6 Most Satisfying Series Finales in TV History, Ranked
Giving beloved characters a proper send-off may be a tricky task, but these iconic TV shows have done it right.
Over the years, we've seen thousands of series finales, and only a few have managed to leave a lasting, bittersweet impression. That immense satisfaction comes only when a beloved TV show pays tribute to its characters and their evolution over the course of its many seasons.
Here are six of the most satisfying series finales that remained true to the core of the show and managed to give viewers one last thrill.
Ending on a high note with a two-part series finale that celebrated the quirky and endearing characters of Pawnee, One Last Ride did something every dedicated fan dreams of. Through a series of flash-forwards, the heartwarming episode provided closure and highlighted the growth of the main characters by showing their futures.
Leslie Knope became the Governor of Indiana and the entire team was reunited years later in the Pawnee Parks and Recreation office.
Renowned for its sharp writing and complex characters, the series finale was climactic for the audience but unsatisfying for the characters, underscoring the show's central theme that in the world of power and ambition, there may be no true winners.
A testament to the show's storytelling prowess, Kendall Roy's tragic end was a heartbreaking cinematic resolution that left viewers both stunned and satisfied.
Friends
The Last One episode of the decade-long running show was an emotional roller coaster that wrapped up the saga of the beloved group of friends right in front of our teary eyes.
With Ross and Rachel reuniting, Monica and Chandler living in the suburbs with twins, Mike and Phoebe planning their future, and Joey enjoying his life in a Manhattan apartment, the finale delivered heart-wrenching resolutions with all the charm that made the show so popular and sent the characters on their new journeys that we will no longer be a part of.
David Chase's decision to leave Tony Soprano's fate open-ended in his finale episode, Made In America, cemented the show's finale as one of the most controversial and talked-about in television history.
With its abrupt black screen and use of Don't Stop Believin', this iconic scene and David Chase's departure from the norm in television storytelling left a lasting impact on both viewers and all future shows.
Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad is often hailed as one of the greatest television shows ever created, and its series finale, titled Felina, is here to prove it. The finale culminates Walter White's journey from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to ruthless drug lord as Walter redeems himself by saving his partner Jesse Pinkman.
Accompanied by Badfinger's Baby Blue, this finale is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and fitting for a legendary show.
Culminating with Dwight and Angela's wedding, the finale of the beloved sitcom brought together every employee at Dunder Mifflin and provided a fitting sendoff for the characters we came to know and love over nine seasons.
With Michael Scott making his final appearance as Dwight's best man and Pam taking her office painting as a treasured memento, it was a heartwarming conclusion to a beloved show that celebrated the unbreakable bonds between its characters and proved once again that they are more than just co-workers, they are each other's and our family.