I'm so mad I could spit. I spent one hour the other day watching "Law and Order SVU", a show that I really enjoy. This episode was excellent: superb writing, effective acting with a plot line that built tension up until the final courtroom resolution.

I was on the edge of my seat wondering if the accused would be found guilty or innocent (it really could have gone either way - it was so well written that both the prosecution and defense had equal merit. It was a 'was she raped or was the sex consentual' case.)

The pivotal moment arrived. In extreme closeup, the jury foreman announced, "The jury finds the defendant...." The screen went blank. Damn cable; damn Magnavox TV; damn electric company. But it was none of these. Damn "Law and Order: SVU"! It was one of those 'make up your own ending' things. I HATE them! I felt violated! Humiliated. Foolish. Angry.

I don't want to make up my own ending. If you're going to take up an hour of my time and build up tension (I was tingling with anticipation), you better finish what you started..and make it worthy of the plot that's been created. Dammit.

Do you like to make up your own ending?

Yikes, I've never heard of such a thing. I don't think I would like that at all. Do many shows do that???

A few shows have done it in the past. It's so annoying I'm sure it generates viewer complaints.

Unfortunately, it seems to happen on the best dramas that have several endings that would each make sense.

I HATE it.

It reminds me of the story "The Lady or The Tiger". I never have decided which door was indicated.

I remember that episode, it was very good.

That ending actually didn't bother me because, if I remember correctly, it seemed the story was more about the situation and attitudes involved, and less about "whodunit". It didn't really matter who was or was not at fault, it was more of a character/situation study. It sort of left it to you to decide who you wanted to be at fault, if you know what I mean.

That said, I am actually something of a fan of open-ended stories. It's great to have a nice satifying conclusion, but if it's done well an "un"-ending can be just as fulfilling. It lets me use my imagination and continue the story in my head.
I read lots of short stories when I was younger, and that seems to be a pretty common technique in many of them, especially science fiction and horror.

But then, YMMV. (Your Milage May Vary)

I can see your point in a way. This was such a beautifully crafted, well written and thought provoking episode I wanted to know how the jury decided in a case that could have gone either way. 'Not guilty' was my vote, but I didn't want to hear my vote. I wanted to hear how the writers crafted a believable conclusion to such a controversial, complex and timely episode.

My decision was primarily based on emotion; I wanted to hear the conclusion based on facts.