The only thing more difficult than writing a TV show pilot is a series finale, and these final episodes demonstrate how easily these stories can disappoint viewers. Not all of these series areTV shows where the final season is the worst, but when the last installment of a series is lacking, the writing has usually been on the wall for a long time. However, just because a finale is controversial doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad. As time has progressed,some of these projects have aged well and are known as key installments of their series.
They showcase the style and tone of the narrative, which isn’t easy to do, especially when narrative arcs and character development must be wrapped up in a satisfying way. While there are someTV show finales we can’t get through without crying, these farewells left audiences more confused and indignant than sad. However, sparking conversation is the best thing that a series finale can do. To end with a whimper and quickly vanish from the minds of fans is the worst thing that can happen after a TV show has reached its conclusion.
6"The Finale" - Seinfeld (1989–1998)
Season 9, Episode 24
The protagonists ofSeinfeld, Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer, were interesting characters because they were so flawed and had a penchant for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. TheSeinfeldseries finale exemplifies their faults and the classicSeinfelddetermination to live against the grain of society and question why social niceties require us to act contrary to our logical beliefs.Written by series co-creator Larry David,who helped define the style and tone of the show, “The Finale” was unlike anything a sitcom had put on the air before.
This dark sense of humor is whySeinfeldis still so beloved today.
While there are someSeinfeldepisodes that don’t hold up today, the series finale has aged better than expected, even though it’s a wild twist on the typical tone and trajectory of the series. From the beginning of the show,Seinfeldwas always intended to subvert expectations and stay true to its particular brand of comedy. No one expectedSeinfeldto conclude with a tearful farewell and emotional nuance, but seeing the characters end up in prison was a bit of a shock. However, this dark sense of humor is whySeinfeldis still so beloved today.
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5"Last Forever" - How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014)
After spending nine seasons waiting for Ted to find the love of his life,How I Met Your Motherflipped the script on the series' formula in the final moments of the show.How I Met Your Motherseason 9 was structured differently than the series' other installments, bouncing back and forth as Tracy, the mother, came closer to meeting Ted, and Barney and Robin’s wedding kicked into gear. However, once it seemed as if everyone was going to live happily ever after,How I Met Your Motherthrew a wrench into this plan and focused on Ted and Robin.
It was an extremely unpopular decision forHow I Met Your Motherto kill off Tracy and have Ted and Robin end up together, even though the show had explained why they couldn’t be together long ago. While there was a strong emotional payoff, and it makes some narrative sense that Robin and Ted would find their way back to each other,it’s easy to feel tricked by the show since everything about the story revolved around finding the motherand witnessing Ted find his hard-won happiness. There were other last-minute developments that were just as out of place.
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4"The Iron Throne" - Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)
Season 8, Episode 6
Game of Thronesseason 8 does have some strong points. Despite the vitriol that’s widely felt toward the final season of the landmark fantasy TV show, there’s some exciting action and poignant final battles throughout this installment. For characters like Sansa and Arya, it was incredibly satisfying to see them reunited and finally afforded the power they deserve. However, placing Bran on the Iron Throne,killing off Daenerys, and undoing Jaime’s character development were all upsettingaspects of the finale, “The Iron Throne.” Additionally, it felt as if Jon was being set up to be the next king.
AfterGame of Thronesdid so much to revive the fantasy genre on television, expectations were high for “The Iron Throne.”
However, almost none of what audiences were expecting came true inGame of Thrones, and this is a sticking point for many viewers, whether they were fans of the books or not. While it’s true that George R.R. Martin is yet to completeA Song of Ice and Fire, the fantasy series thatGame of Thronesis based on, this doesn’t mean the writers should’ve taken the story so far off course in the final seasons. AfterGame of Thronesdid so much to revive the fantasy genre on television, expectations were high for “The Iron Throne.”
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
3"The End" - Lost (2004–2010)
Season 6, Episode 18
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment whenLoststarted losing its audience. From the beginning, there were many incredible mysteries and supernatural elements, but in the later seasons,Lostdidn’t have the same sense of magic and intrigue that it once did. However, it was still worth watching until the end of season 6, asLoststill had a few tricks up its sleeve and kept us engaged,thanks to the incredible characters whom we cared so much about. While the final moments of the series are confusing, it was emotional to see everyone back together in the end.
The series finale, “The End,” is widely misunderstood, as the characters weren’t dead the whole time, and the flash-sideways timeline was an alternate reality, not the future (viaEntertainment Weekly). As soon asLostnarrowed in on the battle between good and evil taking place on the island, it was vital that the show included this in the finale. While “The End” did tie up many loose ends and gave characters just development,the episode struggled because it required so much follow-up explanation,which is part of why audiences are still debating its meaning today.
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2"The Last One" - St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)
Season 6, Episode 22
Often parodied but impossible to copy in terms of the shock value and outrage it created, the series finale ofSt. Elsewheremight be the most famous episode of the show. What began as a gritty medical drama rooted in reality helped pave the way for the genre to transform into something unrecognizable in just a few moments. In “The Last One,” it’s revealed that all the characters, settings, andevents ofSt. Elsewherehave taken place inside the mind of the child,Tommy Westphall (Chad Allen), with the hospital appearing inside his snow globe.
For fans who don’t know howSt. Elsewhereis going to end, the finale is nearly impossible to predict.
On the one hand, this intense change in story and tone was a major risk for the writers and the show, and is an interesting turn that has sparked years of conversation. It’s important for a finale to be memorable and not be easily forgotten, as this is as much of a mistake as going too far off the rails. However,St. Elsewherecompletely jumped the shark with “The Last One,” altering the long-term reputation of the series. For fans who don’t know howSt. Elsewhereis going to end, the finale is nearly impossible to predict.
1"Made In America" - The Sopranos (1999–2007)
Season 6, Episode 21
Widely considered the greatest TV show of all time,The Sopranoswent out with a bang, ensuring that its legacy would be one of a series that was instantly memorable from beginning to end.The pressure was on the writers of the show to deliver an epic endingthat stacked up against the manyperfect episodes ofThe Sopranos. The series finale, “Made In America,” was a cultural moment that has rarely been seen since the series went off the air. Everyone was watchingThe Sopranos,and everyone was talking about it.
“Made In America” is the perfect example of a TV finale that suits the tone and trajectory of the show perfectly but still stirs up controversy. David Chase, the creator ofThe Sopranos, understood that Tony’s life was going in a specific direction but was clever enough to keep his fate somewhat open-ended. However, most viewers agree that it’s implied that Tony died when the screen cuts to black. However, even audiences who prefer to keep an open mind must admit thatThe Sopranos' big swing in its final moments has enshrined it as a TV finale to learn from.
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