The Jaw-Dropping TV Finales That Blew Away All Expectations

TV show finales often fail to meet viewers' expectations, but there are a few exceptional episodes that manage to do so. Since TV shows are meant to continue for as long as possible, creating a satisfying conclusion is no easy task. The final episode of a series can significantly impact its reputation, with some of the most popular shows known for their divisive endings. In fact, certain shows have demonstrated that a controversial finale can overshadow years of devoted fandom.

Finales are charged with delivering the culmination of years of storytelling. For example, in Succession, the question of who would take charge of Waystar Royco in the absence of Logan Roy needed to be answered. On the other hand, episodic shows like Frasier simply need to ensure that the characters are in a positive place and set the stage for their future endeavors. Similar to bidding farewell to cherished companions, the best series finales are both bittersweet and thematically coherent within the context of the show's narrative and overarching themes.

10 Mad Men

Unlike other popular TV dramas such as Breaking Bad and Dexter, the finale of Mad Men, titled "Person to Person," took a different approach to captivate its audience. Instead of relying on intense action or unexpected character deaths, the show ended on a profound and thought-provoking note. In this final episode, Don Draper confronts his inner demons as he embarks on a spiritual retreat and participates in group therapy sessions. The closing moments of the series juxtapose Don's meditation with the revolutionary 1971 "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" advertisement, leaving a sense of delightful ambiguity that allows each viewer to interpret its meaning in their own unique way.

9 Friends

The finale of Friends truly captured the essence of the series and delivered satisfying conclusions for its six iconic characters. Season 10's two-part finale, comprising episodes 17 and 18, finally put an end to the suspense surrounding Ross and Rachel's on-again-off-again relationship. Additionally, it paved the way for a promising future for everyone else in the group. The closing scene, where the friends gathered for one last time in Monica and Chandler's now empty apartment before heading over to Central Perk for a final cup of coffee, served as a heartfelt farewell to one of the most beloved TV shows of all time.

8 Better Call Saul

The concluding episode of Better Call Saul season 6, titled "Saul Gone," not only had the daunting task of matching the unparalleled brilliance of its preceding episodes, but also had the weight of Breaking Bad's finale to live up to. Although it may not have delivered the same level of explosive and action-packed intensity as Breaking Bad, it flawlessly presented a bittersweet conclusion to Jimmy McGill's transformative journey. Bob Odenkirk's portrayal of Jimmy, demonstrated through his unexpectedly honest testimony and heartfelt reunion with Kim, truly captured the essence of his character's growth.

7 The Wire

David Simon's gritty and realistic crime drama, The Wire, reached its appropriately subversive finale in season 5, episode 10, titled "-30-". This conclusion effectively wrapped up the ongoing story arc of a fabricated serial killer, which aimed to secure additional funding for the homicide department. Remaining true to its mission of capturing real-life, The Wire's final episode eschewed dramatic endings, opting instead to depict certain characters experiencing changes while others remained unchanged. However, it was the city of Baltimore that ultimately served as the most captivating and satisfying conclusion to the series. As McNulty gazed upon the city, he resigned himself to the inevitable repetition of the flawed system.

6 Frasier

5 Succession

The popular spin-off of Cheers, Frasier, commenced with Dr. Crane relocating to Seattle following a period of mental instability. Hence, it seemed appropriate that the final episode of Frasier, titled "Goodnight, Seattle," depicted his departure from the city to embark on the next chapter of his life. The wedding of Martin and Ronee served as the ideal setting for one last comedic storyline before the emotional farewells took place. Frasier's ultimate broadcast, where he bid adieu to his listeners and, in a meta sense, to the viewers at home, stands as one of the most memorable and heartwarming moments in the history of television.

The conclusion of the Succession series, "With Open Eyes," was a fittingly grim and unsettling ending to Jesse Armstrong’s contemporary version of King Lear. Throughout the first three seasons, the show posed the question of which of the Roy children would inherit Waystar Royco, and the finale delivered the expected satirical edge. Within a week of Logan’s demise, the Roy siblings ran the company into the ground and lost their grip on it. After all the deliberation about who would emerge victorious in Succession, the finale served as a poignant reminder that in this ruthless corporate world, there were no winners.

4 The Office

3 Six Feet Under

The quality of the U.S. remake of The Office declined sharply after Steve Carell departed the cast in season 7. The final two episodes were filled with exaggerated and difficult-to-relate-to storylines, as well as poorly executed character development. However, the writers still managed to deliver an exceptional final episode. The first half of the two-part conclusion, appropriately titled "Finale," reflected on the series' history through an in-universe "Where are they now?" panel. The second half beautifully concluded the characters' journeys in a profoundly emotional manner. From the return of Carell to the heartfelt closing monologue by Pam, every aspect of The Office finale was flawlessly executed.

In a single powerful hour of television, the twelfth episode of Six Feet Under season 5, titled "Everyone's Waiting," masterfully encapsulated the profound contemplations about the essence of life and death explored throughout the preceding five seasons. The closing words of the series, spoken by Nate, poignantly acknowledged the heartbreaking nature of farewells: "You can't capture this moment in a photograph. It has already slipped away." By emphasizing the significance of moving forward, the show's final episode shifted its focus from the depths of grief and loss that it had skillfully portrayed throughout its entire run.

2 M*A*S*H

1 Breaking Bad

M*A*S*H reached an impressive 11-year run before finally bringing the Korean War to a close. The series finale, titled "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen," garnered record-breaking ratings, solidifying it as one of the most-watched TV broadcasts of all time. As the ceasefire came into effect, the 4077th unit celebrated their departure with a heartfelt farewell party, marking the end of their time together. This highly acclaimed M*A*S*H finale pioneered the tradition of using characters' goodbyes as a symbolic representation of the creators bidding farewell to their devoted fan base.

Breaking Bad stood apart from shows like Friends and Frasier by embracing constant change instead of maintaining a stagnant status quo. From the moment Walter White, a mild-mannered chemistry teacher, entered the meth business, the show accelerated towards its ultimate conclusion. The series reached its action-packed climax in season 5, episode 14, titled “Ozymandias,” where Walt’s empire crumbled. This paved the way for the reflective finale, “Felina,” which not only served as an explosive and appropriate ending to Walt’s journey but also provided a poignant final moment with the other main characters.