14.) “Quantum Leap,” “Mirror Image’ (1993)

During this science fiction show, which ran for five seasons, Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) travels through space and time to correct historical mistakes. Although fans may have been anticipating Sam’s return home in the end, he ends up meeting a god-like figure — who tells him he could have returned home at any time that he wished; but his will to help others would not allow him to do so.

What made the ending most surprising is that it reveals Sam never returned home — implying that his work was never completed and that he was unable to save the world.