by Thinus Ferreira
Isidingo did Dallas as mysterious gunshots rang out in the final scene of the series finale on SABC3 on Thursday evening as Lincoln got shot - leaving viewers shocked, in disbelief and ending the local weekday soap on a blunt cliffhanger that will never be resolved.
For the series finale the writers' room of the Pomegranate Media production company and showrunner Pumla Hopa borrowed a page from the iconic "Who shot J.R.?" third season finale of the American prime time drama series Dallas to end Isidingo with a cliffhanger ending that will never get an answer.
Similar to how evil patriarch J.R. Ewing got shot by a mysterious character seemingly leaving him for dead, a woman with only her eyes framed in shots, was seen first taking off a blond wig - indicating that she has possibly been around for a while and masquerading as someone else,after which she shot Lincoln Sibeko (Lindani Nkosi) in his penthouse apartment at point-blank range.
He at least opened his eyes as he was laying in the ground before the end-credits rolled for the last time to indicate that while he wasn't dead.
Who was she? The evil, scheming Cherel de Villiers-Haines who returned for a last unexplained act of revenge? Was it Charlie Holmes, the daughter of Eddie Holmes originally played by Jay Anstey, returning to avenge the death of her father who died when the police station got bombed as a result of Lincoln and Nina?
The secret shooter's identity is a mystery South African television will never reveal, after the SABC that is no longer able to afford large emsemble cast drama series for SABC3, abruptly cancelled the show.
SABC3 will now air Isidingo repeats in the same timeslot for the next few months with no new replacement programming in primetime.
Isidingo faded out with an end-credits tribute card in gold capital letters at the end of its final episode, saying: "We are forever grateful to our loyal viewers who have been with us throughout the 21 years of Isidingo. Maz'Enethole!"
Earlier in the final episode a gun-filled blood-spattered scene saw Mayekiso (Dumisane Mbebe) killed off when Lincoln shot him in a merciless killing scene in a hospital room.
Viewers largely reacted negatively to the final episode and Isidingo's end as fans from across South Africa as well as Canada, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Lesotho, Swaziland, Tanzania and several other countries who have followed the series weighed in and said goodbye.
"SABC3 has left an entire country crying today, to each and every actor and actress thank you all for keeping us entertained we love you all," said Fatima Vankar.
"I'm at a loss for words. The ending was crap! Who the hell was that woman? I can't believe it ended this way," remarked Tracy Dugdale.
"I've been following this show since I was in primary school and it's sad that this is the end. Despite the suspense I would like to know who was the hot assassin. This show has been one of the famous in my country Tanzania," remarked Yu. "So they're leaving us on such a massive cliffhanger. Wow," said Tihan-Nico Paxton.
"Now for the rest of my life I'll have to wonder who shot Lincoln," said Samuiel Herigo, while Ntombi Langa said: "SABC3 and I no longer have a relationship". "Such a disappointing end to such a phenomenal show," said Thabang Matona.
Angel Skikwambana asked: "What's left for us to watch on SABC3? I mean first it was Top Billing now it's Isidingo". Matshidiso Kabelo suggested: "Isidingo, please negotiate with Showmax like Lockdown did or consider e.tv. They don't have alot of soapies."
"Can someone wake me from my dream? Because I don't believe Isidingo has come to the end. SABC3 why? Why? I screamed after I watched tonight's episode and my son was like: 'Mummy are you okay?' Seriously why do you have to end Isidingo?" asked Olajumoke Ajibesin.
ALSO READ: Inside tonight’s SABC3 Isidingo finale: How the cast will watch together as gunshots ring out.
ALSO READ: The SABC is replacing its cancelled local weekday soap Isidingo with repeats of Isidingo in primetime, for months.
