2021 was a year of television highs and lows as shows sprung back into action after a COVID-forced hiatus. Nonetheless, there were plenty of shocking moments that couldn't escape viewers' minds, even if they wanted them to.
From unsolicited private pictures, to treacherous betrayals, to uncalled for acts of ruining suitcases forever, television never fails to provide shock value for the audience. Let's look back on the moments that kept audiences on their edge of their seats in 2021, and some that made them want to look away from the screen.
WandaVision - It Was Agatha All Along
The catchy song of the same name says it all. As the first Marvel Cinematic Universe series to premiere on Disney+, WandaVision had a lot to prepare fans for. Along with elaborate sets, costumes and decade-changing episodes, the show managed to pull out a plot twist that, while some fans saw coming, was still exciting to watch unfold.
Episode 7, "Breaking the Fourth Wall," reveals the nosy neighbor Agnes as Agatha Harkness through a musical journey of her time in Westview, pulling the strings on the operation. The next episode features Agatha's backstory as a Salem witch in the 1693 trials preparing to be executed by her mother for practicing dark magic. But of course, this fails on the mother's behalf and centuries later Agatha battles Wanda for the chaos magic she wields as the Scarlet Witch.
While the revelation would seem more dramatic, it actually falls on the humorous side of things given the musical number and Agatha's outrageous evilness that is pulled straight out of a Grimms' Fairy Tale, but makes up for Kathryn Hahn's stellar performance as the menacing witch.
The White Lotus - The Victim Is Revealed
This show of oddball rich guests unaware of their deafening influence is, at its core, a mysterious quest to uncover a fatality. The first episode begins at an airport where newlywed Shane is chatting it up with a couple who continuously ask about his wife, who he doesn't seem too thrilled to talk about. A glance at cargo labeled "Human remains" and a mention of a death already makes viewers falsely answer that the death is of his wife, Rachel.
At its most chaotic is when the numerous characters overlap and interact with each other, and the answer to everyone's dying question lies with Shane and the hotel manager, Armond. The troubling manager is trying his best to stay sober and positive but the countless ridiculous requests made by the guests overwhelm him -- particularly Shane's one-sided feud with him over the suite he didn't receive.
As the defining, yet disgusting, moment of Armond's character arc, he breaks into Shane's suite and defecates in his suitcase. High on the aftermath of another family's robbery, Shane senses an intruder and unknowingly stabs Armond, killing him. It's the moment everyone waited six episodes for, and it didn't disappoint. Armond seems like the sensible victim given his heroic downfall, but at any point in the show it seemed like any one of the characters could go down.
Squid Game - 001 Is the Mastermind
Shortly after its release, Squid Game became Netflix's most-watched series, attracting more than 142 million member households. Its quirky set design and thematically rich storylines add a bewitching element to television, but where it hits most is the characters. While all the characters have names, they are most recognized by their number they've been assigned in the games, which represents what order they joined. And by the end of the series, it all starts to make sense why elderly Oh Il-nam was named Player 001.
All of the contestants had one goal in mind: win for the money. But Il-nam has a different mindset. After his presumed death in the marble game, Gi-hun is invited to Il-nam's luxurious apartment where its revealed he's still alive and created the game to entertain bored rich people like himself. Il-nam further explains that his brain tumor diagnosis and ultimate death persuaded him to join the game for fun and nostalgia. The revelation was the ultimate betrayal, and the series managed to cover it up nicely to create a surprising moment for viewers.
Ted Lasso - Nate Leaves AFC Richmond for West Ham
Nate joining the dark side of football is the ultimate stab in the back to Ted Lasso, everyone's favorite optimistic American coach. Ted was the first person at AFC Richmond to see Nate's potential as a future coach, constantly asking for input and allowing him to take the reins even when no one else believed in Nate. But Nate's fiery insecurity planted by himself and his father takes over and becomes a sight for revenge.
Once Ted hires former captain Roy Kent as assistant coach, everything goes downhill for Nate. His inconsistent temper and hard luck with women don't make matters any better and it leads to a disgusting act of Nate spilling to a newspaper of Ted's panic attack that's been covered up as a stomach bug.
Nate betraying Ted's trust in this secret doesn't even destroy their friendship. Ted attempts to understand Nate's point of view but is failing in Nate's eyes. Finally, as the final kick in Ted's face, Nate secures a position at Rebecca's ex-husband's club, West Ham, as the newest member of their coaching staff. Knowing the sweet and lovable Nate from Season 1, this is a moment that will have repercussions both for the AFC Richmond and fans of the show.
Succession - Tom's Betrayal & Roman's Unfortunate Photo
With a show like Succession, it's not surprising for a betrayal or two to happen. But with a character like Tom, who has always clung on to the Roy family like a sad puppy, his betrayal seems both unexpected, yet powerful. After an entire season of preparing for prison and feeling the lack of love from his wife, Tom enlists the help of the other outsider, Greg, to rise in WayStar. It's at both the worst and best time of the series.
Finally, the three Roy siblings have smartened up enough to join forces to prevent a WayStar and GoJo merger that could cut the family from their own business. They agree to play their hand as the "super majority," thanks to a divorce agreement deal set by their mother. As the super majority, the trio can vote against the merger, which overpowers Logan. But Shiv makes the oblivious mistake in telling the neglected Tom, who sells out the siblings to Logan and thus prevents the siblings' rebel plan.
But before Tom was the victorious knight, it was actually supposed to be Roman, before he ruined it all with one simple picture. After successfully convincing his father to close the GoJo deal, Roman accidentally sends his dad a picture of his genitals that was meant for Gerri. Roman was so close to the top of the corporate ladder until this mishap, which probably knocked him off Logan's list of potential CEOs and opened up the door for Tom.