Television’s most infamous series finale was a betrayal of its fans, and its premise remains controversial 37 years later. The TV show paved the way for some of thebest medical dramas, creating a formula that has been emulated by series likeGrey’s Anatomy,ER,andHouse.Beyond medical dramas, the series helped redefine what TV dramas could accomplish.
The show was groundbreaking for leaning into realism, dynamic character arcs, and refreshing storytelling. Filled with unusual literary devices for TV, such as serialized plots, flashbacks, and dream sequences, the NBC show constantly pushed the boundaries. That sentiment is exemplified bythe series finale ofSt. Elsewhere,one of the most divisive TV twists of all time.
St. Elsewhere’s Controversial Twist Didn’t Sit Well With Viewers In 1988
St. Elsewhere’s Finale Is Widely Considered A Betrayal To Its Viewers
WhenSt. Elsewherewrapped up in 1988, it was one of the most talked-about moments in TV history. At the end ofSt. Elsewhere,the series finale implied that the entire show existed in the imagination of Tommy Westphall, a boy with autism who created the story in his mind while gazing into a snow globe replica of St. Eligius Hospital.
The end ofSt. Elsewherehad a ripple effect, with fans creating theTommy Westphall Universe Theory. SinceSt. Elsewherehad crossovers with other shows, likeCheers,the theory suggested that crossover shows, and the showstheycrossed over with, existed in Tommy’s mind, too. While primarily a thought experiment, hypothetically, it implied that Tommy Westphall had imagined more than 400 shows.
Many felt that, after six seasons, to boil all the show’s plots and characters down to one child’s imagination was a betrayal of the time they invested in the series.
Despite its expansive potential,St. Elsewhere’s twist didn’t sit well with some viewers.Many felt that, after six seasons, to boil all the show’s plots and characters down to one child’s imagination was a betrayalof the time they invested in the series. However, an appreciation for its cultural impact also exists.
What The Creators Of St. Elsewhere Have Said About The Twist
St. Elsewhere’s Creators Embrace The Show’s Impact
The creators ofSt. Elsewherehave commented on the Tommy Westphall Universe Theory, offering insightful reactions to the cultural phenomenon they helped create.Tom Fontana, the writer and creator, had this to say:“Someone did the math once… and something like 90 percent of all [American] television took place in Tommy Westphall’s mind. God love him”(viaPaste Magazine).
On the other hand, executive producerBruce Paltrow predicted the divisive nature ofSt. Elsewhere’s series finale. He told theChicago Tribune,“I expect a very mixed reaction. I think some people will think it’s extraordinary and existential and quintessential St. Elsewhere. I think other people will find it puzzling, off, maybe unfulfilling in some way”(viaVulture).
Television Plot Twists Have Come A Long Way Since St. Elsewhere’s Snow Globe
But St. Elsewhere Was Still A Proper Mindbender
While it’s a bizarre twist, Tommy’s connection to the show explains why its narrative often blurs the lines of reality. Still,plot twists have come a long way since the reveal of Westphall and his snow globe at the end ofSt. Elsewhere.In the 1980s, plot twists were rare, and often, like Tommy’s reveal in the finale, polarizing.
For instance,St. Elsewhere’s finale stood out because it framed the entire show. Since the 1990s, plot twists have become more subversive and intricately woven into a series' narrative. Moving into the future, plot twists are becoming increasingly philosophical and reality-bending in shows likeBlack Mirror,which extend or explain the larger context without undermining what audiences already know.
St. Elsewhere
Cast
St. Elsewhere follows the staff and patients of St. Eligius, a rundown teaching hospital in Boston. The series, which aired from 1982 to 1988, portrays the complex and often challenging lives of medical professionals as they navigate both their personal and professional responsibilities. Notable for its nuanced storytelling and character development, St. Elsewhere features an ensemble cast including Ed Flanders, William Daniels, and Denzel Washington.
