Best Series Finale?
Alright, this may be a bit tricky, but I want to know what your favorite series finale is WITHOUT including any spoilers.
My favorite series finale right now would be "Six Feet Under." It was a great combination of wrapping the series up and awesome music. I went out and bought the Sia CD because I wanted to own "Breathe Me," the song used in the final few minutes.
So, what's your favorite series finale....without including any spoilers!
Gord
posted by Gord Lacey @ 9/19/2006 11:56:00 AM
90 comments
90 Comments:
Arrested Development
Firefly.
I definitely liked the Roseanne finale, even though a lot of people didn't.
I agree on Arrested Development. It wrapped everything up so well, giving the audience closure, but leaving the door open for other opportunities with the series (maybe as a movie...).
On another note: I loved the show, but did Firefly really ever have a proper series finale? Just curious...
I think the best series finale ever was The Bob Newhart Show.
But that's a different question than what my favorite one was. I was sad that Ed ended, but I thought the ending was great. And the same for Friends.
The other shows that have been mentioned, I didn't watch, except for firefly, which IMO didn't have a proper ending.
Actually, it was just called Newhart, The one where they own that inn in vermont.
Star Trek: The Next Generation. The ending was so damn satisfying. "I should have done this a long time ago." Beautiful.
The end of M*A*S*H had it's moments, too. Cheers ended very well. Newhart's was a hoot. St. Elsewhere's was interesting. Murphy Brown's was very good. Quantum Leap's was great.
Charmed!!!!!!!!!
- Katy
I also liked the finale of "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." While they didn't plan to end the show, it ended well, and wrapped up the entire season.
I watched Good Morning, Miami!!!!!
Newhart was sheer, unadulterated brilliance. Everything you wanted to see, a nice end to the series and that WONDERFUL twist that was so original it could never be done again in quite the same way.
Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Arrested Development, Malcolm In The Middle were all great.
I can't really think of any favorite series finales from recent shows, since most Iif not all) of the shows that I have been watching in the last 5-10 years either are still on the air (like ER, Gilmore Girls, 7th Heaven, Law & Order SVU, Law & Order) OR they were cancelled without any warning and/or chance to produce a "proper series finale" (Boston Public, The Division) OR I missed the "finale episode" (if they had them) for some reason (Judging Amy, Family Matters, Step by Step)
But over the course of my life, some of the "Series Finale" episodes that I liked best were:
1.) Third Watch
2.) Strong Medicine
3.) Mr. Belvedere (from what I remember, since it has been AGES since I last saw it)
4.) Perfect Strangers (from what I remember, since it has been AGES since I last saw it)
5.) Party of Five (from what I remember, since it has been YEARS since I last saw it)
6.) Who's the Boss? (though it has been AGES since I last saw it and even then I wished that they'd ended it with Tony and Angela getting married)
Shows I wish had a "Proper Series Finale"
1.) Boston Public (this is one of my MOST favorite shows and I REALLY wish this one had done a series finale)
2.) The Division
3.) State of Grace (did it ever have one? I don't know - I missed the entire final season (Damn Comcast!) so I'm not sure whether it had a series finale or not)
4.) Any Day Now (did it ever have one? I don't know - I missed most (if not all) of the entire final season (Damn Comcast!) so I'm not sure whether it had a series finale or not)
As for what series finales I did not like, I did not like the series finale for Roseanne, the Brady Bunch (real dumb, and Mike Brady missing Greg's graduation, AS IF! STUPID!!)
i agree with ya i loved who's the boss? too!! and charmed still!! lol. i only wish wtb? would continue on dvd!!
- Katy
BBC's Coupling ended on a perfect note, even thought I don't think it was supposed to be a finale.
Definitely Six Feet Under. PHENOMENAL!
Surprised no one's mentioned the show that basically invented the idea of the series finale, and IMO is still the standard by which all others should be measured when the series is geared toward some kind of resolution, and that's "The Fugitive."
I also give high marks to the last original episode of "Battlestar Galactica", "The Hand Of God" which while not resolving anything still allowed that series (which should have lasted longer) the chance to end with its best episode and one that suggested some hope and optimism.
"Newhart" was inspired, and it'll be interesting when that ever gets released on DVD because on the original broadcast it ended with a musical stinger of the old Bob Newhart Show theme that has been replaced in all repeat versions.
All of the Black Adder series ended really well, especially the final series in World War I.
Otherwise I find series finales to be far too sappy.
I agree about Six Feet Under. It was mesmerizing.
Number 2 would have to be MASH. I enjoyed every second of it.
Finally, The Larry Sanders Show. Bravo.
Yes, "Six Feet Under" ranks up there as one of the best, if not THE best.
"Barney Miller" also had a really great finale. It was outstanding. We can't even seem to get Season 2 out on DVD, so who knows if we'll ever see that again...
I enjoyed "Magnum P.I's" finale and also "The Odd Couple." "Odd Couple" is a bit tricky as the finale was not the last episode they shot, so its kind of tough to catch in syndication.
And I agree with Dave and Brett, "M*A*S*H" also ended in a really good way.
In my opinion "Friends" was one of the worst finales. It really fell flat to me.
Star Trek: The Next Generation had a pretty satisfying conclusion, and an episode that took in its years on the air.
Deep Space Nine also had a good finale, wrapping up the show nicely, except perhaps for the main character.
The West Wing had an outstanding series finale this year.
But I'd say the best finale goes to Babylon 5 for "Sleeping in Light." If you haven't seen it, you should check it out.
In no particular order:
Mary Tyler-Moore
Newhart
St. Elsewhere
Six Feet Under
Sex and the City
Angel was definitely my favorite series finale ever. Charmed and Sex and the city also got good ones, and the Buffy series finale on the WB (5x22) was excellent.
Angel's finale is absolutely brilliant, and "The Gift," Buffy's last episode on the WB, is also amazing. The UPN finale of Buffy, "Chosen," isn't nearly as powerful.
I'd have to go with Star Trek the Next Generation as well.
My favorite season finale would have to be the Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode called Chosen. It was a great way to end such a great television series.
I agree on the Six Feet Under - I got so attached to the characters it was hard to see it end.
I think Dawson's Creek ended extremely well, and I would have to give it a top five ranking.
hello???..... The Wonder Years was the best!! "sometimes, things don't always turn out the way you think they will. . . i remember a house. . ."
My favorite finales are:
Three's Company
MASH
Cheers
Who's the Boss?
Cosby Show
Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Happy Days
Mad About You
Growing Pains
Friends
One of my all time favorite endings was St.Elsewhere...why isn't that on DVD yet?
One of my favorites was Forever Knight. It was so sad and so perfect.
By far, Newhart. I fell off the couch I was laughing so hard.
The series finale of Angel. "Let's go to work." The last line in the show by Angel.
my favorite series finale's are: Friends, Growing pains and the second Bob Newhart show..
I really liked Spin City's finale. Also liked Frasier a lot too.
Arrested Development and Six Feet Under without question
Roseanne's finale made up for a horrible last season
Angel was the best Joss ending, because it wasn't about the battle, the action, etc, as much as the characters all taking a moment to reflect, give themselves closure as they needed.
Newhart was great for the last five minutes, but before that were 25 of the funniest insanity of one of my favorite shows anyway.
SOAP wrapped things up very well, if not very happily in a lot of cases. You can't argue against the closure.
Arrested Development seems to be agreed upon. Cheers hit all the notes it should've. Mary Tyler Moore is simply classic, down to the twist ending.
I don't think anyone's mentioned Homicide: Life on the Street yet. I consider the TV-Movie that followed the regular series to basically be the series finale and was quite wonderful.
Andre Braugher returned for one more case as Frank Pembleton. But not just him--every actor who had been a regular on the series showed up for the finale--and even if they didn't all have enough to do, it's something of a testament to those actors' affection for the show that they'd come back.
And the last scene with Yaphet Kotto and Jon Polito and Daniel Baldwin playing cards with an empty chair at the table--just a perfect final image for one of the best police dramas ever.
Beverly Hills 90210. The david/donna wedding was so perfect as a way to wrap up 10 years of salacious drama
My favorite series ending was definitly Newhart and also Firefly. I consider the movie serenity to be the real series anding. Also I think the miniseries for Farscape was that series ending (and a good one). I really was dissapointed with MASH. Maybe because after so amny seasons of such an outstanding show, it just didn't seem to live up to the rest.
Without a doubt, Six Feet Under had one of the best series finales I've seen in a very long time. In a closing appropriate for that show, the series closed with the obituary for each of the show's characters, so we get an effective glimpse into the future.
Star Trek: The Next Generation, I could watch it again and again despite all the errors.
Highlander the Series - everything was wrapped up and NO ONE was killed.
Voyager
Charmed
On the other hand I hated
Quantum Leap's - I was really tempted to throw something at the TV.
I loved the series finale to Quantum Leap... I get emotional everytime i watch the last 10 minutes or so. When Al the bartender puts his arm around Sam and says "God bless Sam." then Sam leaps out, i just want to start sobbing
Some of my favourites...
The Larry Sanders Show: Flip
MTM: The Last Show
Frasier: Goodnight, Seattle
M*A*S*H: Goodbye, Farewell And Amen
Mad About You: The Final Frontier
Cheers: One For The Road
Everybody Loves Raymond: Finale
I'd love to see...
Star Trek TNG: All Good Things
Third Watch: Goodbye To Camelot
St Elsewhere: The Last One
Newhart: The Last Newhart (I managed to find a torrents for many episodes, I'm going to check it out very soon)
Charmed!!!
Space Above & Beyond -- AMF
I'm surprised that no one mentioned the Christmas Specials for the original Office. It practically put in either tears of saddness and joy
Even though I wasn't that big a fan of the show, Newhart was my favorite series finale.
On the other hand, the finale I hated the most (for a series I was a fan of) was Twin Peaks. Even after ABC announced the cancellation of the show, David Lynch knew in advance how many episodes he had left to wrap up the series... and deliberately (oops, no spoilers!) I still haven't forgiven Lynch for that.
(Twin Peaks would've been a better show if they'd simply ended it after wrapping up the mystery of Laura Palmer's murder, IMHO.)
The wonder years was the best i have seen while OZ IMO was very dissapointing
Another vote for Six Feet Under here. By far the best wrap-up of a show I've ever seen and perfect for such richly portrayed characters. It made you feel that the emotional investment was worth it all.
Star Trek Voyager gets a lot of flack for it's finale, but I'd argue that it was also perfect in that they acheived their goal. Nothing more was needed. (although a follow-up movie or something of the like would be most-welcomed.)
Three's Company's finale had me in tears. I also enjoyed the last episode of Futurama although I'm not certain it was a specific "finale".
St. Elsewhere
Wasn't a fan at all of Six Feet Under, but those last 10 minutes.......man.....they have stuck with me in a way I don't think any TV show ever has.....
Arrested Development
Six Feet Under
and my absolute fave...
EVERWOOD
Everybody Loves Raymond. Liked how it ended without really "ending". The series was a slice of life in these characters' lives.
I really liked
Knots Landing
Six feet Under
Charmed
MASH
All In The Family
Rosanne
I loved the finale for Dark Angel. While they had to do a rush job as the series was cancelled i felt that the scene with Max, Joshua and the gang standing on the roof and raising the newly painted flag was very poignant.
The feeling of the last scene was the same as the basic principle of the show that while things look dark there is always hope.
Everwood... the finale was amazing and disappointing at the same time... Amazing because it cleared up any loose ends, made you laugh, made you cry and all in all, it let the show go out with a bang. Disappointing because the show was cancelled unfairly and it shouldn't have had a finale so soon!
other good finales... Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Radio Free Roscoe (yay Ray and Lily), and Dawson's Creek
Disappointing...
Life As We Know It(the show shouldn't have been cancelled), Black Sash (once again, shouldn't have been cancelled) and Clone High (which is apparently still on hiatus after 2 years)
Hands down the best finales for me are:
1. Babylon 5, still makes me cry!
2. Hercules, the Legendary Journeys
3. Friends
4. Newhart, oh my god taht made me laugh so hard!
5. Buffy
6. Xena, a shocker but IMHO brilliant!
7. Angel, a love hate ending for me but it was appropriate.
8. Highlander
9. Star Trek NG, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise all tie as really good finales even Voyager which was my least favortie of the shows had an excellent finale!
The Fugitive, original series, August 29, 1967....The Day the Running Stopped, otherwise known as The Judgement, which actually was a two-parter on 8.22.67 and 8.29.67. I was 10 years old, and I remember my family going out to dinner with my uncle who was in town, and me pestering my Dad (also a fan of "Fugi", as he called it) to be sure we got home in time (9 PM on a Tuesday night). Then, my relatives were being so loud at home, I had to hide in the basement to watch it in peace on our old TV. My favorite TV series of all time.
I also think Quantum Leap had the best finale. You really had to follow the show to truly appreciate it, I think the casual viewer didn't catch the true emotional impact.
Second would be Xena's tearjerker.
The Fugitive.
"The Day the Running Stopped"
roswell
angel
six feet under
DS9
Cheers, The Golden Girls, Arrested Development, Mary Tyler Moore, Newhart, and The Office(Christmas Special)immediately came to mind.
Though I was a little disappointed with the Seinfeld finale upon first viewing, a decade later I really love it. Let's hope the same happens with Sex and the City.
I'm now looking forward to seeing what will become of The Sopranos.
I love the Alias Series Finale and the Season 4 Season Finale.
Also, the Grey's Anatomy Season 1 finale was just amazing! A hit song came out of it.
charmed
and
buffy
I have 2. First is the finale of Newhart. It was just wonderful to see that ending! And the second is the way Falcon Crest ended. The entire episode sucked...but that last scene where Jane Wyman toasts the valley and the past characters was wonderful!
- Six Feet Under
- M*A*S*H
- Cheers
- Wonder Years
- Friends
- Everybody Loves Raymond
HANDS DOWN: Little House on the Prairie--they blew up the whole town!
Imagine if other series ended that way...like 90210? First they'd blow up the Walsh house. Then, they'd blow up the Peach Pit...
I love Sex in the city and friends the shows ended so gracefully.
However I hated:
Popular
Jack and Jill( early amanda peet)
News Radio ( the show itself sucked after Phil Hartmen died)
I would vote a tie between Newhart and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
I have seen a lot of great endings here, but I have to agree that Newhart was the greatest! At first, I couldn't figure out what was going on with the golf course and the Asian ladies. Then to see Suzanne!!! It blew me away.
Also MTM was great. Everyone thought Ted was going to be fired and they were all going to support him. Ends up Ted was the only one kept and he couldn't have cared less about the others.
charmed is by far the best series finale. it had all the characters we loved it told the future of the charmed ones and it was action packed as well as comedic.
I think the worst ever was "Home Improvement"!
BTW, can anyone tell me how to start a new thread on this blog?
For me, the best was that of Babylon 5. "Babylon 5 was the last of the Babylon stations... there would never be another. It changed the future, and it changed us.
It taught us that we had to create the future, or others will do it for us. It showed us that we have to care for each other – because if we don't, who will? And that strength sometimes comes from the most unlikely of places.
Mostly, though, I think it gave us hope that there can always be new beginnings, even for people like us."
sigh...
The other one is the Newhart finale. Brilliant.
Sex and the City was good, too.
Jack
Frasier. I still can't get through it without being a little emotional.
Birds of Prey...no doubt about it
I had to mention Saved by the Bell: The College Years. I wish it would have ran for longer. I loved when Zack and Kelly got married!! Best ever.
Buffy, Angel and The Golden Girls...all 3 shows with consistently great stories and ending a tad too soon.
fav series finales:
*Dawsons creek
*MASH
*Buffy the Vampire Slayer
*Blackadder
*Sex and the City
*Spin City (but not really the finale) I love michael J Fox's last episode as deputy mayor(balled my eyes out) Not so keen on Charlie Sheen.
also love the 70's Show finale
Newhart...no contest. Yes, it was THAT good.
Farscape
I really liked the growing pains series finale!
shows that deserve the proper finale they didn't get:
8 simple rules
full house
what I like about you
gilligan's island
shows that should have had a better finale:
everybody loves raymond
diff'rent strokes
Batman...When the Caped Crusader ACTUALLY married CATWOMAN and turned to crime...u dont remember that one?
Noone seemed to mention "3rd rock from the sun" prob the sharpest and wittiest sitcom of the 90's. sheer comic genius. going back to thier home planet was a perfect wrap up.
i cant belive no body put the Boy Meets World season finale. Mr.s Feeny saying "I love you all...class dismissed" Was so moving
Six Feet Under of course, I liked Angel as well because the future is kind of left open to many possibilities. And sorry that nobody mentionned it but the last episode of the OC is tremendously sad, hence awsome...
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