Top 10 Craziest Plot Twists on Teen Dramas
#10: Elena Gilbert Falls Under a Sleeping Spell “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
Elena was the heart and soul of “The Vampire Diaries” – as in, she was literally the main character. So when she was suddenly put under a sleeping spell in the season six finale – a spell that could only be undone if Bonnie died – fans were surprised. To say the LEAST. Turns out, this unexpected twist has some reasoning behind it – and fans actually knew something was coming for a while, just not exactly what. Actress Nina Dobrev was ready to leave the show, so the writers wrote her off in the best way they thought possible. Luckily, Elena came back for the series finale, but that doesn't make this twist any less surprising.
#9: Clifford Blossom Killed Jason “Riverdale” (2017-)
The entirety of the first season of “Riverdale” centers around one tantilizing question – who killed Jason Blossom? The possible suspects abounded – was it Hal and Alice Cooper, who didn’t want their daughter Polly dating Jason? Was it F.P. Jones, with that letter jacket hanging in his closet? Was it POLLY herself? All of these possibilities turned out to be wrong, and in a twisted, gothic turn of fate, Clifford Blossom – Jason’s own father – was revealed as the killer. The question of “why” wouldn’t be answered until later, but this twist was enough to keep us interested on the way.
#8: DominantDaddy Is Nate Jacobs’ Dad “Euphoria” (2019-)
“Euphoria” has stirred up much controversy – whether it’s the drugs, the sex, or the glittered-up teens at the center of it. But this moment takes the cake. We’re introduced to Jules as she’s about to meet up with a guy from a dating app - a user named DominantDaddy. They get physical, and then she quickly leaves while he’s in the shower. Jules goes to a party where she’s harassed by jock Nate for being the new kid. She gets the better of him – in terrifying fashion – and he angrily leaves. At Nate’s house, we see a familiar family portrait. Who should Nate’s dad - Cal Jacobs - be, but … DominantDaddy himself?! The moment sets up even more tension between Nate and Jules and is shocking to boot.
#7: Marissa Cooper’s Death “The O.C.” (2003-07)
Welcome to the OC, viewers! If you think “The OC” was the pinnacle of teen dramas – then Marissa Cooper and Ryan Atwood were teen drama royalty. For the first three seasons, fans watched and wildly awaited each subsequent episode as Marissa and Ryan’s relationship evolved. But then, in one of the most shocking moves a TV show has ever made, Marissa was killed off at the end of season three. Not only did she die, but she also died in ruthless fashion – a drunk driver ran Ryan’s car off the road while they were both in it. Those last images of Ryan holding her as she gasps for breath will haunt us forever.
#6: Buffy Summer Dies “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
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Pro tip: if you’re looking to shock your audience, kill off your main character! Works like a charm every time. Buffy had quite a few run-ins with death over the years, but in season five, she meets her end in a heartbreaking twist of fate. Evil goddess Glory plans to use Dawn, Buffy’s sister, to unleash the fiery pits of hell onto humankind. Once the portal is open, Dawn believes the only way to close it is to jump through it herself. But, in a sacrificial move, Buffy jumps through the portal instead, sealing it off, saving her sister – and dying. Of course, Buffy comes back to life later on, but at the time, fans were flabbergasted.
#5: Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas Did It “Veronica Mars” (2004-19)
Towards the beginning of “Veronica Mars,” Cassidy Casablancas was just Dick’s shy, awkward younger brother. But, as the show progressed, his personal tragedies and the trauma he inflicted on others became the subject of not one, but two giant revelations. Veronica finds out that, in an effort to keep the fact that Mayor Goodman mistreated him quiet, Cassidy planted the bomb that blew up the bus. But that’s not all – she also finds out that Cassidy was the one who attacked her prior to the series beginning. Both of these revelations were incredibly horrific, and took audiences by storm.
#4: Samuel García Domínguez Faked His Death “Elite” (2018-)
The question of what happened to Samu was one of the biggest mysteries in this Spanish teen drama’s second season. And all of the clues pointed to the fact that Samuel was probably murdered – it was just a question of who? Was it a crime family? How about Carla’s dad? Or maybe Guzman? The scenario teemed with possibilities. But fast forward to the season two finale, and audiences were shocked to learn that the transfer student wasn’t dead at all. He faked his own disappearance as part of an elaborate scheme to trap Carla into confessing and get Polo arrested for what he did. Dios mio!
#3: What Dan Scott Does to His Brother, Keith Scott “One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
Buckle up, folks. This one scarred a bunch of 2000s kids for life. There was never any love lost between the Scott brothers – and Dan and Keith had plenty of altercations and disagreements over the years. Whether it was Dan leaving Karen to raise Lucas on her own, or the debacle where Dan blamed Keith for the dealership fire, something was always keeping these two apart. But Keith was always the more fan-beloved of the two – and that’s what makes this twist so jarring. When there’s a violent incident at Tree Hill High School, Dan takes advantage of the opportunity, and shoots Keith in the chest. Point blank. It was a tragic moment, and completely unexpected – seriously, we’re still crying.
#2: Charlotte DiLaurentis [aka Cece Drake] Is “A” “Pretty Little Liars” (2010-17)
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Let’s be honest: at one point or another, almost everyone was revealed as being A or A-adjacent on “Pretty Little Liars.” There was Mona, there was Toby, there was even Ali herself. But when the true culprit behind all of the drama in Rosewood was revealed, it was definitely a shock to fans everywhere. Turns out, Charlotte “CeCe” Drake - Jason and Ali’s adoptive sibling – was responsible for stalking and harassing the pretty little liars gang. After so many red herrings, it was a relief to finally figure out who A was – and definitely a twist no-one saw coming. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Clary Fray Gives Up Her Powers & Memories to Stop Her Brother, Jonathan Morgenstern, “Shadowhunters” (2016-19) She Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice Elizabeth "Effy" Stonem’s Counsellor Fatally Attacks Frederick "Freddie" McClair, “Skins” (2007-13) This Isn’t How a Psychiatric Professional Should Deal with People Grace Bowman’s Dad Has a Secret Child - “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (2008-13) The Secret Life of Marshall Bowman Olivia & Ruben "Ruby" Martinez Jr. Are Shot - “On My Block” (2018-) A Sure Fire Way to Ruin a Quinceanera James Tiberius "J.T." Yorke’s Death - “Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2001-15) This Is Not the Birthday Liberty Van Zandt Wanted
#1: Dan Humphrey Is Gossip Girl “Gossip Girl” (2007-12)
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Whether you love it or you hate it, the revelation of Gossip Girl’s identity was a shocker to all. A lot of that is because it doesn’t make a ton of sense – but that made it even wilder at the time. Much like fans awaiting the identity of A, viewers were just DYING to know who the infamous New York City blogger was. And in the series finale, we learned it was Lonely Boy himself, Dan Humphrey. Dan started Gossip Girl as a way to write himself into the narrative of the upper East Siders, and more specifically, to try and get Serena to date him. Well, he definitely succeeded on both accounts. Kudos, Dan – XOXO.
