-watch them. Numerous plot holes, inconsistent character development, and a surplus of new characters muddled the original allure of the show, leaving fans colder than a handshake from Freeze Girl.

8. "Scrubs: Med School" (2009)

JD, Turk, and Dr. Cox of "Scrubs" provided us with many hearty laughs and unexpected tearful moments throughout the show's initial run. However, when the series tried to scrub in for one more round with a ninth season titled "Med School", fans were less than thrilled. The season followed a new group of medical students, with appearances from the original cast that felt more like a passing-the-baton moment.

The shift in focus and tonal differences alienated many longtime fans. Though "Scrubs" still holds an 83% Rotten Tomatoes rating, "Med School" is often regarded as an unnecessary add-on, much like an appendix in the human body.

9. "Riverdale" (2017-present)

"Riverdale," The CW's dark twist on the beloved Archie Comics, started off as a tantalizing mix of teen drama, mystery, and the uncanny. Focused on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead, the plot unfolded around a murder mystery in their seemingly idyllic small town.

However, as the series progressed, it began to drown in a sea of bizarre plotlines involving cults, gangs, board game-induced hallucinations, and teen speakeasies. Fans became divided into those who enjoyed the increasingly wild ride and those who wished the show had stuck to its grounded, darker take on classic characters.

10. "Pretty Little Liars" (2010-2017)

"Pretty Little Liars" was a show that had viewers hooked on its blend of teen drama, romance, and mystery. Four friends began receiving threatening messages from an unknown entity named "A" following the disappearance of their group's leader, Alison. The show successfully kept viewers on edge, speculating who "A" was.

However, as it progressed, the plot took twists and turns that would make a roller coaster operator dizzy. False leads, multiple "A" reveals, and questionable narrative choices left some fans feeling frustrated, as if they were stuck in a never-ending game of "A" guess-who. Despite the frustration, the show managed a 81% average audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.