Summary

• Great TV plot twists keep audiences on the edge of their seats and shouldn't be spoiled for first-time viewers. The shock and surprise enhance the drama and provide a cathartic moment.
• Plot twists can occur in various types of TV shows, from fantasy epics to crime series and sitcoms. These twists add excitement to the story and engage viewers throughout seasons.
• Plot twists are crucial to TV shows and should be kept secret to allow new viewers to form their own opinions. They can completely change the direction of a series and reward re-watches.

Experiencing a plot twist firsthand can maximize the show's drama, and many of the biggest TV plot twists should never be spoiled for a first-time watcher. Oftentimes, the seeds of a satisfying twist are planted early on, allowing the story to naturally progress toward its shocking reveal. Clues and hints are given along the way, and the success of the plot twist can provide a critical cathartic moment for the viewer as they react.

Great plot twists occur in all kinds of shows, from fantasy epics like Game of Thrones that are riddled with shock value to crime series like Better Call Saul and even sitcoms like The Good Place. Many of the best TV shows of all time are filled with fantastic plot twists, keeping the audience consistently engaged and on the edge of their seats through seasons. These moments are sacred to TV lovers and shouldn't be ruined.

10 Agatha All Along

Wandavision Season 1, Episode 7

Wandavision had a unique premise for an MCU story, kicking off their run of Disney+ shows with a bang. The quirky sitcom setup allowed the series to build toward its shocking villain reveal, as Kathryn Hahn's Agnes seemed like a typical next-door neighbor sidekick character. While some fans theorized about who she could be, others wrote her off as simply being an element of the show's distinctive sitcom aesthetic, making the reveal that she was the villain Agatha Harkness all the more surprising.

9 Who Gossip Girl Was

Gossip Girl Season 6, Episode 10

Gossip Girl presents an intriguing central mystery in the form of its titular question. Someone is running a gossip blog, and no one knows who until season 6 when it's revealed to have been Dan the whole time. There were many clues that Dan was Gossip Girl, including foreshadowing from the show's pilot episode. While many fans of the show are against the final twist, believing that the series wasn't consistent with its delivery, it should still be kept secret for new viewers, as letting them form an opinion on a divisive moment is part of the fun of watching TV.

8 Howard Hamlin

Better Call Saul Season 6, Episode 7

Howard Hamlin is having a rough time in Better Call Saul season 6, with Kim and Jimmy pranking him to the point of damaging his life and well-being. Howard can be seen as arrogant and self-centered at times, but in many ways, he's a good man, undeserving of the torment they put him through. But the truly shocking moment to cap it off is when he becomes collateral damage in the conflict with Lalo Salamanca, who slips into the room and shoots Howard, killing him at random.

7 Dr. Manhattan In Hiding

Watchmen Season 1, Episode 6

HBO's Watchmen series is a fantastic follow-up to one of the most prestigious comic stories ever and one of HBO's best miniseries. The question of Dr. Manhattan's whereabouts remains on viewer's minds throughout the series, as he's a pivotal character in the Watchmen story. In the closing moments of episode 6, Dr. Manhattan is revealed to have been hiding in plain sight, subtly disguised as Angela Abar's husband, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The shock of such a powerful being hiding so clearly in front of the audience is astonishing, and the moment is a turning point in the series.

6 Il-nam Reveal

Squid Game Season 1, Episode 9

Squid Game was one of the most popular Netflix series of all time that came seemingly out of nowhere with an exciting premise. But the show's villain plot twist is incredibly surprising, turning Oh Il-nam, a character viewers had sympathized with, as an older man trying to enjoy the game as a bit of fun before his death from a brain tumor. However, the series reveals that he was the villain mastermind the whole time, the show's main antagonist who'd been running the games for decades.

5 The Bad Place

The Good Place Season 1, Episode 13

The Good Place is one of the most ambitious modern sitcoms, with its season 1 finale delivering a plot twist that blew audiences' minds. With an entire season of build-up to this moment, Eleanor realizes she hasn't been in the Good Place but rather the Bad Place the whole time. This is immediately confirmed by Ted Danson's Michael as a twisted smile forms on his face. The moment immediately changes what the series is about, with the final plot twist suddenly clicking every episode into place, heavily rewarding re-watches.

4 Bernard Is A Host

Westworld Season 1, Episode 6

While Westworld went downhill, it's almost unanimously agreed that the first season is unbelievably great, with complex storylines and shocking plot twists. While season 1 also shocked audiences by revealing its multiple timelines and William as the Man in Black, the astounding moment was when Bernard was revealed to be a Host. Up until this moment, Bernard was believably perceived to be another human who helped manage the park until Ford commanded him to kill Theresa, and he willingly obliged.

3 The Flash Forwards

Lost Season 3, Episode 23

Lost had built its story consistently through flashbacks through its first few seasons. That's why the season 3 finale was so astonishing, as the writers had played that expectation against viewers, disguising flash-forwards as flashbacks until the last moment. While the viewer thinks they're witnessing Jack at a darker point in his life they weren't yet familiar with, they're actually seeing him years later when he's made it off the island, building up to the final moment when he meets with Kate, delivering the iconic line, "We have to go back."

2 Who Killed Laura Palmer?

Twin Peaks Season 2, Episode 7

Season 2 may not be the best season of Twin Peaks, but it answers the show's central mystery. Episodes up to this point suggested that Bob was the killer, but no one could find anything about the man, continuing to leave Laura's killer in a shroud of mystery. Episode 7 finally reveals who killed Laura Palmer, and the reveal is one of the most shocking moments in television history. The fact that Leland Palmer was Bob is shocking and horrifying, and the episode "Lonely Souls" should be experienced without any knowledge of what's about to happen.

1 The Red Wedding

Game of Thrones Season 3, Episode 9

Almost everyone has heard of "The Red Wedding," but experiencing it can still be a massive surprise for first-time viewers. Game of Thrones developed its reputation for its unexpected twists and willingness to take risks. It was a show where no character was safe, and beloved protagonists could be killed at any moment. There are subtle hints throughout "The Rains of Castamere," which indicate what's about to happen for those who've paid attention to musical queues. Still, the episode's quick turn to violence and brutality will shock most audiences.