There are some fantastic TV shows that you would never want to watch again, either because you found them boring or, more likely, because they emotionally drained you. While you are usually drawn to comedy shows with repeat value, a cliffhanger or devastating ending could stick with you, even if you watched it only once.
You may not watch The Sopranos finale every now and then, but the closing minutes of the finale are still stuck in your mind. The same is the case for TV shows that are emotionally draining from start to finish.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer’s opinion. Please be advised.
5 TV shows with the most emotional plotlines
Here are the five TV shows that will have you sobbing:
BoJack Horseman (Netflix)
Despite ending six years ago, BoJack Horseman continues to be relevant because of its nihilistic humor. On the surface level, the acclaimed Netflix animated series may look like Family Guy and The Simpsons, but that could not be further from the truth. Throughout the six seasons of the series, we are given an insight into the reason behind BoJack’s self-loathing and indecisiveness.
As life seems more and more unpredictable due to political instability and lack of job security, millennials are logging into Netflix to watch BoJack Horseman, making the animated series one of the most influential TV shows today.
The Pitt (HBO Max)
The Pitt is one of the most unflinchingly realistic shows on TV. As of now, two seasons are available on HBO Max, and the third one is currently underway. Consisting of 15 episodes, the medical drama follows a fifteen-hour shift of a team of doctors working in the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center (PTMC).
Unlike BoJack Horseman, The Pitt might be triggering to healthcare workers who have to work long hours trying to diagnose patients’ mysterious medical conditions while grappling with problems like machinery failures and unexpected patient surges. In both seasons, we have seen Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on the edge only to be brought back by his fellow doctors in the finale. As the world continues to reel from the effects of COVID, The Pitt feels relevant in a post-pandemic world.
The Shield (Hulu, Tubi)
Before Walter White, there was another male character that viewers missed the point of: The Shield‘s Vic Mackey, played by Michael Chiklis for seven seasons. Much like Breaking Bad, the intention of the series was not to glorify its corrupt law enforcement protagonist, but it is the viewers who decided to look at the morally ambiguous protagonist and consider him the hero.
The finale ended with Mackey being “punished” by being taken off the streets and assigned desk duty with a government agency. As more stories about police brutality are brought to light, the entirety of The Shield feels depressing.
Six Feet Under (HBO Max)
HBO’s Six Feet Under is one of the most acclaimed TV shows from the network. While the show generally falls under the dramedy genre, some deaths in the series can be heartbreaking. For instance, the Fisher family in one episode is providing funeral services for a family that lost a child due to an accidental shooting. Not to forget, we still can’t help but sob remembering the heartbreaking finale that flashed forward to our protagonists dying.
WandaVision (Disney+)
The WandaVision finale stands out as one of the more heartbreaking finales in the MCU. While Wanda manages to overpower Agatha, it still ends with Wanda lifting the Westview hex, freeing the townspeople from her spell. However, lifting the spell also means that Vision, Billy, and Tommy also “die.” If you ignore the setup portion of this finale, the scene where Wanda bids goodbye to her family is still heartbreaking.
What are the TV shows that you find emotionally draining? Let us know.
Edited by Aratrika Baidya