The TV shows we broke up with this year

Saying goodbye is never easy. But when it comes to TV, sometimes a show just mistreats you so badly that you’re left with no choice.

As the TV season comes to an end, we’re looking back at the shows that we finally gathered the courage to dump this year. At one point, we were committed — but now, for these grievances, we’ve finally called it quits.

‘The Walking Dead’

Andrew Lincoln and Chandler Riggs of “The Walking Dead.”AMC

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when I could not wait to find out who was going to have their brains eaten each week. But the brutal, gut-wrenching episodes full of surprises became few and far between.

More and more, the show focused on Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and company philosophizing, rather than doing things. When Season 4 premiered — and we were treated to watching Rick gardening — I knew we were past the point of no return.

— Gregory E. Miller

‘The Real Housewives of New York City’

“The Real Housewives of New York City” cast includes (from left) LuAnn de Lesseps, Carole Radziwill, Aviva Drescher, Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Heather Thompson.Bravo

My relationship with the “Real Housewives” franchise has been fading for a couple of years, but I finally ripped off the Band-Aid and broke off my once-committed relationship with “The Real Housewives of New York City” this season. “Orange County” and “Beverly Hills” were easier because they were long-distance.

But when I tuned into the “NYC” premiere a few weeks ago, my heart just wasn’t in it. I tried to care that Aviva accused Carole of hiring a ghostwriter for her new book, but while I sat through yet another dramatic dinner party, I couldn’t deny that my crush on a new, exciting Bravo reality show made the whole thing feel tired.

What can I say? I was won over by “Southern Charm.”

— Kate Storey

‘Homeland’

Claire Danes stars in “Homeland.”Showtime

In record time, “Homeland” went from being the most mesmerizing show on TV to being one of the most absurd. Using Carrie Mathison’s (Claire Danes) bipolar disorder as plot device that she could turn on or off like a light switch was a cheap shot by idea-starved writers.

That someone who was pregnant would exaggerate her problems so she could get into a mental institution — to help snuff out some stateside terrorist — was one nutty plot twist too many. I stopped watching.

— Robert Rorke

‘Mad Men’

Jon Hamm and Kiernan Shipka star in “Mad Men.”AMC

Expensive music cues and miniskirts in cool mod prints aren’t enough. I just didn’t care anymore. I was sick of traveling slowly over the same terrain we’ve already tread over (and over) for the six previous seasons.

— Hailey Eber

‘Revenge’

Nick Wechsler and Emily VanCamp star in “Revenge.”ABC

There were signs last fall that “Revenge” was back on track — gone was the convoluted Initiative story line, and Emily (Emily VanCamp) revived her red Sharpie and got back to her original plot to eliminate those who had helped the Graysons in their plot to frame her innocent father.

But somewhere between Emily getting amnesia and Conrad (Henry Czerny) pushing Pascal (Olivier Martinez) to his death-by-helicopter-blades, “Revenge” grew too soapy even for fans who had long ago suspended their disbelief.

And with the finale revealing that the series’ central motive — Emily’s father’s death — was apparently all a ruse, pardon us for not wanting to tune in next season for yet another reset of this increasingly ridiculous plot.

— Andrea Morabito

‘New Girl’

The cast of “New Girl” includes (from left) Lamorne Morris, Jake Johnson, Zooey Deschanel, Damon Wayans Jr., Hannah Simone and Max Greenfield.Fox

The quirky roommates lost their charm when Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) finally locked lips near the end of Season 2, forever ending the “will they, won’t they” tension on which fans had come to depend. And Schmidt (Max Greenfield) outdid himself in the jerk department by cheating on the gorgeous and lovable Cece (Hannah Simone) in Season 3, permanently altering the group dynamics of the loft.

Things looked bright briefly when Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) rejoined the cast mid-season, but eventually the fivesome’s chemistry fizzled out.

— Lindsay Putnam

‘Scandal’

Tony Goldwyn, Scott Foley and Kerry Washington star in “Scandal.”ABC

This is all Fitz’s fault.

I would place some of the blame on Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), the main character in “Scandal,” but she’s the main character. No Olivia Pope, no “Scandal.” So, I point the finger at her lover, President Fitzgerald Grant III (Tony Goldwyn). The man has become insufferable to the point where the mere sight of his face makes me want to punt my TV. This last season, there were two characters I was interested in seeing develop, and they were both given story lines that did not lead to anything interesting. Jake Ballard (Scott Foley), Olivia’s other boy toy, went and became the head of the secret underground government agency B6-13, which means we’re supposed to believe he’s some monster when really he’s too good-looking for all this hand-dirtying he’s doing. I was hoping he would at least give Fitz a run for his money in the race for Olivia’s heart, but Pope just can’t help but fall victim to the president’s manipulative ways.

Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) chats with Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) on “Scandal.”ABC

Then there was Mellie (Bellamy Young), Fitz’s wife, who was actually coming into her own and getting what she deserved: her own affair with Fitz’s best friend (and choice for vice president), Andrew Nichols (Jon Tenney). But that was cut off by — who else? — Fitz.

Fitz is a tortured soul to the point where he is incapable of consoling his wife when it’s revealed his late father raped her, and while “Scandal” has been a show about Olivia fixing other people’s problems, the person who needs her services the most makes her ineffective as a fixer. So until Fitz is either assassinated or leaves his wife like he should, I cannot vote for another season of “Scandal” with my viewership.
— Jozen Cummings