The End Of A TV Series And The Feeling Of Emptiness

The end of a TV series we have watched with interest over several years, and sometimes even with passion, is not always as easy to let go of. It does not just mean that you have to say goodbye to the characters and their story. There may be another interesting factor you are grieving over: the ending may not have been to your liking or may not have been what you expected. This is an increasingly common reality in our everyday lives, and is of great interest to psychologists.

Stephen King recently said that we will rarely be completely happy with the end of a book or a TV series if we are equally passionate about both. This is because it is very difficult for people to give something away when there is a certain emotional connection to it. Therefore, the feeling of loss is real, and so is the frustration that comes with it.

Psychology presupposes that the world of pop culture (understood as the set of artistic and cultural manifestations that surround us) directly affects people. Thus, the universe that television creates is powerful. We are dealing with media that we let into the private in our homes.

Thus, TV series and the endings of the series are a social phenomenon. It is something that can easily replace the interest in other social, political or economic events, if only for a few days. For many, this fact is worrying. For others, it is the simple reflection of a society that reflects another part of their lives in TV series.

The end of a TV series and the feelings we feel

The phenomenon of a TV series ending and the conflicting emotions we can feel is not a new thing. An example of this was the experience of Arthur Conan Doyle. The author was successful thanks to some of his adventures. They published weekly in The Strand Magazine . These adventures took place with a charismatic character that fascinated thousands of people: Sherlock Holmes.

Doyle, however, never felt a special gratitude for his character. He felt the need to devote himself to other things; to write a very different type of literature.

For that reason, he decided to kill Sherlock Holmes in the Reichenbach Falls. That was when he had to confront something unexpected. The readers of the magazine threatened him, and on more than one occasion he feared for his life. So much so that he had no choice but to revive the neighbor of Baker Street on a later occasion.

The readers of Sherlock Holmes were the first fans to experience the double suffering that is so common today:

• First , they have to say goodbye to the characters.
• Secondly , they have to deal with an unexpected end.

TV shows are more than entertainment

Doctor Who is one of the longest-running TV series in history. With more than 50 years on the screen, several generations grew up watching the adventures of the famous gentleman. For British television, the show is more than an institution.

The Simpsons, for example, have been in our living rooms since 1989. Furthermore, series such as CSI, Grays Anatomy and Supernatural have about 300 chapters each.

Through these weekly broadcasts on TV and other devices, we grow, mature, change, suffer losses and successes, and we are there along with the parallel stories that happen on our screen. Thus, the bond we create with this universe is inevitable.

• TV series offer more than entertainment for many people. People discover hobbies, jobs to dedicate to, countries to travel to, new concepts, actors, directors and screenwriters to follow more on.
• It is also a way to disconnect from reality. Connecting to other stories and other characters helps us reduce stress.
• In the same way, we can not forget the social component that is related to these media. Watching the last episode of a certain series is almost a ritual. Thanks to that, we have conversation topics at work. Even more, being part of a group related to a TV series on social networks is also a way to get to know people these days.

Grief over the end of a TV series

Today, nine years after the last episode of Lost , many continue to make theories about the end. If accepting the ending of a TV series is already difficult, it is even harder to do so without understanding the solution.

In the wake of controversial endings, we can add (according to the general perception) the recent endings of Game of Thrones , How I Met Your Mother, Dexter, House of Cards and Breaking Bad . All the good shows that surprised because of their characters, led to many of us becoming uneasy because of the ending.

How can you accept the end of a TV series when you are not happy that it is over? Obviously, you should not do the same as the character of Annie Wilkes in Misery did with her favorite author. Even though we create an emotional bond with these TV shows, it’s still just that, a great story with a beginning and an end.

We can mourn with other fans, friends and relatives. To share feelings and above all to evoke the good moments that lived in those series. The good thing about this TV universe is that the shows never end. Before you know it, you have already immersed yourself in a new TV series that will also come to an end one day.