Several notable nđēetđ ēwork series have ended their fall seasons and wonât return until early next year.
Some of the so-called âfall finalesâ â a growing trend in network TV â were cliffhangers, while others (thatâs you, âRiverdaleâ) continued their đ¨crazy storylines đleading to God-knows-what.
Hereâs a loođk at some of the notaęĻ°ble fall finales and what could be in store when the shows return for their winter seasons.
| Fall finale aired Nov. 27; returns Jan. 15
The hit series ended the first half of its season with a plot twist that promised rich storytelling in 2019. Jackâs (Milo Ventimiglia) brother Nicky (Michael Angarano), presumed dead in the Vietnam War, was revealed to be alive and living in a Pennsylvania trailer park, while Randall (Sterling K. Brown) refused to concede that he lost his biâ d to be elected a Trenton councilman â throwing his marriage to Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) into jeopardy.
As adept as creator Dan Fogelman is with executing stories of souls lost and found, he seems to have found himself in a rut with Kevinâs twin sister Kate (Chârissy Metz), whoâs unable to get out of bed without having some kind of setback or catastrophe. Sheâs nearly 40, and canât get a job or hold a job. Itâs always âLetâs Feel Sorry For Kate Dayâ; three seasons in, it should be more like âLetâs Have an Episode Without Kate Day.â
| Fall finale airs Dec. 12; returns Jan. 16
Never has a âteenâ drama been less interested in typical teen issues like school and crushes. Instead, the titular town is filled with gangs, murders and cults. The first half of Season 3 let family drama take a backseat to the mile-a-minute plot, which has featured underground prison fight clubs and two different cult-like entities, includiđ ˇng a mysterious ghoulish figure called âThe Gargoyle King.â
In its second half, âRiverdaleâ will pivot to more fađmily drama, with Jugheadâsāš (Cole Sprouse) long-lost sister and mother finally showing up. In typical âRiverdaleâ fashion, his mom will be played by throwback star Gina Gershon, while Hiramâs (Mark Consuelos) mistress will be played by Consuelosâ real-life wife, Kelly Ripa.
| Fall finale aired Nov. 27; returns Jan. 8
The freshman medical series is off to a fine start in telling the story of Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) who, ađĒfter accepting a job running a revolutionary New York City hospital, is diagnosed with cancer. The fall finale ended with Max collapsing on a dock and his pregnant wife (Lisa OâHare), screaming for help.
| Fall finale airs Dec. 3; returns Jan. 14
Weâve seen the progression of autistic surgeon Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) this season as heâs gained a roommate (Paige Spara) and bonded, in his own way, with patients and colleagues. Shaunâs mentor, Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff), has continued to decline (memory loss, confusion) following his brain-tumor surgery â wīŋŊīŋŊhich should make for a rocky road⨠in the second half of Season 2.
| Fall finale aired Nov. 26; returns Jan. 7
The dramaâs first nine episodes teased the mystery around a flight that took off and landed five-and-a-đ¯half years later, giving the people on it a telepathic connection. The second half better start delivering some answers.