Don’t you hate it when your favorite TV show just ends? You spend a good chunk of your life dedicated to the show, then all of a sudden the writers decide to take that away, and you’re just left feeling empty inside. Yes that sounds a little dramatic, but you can’t deny It always sucks when your go-to TV show ends. Though some finales are a huge miss (The Iron Throne for example), this is a list of final episodes that are remembered fondly throughout television history.
#10: Chosen- Buffy The Vampire Slayer
After 7 seasons of killing vampires, Buffy The Vampire Slayer finally calls it quits with honestly the perfect title to close out the show. In the final showdown of the series, the Scooby Gang prepares to take on the First Evil. Considering this is the last episode, I'm not surprised at all that several significant events happen all in 1 episode. Anya dies, Spike dies, Sunnydale is destroyed, you name it. I'm stunned the most with Spike's death, but the good thing about it was that he went out a hero despite some questionable moments throughout the series. But probably the most satisfying thing about the episode is that at the very end, we see Buffy the most peaceful she's ever been in her entire life. I think that's a good way to end the series. Granted, the story would continue through comic books, but that doesn't undermine the episode.
#9: Brave New World- Boy Meets World
Of all the finales on this list, this is probably the one I've seen the most. We basically watched almost every person on the show grow up, and it was bittersweet to say goodbye. We witness the kids say their goodbyes as Cory and Topanga move to New York. While Cory's words of wisdom to his baby brother was poignant, it's more than obvious that the scene everyone remembers the most is the students' farewell to Mr. Feeny, who also witnessed these kids grow up (whether he wanted to or not). The water works finally start when Mr. Feeny privately declares: I love you all. Class dismissed. That was a perfect way to end the series. So simple, yet so powerful and even a little creative as it works in a way that only a show like Boy Meets World can do. Long Live Boy Meets World.
#8: With Open Eyes- Succession
Succession was amazing from start to finish, and its final episode was no exception. Logan's spoiled brats he unfortunately calls his kids prepare their attack against Matsson, who's in the process of taking over Waystar Royco. But in typical Roy family drama fashion, things don't go as planned. At the end of the day, not only does Matsson win, but Tom of all people becomes bossman after 4 seasons of butt-kissing and getting screwed over constantly by Shiv. There are 2 things that make this finale amazing. The first being that even in death, Logan still won with none of his kids getting Waystar (though Shiv's bloodline continues). The second thing is that it ends with a feeling of uncertainty for one of the show's most immature and spoiled characters. Kendall deserved that ending and It was a perfect way to close the series.
#7: Last Lunch- 30 Rock
In the final episode of the Tina Fey-lead series, Liz Lemon finds herself in a warzone when the last episode of TGS is pretty much all over the place due to other characters' personal issues. Ultimately, the show ends with Liz's great-granddaughter making her show pitch inspired by the events of her great-grandmother's life. I'm not gonna pretend that I've seen a single episode of 30 Rock, but I will say that the show got its highest ratings through this episode. Last Lunch also received critical acclaim, an Emmy win, and is now considered one of the greatest series finales of all time. So from what it looks like, they hit a home run with the last episode. Then again, I've never seen it so I'm probably not the right person to judge.
#6: The Last Show- The Mary Tyler Moore Show
I bet you a nickel that it was really hard for viewers to see The Mary Tyler Moore Show come to an end. Unfortunately, the show ends with almost everyone but Ted getting fired, but that didn't stop the goodbye from being poignant. Of all the finales on this list, this one is probably the most bittersweet given the circumstances of the character's fate. But I guess it makes this finale kind of unique as well considering most departures in final episodes involve a character making a personal decision (at least that's how I look at it anyway). And again, that doesn't take away from the goodbye and I think most people will agree. I will also point out that one of the biggest reasons why I believe it was hard to say goodbye to the show is because of its contribution to women on TV. I hope that doesn't sound too political, but this is one of the few shows that probably deserve that credit.
#5: The Last One- Friends
Friends is another show that was most likely extremely hard to bid farewell to considering viewers spent 10 years watching these idiots get into some of the most ridiculous shenanigans while still having some genuinely sweet moments. In the finale, we witness a series of fortunate events (including Ross and Rachel finally getting together for good), leading up to the departure of Monica's oh-so iconic apartment. This episode was so emotional that even the cast struggled with it. David Schwimmer literally described the finale as being "exactly" what he'd hoped for, so that probably means that they nailed it. This finale is now even more bittersweet to watch given the passing of Matthew Perry just last year.
#4: Felina- Breaking Bad
With Breaking Bad being considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time (and deservedly so), it was important for Vince Gilligan to nail the finale. And low and behold, he did. With his decisions (and cancer) finally catching up to him, Walter White rights his wrongs with his family and settles some unfinished business with the Schwartzes, Jack, Todd, and even Jesse to an extent. This episode was brilliant, and strangely sweet in a way that only Breaking Bad could pull off. The episode ultimately ends with Walt dropping dead in Jack's lab from a gunshot wound. That in my opinion was a fitting way to end his story as I feel it was what he deserved, but at the same time you still feel at least a little bit sorry for him. Walt was a jerk, but it was still sad to see him go. Believe it or not, we miss ya Heisenberg.
#3: Everyone's Waiting- Six Feet Under
Six Feet Under was very strange to me. And while Mary Tyler Moore's finale was the most bittersweet finale of this list, this one was definitely the saddest. Still grieving the oldest son Nate, the Fishers bid-farewell to their youngest Claire as she prepares to relocate to New York. Like it did throughout the series, the episode ends with showing the exact moment each main character dies; which according to the series starts next year. The haunting end sequence has gone down as one of the most iconic in TV history and (though a controversial figure today) Sia's Breathe Me really added to the moment as well. This finale is also unique among others as showing the deaths of almost every main character is one Hell of a way to go out. Granted, the show was about death, so what do you expect?
#2: One For The Road- Cheers
Here we have the ending to yet another TV classic, with just one more to come. In this finale, we witness the return of Diane after departing for 6 years. But let's be honest, this episode is mostly remembered for that iconic last line said by Sam, Sorry, we're closed. Like Boy Meets World's quote, this quote is also simple, and yet it just works. There was really no better quote to end the long-running series. I will also call out that this is obviously not the last time we see Frasier, who's own series finale was also a contender for this list (only to be undermined by the stupid and unnecessary reboot). Ultimately for that reason, it didn’t make the final draft. But this episode is also the second highest rated finale of all time, ironically right behind my #1.
And now, some honorable mentions......................................
- Never seen it though
-Goodbye Wisteria Lane
-Don Draper has issues
- RIP Shannon Doherty
-Probably should've ended when Steve Carrell left
-I Love You Jax!
#1: Goodbye, Farewell, & Amen- M.A.S.H
Again, I'm not gonna pretend I've seen a single episode of M.A.S.H. I just know of the show and its impact on television, and the finale is no exception. As the Korean War comes to an end, we witness Hawkeye receive psychiatric treatment as the effects of the war takes its toll on him (as well as a lot of soldiers unfortunately), with the chicken story being the saddest example. The episode ends with the camp being taken down and as Hawkeye is being flown away, he witnesses a giant GOODBYE spelled out in rocks. That image went down as one of the greatest in television history. This episode obviously serves as the highest rated finale of all time. To add to that, it also served as the most watched broadcast in American TV history and held that title for 27 years until the Super Bowl in 2010. These facts alone should explain why this topped my list.
Link to the Google Slides is down below. Thanks for reading.
Google: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CRDLebGzhY5l131Xf9x9tgxN05Qz0MByG-wD6_gCNaU/edit?usp=sharing
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