10 TV Finales That Had Us in Tears for All the Right Reasons
Saying goodbye is never easy.
There is nothing fun about watching your favorite TV show come to an end, but there are many ways to make a finale at least somewhat comforting and promising. Or, at the very least, entertaining enough that fans will remember it for a very long time.
Right now, due to the impact of the WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes on the television industry, there are many shows that are nearing their end. Whether any of them will come close to the finales on this list is questionable, but keep in mind these 10 shows that became a blueprint for wrapping up great storylines.
Lost (2004–2010)
While the finale of Lost left many questions unanswered for fans, it still felt like a solid conclusion to the show's twisted storyline. Within two and a half hours of airtime, the show revealed that what many people thought was a dream was a version of the afterlife, and a whole lot of reunions have made this finale an everlasting special.
Breaking Bad ( 2008–2013)
Watching Breaking Bad, everyone knew the show would end the moment Walter White was gone. And there was a certain satisfaction in seeing that that is exactly what happened. The final episode was packed with action and drama, but it also made sure to end on the right note, letting Walter spend his final hours doing what turned out to be the craft of his life.
Cheers (1982–1993)
The decision to end a show on a sudden change of heart may seem cheesy to some viewers today, but back in the '90s, Sam's last-minute departure from the flight and return to the bar that became his home was truly inspiring. If there was a lesson in Cheers, it was to never forget your roots. And the finale did a good job of delivering that message.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ( 1997–2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer had many episodes that had viewers on the edge of their seats rooting for the team to make it out alive, but the finale multiplied that anxiety by a hundred. Sure, everyone shed a few tears watching Buffy and Spike's final moment, but it felt like the grand finale these characters deserved, tragic though it was in the end.
M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
It's hard to believe that the show that aired its last episode in the early '80s has yet to be surpassed in terms of ratings, but it's true. The two-and-a-half-hour finale remains the highest-rated series finale of all time, and for good reason. Through laughter and heartbreak, M*A*S*H kept the spirits up for the entirety of its 11 seasons.
The Sopranos ( 1999–2007)
Perhaps the most controversial finale on this list, The Sopranos' ending was truly ingenious in its simplicity. In a show about the infamous and powerful Mafia, full of intrigue, betrayal, and all kinds of twists and turns, the finale was both promising and vague. Still, the diner scene with ‘Don't Stop Believing’ playing in the background will forever be famous.
Frasier (1993–2004)
If the Cheers finale was about turning to the things you love in life, Fraiser's was all about new beginnings. The setup for a wedding, the birth of a child, and, of course, a romance that led the titular character to follow Charlotte to Chicago all made for a heartfelt and sweet finale with plenty of possibilities for a return.
The Wire (2002–2008)
As one of HBO's strongest shows in terms of writing, The Wire did not disappoint with its finale. As always, the show didn't go for a fuzzy happy ending. From celebrating with McNulty to crying over Dukie, The Wire showed different events that made the audience feel a complex mixture of emotions.
ER (1994–2009)
To say that ER has had its ups and downs would be an understatement. After a strong start in the 90s, the show ran a few seasons too long, according to some critics and viewers. Still, the show aired one of the most heartfelt and tear-jerking finales, honoring all the fan-favorite characters along the way.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)
The Next Generation was one of the biggest successes the Star Trek universe has ever seen, and wrapping it up was no easy task. Luckily, the episode focusing on Captain Picard's last adventure with his loyal Enterprise crew at the beginning of their voyage, which could only happen because he jumped through time, did the trick.