10 Fantasy TV Scenes That Still Make No Sense

Fantasy is a versatile genre since the creation of new worlds and magic systems allows writers and creators to establish new rules and logic that suit the storyline. However, this doesn't mean that fantasy TV shows are immune from adding plot points that make no sense and don't help further the overall narrative. Many of these choices have to do with the character's choices being inconsistent or the series breaking its own rules about how the fantastical elements work. Since speculative fiction fans are willing to suspend their disbelief, these shows sometimes push the boundaries of logic too far.

There are plenty of fantasy movie scenes that make no sense, and TV series are just as susceptible to these mistakes. Often, these confusing moments happen because there are so many contradicting storylines or there's an external element that's out of the writers' control. To compensate for actors suddenly leaving or the audience's dislike of certain characters, divisive choices must be made. Not all of them will align with the story and characters established by the show. Few of these issues are enough to make viewers quit a series, but they do stand out in the long run.

10 Bran Being Crowned King

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Fans and critics have been asking themselves what went wrong with Game of Thrones season 8 since the final season premiered. While there were many missteps in the confusing conclusion to the hit fantasy series, the series finale is particularly divisive. The decision to make Bran king at the end of Game of Thrones is a seemingly random moment that makes no sense, especially considering how many lives were lost and destroyed to win control of that very throne.

Earlier in the series, Bran doesn't want to be the Lord of Winterfell because of his duty as the Three-Eyed Raven, so it's an intense contradiction to see him become king not long after that.

Earlier in the series, Bran doesn't want to be the Lord of Winterfell because of his duty as the Three-Eyed Raven, so it's an intense contradiction to see him become king not long after that. Additionally, for most of Game of Thrones, it felt as though the series was leading up to either Dany or Jon becoming the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Instead, neither of them is on the throne, and a character who is shunted to the side for most of the show takes center stage.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Game of Thrones (2011–2011) 89% 85%

Related 10 Great Fantasy TV Shows That Deserved More Seasons It's common for a TV show to end before its time, but when it comes to fantasy series, some desperately need more seasons to complete their arcs.

9 The Stranger Being Gandalf

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–Present)

The Rings of Power has made some controversial choices and changes to the lore of The Lord of the Rings, and while this is part of the fun of the series, some of its decisions are pretty far-fetched. For two seasons, the show was dropping hints about the identity of different characters, culminating in several dramatic reveals. Though The Rings of Power set up the fact that the Stranger was Gandalf early on, this calls into question many of the established timelines and characterizations of the world.

Making the Stranger Gandalf created many extreme plot holes and differences between The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings. This reveal cements the fact that The Rings of Power is a separate story from the rest of the canon, but Gandalf being part of the story sets many confusing plot points in motion. In the next seasons, The Rings of Power will have to grapple with what role the wizards will play and how Gandalf is going to become the man audiences know him as in the films.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–Present) 84% 49%

8 Robin Hood Dying

Once Upon A Time (2011–2018)

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 17 8.7/10 Once Upon A Time Once Upon a Time is an adventure fantasy-drama series created for ABC that features fairy tale characters and their Disney incarnations in a modern setting. When Emma Swan and her son Henry accidentally drive into the town of Storybrooke, they soon discover the inhabitants are those from fairy tales, and they have no knowledge of the modern world inhabited by Emma and Henry. Robbed of their pasts and given new identities by the Evil Queen known as Regina, the hope of the town's residents lie solely in the hands of Emma, who has stronger connections to the town than she knows. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date October 3, 2011 Network ABC Cast Ginnifer Goodwin , josh dallas , Lana Parrilla , Robert Carlyle , Jennifer Morrison , Jared Gilmore Seasons 7 Writers Adam Horowitz Streaming Service(s) Netflix Directors Christopher Gorham Showrunner Adam Horowitz Expand

Regina is one of the best characters in Once Upon a Time, and when she and Robin finally get together, it seems as though she is getting the happily ever after she always wanted. Though Regina starts as a selfish villain, she works hard to redeem herself and change in order to be a good mother to Henry and find someone who could be her soulmate. However, her joy with Robin is short-lived because he dies in season 5.

It's an unfair twist of fate, as Regina had already lost one love early in her life, and dramatically, it was overkill to make her go through this again.

It's an unfair twist of fate, as Regina had already lost one love early in her life, and dramatically, it was overkill to make her go through this again. While it's true that having a character settle down does limit opportunities for tension, Once Upon a Time made this work with Emma and Hook as well as Mary Margaret and David. Regina was a complex character and had grappled with loss many times before. Writing the death of her beloved was a random way to add drama to the show.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Once Upon A Time (2011–2018) 78% 78%

7 Forgetting About Adam

Supernatural (2005–2020)

Though Adam later came back, and his arc was resolved as satisfyingly as possible at that point, for many seasons, Sam and Dean act like their half-brother doesn't exist. Adam's introduction came as a shock to the brothers, who weren't certain how another member of their family would play into their dynamic. However, the fact that they let Adam stay in Hell after Sam is reduced is a shocking choice, especially for two men who pride themselves on working hard to save human lives.

Supernatural's first five seasons were vastly different from the remainder of the show, and Adam's treatment is an example of how certain plot points slipped through the cracks early on. Though Adam's character never quite fit into Sam and Dean's relationship, that doesn't mean Supernatural needed to leave him in Hell and have the brothers act like he never existed. It doesn't align with the strict morals that the family-oriented Winchesters usually adhere to.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Supernatural (2005–2020) 93% 73%

6 Julia Getting Pregnant

The Magicians (2015–2020)

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 7.8/10 The Magicians Based on the novel of the same name by Lev Grossman, The Magicians follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant young man who is given a place at a magical college named Brakebills. There, he learns magic alongside his friends Alice, Eliot, Margo, and Penny, and unlocks magical secrets far beyond his wildest imaginings that see him travel to various fantastical locations, including the world of Fillory. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date December 16, 2015 Network NBC , SyFy Cast Olivia Taylor Dudley , Arjun Gupta , Jade Tailor , Stella Maeve , Summer Bishil , Jason Ralph , Hale Appleman Seasons 5 Writers John McNamara Streaming Service(s) Amazon Prime Video , Netflix , AppleTV+ Directors Sera Gamble Showrunner Sera Gamble Expand

Julia has her ups and downs in The Magicians, but by the end of the series, she has become a fan-favorite character, rising above the wrongs done to her and taking back her agency. However, in The Magicians' polarizing final season, Julia unexpectedly gets pregnant, and her pregnancy is sped up in Fillory. It's true that the writers added this in because the actress, Stella Maeve, was pregnant in real life, but it didn't fit into the plans that Julia's character had been setting up for herself.

By this point in the show, Julia had fought tooth and nail to establish control over her body and her magic.

By this point in the show, Julia had fought tooth and nail to establish control over her body and her magic. While starting a family might have been something she wanted down the line, it would have been more fitting and satisfying to see her actively make this choice instead of accepting a fate that was thrust upon her once again. Julia's scenes in The Magicians are often intense and difficult, and though she becomes excited about the child, it doesn't fit into the narrative the series had crafted for her.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score The Magicians (2015-2020) 91% 74%

5 Death Leaving Morpheus Trapped

The Sandman (2022–Present)

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 13 9.4/10 The Sandman The Sandman is a Supernatural Horror and Superhero television series developed by Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, and David S. Goyer. The series is based on the original Superhero Comic Book series created by Neil Gaiman and follows the fictional Lord Morpheus as he attempts to regain control of his realm. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date August 5, 2022 Cast Sandra James Young , Joely Richardson , Sanjeev Bhaskar , Donna Preston , Charles Dance , Tom Sturridge , Patton Oswalt , Kyo Ra , Asim Chaudhry , Mason Alexander Park , Boyd Holbrook , Stephen Fry Seasons 1 Writers Neil Gaiman , Allan Heinberg , David S. Goyer Streaming Service(s) Netflix Showrunner Allan Heinberg Expand

All the events of The Sandman are kicked off by Morpheus' imprisonment for over 100 years at the hands of a human who wanted to conquer Death. While Morpheus never calls out to his siblings for help, likely out of pride, and they claim to not have known about his imprisonment, it's confusing that Death never discovered his predicament. The people who held Morpheus hostage aged and died in front of him, meaning Death had been there but simply didn't notice Morpheus.

The episode Morpheus spends with Death, played by a phenomenal Kirby, "The Sound of Her Wings," is one of the best episodes of The Sandman. It demonstrates how Death uses her powers and is honored to aid humans in crossing into their next phase of existence. However, by the logic of this episode, Death would have been able to see and aid Morpheus during his long years of isolation. This raises questions about their relationship and how much Death can interfere with the affairs of the living.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score The Sandman (2022–Present) 88% 81%

4 Bonnie Breaking Elena's Curse At The Last Second

The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 40 9.5/10 The Vampire Diaries Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another's affection. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date September 10, 2009 Network The CW Cast Nina Dobrev , Ian Somerhalder , Steven R. McQueen , Paul Wesley , Kat Graham , Michael Trevino , Michael Malarkey , Zach Roerig , Candice King , Matthew Davis Franchise The Vampire Diaries Seasons 8 Writers Julie Plec , Kevin Williamson , L.J. Smith Streaming Service(s) Netflix Directors John Dahl Showrunner Julie Plec Expand

In The Vampire Diaries, Elena's character has so much plot armor that when she finally does succumb to a curse at the end of season 6, it is because the actress, Nina Dobrev, is leaving the show. In season 7 and most of 8, Bonnie can't break this curse without dying herself, allowing Elena to be alive but off-screen indefinitely. At the last moment, just in time for the series finale and a happy reunion with Damon, Bonnie figures out how to break the curse.

While it's gratifying to see Damon and Elena get their happy-ever-after, it's an extreme example of the lack of internal logic that plagues The Vampire Diaries in every season.

While it's gratifying to see Damon and Elena get their happy-ever-after, it's an extreme example of the lack of internal logic that plagues The Vampire Diaries in every season. It's a little too convenient that the solution to their problems suddenly becomes clear at the last second and that Damon is also given the cure just in time for Elena to wake up. However, when it comes to The Vampire Diaries, it's sometimes easier to overlook these flaws and focus on the drama.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) 86% 72%

3 Killing Off Nikki & Paulo

Lost (2004–2010)

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 56 8.9/10 Lost Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island's seemingly deadly intentions. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date September 22, 2004 Network ABC Cast Evangeline Lilly , Naveen Andrews , Henry Ian Cusick , Daniel Dae Kim , Harold Perrineau , Dominic Monaghan , Emilie de Ravin , Jorge Garcia , Josh Holloway , Michael Emerson , Terry O'Quinn , Matthew Fox , Ken Leung , Elizabeth Mitchell , Yunjin Kim Creator(s) J.J. Abrams , Damon Lindelof , Jeffrey Lieber Seasons 6 Writers Jeffrey Lieber , J.J. Abrams , Damon Lindelof Directors Jack Bender , Stephen Williams Showrunner Damon Lindelof , Carlton Cuse Expand

As Lost progressed, the ensemble cast continued to grow, and not all the characters who were introduced were fan favorites. In season 3, Nikki and Paulo became two of the most hated characters in the history of the show, but this still doesn't justify their abrupt and unfortunate ending. After it became clear that fans had had enough of the couple, they were accidentally buried alive on the island and never heard from again. This dramatic and gruesome turn was a shocking moment in Lost​​​​​​.

The entire Nikki and Paulo arc was a Lost moment that made viewers quit the show, and the best course of action would've been to omit them altogether. However, since they had already made their mark on the series, the writers could've given them a more suitable or slightly less intense death scene. The fact that the other survivors didn't check their vitals or make any other investigations into their supposed deaths doesn't align with how the characters normally treated each other.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Lost (2004-2010) 86% 89%

2 Eleven Meeting Her "Siblings"

Stranger Things (2016–Present)

It's always frustrating when a TV show introduces a new plotline and set of characters and then ends up forgetting about them. While Eleven's history and the fact that other children were experimented on don't completely disappear, her brief journey to meet her siblings in season 2 doesn't change her character arc or impact the lives of the other people in Hawkins. Though it's an exciting moment when Eleven gets to exercise her new independence and agency, it doesn't hold much weight in the story.

Related 10 Most Anticipated Fantasy TV Shows Of 2025 As 2025 quickly approaches, many fantasy TV shows, old and new, will have season premieres in the new year, and fans can't wait for the results.

There's little new information presented in this sequence, and this makes it feel as though it was just an additional obstacle for Eleven to overcome before fully committing to life in Hawkins. While there's nothing wrong with a filler episode, Eleven already has decent control over her powers, making her time with the siblings redundant. Though Stranger Things season 2 was a strong follow-up to the hit first season, this episode is a low point.

Series Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Stranger Things (2016–Present) 91% 90%

1 Korra Losing The Avatar Line

The Legend of Korra (2012–2014)

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 9/10 The Legend of Korra This spinoff of Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the titular Korra, the new generation's Avatar and reincarnation of Aang. As an Avatar, Korra can bend all four elements, and the show follows her adventure through the difficulties in a rapidly growing world. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date April 14, 2012 Franchise(s) Avatar: The Last Airbender Creator(s) michael dante dimartino , bryan konietzko Seasons 4 Writers michael dante dimartino , bryan konietzko Streaming Service(s) Netflix , Paramount Plus Directors Joaquim Dos Santos Showrunner bryan konietzko Expand

The follow-up TV show to the beloved animated children's series Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, has stirred up controversy and differing opinions since it was released. Unlike the tight storyline that Avatar followed, Korra's seasons were connected more haphazardly, and changes to the essential lore of the world were made with every season. The most confusing moments of the show were in The Legend of Korra season 2. This was when the origin of the Avatar was revealed, and Korra almost lost the Avatar abilities forever.

The whole plot that revolves around Raava doesn't make sense. The fact that Korra could regain the Avatar powers when she joined with Raava again, but not the knowledge, is confusing. It's likely that the writers chose to do this so Korra would officially have to stand on her own and pave her own way as the Avatar outside of Aang's shadow. However, for the fantasy show, this disrupted the existing world-building and cemented season 2 as one of the weaker installments of the series.