A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ening is a plot device in which a movie, novel, or other work of fiction contains an abrupt ending, often leaving the main characters in a precarious or difficult situation, or with a sudden shock revelation. This type of ending is used to ensure that, if a next installment is made, audiences will return to find out how the cliffhanger is resolved. The phrase comes from the classical end-of-episode situation in silent film days, with the protagonist left hanging from the edge of a cliff. Some serials end with the caveat "To be continued", or "The End?" (the series finales for Duckman, and Clone High parodied this caveat). In television series, the following episode usually begins with a recap (AKA a "previously").