In honor of ‘Lost’: Favorite TV Finales
I haven’t watched “Lost” regularly since they first discovered the hatch and the button that needed to be pushed at regular intervals or the island would blow up. Nothing personal; it was just that my TV dance card was full and Evangeline Lilly’s complaining about the burdens of fame after the first couple of seasons were, frankly, a turn-off. But I watched tonight, and even though I understood maybe a quarter of what went on, I have to say I was impressed. Despite my not knowing what the smoke monster was, I agree with my True/Slant colleague Caitlin Kelly that it had a lot to say about love and community, in addition to the series’ statements on good and evil and fate and the role of corporations. Now I may have to go back and watch the whole series. Dammit — one pop culture touchstone that I may have to atone for not having paid attention to.
But this, along with the “Grey’s Anatomy” season finale that I recapped the other night, got me thinking about farewells — both those that end the season and those that end a series and close a chapter entirely. And I came to the realization that beyond the truly legendary series finales, most of my favorites have been on cable. And now I have to ask myself if it’s just that what we’re getting on cable lately is just that great, or if my memory is that bad that I can’t go back too far.
The “M*A*S*H” series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” is one of the first I remember really paying attention to, and now when you look back at the statistics — 106 million Americans tuning in — its impact is staggering. I don’t remember all that much about it, besides Hawkeye starting the episode in a psych ward and B.J. spelling “Goodbye” in rocks on the hillside as Hawkeye flew away in a chopper. But it was a great early lesson in the emotionality of TV.
“Newhart” — An absolutely fantastic take imaginable on the “it was all a dream” conceit.
“Seinfeld” — Since this show is on in syndication seemingly every hour of every day, it’s not hard to run into this one once in a while. I actually hate this one, but it does bring into rather stark relief how awful the characters of “Seinfeld” really are — and it gave me fresh justification for not liking Larry David.
“Friends” – I admit my viewing record wasn’t perfect in the last season or two, but regardless of how unrealistic the apartment or how unlikely it is that they’d all still be friends with a dope like Joey for so many years, it was a heart tugger, even if it didn’t set up the “Joey” spinoff at all.
“Sex and the City” — I’m sitting here re-watching the finale on demand, and am struck anew at how beautifully this series came to a close. Of course it left plenty of string to attach a movie to, but the two-part farewell seriously renders the “SATC” movie — or both of them — unnecessary. It also never lets you forget how immature, self-obsessed, and completely disinterested Carrie Bradshaw is about anything other than what’s directly in front of her (big, big hat tip) — she and Big deserve each other. I’m with my fellow True/Slanter Jeremy Helligar on this one. I realize the importance of going for the duckets while the going — and the duckets — are good, but come on.
After that, do you really need to watch these women flit around Abu Dhabi? Nope.
“The Sopranos” — I’ve had more than one argument about this one, but I cling steadfastly to my belief that this is pure genius. It’s singularly fantastic; a perfect television representation of a sentiment: “I’m David Chase, and you’re not.”
“Six Feet Under” — To those who argue that this is the best television finale to date, I heartily agree. After running off the rails a bit in seasons 3 and 4, it came back so utterly brilliantly in the final season that it could restore the faith of even the most cynical viewer. When the song accompanying the final scene randomly pops up on my iPod, I can’t help but tear up and remember that wistful hopefulness, and the genuinely comforting notion that not only that we’re reunited with our loved ones when we die, but even more importantly that they’re there to help us cross over. I met Alan Ball once, and completely embarrassed myself by going fan-girl over this show — and I’d do it again.
What’s missing from this list? What shows would you vote into your all-time top five (or ten) series finales?
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the last three episodes of samurai champloo was the best tv i’ve ever watched.
last episode of ashes to ashes was also very good. as was the last episode of life on mars (british version not american)
last episode of arrested development was brilliant.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about the British “Life on Mars,” and now I want to check out the other shows you mentioned. I wasn’t a regular enough viewer of “Arrested Development” to comment with great authority — that show is definitely one where I have to sit down with the DVDs and just crank through them. Because I love David Cross, Jason Bateman, and everyone in that cast, so it’s a must-see.
In response to another comment. See in context »“Newhart”: Best. Series. Finale. Ever.
How about “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”?
I’d forgotten how funny the Newhart ending was until I looked at the clip, and saw the alternate “Lost” ending on Jimmy Kimmel. So so funny.
MTM is mentioned a *lot* as one of the key series finales in TV history; I agree with you.
In response to another comment. See in context »I stopped reading when you said you didn’t like Larry David. While the Seinfeld finale was a disappointment, Larry David is a comedy genius (and from interviews appears to be a genuinely likable, down-to-earth fellow). You are missing one of the best shows on TV in Curb Your Enthusiasm if your dislike of David prevents you from watching it. Again, your opinion means nuts given your view of Mr. David.
Please give me a chance here. I’ve tried re: Larry David. I really have. I’ve gone back to “Curb Your Enthusiasm” time and again, largely because so many people I like and respect like the show. And I will definitely give you this: the Alannis Morisette, chef with Tourette’s, and Seinfeld reunion eps were really really funny. I’m not saying Larry David’s not great in terms of comic scenarios and sensibility. But I have to admit I find the “no hugging no learning” and the utter deification of misanthropy a little tough to take sometimes.
Can’t we not like the same things and still love each other, lawdawg? Tell me what else I’m missing and I promise to go back and watch.
In response to another comment. See in context »The best finale I’ve ever seen was the end of “The Shield,” which not only tied together the original sin of the pilot, but also the thematic premise of the entire series.
I’ve heard about this one too, but since I wasn’t a regular viewer I didn’t want to talk out of school. My husband loved “The Shield,” and I can pretty much guess this DVD viewing is in my future too. Who doesn’t love Michael Chiklis?
In response to another comment. See in context »A very good list, Lisa T.
I’ll add SyFy’s 2004-2009 remake of Battlestar Galactica. I was at best a sporadic watcher while the series aired and was at its peek hype (http://is.gd/cnvTV). But after downloading and watching the final few episodes I was inspired to work my way through the whole series on DVD to see what I’d missed leading up up to the (mostly) satisfying ending — despite the whole “All Along the Watchtower” thing. Like Lost, Galactica had to end a long complicated journey in a way that would serve its devoted followers and be appreciated by an even larger audience of grazers like me. No easy task for any show.
OK, so “Battlestar” is going on my DVD list too, Mark — I trust your opinion and you know my interest in/limits for SyFy. This is another one that so many people I know and like and respect loved, so I should give it a shot.
And I recently met Edward James Olmos, who was so nice and so cool that now I’m curious to see him as an Admiral.
In response to another comment. See in context »I forgot another good finale until I saw just it mentioned by David Bianculli (http://n.pr/127089803): the snow globe ending from “St. Elsewhere.”
As for Galactica, I also should have passed along this very short alternate version, especially since you just met Olmos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRIvHvFEbd0
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