Kyle XY Ends on a Cliffhanger
Tuesday March 17, 2009
Matt Dallas in "Bringing Down the House," the series finale of Kyle XY.
© ABC FAMILY/EIKE SCHROTER
Although the immediate threat posed by Latnok was resolved, Kyle (Matt Dallas) is unable to accomplish what Nicole (Marguerite MacIntyre) so earnestly entreats him to do, which is end the intrusion of these people into the Tragers' life.
In fact almost every plot threat opened up in season 3 was left unresolved in "Bringing Down the House," the final episode.
Nate (Jesse Hutch) is still a threat who knows Kyle is the son of Adam Baylin. Mark (Josh Zuckerman) agrees to help Kyle fend off security guards at the Latnok warehouse, and then that's the last we hear of him.
The love triangle between Kyle, Amanda (Kirsten Prout), and Jessi (Jaimie Alexander) is desperately unresolved, except we now know that Kyle feels one kind of tingling with Amanda and another kind with Jessi. (Writer Julie Plec essentially admitted that they didn't know who they wanted Kyle to be with and if the series had continued he would have ended up with neither.)
The most interesting idea brought up in this episode is Kyle's loss of innocence, his willingness to engage in violence and deception in order to defeat Latnok. Nicole rightly mourns the loss of the honest and open Kyle she helped create, but the time to bring something like this up isn't in the last half hour of the series finale.
And then there's – that ending. After a very rushed exposition of who the woman is behind Latnok's manipulations we find out something about Cassidy (Hal Ozsan) that we (a) did not want to know, and (b) have a great deal of trouble actually believing. Plec said that this revelation was the planned story arc for season 4, and when the show was canceled it was shoe-horned into the season finale. So the viewer is left with this piece of information, but is now barred from seeing Kyle react to it or deal with it in any way. It's as if the Star Wars franchise had abruptly ended halfway through The Empire Strikes Back.
So far there are no plans for a Kyle XY movie to resolve some or all of these loose ends, though ABC Family shows lots of made-for-cable movies and a Kyle one-off would be easy enough to do (if they can make Au Pair 3, why not Kyle XY: The Movie?). The cast and crew, however, are already moving on – Plec herself cowrote the pilot for Vampire Diaries, Magda Apanowich (Andi) has been working on Caprica, Matt Dallas is working on the movie As Good As Dead with Cary Elwes, and so on.
Meanwhile there are a number of fan efforts to pressure ABC Family to bring the show back – I've certainly received more mail about its cancellation than anything since the death of Moonlight. Activist sites include Save the Tub! and the Campaign to Save Kyle XY.
Comments
Yeah I completely agree we all deserve a much better ending than what we got, nothing was resolved – the whole show has been blown open! My mouth is still gaping.
Thanks for referring to our fan campaign sites Mark, we really appreciate it. Remember everyone that we need to buy the last episode on iTunes, buy the season 1 and 2 boxsets, send letters to Sci-Fi and CW convincing them they should pick up the show for themselves and keep sending Sour Patch Kids.
~Save the Tub!~
If they have room for a show about a pregnant teenager, I don’t see why they can’t keep a show that can last at least 3 more seasons and still be interesting. The drop in ratings is due to bad programming, it’s ABC Family’s fault, they did nothing to promote the show, they did the complete opposite. I really hope another network will pick it up, it deserves a proper ending. Save the tub!
Thank you for writing this article because without people like you writing about our campaign it would be tougher. It is an outrage to have ABC Family have us follow a show for three seasons and give us this kind of ending, if you can even call it that. Not all of Kyle’s decline in the ratings is the fault of the show, there have been many promotional flaws along with it.
To anybody who wants to join in the campaign efforts go to kylexy.net.
I havent seen Season 3 yet (not being aired in India as yet) but I cant get over the fact that there will be no season 4. I came to know about a lot of unanswered questions being popped up and just hope that ABCF’s loss is someone else’s gain.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful article on the abrupt end of Kyle XY. I feel it is always good business to take care of the customer, in this case the viewer. Tick them off and they take their business elsewhere. ABC Family had a wonderful show and they didn’t even know it, otherwise they would have taken better care of it. Like the rest of the fans I am hoping another network will welcome this treasure into its family much as the Tragers welcomed in Kyle.
http://WWW.SAVEKYLEXY.COM http://WWW.KYLEXY.NET
Thanks for the awesome coverage, Mark! You summed up everything (plotlines, what was left missing, our [the fans'] unhappiness) quite well. It is my hope that ABC Family will renew Kyle XY for another season AT LEAST– although if I had to, I could settle for a movie.
Save the tub!
We need a season 4, we have to know the answers of the questions that left us hanging.
SAVE THE TUB !
Thank you for writing this. I agree with everything you’ve said, and am craving more Kyle XY, Jessi XX… and more tub!
As we’ve seen with shows like Jericho, fan participation CAN and does work… we’ve just got to make our voice heard!
It is Like this all Sci fi anymore the is no end Star Wars We were Promised 9 movies Geroge Lucus you suck Abc Family you suck also to end things on sour note sci if channel you are coping out changing your name I really disapponited with the world of sci fi lately where are are the new Ideas that will push things forward
Thanks for your article, Mark. Kyle XY is such a great series to end like this shows a profound disrespect for viewers of ABC Family. After a very lengthy delay in airing a short season 3 (during which many viewers thought it was already cancelled), they almost immediately announced that these were the final episodes and renamed their cliff hanger SEASON finale as a SERIES finale. As you so correctly pointed out, they didn’t even bother to tie up any of the the plot lines and even introduced new ones in the last few seconds of the final episode. Kyle XY is sci-fi with a softer edge that has captured the hearts of many fans who are appalled that ABC Family would cancel their flagship series in this way. Plese visit http://www.SAVEKYLEXY.COM and http://www.KYLEXY.NET and help us save Kyle XY. Thanks.
bring back kyle xy
Thank you for noticing us, Mark! It really helps with our campaign. All of us Kyle XY fans aren’t giving up when it comes to bringing back the show. If anybody wants to help us save Kyle XY, go to http://www.kylexy.net , http://www.savethetub.com , http://www.savekylexy.com
Please and thank you!
Save Kyle XY!
This is a rare gem of a show and the journey through seasons 1 – 3 has been fantastic. There must be a season 4. This show is too good to finish!
If Dish Network hadn’t dropped ABC Family I think the ratings would have been a lot higher… many people are not aware they could view it on the web… power is in the money… if we tune to other channels, ABC will get the message… hit em in the pockets….
I love Kyle xY so much that I’m working on getting Matt Dallas an interview on a popular radio show http://www.coasttocoastam.com
I even asked all the fans to send their emails to Geroge Noory and leave their comments on what they love most about kyle XY and that Matt would be a great guest on their program.
I hope that this will be one of the things i can do to show that the fanbase for this show is huge, worldwide.
I LOVE KYLE XY, SAVE THE TUBE!!!!
Thank you for your support!!
Thank you for the article above. I appreciate how you must have felt watching that last episode. So many of us were left with a feeling of disappointment and resentment because we will, as far as one can tell, not ever be able to have closure.
Kyle had a loyal and dedicated audience, one that waited for nearly 10 months without so much as a hint of anything from the “family” as to what was going to happen. We spread the word of its return and we promoted it, and we were left holding the perverbial bag when it was abruptly cancelled. 1.3 million viewers tuned in weekly, and still it was cancelled.
It is my personal belief that ABCFamily underestimated our loyalty because wherever Kyle XY ends up, we will follow. I also know that with proper promotion there is no telling how large a following Kyle could develope.
sandyp
I am amazed at how a show as successful as Kyle XY is not being renewed. It is not a question of low viewership or poor quality; an incredibly successful show like Kyle XY is being left behind just because of one network’s decision to change their direction for a new audience – that is what amazes me.
Kyle XY was THE show for ABC Family. ABC Family’s President was quoted as saying that “Kyle XY defines out network”. With ABC Family moving in a new direction, let Kyle XY define a new network, because it is clear that it is capable of doing so.
ABC knows better. ABC can see that Kyle XY was an incredible success and that it can be on another network. A network like Sci Fi must be salivating at the idea of getting a show like Kyle XY on their network especially considering that they are revamping their channel. This new direction that Sci Fi is taking goes hand in hand with what Kyle XY is all about. When I read the new slogan and direction for Sci Fi (soon to be Sy Fy), I couldn’t believe how well Kyle XY fits in with their plans.
Thank you for acknowledging our campaign! Keep the letters coming, everyone. Do it for Kyle! Save the tub!
So kind of you to write this article. This show is brilliant and deserves many more years! The writing, directing and acting are all exceptional! It is a very unique and special series. Please help us save Kyle XY!
I’m obsesssing about the show and how ABC Stupid Family screwed the fans and the cast of this great show. I am hoping that SCI FI will pick it up and keep it going for a few more years.
I felt cheated by the ending and nothing was “resolved.” The ending basically sucked. It left me and millions of other fans wanting more.
Please, Please, Please pick up Kyle XY and make us fans happy.
Thank you for calling attention to this most-awesome of shows – namely Kyle XY. As a very avid fan, I am of course saddened at the cancelation, but am hoping that some network (if not ABC or ABC Family) will bring it back.
As fans, we can all do our part. Write letters, send post cards, send Sour Patch Kids, sign petitions, do whatever it takes (within reason and common courtesy) to get Kyle XY back on the air! Those interested should check out kylexy dot net. We’re organizing and doing what we can to spread the word. And the word is –
Save The Tub! Move The Tub!
Keep Kyle XY!
can u plzz keep kyle xy cuz its d only show on abc dats not stupid n actually interestin
Kyle XY was certainly canceled before it’s time. Fans have (1)a plethora of unanswered questions, (2)a massive desire to see this program continued and (3)the drive to do what it takes to see that goal accomplished. What does this mean to networks? It means that (1) there is an established show with a great fan base that is waiting on someone to answer these questions (not to mention a plot that is screaming for a script), (2)with massive desire comes devoted fans, and (3) now those fans are grouping together to resurrect Kyle (much like he resurrected Jessi).
While we’re still reeling from the recent “hiatus” of Kyle XY, we’re not giving up hope! Fans can & have (and will) brought canceled shows back to life. Please join us at kylexy.net and see what you can do!
Why did they cancel the show? that is a bad move from those d.bags. Who can I write to that would matter and could bring the show back?
KEEEEP THE SHOWWW!!!!
THIS FREAKING SUCKS! I can’t believe they would do this crap, me and my husband were so interested in this show. This was our FAVORITE Show the only show we really watched and really got in to. SCREW YOU ABC FAMILY!!!!
Kyle XY is a prime example of the old adage, “only the good die young.” After three short seasons, we as fans are left begging for more… more of a show that was our bright spot on Monday nights.
We Kyle XY fans are a loyal group. As a member of KyleXY dot net, I’m doing what I can to help resurrect this show. You can join in the fight as well. The more of us that speak out for Kyle XY, the easier it is for the networks to hear us!
Thank
just ended a very excellent show in total 180″ bad way at least this is what i get the impression from abcfamily channel and we got some pregnant girl and her baby great too great for spoiling children in much faster way i can say that.I just waited for this show on moday night where as its working day in my location and i used to take a one hour break for this one every one in my office really got flattered to hear this all i do for this show any ways I will try my best not to watch any other abc series which may be end in this way as kyle xy ends just incomplete ending.
I hate that they have just cancelled the show just like tht i mean cummon that wasthe show gettin really gd a think they should bring it back
With the cancellation of KYLE XY by ABCF, the fans have lost a battle but certainly not the war yet. Thanks to supporting articles, we’ll certainly get even more people involved in trying to Move the Tub to another network !
Also the forum on kylexy.net is a great place where to find anything to help our cause.
To the author of this article I am a fan of Kyle XY and it would be truly appreciated if you could write a column about our continued campaign efforts. Fans of Kyle XY are deeply disappointed by the ending of the show and after following the show loyally for three seasons we are hoping for a proper conclusion. The campaign for Kyle XY is still going on and will continue until we have a proper ending to the mystery. Many fans from around the world have banded together under this common cause, 25,000 people alone have signed an online petition.
Thank for considering my request because the only way for our message to get heard is if columnists like yourself will shed light on the campaign.
Any fan of Kyle XY who would like to be a part of the campaign please visit savekylexy, savethetub.com, and kylexy.net.
Mark, I am here to ask you to mention that there is still a campaign to save Kyle XY going on at kylexy.net. The fans of Kyle XY believe that there is still hope for this series if we can get people like you to shed light on our efforts. We feel that we can achieve a true continuation of our show like the fans of Jericho and Firefly did. I ask you to please mention that this campaign is going on and we will not give up.
Any fan of Kyle XY who would like to be a part of the campaign please visit savekylexy.com, savethetub.com, and kylexy.net.
Thanks for this artikle. We need more people like you suporting our campaign.
Now I will use this oppertunity to ask people to join us and save the tub!!
Please go to savekylexy.com or kylexy.net
Thank you!!
Thank you for calling attention to Kyle XY. Shows like this often call attention to themselves, until they’re silenced. Such is the case with Kyle XY. Fans like myself are banding together to give Kyle XY it’s voice back!
Any fan of Kyle XY who would like to be a part of the campaign please visit savekylexy.com, savethetub.com, and kylexy.net.
first of all,I don’t blame ABC family for this. I blame the writer, i mean “If the seasons continued Kyle would end up with neither Amanda or Jessie.”? I honestly like Amanda and Kyle and hate him with Jessie, they are too brother sister like.
secondo all, Kyle XY’s season 3 finale had to be the worst, most unprofessional way to end a show.
Julie Plec is making the worst mistake possible ending the show. it has such a good story line that could go on forever. why end it after only 3 seasons?
There is something to be said about a show that you can watch over and over… and enjoy it more with each viewing. Kyle XY is that kind of show.
Now if only some network would realize that… and pick it up!
Kyle XY is really a great show, it should be renewed for a 4th season. And fans deserve a better ending. No matter how long it will take, we’ll do our best to get our campaign successful.
Kyle XY is a great show which many people like.
For that it is not fair the show hasn’t been renewed for a 4th season.
So get in the tub and save this show!!
Go to savekylexy.com or kylexy.net.
Thank you!
Kyle XY has a loyal fan base that is doing everything in their power to return new episodes to the air! Any fan of Kyle XY who would like to be a part of the campaign please visit savekylexy.com, savethetub.com, and kylexy.net.
just wanted to update you on our continued campaign efforts. Save The Tub is currently trying to win the Save One Show at E!Online.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b107874_save_one_show_help_your_fave_see.html
Thank you for your support
That was the final episode? Well here Ive been sitting around waiting for the final episode to air and that was it? Im disappointed…
Yes. Totally agree with your article. You seem very adepth at what you do do please help us get our show back. I am a loyal fan of kyle xy and would like to see it picked p by a great network like Scifi.
Being in Sydney, Australia we don’t get this (apparently sucky) channel, ABC Family. So I’ve been GLUED TO MY LAPTOP watching seasons 1 & 2 of Kyle XY in a super marathon on DVD. But after getting hooked on this exciting, funny and sweet show, to then going on the net to find out it got cancelled?? Say it isn’t so!! We don’t want this show to end now!! Or at least, give it a proper ending — can we at least have that much. Give us season 4 to say goodbye. Sniff!
Give us KYLE!!!
Save KYLE!!
plis bring kyle xy back i need to see another season to finish what you guys started u cant just finish it like thats i got no answers nothig was solved :S:S bring kyle xy backk plizzzz
This was one of the most bizarre cancellations I’ve ever seen. Solid show with a solid fanbase. Even if a network wanted to change its demo, why on earth would they cancel one of its most successful shows so abruptly? Why not transition the network so as to not alienate a lot of the current viewership? Makes me wonder if something else was going on….
I think Lori had a really good point in her last post, if ABCfamily wanted ta change the image why didn’t they at least give the rights of the show up to another network so that all of the fans could had seen how the story ended?
This is insane! Kyle XY had to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time, for me anyway. Every episode left a new question in need of an answer and the last episode, the only one allowed to have all the questions answered gives me NOTHING! I can’t stop thinking about it. Jessi has to be with Kyle, they were made for each other, Josh and Andi won’t last although i wish they did. The Trager’s have only begun to get involved in this whole mess. Madacorp should have another role in the show. Amanda is a great girl but cmon, her and Kyle aren’t right for each other. Declan and Lori should eventually end up together. Kyle should learn a heap of new tricks and possibly fly across an ocean, he is already capable.
The point is that if i can think of all these ideas in this short amount of time, ABC should be able to crack sopmething instantly. I’ve been surfing the net all day and thousands of people are as upset as me, and I agree with jpoeling, ABC didn’t promote enough. Kyle XY is an amazing story, it can appeal to most. At least, if anything, give us the ending we deserve.
Put kyle xy back on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!