The grim Dinosaurs finale changed its tone to showcase an important message. This made it one of the most controversial final episodes in TV history.
The 90s family sitcom, Dinosaurs,concluded with a very controversial finale after a six-year run. Set in 60,000,000 BC, the beloved seriesfollowed a family of anthropomorphic dinosaurs, Earl, Fran, Robert (or “Robbie”), Charlene and Baby Sinclair, who dealt with modern issues from Earl requesting a raise at his job to Robbie and Charlene dealing with teenage peer pressure. Often, the show would also touch on topical subjects including women’s rights and environmentalism, which is showcased in the series finale.
In the 1995 final episode of Dinosaurs, developed by Muppets mastermind Jim Henson, the Sinclair family gathered around in their backyard discussing the advancement of technology and awaiting the annual return of the bunch beetles, a tradition in Pangea that was being broadcasted. When the beetles don’t arrive, Charlene learns that the new WESAYSO factory, the unethical company Earl worked at, killed all the beetles to prevent them from disrupting their production of wax fruits. Unfortunately, the bunch beetles were a significant factor in the ecosystem and caused instability in Pangea, allowing plants called cedar poppies to overgrow in the area. WESAYSO worked to remedy the poppy problem by spraying chemicals throughout Pangea, but this kills all the plants, leaving no food for the residents. As the company continued to try to correct their misguided plans, the situation worsened and led to the Ice Age, ending the show with the family huddled in their home.
The Dinosaurs finale was planned by the writers from the series’ beginning. They knew that for their story to come to completion, they would have to depict how the dinosaurs met their end by extinction and wanted to portray that as their conclusion. Though the series’ storytelling led up to this ending, the reception for the finale episode was less than stellar because it dramatically shifted the overall tone of the series. Although many commentators have praised the episode's bold narrative decisions, there's no doubt that the bleak conclusion proved shocking to viewers and was a marked departure from the light-hearted social commentary that had come before.
Why Dinosaurs' Ending Was So Controversial
Dinosaurs were seen as one of the beloved family sitcoms in the 90s until it was canceled. Though it broached serious topics, Dinosaurs was a lighthearted, satirical tv show that the whole family could watch. When the finale aired, it became one of the most controversial endings in tv history because of its sudden darker conclusion. The extinction of the relatable dinosaur family was an unlikely narrative and unexpected, even though it was perhaps predictable given the show's subject matter and signposting.
With its family-centric audience, Dinosaurs’ final scene showcasing the beloved Sinclair family huddling in their living room as the snow continued to pile, and cold weather worsened was a shocking end. Another somber element of the final episode was the last broadcast piece from the regular new anchor, Howard Handupme, giving a goodbye speech before the credits rolled. The ongoing solemn scenes in the episode proved to be a traumatic viewing experience, making the mixed reaction a perhaps unsurprising side effect.
Was The Dinosaurs' Series Finale The Right Choice?
The Dinosaurs’ writers wouldn’t change the controversial episode to this day. Series writers Kirk Thatcher and Tim Doyle reiterated that the 90’s sitcom was actually a satire on the culture of consumerism. Although it was a family series, it was not created to make comfortable commentary on the topics covered, including the way that humanity doesn’t think about the consequences of their actions. When they were notified of the sudden cancelation of Dinosaurs, the writers pitched this ending, continuing their efforts to show how short-sighted actions can potentially create long-term damage.
The finale, as divisive as it has been, tied the series in a cohesive bow. The writers’ mission to tackle essential topics that taught lessons to the audience came to an unfortunate but necessary end to prove their point. The constant environmental interference from a large corporation, as displayed in the final Dinosaurs episode, is an issue that is still being protested in the modern day. Though the finale did deviate from the lively and spirited nature of the series, Dinosaurs’ conclusion portrayed a grim result of a real-world problem.
Dinosaurs will always be remembered not only as one of the most beloved ’90s TV shows but also as one of the most controversial. The wholesome family series had some of the most remembered moments including Baby Sinclair's famous catchphrases "I'm the baby, gotta love me!" and "Not the mama!" Though the final episode revealed the Sinclairs' ultimate demise, the Dinosaurs storyline exhibited a relevant and timeless ending that will always be discussed.
