Ratings: In the Dark Ends on Low Note
In the latest TV show ratings, The CW’s cancelled Roswell, New Mexico ended its four-season run with 380,000 total viewers (its second-smallest audience of the season), while holding steady with a 0.1 demo rating.
TVLine readers gave the Roswell reboot’s series finale a truly average grade of “C+”; read our post mortem interview for scoop on the alternate final scene, the #Malex wedding and much more.
Leading out of that, the similarly snuffed In the Dark slipped to its smallest audience ever (230,000 total viewers) and ticked down in the demo, to a 0.0 rating.
ABC’s The Bachelorette (3 mil/0.6) tied and hit season lows, but still led Monday in the demo. Night 1 of Claim to Fame‘s finale (1.8 mil/0.3) was steady; Part 2 airs tonight, I want to say…?
CBS’ NCIS rerun squeaked past The Bachelorette to cop Monday’s largest audience, with 3.1 million viewers.
Over on Fox, Don’t Forget the Lyrics (1.4 mil/0.2) and the Beat Shazam finale (1.6 mil/0.2) both fell to season lows.
NBC’s American Ninja Warrior Family Challenge drew 2.2 mil and a 0.3.
Want scoop on any of the above shows? Email InsideLine@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
The Live+Same Day numbers reported in our ratings column do not reflect a show’s overall performance, given the increased use of delayed playback via DVR and streaming platforms, plus out-of-home viewing. These numbers (Nielsen fast nationals, unless denoted as finals) instead aim to simply illustrate trends or superlatives. Steve Harvey is not a judge or lawyer and merely offers an alternative forum of dispute resolution.
Though it was a slow burn at first, I got into this show because it was a unique story with a unique anti-hero (heroine) in Murphy. She was frustratingly reckless, but the story was engrossing, particularly how, as damaged as she was, you saw her start to let go of her anger and selfishness and become a better person. Great supporting cast, too.
I’m sorry to see it go, but it ended well enough and I’m glad for that.
Sad this is over – it’s a terrific show – unique premise, terrific acting and writing – everything was top notch. There aren’t many of those these days. The finale was DARK, but fitting with the show and I was satisfied, just wish it wasn’t the end.
Why are so many fans giving a failing grade to the finale of In the Dark? I certainly wish there had been a happily ever after for Murphy and Max but under the circumstances – I loved the final episode! Perry gave an outstanding performance and Murphy’s scenes with Felix were golden. Throughout I alternately laughed then cried then repeated the process all over again and again. Just a splendid finale!
Because the Max/Murphy shippers lost Max and didn’t get a happy ending. Last week had the highest ratings in a long time because people wanted to know who would get shot and if Max and Muphy would get married. Ratings fell for the finale because a lot of fans were too sad to want to see what happened next.
Personally I thought it was terrible because the writing was SLOPPY- also we spend 4 years getting invested in all these characters and the FINALE only includes three of them? And I’m sorry but the “death scene” was just terrible and campy- the whole time I thought for sure she was hallucinating it or dreaming. Didn’t necessarily have anything to do with a “happy ending”- bc that just isn’t realistic sometimes- but it could have been way better than it was. Personally I would have been fine with Josh being hit by a garbage truck 🤷🏻♀️
I know thought it was going to be a dream too…also I was upset that her parents weren’t there. I know Jessica gave up on their friendship but maybe something to let us know maybe she felt bad about Max. Sad
Exactly! Had Max not been killed more would have watched. It was such a letdown to drag out that relationship and then kill max.
I agree Paula. I loved the finale and disagree with the haters. The ending was completely in line with the show. Would we really have been satisfied with a happily ever after? That is not in line with Murphy as a character. I was surprised to be so deeply satisfied with this ending, and happy that Josh finally got his due! Also, Murphy is not inherently a murderer, but she finally got the last word to all of those who doubted and took advantage of her.
I loved the first season of In the Dark but it went steadily downhill with ridiculous storylines. I found myself really disliking the unredeemable and selfish character of Murphy as the seasons went on. I was hate watching the final season, staying with it only because I was curious to see how it all would end. Shouldn’t have wasted my time as he ending was completely unfulfilling.
I loved season one. Season two was okay. Season three was a complete train wreck and I was encouraged with most of season four. It was watchable. That series finale ranks up there as one of the worst ever. I hated that they killed Max but as happy as they finally were, I knew something very bad was coming. I do not recall ever despising a character more than Josh. His obsession with taking Murphy down had deadly consequences for Max. But clearly he didn’t care if Murphy was harmed. Don’t even get me started on the fact that Josh was legally blind and managed to find Tre’s mail by dumpster diving. Are you freaking serious? They pretty much cut out everyone but Murphy, Joss and Felix. It was insulting how much they dumbed Felix down for this to work. You’re going to leave a blind woman, who just threatened to kill a man alone? What I hate most about this is they actually had Murphy murder him. If they were going to go this route, then why not have him attack her so that it was at least self defense. The best revenge against Josh would have been to send his ass to prison. The irony would have been so sweet. But in the end Murphy became exactly what he thought she was. A cold-blooded killer. He never even learned the truth that it was Jess who killed Nia. We didn’t get to see that smug look wiped from his face when he realized he was wrong and now he lost his career and freedom over it. Death was far too easy and that final scene played like some sorta C-rated horror flick. They went out on the lowest note possible. Just a dumpster fire of a series finale.
I don’t know the whole story because I saw episodes sporadically as Roswell would roll into this show. So, I don’t know the extent of the Josh obsession, but I did see the last few episodes and agree with your assessment. He should have been sent to prison to wallow in the knowledge that he ruined his life and took another’s because of his obsession. I kept expecting the police to appear at the cabin, and it have been a set-up to get him to confess because they heard her make the deal during the prison visitation. All of those meetings are recorded. I couldn’t believe they had her kill him, wander into a camera filled mini-mart covered in blood, poorly dispose of the evidence, and then ride off with Felix as they laughed.
I liked the show from the beginning ( except for her sleeping around & her treatment of people). I liked the mystery & it seemed each episode was more tense than then previous one. I was hoping for a better finale- like Josh going to jail.
I hated the way in the dark ended. Don’t get me wrong Josh deserved it but it almost felt like they were setting up a season 5
The season was already filmed before they found out the show was cancelled. But I believe they were told it could be cancelled so to make a finale that could work both ways. Ditto with Roswell.
Agree who knew it was the show finale? I thought it was the season finale and obviously it shows that it was going to be renewed and crossed off! I loved it from the beginning and I also wasn’t sure if it was something she fantasied about or if it really happened but I guess we’ll never know! CW has been a disappointment in the last 6 or so years and I’m done.
In the Dark got 3 seasons more that it probably would have on one of the big 4 broadcast networks, but it feels like they didn’t know they were getting cancelled
I wanted to watch In the Dark on demand and couldnot unless I paid for it that’s probably why ratings were low hope it’s going to be on netflix
It’s free on the cw app. It’s also coming to Netflix either this Friday or next Friday
I haven’t watched the last season of in the dark because they are charging 3 dollars an episode. Waiting for it to be included in my already paid for account
Just reading the comments I’m probably going to delete the episode and not watch the ending as it seems bad and sad. This series had potential the first season was good and they went off on this insane storyline and just couldn’t get the show back on a somewhat believable path. Can’t feel sorry for Murphy, she used just about everyone in her path, including her dog to do whatever she wanted. Max chose to be with her and paid for it with his life; Josh got what he deserved, obsessed weirdo. Everyone else is collateral damage. Jess is the only smart one, she left; although I did miss her and was hoping to see her in the finale. But they really weren’t planning on a finale were they? Storyline aside, I really liked the cast.
Do yourself a favor and delete the episode. It’s a 100% waste of time and I’m NOT just saying that because of Max. The episode was so left-field, sloppy, and pure garbage. The previous episode would’ve sufficed as the finale.
Hoped for a happy ending for Murphy & Max. The scene of Murphy visiting Max in hospital was really done well. That should have been last show. Music by perfume genius awesome! A real tear jerker. It was Perry’s best act job of show and showed how Felix was going to be her BFF going forward.
I can’t wait to see it on Netflix
I think the ending would have been better if it turned out Murphy hadn’t actually killed him, and just envisioned herself doing so. And it would be revealed that Josh was just left alone while her and Felix rode off into the sunset together. It just felt off having her actually kill someone and then it ending like that. The whole show was about her NOT being a killer, and trying to get justice not revenge. And Josh not being at all remorseful and faking that because Felix said so? Dissatisfying IMO.
The part when Josh said “good idea mate” they could have totally covered that up as just the idea of making Murphy and Josh talk. Murphy didn’t have to assume that Felix had said anything to Josh to make him fake remorse.
I just think this episode was the worst written, and it wasn’t a satisfying conclusion at all.
Felix was the best part of the episode. Funny as always.
Ben, I completely agree with this! I too think it would have been more in line with Murphy’s character to have dreamed of killing Josh but in reality just left him alone to deal with his mess and obsession. He would have rotted in prison if they would have turned him in for tipping off the drug dealers, for sure. Then he would have had the fate he wished for Murphy the entire time – he never wanted her to die.
I love the idea of the ending with Murphy and Felix happily driving off into the sunset with a clean slate and nobody running from the law anymore. Felix is such a great character and I think she would have listened to him in the end. She is definitely not a murdered and that is literally what the show is all about – an extremely flawed character but always redeemable!
My four year committment to, In The Dark just got stabbed in the back, and then in the heart.
In the Dark had become the same thing week after week after week with the same (mostly) unredeemable characters doing the same (mostly) unredeemable things be it in speech or action. And that ending was just one scene short of Thelma and Louise. I was hoping for more inventive, interesting and/or creative writing.
great end to a lame final year. The show should really have ended after the 2nd season and definitely after the 3rd. As much as I liked it, this season seemed really forced. The killing of Max and Murphy killing Josh, totally redeemed it and made a great ending to the series.
The In The Dark ending of season 4. It leaves it open to have a 5th season. I know it was canceled. The way it ended leaves us wondering what will happen to Murphy, Felix and pretzel?? I wish they would consider continuing with another season.
In the dark was the best show I’ve ever seen we are so addicted to it and y’all cancel it pisses me off that’s some bs smh not happy….
Terribly disappointed. Writers should be ashamed of themselves! So many endings could’ve been explored… Josh dying from head trauma when he crashed, Murphy getting some sight back from traumatic experience. Fingerprints everywhere, will Murphy/Felix get caught? Where was Jess?
The ending was complete crap. I got nothing out of the ending and I was hanging on to the slight hope that the truth would come out about who really killed NIA , which I think a lot were waiting for. I think Josh needed to hear that desperately after he thought he was so sure on it, I thought there was very much a conversation between them needed. I am very shocked that Josh didn’t even remotely try to be honest at all. I am not upset about the romantic relationship (without spoilers) because I wanted the ending to be way more than a romance anyways and more about Murphy changing her selfish ways and showing everyone she’s not that bad of a person despite her past faults. Tie it back to her helping Chloe and Trey. Having an episode that also lacked certain characters that I loved was unfulfilling to say the least.
In The Dark Season 1 was some of the greatest television I’ve ever watched with an incredible finale. Probably because it mixed emotional problems with a murder mystery.
Unfortunate that Season 2 couldn’t keep the same hype.
By Season 3, I knew this was CW’s Breaking Bad and it could/would only end one way.
I get that the show had a darker premise, but I really wanted Murphy and Max to make it together at the end. They could have killed off Darnell since he caused the situation by letting Trey get away. I loved the fact that Murphy and Max were finally honest with each other and happy. Plus, I really wanted to see that lemon tree!
What is the results if you have recorded in the dark but are watching live and you delete it midway through because your watching it? And does live watching count towards the ratings? I don’t believe it said finale but season finale? I’m absolutely devastated about the show and we have no idea if Murphy actually killed Josh and the results.. I’m not going to waste my time on something that was obviously manipulated for what ever the results they want to achieve & it doesn’t matter what anyone says I believe it’s been going on for over a decade!