Cliffhanger
| "Cliffhanger" should not be confused with Cliffjumper. |
In fiction, the term "cliffhanger" or "cliffhanger ending" refers a plot device featuring a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is usually used to ensure the audience will return to see how the dilemma gets resolves, thus raising the audience ratings. It is like a TV show's version of "to sell toys" in a certain way.
The cliffhanger could be used at the end of an episode from a series of continuous episodes, or the end of the season finale. It has been used in many Transformers shows since "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1", the first episode of the original The Transformers cartoon. Later, the Beast Wars started to use the cliffhanger in the season finale.
Notable examples
Beast Wars cartoon
In the episode "Other Voices, Part 2" ended the first season with the death of Optimus Primal while "The Agenda (Part III)" closed the second season with Megatron's attempt to kill Optimus Prime.
Beast Machines cartoon
The episode "End of the Line" ended the season with the alluded demise of Optimus Primal.
Animated cartoon
The first season finale "Megatron Rising - Part 2" ended with the revelation that Megatron was still alive and had Isaac Sumdac as his captive. The following episode, "The Elite Guard," ended with Sari Sumdac learning that there are no records of either her birth or even her existence. The second season finale "A Bridge Too Close, Part II" ended with Sari being exposed as being more than just human, along with a scene of Megatron and Starscream drifting alone in space with their fates left unknown.
Prime cartoon
The first season finale "One Shall Rise, Part 3" ended with Megatron's declaration that Orion Pax is one of the Decepticon comrades.
