Families! They love each other. They hate each other. They’re always keeping secrets from one another.
As members of the audience, we think we know tv families better than they could ever understand themselves.
We are, after all, privy to everything from their favorite foods to their innermost thoughts. Yet, it often turns out, we don’t know these characters at all.
Two thousand eighteen was a minefield of surprises about our favorite families. We’ve learned who’s murderous, who’s making surprising lifestyle decisions, and who’s coming back from the dead. Scroll down to reflect on the jaw-dropping revelations of the year.
Anders, You Are The Father – Dynasty
Joseph “fiercely loyal to the Carringtons” Anders and Alexis had an affair! He’s Steven’s biological father! Poor Steven, no wonder he decided to stay in Paraguay to get away from it all.
The Tragedy Of Olivia Crain – The Haunting of Hill House
We could an spend eternity discussing all the narrative twists in The Haunting of Hill House. But the mother of all shocks had to be the truth of what happened to Olivia Crain. Finding out that Olivia committed suicide after killing the neighbors’ daughter and is now trying to kill her own children was absolutely bone-chilling.
Catherine’s Coverup – Grey’s Anatomy
Harper Avery was arrogant and powerful, so, unfortunately, it wasn’t shocking to learn he sexually harassed numerous women during his lifetime. The devastating part was finding out that Catherine had been covering up his crimes.
Jeremiah, Clown Prince of Crime – Gotham
Jerome gets the last laugh. He wasn’t the Joker destined to be Batman’s ultimate nemesis, but transforming Jeremiah — his twin — into the one who will was the joke no one saw coming.
Smurf Ordered The Hit – Animal Kingdom
Smurf ordering the hit on Baz was shocking in its own right, but it also spurred on the Codys’ increasingly unpredictable behavior.
Disco Bob’s New Job – Chicago PD
It was shocking to see Disco Bob Ruzek working as security for a drug dealer. What was more shocking was the fact Chicago PD didn’t instantly villainize someone they initially introduced as a squeaky clean patrol officer and instead made the truth much more complicated.
Gabriel Is The Son Of Sam – How to Get Away with Murder
Who is Gabriel Maddox? Fans speculated that he was related to Laurel, was Wes’ brother, Bonnie’s son, or had a connection to Michaela’s biological family. Turn’s out he’s Sam’s son — as in the son of Annalise’s dead husband from his first marriage.
Abe’s Daring Fashion Choice – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
In a family where the daughter is a standup comedian, the son is a spy and the mother ran away to Paris, you can count on Abe to be the uptight one demanding everything be in its proper place. Yet even he has a wild side, which he bared to us when he exchanged the professor’s plaids and tweeds for a very stretchy romper.
Prudence Is More Than Father Blackwood’s Favorite Student – Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Richard Coyle’s marvelous performance as Father Blackwood transformed what could have been a just another “I am your father,” moment into a dramatic stunner.
Nicky’s Alive! – This Is Us
Knowing he was dead informed everything we knew about Nicky Pearson. The reveal of him being alive doesn’t just change the story but also changes everything we thought we knew about Nicky and maybe even Jack.
Liz, I Am Not Your Father – The Blacklist
For years The Blacklist had been building up to the reveal of “Red is Liz’s father.” Watching Liz and Red bond is one of the best parts of the show. Then last season’s finale ripped it all away. Red isn’t Liz’s father, isn’t Red, and now Liz is out for vengeance.
A Bride For The Blossoms – Riverdale
From the get-go, we knew the Blossoms were twisted enough to fit right in a gothic novel. We’ve seen them commit abuse, incest, and murder. Just when you think they couldn’t find a new way to creep us out, Penelope reveals the Blossoms adopted her for the sole purpose of raising her to be their heir’s bride.
Karen’s Guilt – Daredevil
Since the moment we met her, we knew Karen was hiding some sort of dark secret, but we still weren’t prepared for the truth. Karen’s guilt and drive for justice can be traced back to the night she night she drove under the influence caused a car accident resulting in the death of her brother, who was only trying to look out for her.
Bonnie And Violet Keep In Touch – Mom
Violet and Christy’s estrangement is nothing new. What hurt was finding out Bonnie knew where Violet was living because the two of them have been in regular contact this whole time.
Mr. & Mrs. Zayas Come Out – Claws
Quiet Ann thought she was the black sheep of the family for being a lesbian and going to prison while her closeted brother was always the golden child. Turns out her parents had no beef with her homosexuality because they’re gay too. So it was just the going to prison thing that bothered them.
Earl Founded Atlas – Shooter
Bob Lee finds out that not only was Atlas behind the death of his father, but his father was a founding member back when Atlas was known as Phoenix.
Donkey Dad – The Good Place
Judging from Jason’s stories it was easy to dismiss Donkey Doug as another one of his idiot friends. In true Good Place fashion, the truth wasn’t what it seemed because Donkey Doug is Jason’s idiot dad. Like with all good twists, this explains so much.
