Top 20 TV Moments We Waited Years to See
#20: Clark Kent Becomes Superman “Smallville” (2001-11)
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“Smallville” set a new ratings record for the WB network when it premiered in 2001. Even so, few couldn’t have anticipated that this Superman origin story would last ten seasons. Throughout that decade, the series covered many classic “Superman” story arcs, albeit without Superman. While it’s repeatedly foreshadowed that Clark Kent will become the Man of Steel, he doesn’t receive his iconic red and blue suit until the series finale. Even then, CGI is primarily used to portray Superman in the climax. In the final shot, Tom Welling unbuttons his shirt to reveal the House of El symbol, but we never actually see the actor in the full Superman outfit. While this disappointed some, at least Lois and Clark are living happily ever after.
#19: Mary Learns That Dick’s an Alien “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001)
Being a professor of human behavior and societies, you’d think that Mary Albright would’ve been able to piece together that the eccentric Solomons are from another planet. Nevertheless, the Solomons go almost six seasons without blowing their cover to Mary. In the penultimate episode, Mary sees Dick turn Dr. Liam Neesam into a chimpanzee, compelling the alien to tell her the truth. It would’ve been interesting to see Dick and Mary’s relationship grow from this point, but the Solomons are unfortunately called back home. Choosing not to go with them at the last second, Mary lets Dick wipe her memories before the Solomons are beamed up. In an alternate ending, however, Dick comes back for Mary, even though he already erased her memories of him.
#18: Trudy’s Unsolved Case “Monk” (2002-09)
Across this show’s eight-season run, there wasn’t a case that Adrian Monk couldn’t crack — except the one that mattered most. Who was responsible for the car bombing that killed his wife, Trudy? New pieces of the puzzle are discovered over time, but it appears Monk may go to his grave without knowing. Having been poisoned, Monk decides to finally open the Christmas present that Trudy left him. To his surprise, Monk and his assistant Natalie discover a videotape. On the recording, Trudy reveals that before meeting Monk, she had an affair with Ethan Rickover. Trudy became pregnant and years later, Rickover asked her to meet him at the parking garage where she ultimately died. The smoking gun was in Monk’s apartment the whole time!
#17: Niles & Daphne Get Together “Frasier” (1993-2004)
From the moment they first meet, it’s evident that Niles harbors feelings for Frasier’s housekeeper, Daphne. Though this is clear to everyone else, Daphne remains clueless for years. The running gag is laid to rest after Daphne becomes engaged to Donny and Niles decides to move on. When Fraiser accidentally lets the cat out of the bag in Season Seven, though, it slowly dawns on Daphne that she reciprocates his feelings. It isn’t until after Niles marries his girlfriend Mel, however, that he learns of Daphne's feelings for him. What started as a simple crush spirals into a complicated love square. Although she initially commits to going through with her wedding, Daphne’s love for Niles ultimately triumphs… just not at the most convenient time.
#16: Chandler & Monica’s Wedding “Friends” (1994-2004)
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Although we considered including Ross and Rachel on this list, they got together almost halfway through Season Two, eventually developing a “revolving door relationship.” As such, by the end of Season 4, our interest began shifting towards Chandler and Monica. Throughout the next three seasons, their romance matured significantly. A year after they first hooked up in London, the couple almost got hitched in Vegas,only for a drunken Ross and Rachel to beat them to the altar. Chandler and Monica moved in together in Season Six, which was capped off with a touching proposal. Their impending nuptials served as the main story arc throughout Season Seven. It was a long walk down the aisle for these two, but it was definitely worth the wait.
#15: Sheldon & Amy Have Coitus “The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)
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Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler immediately click when they meet at the conclusion of Season Three, but their romance is a slow burn. Amy doesn’t sign the Girlfriend Agreement until Season Five and the two don’t share their first real kiss until Season Seven. By Season Nine, Sheldon is finally ready to go all the way with Amy, who has been eager to have coitus for several years now. The only downside is that Amy’s birthday falls on the same night “The Force Awakens” hits theaters. The new “Star Wars” or losing one’s ity... it’s honestly not an easy decision. Regardless, Sheldon finds that Amy is more important to him than a film, showing how much he’s grown since their first encounter.
#14: Oliver Gets Off the Island “Arrow” (2012-20)
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Granted, Oliver Queen technically got off the island of Lian Yu in the first episode. For five seasons, though, what happened between Oliver’s shipwreck and his rescue remained one of the show’s greatest mysteries. Oliver’s “five years in hell” are gradually revealed through flashbacks; these proved to be full of twists and turns, even taking Oliver off the island for a brief period, only for him to inevitably return. The fifth season finale takes us back to the beginning in more ways than one. It turns out that Anatoly Knyazev sent the ship that found Oliver, who took out Konstantin Kovar shortly before signaling the boatmen. In the present, however, Oliver is forced to return to his personal purgatory to settle a few scores.
#13: Don Tells Betty About His Past “Mad Men” (2007-15)
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In Season One, we learn that Don Draper died during the Korean War. The protagonist we’ve been following is really Dick Whitman, who adopted his lieutenant’s name and identity. A few characters learn Don’s secret, but we were left wondering if Betty Draper would be one of them. After Betty finds a box of old photographs and emergency funds, Don is left with no choice but to tell his wife everything. While the revelation is one thing, it’s Don’s vulnerable reaction to the photographs that makes this scene so memorable. Don usually keeps his feelings guarded at all costs, especially around his family. We waited almost three seasons for him to break down like this and it was more gut-wrenching than we could’ve imagined.
#12: Mac Comes Out “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-)
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Mac’s sexuality is one of this comedy’s funniest running gags for much of its run. By Season 12, it’s clear to everyone that Mac is a closeted homosexual, although he refuses to admit this. It’s a scratch-off lottery ticket of all things that finally encourages Mac to come out. Through a complicated argument, it’s decided that Mac can claim sole ownership of the ticket if he says that he’s gay, which he does. Winning $10,000, Mac decides to remain out of the closet going forward. For a moment that had over a decade of buildup, Mac’s breakthrough feels surprisingly casual. Of course, if you were hoping for something a bit more emotional, the Season 13 finale delivered on that front.
#11: Dexter’s Downfall “Dexter” (2006-13)
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Despite his best efforts, Dexter could only balance a normal life with the life of a serial killer for so long. Dexter’s downfall was inevitable, although it didn’t exactly play out as we had envisioned. It would’ve been fitting if Dexter’s journey ended with his own blood being spilled, but, according to producer John Goldwyn, Showtime was reportedly against this idea. Seeing Dexter serve time for his crimes also would’ve been a logical way to go out, but most of the Miami Metro Police Department never learned his secret. Instead, Dexter fakes his death and spends the rest of his days as a lumberjack. As great as “Dexter” was at its peak, after eight seasons, this ending left many fans disappointed.
#10: Stan Confronts Elizabeth & Philip “The Americans” (2013-18)
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Now, this is how you end a series. When you’re a KGB officer posing as an American, an FBI agent is the last person you’d want as a neighbor. Yet, Philip and Elizabeth manage to conceal their Soviet roots from Stan for years. When he finally learns the truth, Stan confronts Philip, Elizabeth, and their daughter Paige in a parking garage. Though it was inevitable, it could’ve played out in several different ways. Would the Jennings be forced to take out Stan or would he arrest the family? Following a tense standoff, Stan ultimately lets them go. Considering the relationship that Stan has developed with the Jennings over the past six seasons, it’s a resolution that feels well-earned..
#9: Mulder & Scully Kiss “The X-Files” (1993-2002; 2016-18)
“The X-Files” frequently asked, “Are we alone in the universe?” Viewers, however, often found themselves asking a different question: when are Mulder and Sculling going to kiss already? It’s debatable when exactly these two shared their first true kiss. Some would argue that it occurred in Season Seven as Mulder and Scully romantically wished each other a happy New Year. For other fans, it was the Season Eight finale that delivered the passionate kiss that they had been longing for. Either way, the wait to see these two lock lips had us on edge for years. After so many close encounters, confirmation of their mutual attraction couldn’t have been more rewarding.
#8: Origins of the Smoke Monster “Lost” (2004-10)
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This ABC series kept audiences hooked for six seasons with its many ongoing mysteries. Some of these mysteries had satisfying payoffs — like how John Locke ended up in his wheelchair. Others still have us scratching our heads years later. In the final season, an entire episode is dedicated to Jacob, The Man in Black, and their experiences growing up on the Island. The episode also explores the origins of the smoke monster. It’s revealed that Jacob pushed his brother into the tunnel of light, turning the Man in Black into a black cloud of smoke. This explanation, as well as the episode itself, proved polarizing among fans. After six seasons, though, we guess it was nice to get an answer, for better or worse.
#7: Jim & Pam Become a Couple “The Office” (2005-13)
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Every generation has their definitive “will they or won’t they” couple. For the mid-to-late 2000s, it was undoubtedly Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly. While Pam drunkenly kissed Jim in the Season Two premiere, the Season Two finale delivered that swoon-worthy romantic moment that we had been dying to see. Even then, however, Jim and Pam didn’t immediately become a couple. Jim’s brief job transfer and relationship with Karen would keep the tension going for another season. While some fans found this frustrating, Jim and Pam are such lovable characters that we were willing to stay onboard the “ship.” Our patience was rewarded in the Season Three finale when Jim asks Pam out, the pair officially becoming a couple in Season Four.
#6: Jon Snow’s Real Parents “Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
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For the first five seasons of the show, those who had read George R. R. Martin’s novels mostly knew what to expect. By Season Six, however, the show had pretty much outpaced the novels, putting “experts” and “newbies” on a more equal footing. Even before the show started, one of the most popular fan theories revolved around Jon Snow’s birth. It was widely believed that Jon wasn’t Ned Stark’s bastard, but rather the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, Ned’s sister. In the Season Six finale, “Game of Thrones” officially made this theory canon. So naturally, Jon’s lineage means that he’ll sit on the Iron Throne, right? Nope, Bran Stark becomes king! If the intent was to subvert expectations, the writers succeeded… and kind of failed.
#5: Meeting Mr. Snuffleupagus “Sesame Street” (1969-)
Some of you might be too young to remember, but for much of the 1970s and ‘80s, most of the adults on Sesame Street were convinced that Mr. Snuffleupagus was Big Bird’s imaginary friend. Apparently they could accept a giant, talking bird, but a mammoth-like creature was outside the realm of probability. To be fair, Snuffy would always disappear whenever Big Bird tried to introduce him to grown-ups. In 1985, the producers felt it was time to address the elephant in the room. The Season 17 premiere kicked off with Snuffy meeting Elmo and several shocked adults. The grown-ups apologize to Big Bird for doubting him in the past, and from that day forward, he was no longer the bird who cried Snuffleupagus.
#4: Richard Kimble Clears His Name “The Fugitive” (1963-67)
While largely episodic, this classic crime drama series was driven by several overarching questions: Will Richard Kimble exonerate himself after being falsely convicted of his wife’s murder? Will Kimble catch the mysterious One-Armed Man he saw fleeing from the crime scene or will the relentless Lt. Gerard catch Kimble first? All of these lingering plot threads are tied up in the thrilling series finale. Atop a tower, Kimble confronts the One-Armed Man, aka Fred Johnson. Although Johnson confesses to Kimble, he’s shot and falls to his doom before he can have his day in court. Gerard, of all people, vouches for Kimble, which convinces Lloyd Chandler to testify on the wrongfully accused man’s behalf. After 120 episodes, the fugitive is a free man.
#3: Hank Realizes Walt Is Heisenberg “Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
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Halfway through “Breaking Bad’s” fifth season, Walt seems ready to retire from the meth business. He’s beyond rich, his family is back together, and the authorities have no clue that he’s Heisenberg. Walt just might’ve gotten away with it if Hank didn’t like to read on the toilet. A DEA agent, Hank stumbles upon a book from “G.B.” to “W.W.” in Walt’s bathroom. Thinking back, Hank recalls that Gale Boetticher’s notebook mentioned a “W.W.” Although he was joking before, Hank pieces together that W.W. really is Walter White. The meth kingpin he’s been hunting this whole time was his sickly brother-in-law. Thankfully, we only had to wait one more episode to see Hank confront Walt with this revelation.
#2: Going Home “M*A*S*H” (1972-83)
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Although the Korean War persisted for just over three years, it lasted eleven seasons for Hawkeye and company. The long-awaited farewell accumulated so much buzz back in 1983 that the initial broadcast brought in a record-breaking 105.97 million viewers. To this date, it remains the most-watched series finale in television history, which goes to show just how many people wanted to see these characters receive a proper sendoff. “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” delivered with a final scene that’s forever embedded in pop culture. Following a bittersweet hug, Hawkeye lifts off in a helicopter to find that Hunnicutt has left him one last message. After 256 episodes, it was the perfect way to say goodbye. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Arriving on “Earth,” “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-09) After 65 Episodes, Our Heroes Receive a Rude Awakening Gossip Girl’s Identity, “Gossip Girl” (2007-12) After Six Seasons, We Expected Somebody Who Sounded More Like Kristen Bell Selina Becomes President, “Veep” (2012-19) Selina Waited Three Seasons, America Is Still Waiting Jake & Amy’s Wedding, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-) A Five-Season Walk Down the Aisle Castle & Beckett Kiss, “Castle” (2009-16) It’s a Mystery Why This Took So Long
#1: Who’s the Mother? “How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
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You wouldn’t expect the story about how a father met the mother of his children to take nine seasons to tell. Ted Mosby insists on telling his kids everything, however. This includes his relationships with various other women and the wacky shenanigans that he got into with his friends. Every now and then, we’re given another clue pertaining to the Mother’s identity. It’s not until the Season Eight finale, though, that we finally get to see the woman behind the yellow umbrella. Then we had to wait another season for Ted to meet the future Mrs. Mosby. The fate of the Mother proved divisive, to say the least, but her actual introduction to Ted was every bit as heartfelt as we had hoped.