Which TV shows ended well? by lwaves

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

Which TV shows ended well?

POSTED BY: LWAVES
UPDATED: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 02:29
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Sunday, August 5, 2007 9:44 AM

We all know about TV shows that were cancelled before there time was up, and those that overstayed their welcome just to be run into the ground.

But which shows do you think ended well, even if you could have watched more and maybe wanted more, in hindsight they ended the right way.

My own personal picks would include:

Angel
I do think Angel could have gone longer and the end was a bit rushed but I love the last episode, up against the massive odds but still with a glimmer of hope.

Buffy
Buffy's last episode was also great. Bringing it back to where it all began, and having a great pay off.

Blake's 7
Final episode causes a lot of debate here in the UK over who is actually dead. Left you wanting more, but in a good way.

Life On Mars
Only two seasons (for Sam's character) but what a two seasons it was. Left you wondering but satisfied.

Six Feet Under
Finally watched the last season after a self imposed ban because I'd heard how it ended. Glad I did as I enjoyed every minute of it.

The Office
UK version. Two seasons and a special. That's the way to do it. Compact and excellent and what a great finish for Tim and Dawn.

So what others are out there?

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 10:22 AM

CYBERSNARK

Deep Space Nine
The war's over, Sisko is with the Prophets, Odo's going home, the Klingon Empire has an awesome new Chancellor, the Ferengi Alliance has an awesome new Nagus, the Bajorans are rid of Kai Winn, some of the crew are leaving, but others are staying, the station is still intact and whole, and the story will continue, just not on screen.

Stargate SG-1
Just another day at the office. We're gonna keep doing this until the cows 'gate home.

Farscape
Yeah, the Peacekeeper Wars was a perfect ending, but even the series' mid-cliffhanger ending was so perfect as to be almost "meta." You know why there are no sci-fi series that are focused on aliens (as lead characters)? Because Focus Groups(tm) don't believe that any human TV viewer would ever care about non-human characters. So, yeah, John & Aeryn die, and the story ends --before we even see how D'Argo, Rygel, Pilot, and Chianna react. 'Cause, y'know, they're just aliens. It's not like we're interested in them.
[/sarcasm]

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 10:26 AM

JOSSISAGOD

Most of the good ones have already been mentioned, but, Dark Angel had a good ending even if the second season was all-around weak.

Fe'nos Tol
JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

Self appointed Forsaken! Been on the list for a while now!

98% of teens have smoked pot, if you are one of the 2% that haven't, copy this into your signature.
"Look at me, I'm STUPID!" The Doctor.

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:00 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quantum Leap - Ok, if by ended 'well', you meant happy,then maybe not. But it had an ending, with the final episode being one my all time favorites. As heartbroken as I felt for Sam, it was something he chose to do. Again, one of the best I've ever seen on t.v.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:28 AM

LWAVES

No, I didn't neccessarily mean happy, just that it felt right, like justice had been done to the show, that sort of thing.

I'd forgotten about Quantum Leap. I loved the last episode too. A fantastic ending but not a happy one like you said.

Personally I don't consider Stargate to have ended yet, seeing as they are continuing with DVD movie(s). And whilst I thought the last episode was good it wasn't good enough to be an end of season episode and certainly not an end of series one.

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:36 AM

SINGATE

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Quantum Leap - Ok, if by ended 'well', you meant happy,then maybe not. But it had an ending, with the final episode being one my all time favorites. As heartbroken as I felt for Sam, it was something he chose to do. Again, one of the best I've ever seen on t.v.

I was just discussing this with a co-worker last week. I am hard pressed to come up with a better series finale. Sam chooses to do what is right over what would be best for himself. I remember being dumbstruck hearing the phrase "Sam Beckett never returned home" or something to that effect. One of the greatest moments in TV or cinematic history.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:56 AM

CRUITHNE3753

Blackadder Goes Forth - Just about the most deeply poignant ending ever.

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 12:39 PM

REGINAROADIE

Completely agree with the SIX FEET UNDER finale. The final season is my personal favorite season of an incredibly strong series. And that finale is still my litmus test for measuring a series finale.

One recent series finale I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet is the series finale for THE SOPRANOS. I know it still stirs up controversy, but after the initial shock passes you, you realize that David Chase didn't pussy out with the ending. That he didn't try to tie everything up and that he ended the series on the most ambiguous note you could possibly imagine. That the only thing that really ends is us watching it. That the life of the Sopranos will continue. Just not with us watching. That, as well as ending it on an unbearable sense of suspense. That the crushing anxiety that we feel is the same feeling that Tony lives with on a continuing basis. And that it never ends.

"Don't stop-"

And there were two other things that I loved about it. I loved that they adopted the cat from the safehouse and that superstitious Paulie is the only one to have a problem with it. Some people think it's Adrianna reincarnated, but I think it's just death personified. And that you see it in the final shot of Paulie as he's tanning himself with that stupid reflector of his. The other thing was Tony seeing Junior for the last time and that Junior is just this pathetic old man.

"You and my father ran North Jersey."
"I did? Huh, that's nice."

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 3:06 PM

ADAMWANKENOBI

ST:TNG and ST:VOY had cool finales ("All Good Things..." and "Endgame", respectively).

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 3:36 PM

BIONICBATMAN

Titus
Was definitely a funny show and could have lasted 3 more seasons.

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 7:21 PM

22CLAWS

Entirely pointy.

Dead Like Me. I just watched the last episode last night. My expectations were quite high, and I was still very moved. Such a beautiful wonderful show.

22

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Sunday, August 5, 2007 8:06 PM

DROCCULARI

Wonderfalls wrapped things up well for a show canceled after, what was it, four episodes aired?

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Monday, August 6, 2007 2:13 AM

IZZOW

Farscape - I really enjoyed the series and the Peacekeeper War wrapped up all the loose ends.

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Monday, August 6, 2007 4:36 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Adamwankenobi:
ST:TNG and ST:VOY had cool finales ("All Good Things..." and "Endgame", respectively).

Totally agree.

And The Prisoner....there was an ending...!

#6isall

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Monday, August 6, 2007 4:38 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by jossisagod:
Most of the good ones have already been mentioned, but, Dark Angel had a good ending even if the second season was all-around weak.

JIAG, you have-y the excellent taste!!

FREAK NATION RULES!!!!!

Transgenic Chrisisall

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Monday, August 6, 2007 5:07 AM

GWEK

Of the genre shows, I think ANGEL is one of the best finales. BtVS did as good a job as it could in the time alotted, but felt a little rushed.

I haven't seen it for years, but I remember being a little disappointed by the end of ST:DS9 (I remember it being good, just not up to the typical standards of the show). ENTERPRISE had a great ending... and then they went and stuck another horrible episode on afterward to tie it to TNG. B5 was like ST:DS9 (decent, but not as excellent as what had come before).

Although the show was shortlived and finished open-ended, MIRACLES had a decently satisfying final ep. Ditto POINT PLEASANT.

In non-genre TV, M*A*S*H stands out to me as the one that sets the bar as an incredibly well-constructe finale. CHEERS also had a great final ep... but watching the moron cast on Letterman afterward made me forget how good the finale had been! THE OFFICE (UK) is, as has been mentioned, great. And even though it ends on a cliffhanger, FREAKS & GEEKS ends appropriately.

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

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Monday, August 6, 2007 5:10 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by GWEK:
I remember being a little disappointed by the end of ST:DS9

THANK YOU!!!

Not alone Chrisisall

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Monday, August 6, 2007 7:48 AM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

And The Prisoner....there was an ending...!

#6isall

I haven't seen The Prisoner for many years and awhile ago I bought the boxset but just haven't got around to watching it yet. This post reminded me of it. That IS a great ending.
Nice to see another fan.

I wouldn't say any of the ST shows ended particularly brilliantly. Voyager was fine, but not great. DS9 had too many goodbyes, although it was nice that the characters moved on and not all stayed on the station. Enterprise's ending had too many references to the other shows if I remember correctly. Didn't see the end to TNG, hated that show. At least they got to finish them, not like other shows....

MASH and Cheers ended well. Didn't the MASH last episode have the highest percentage of viewers ever at the time??

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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Monday, August 6, 2007 8:29 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
Didn't see the end to TNG

Pity, it was fine...excellent, even.

Quote:
, hated that show.

Oh.

Never mind.

Chrisisall Picard

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Monday, August 6, 2007 7:24 PM

DATALESS

Quote:
Originally posted by singate:
Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Quantum Leap - Ok, if by ended 'well', you meant happy,then maybe not. But it had an ending, with the final episode being one my all time favorites. As heartbroken as I felt for Sam, it was something he chose to do. Again, one of the best I've ever seen on t.v.

I was just discussing this with a co-worker last week. I am hard pressed to come up with a better series finale. Sam chooses to do what is right over what would be best for himself. I remember being dumbstruck hearing the phrase "Sam Beckett never returned home" or something to that effect. One of the greatest moments in TV or cinematic history.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

I loved Quantum Leap and with a single line, "Sam Beckett never returned home", they ruined an entire television series. That episode changed every thing for all the characters but they end the series. In that episode they build up the fact that things will only get worse (more interesting for us) and that he will need to go home to rest. Then they tell us he will never go home. So if they were to do another series they then can't have him come home. It is bad writing and an easy way out, so no Quantum Leap did not end well.

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007 4:58 AM

PATSRULE

I'd say Magnum PI ended right. They almost ended it wrong a season before with Magnum getting killed off, but a fan campaign (imagine that!) got it brought back for an 8th season. They started that eighth season with THomas as a ghost, and then said he was just dreaming, but by the end of the 8th season, they wrapped things up much better with Thomas joining the Navy, his long lost daughter, Higgins being Masters, etc.

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007 5:00 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by patsrule:
I'd say Magnum PI ended right.

Yeah, that was great. I still have it on tape.

Memory Lane Chrisisall

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007 6:26 AM

DAVESHAYNE

Newhart.

Best. Ending. Ever.

David

"Looks like we got here just in the nick of time."

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007 6:47 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
Newhart.

Best. Ending. Ever.

Ohhhhh, YEAH!!! DEFINITLY, I almost forgot!!!!!
Hands down.

Chrisisall

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Wednesday, August 8, 2007 2:29 AM

PATSRULE

I thought about saying Newhart, because it did have a very good ending, but at the same time, I felt the show had pretty much been run into the ground for a few seasons before they ended it. Seriously, there were only so many times you could here "Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darrell, and this is my other brother Darrell."

I'd throw Cheers into the mix too. Great ending, but went on too long before the ending. The Shelly Long years were just brilliant, but the Kirstie Alley years were very hit or miss.

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