ABC has announced that the upcoming sixth season of “How to Get Away with Murder” will be the last. Hurray! And … boo!
I have mixed feelings about this. “HTGAWM” was pretty good in Season 1, but it’s become increasingly bizarre, confusing and nearly impenetrable since then. There are plots within plots, characters with secret motivations and the occasional where-the-hell-did-that-come-from moment.
I’ve seen every episode, and I have a tough time explaining what’s going on.
I’ve kept up because I’ve invested so much time — 75 episodes and counting — that I want to know how it ends. Even though I’m not at all convinced it will make any sense at all.
Still, given that there are so many good shows out there that I don’t have time to watch, I was planning to quit watching “HTGAWM” because there was no end in sight. Now there is — just 15 more episodes — so I’ll keep watching.
“How to Get Away with Murder” isn’t the only show that will be ending during the 2019-20 TV season. There’s a slew that have already announced their exits, including:
• “Arrow” (The CW): This series will end after an abbreviated, 10-episode, eighth season. It’s certainly not too soon for it to go.
• “Blindspot” (NBC): What with its low ratings, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if this show got the ax after Season 4. But it’s coming back for 13 episodes, and we’re promised it will provide fans answers to all its dangling plot lines.
• “Criminal Minds” (CBS): I’ve never really understood the appeal of this violent, serial killer-of-the-week show, but it got 10 more episodes to wrap things up — and bring the episode total to 325.
• “Empire” (Fox): At best, this was mediocre soap opera. It’s been unwatchable since Season 2. Its sixth and final season will be its longest — 20 episodes. Oh, and actor Jussie Smollett, who has been accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself, won’t be returning, according to series creator Lee Daniels.
• “The Good Place” (NBC): The news that Season 4 will be the last made me sad — and happy. The stars and producers of a lot of shows talk about exiting while the programs are still creatively strong; this one might actually do it. I’d rather have four great seasons and a top-notch finale than watch it go into decline.
• “Homeland” (Showtime): I’ve never been as down on this show as a lot of my fellow critics, but there’s no arguing that after a spectacular Season 1, the show has never been as good. Eight seasons is more than enough.
• “Lucifer” (Netflix): When Fox canceled this in 2018, it was too soon. Props to Netflix for ordering Season 4. Now Netflix has announced that Season 5 will be the last — and 10 more episodes might not be enough, although we’re promised closure.
• “Madam Secretary” (CBS): The Season 5 finale could have been a series finale, with the title character declaring she’s a candidate for president. But we’re getting an abbreviated, 10-episode Season 6 that will tie up the storyline — so I’m thinking there’s got to be a time jump.
• “Modern Family” (ABC): When Season 11 ends, there will be 254 episodes, and by no means do we need more. But I’m glad they’re giving fans some closure.
• “Supernatural” (The CW): OMG, this show started on The WB, which hasn’t even existed since 2006. The upcoming season will be the 15th; it will end with 329 episodes. And I’ll be hugely relieved, because I’ve been watching since the beginning.
Other shows that will be ending after their upcoming seasons include “The Affair” (Showtime); “Corporate” (Comedy Central); “Dark” (Netflix); “The Deuce” (HBO); “Fuller House” (Netflix); “Future Man” (Hulu); “Liar” (Sundance); “Killjoys” (Syfy); “The Man In the High Castle” (Amazon); “Mr. Robot” (USA); “Power” (Starz); “Preacher” (AMC); “The Ranch” (Netflix); “Schitt’s Creek” (Pop); “Silicon Valley” (HBO); “The Spanish Princess” (Starz); “Strike Back” (Cinemax); “Suits” (USA); “Unrelated” (Freeform); and “Vikings” (History).
