The Greatest Finales In TV History
This conversation from KFC Radio with Nikki Glaser got me thinking of what the greatest finales in TV history. I agree with Jerry that the Seinfeld finale was not that good. The characters on Seinfeld were assholes but they also were just doing things that we all were doing and thinking in the 1990's. Having Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer all going to jail always felt flat to me. In some ways, wrapping up a comedy may be tougher than ending a drama that can have a more natural conclusion to a story.
Of course I say that and the worst finale from what was a good show is from Lost. That entire last season just got worse and worse until that awful last episode. Some mysteries are just better left unsolved. I really loved the first three seasons of Lost but if someone says they are going to start watching the show for the first time, I sort of wince. The journey itself is probably worth it but that ending leaves such an awful taste in my mouth.
So here are some of my favorite last episodes. There isn't a power ranking but I will end the list with my personal favorite. Obviously this will have spoilers so I'll bold each show (so you can just skip that section if you haven't seen it) before I talk about it.
The Sopranos
Even not talking about the last scene (or "death scene" as David Chase accidentally called it in the great book The Sopranos Sessions), the last episode of The Sopranos is fantastic. You get Tony and Agent Harris working together, the skull crushing Phil Leotardo hit and a great scene with Tony and Uncle Junior where you see how lost Junior truly is.
But with the Holsten's scene, this episode becomes fantastic. Like most people, I was annoyed with the ending at first but have really grown to love it. My twitter profile pic is me sitting in that exact booth. There's been so much written about the finale (including this amazing blog if you want to go on a real deep dive) but I am in the Tony died camp. But wherever you stand (the other option I love is that it puts you in the perspective of Tony where everyone is a threat and it can end at anytime), it allows for great debate and the scene still creates tension no matter how often you watch it.
Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights has two of my favorite all-time characters in Eric Taylor and Matt Saracen. I don't know if I spent more time rooting for fictional characters in any show. The best thing about the last episode is Coach Taylor finally figured out what everyone watching the show knew: Dillon was the villain in the entire story. Many people in Dillon were very good but the town as a whole treated the Taylors terribly and had all the wrong motivations.
FNL is such an interesting show that (like the next show I'm going to talk about) that got a boost with a new cast addition in the second half of its run. This was always a show that was so well casted but having Michael B. Jordan as Vince Howard was such a boost and added a whole new perspective to a show that didn't miss a beat (except for the writers strike shortened Season 2) for its entire run.
Cheers
Watching old reruns of Cheers, it feels like it that could've gone on forever. It doesn't matter if you are watching Diane or Rebecca episodes, it's never really loses steam. I think there are a few reasons for that. Having the show take place in mostly only one setting and not having kids awkwardly grow from season to season really helps. For example, going from season 3 to 10 and back to 5 doesn't feel odd at all. It all flows together.
The season finale adds to that. Having Sam realize that Diane isn't the answer and his true love has always been the bar is a nice touch. For all of Sam Malone's flaws, we do like him and want him to find the peace he has been chasing the entire run of the show. It all feels earned and organic enough that the finale is entertaining and meaningful yet doesn't disrupt a re-watch. What more do you want from a last episode?
Six Feet Under
I know this is hardly a shocking choice but it's the absolute gold standard for a reason. As a show, Sox Feet Under could be wildly uneven from season to season. The fourth season was particularly weak but the last few episodes of the show in season five was a great return to form for the show. I love how the show handled Nate's death but especially the aftermath. We see tons of death in shows and movies but how often are shown the grief that follows?
This is an abbreviated version of the last scene as HBO has the full scene under lockdown. But if this clip only has some of the deaths of the characters, you still get the basic idea. Even right before having Nate's ghost push Claire to follow her dreams never feels weird or forced. Then we get a perfect song (Breathe Me by Sia) over the death montage.
It's the best possible way for Six Feet Under to say goodbye. You know something is a perfect choice when it's something so obvious but you never thought of it until you watch it. Now I can't imagine this show ending any other way. For a show that stood in The Soprano's shadow for most of it's run, it's nice that SFU has something great that it's remembered for. It never hit the highs of The Soprano's but it's absolutely one of the best dramas to ever be on HBO.