tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post7691971538635598392..comments2024-03-19T03:23:06.738-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Best drama endings ever?Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13115416216480036112008-12-02T18:09:00.000-05:002008-12-02T18:09:00.000-05:00Marquis, I have to disagree with you about the Buf...Marquis, I have to disagree with you about the Buffy finale. It did a fantastic job tying up the series because it handled the *multiple* themes that ran through the entire series well and brought them to a satisfying conclusion. <BR/>1) Female empowerment - Without Buffy's plan, and Willow's magic, they would not have won against the First, regardless of the amulet and Spike's sacrifice. Yes, that CLOSED the Hellmouth, but that isn't what saved the world. It was them fighting the First. (And empowerment of women shouldn't mean subjugation of men, it means judging on the content of character and ability rather than gender. Empowerment of women means taking hold of who you are and not accepting that you're less because you're "missing" a piece of equipment.) Dawn being the beginning of the new group of Watchers. The girl at bat who was afraid and then realized she doesn't have to be because she can *do* it. <BR/>2) Redemption (Good and Evil) - this is something that Joss explores throughout his series (which is one of the reasons I love him!). Spike, the ultimate bad (behind Angelus), changed to become the savior of the world. He *chose* to get a soul, to overcome his mistake, to be good. He was redeemed. And that theme - what defines good or evil - is one Joss explores over and over again.<BR/>3) It happened because of the Scoobies. What made Buffy different and more successful than any other slayer was her support system. And it was that support system that helped her defeat the First. Without them, she would have been dead back in season one.<BR/>4) And one of the central themes of the whole series, if not the biggest one - "I want to be normal! I don't want to be the slayer!" Throughout the series, Buffy rebelled against her traditional role because it wasn't one she chose. (How about that for female empowerment? Being able to choose your destiny rather than living the one forced on you because of your gender? And isn't the ultimate in female empowerment being able to *choose* how you want to live your life, even if that choice is valuing shopping? And wearing high heels to jump tall buildings in a single bound as they collapse into the Hellmouth?) She *hated* the costs of this destiny and what it did to her life, her dreams, her plans. "Anne" showed her running away from it after she couldn't deal. And the very last scene of the last episode, the moment I *still* cry over every time I think about it all these years later, is the fact that she gets to be what she's always wanted, just a normal girl. That smile on her face, where she doesn't have to tell anyone what to do anymore, where the fate of the world is not on her shoulders... One of the best endings ever.<BR/><BR/>Also, the ending to Angel was pretty awesome, too. "I kinda wanna slay the dragon. Let's go to work." It doesn't top my list because the series whipping boy, Wesley, died. Yes, he got to be with Fred, but as soon as I heard one of the characters wasn't going to make it, I *knew* it would be him, because everything horrible happened to him.Elisa Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16961544880720495529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82392198130651550922008-12-02T04:13:00.000-05:002008-12-02T04:13:00.000-05:00I'm partial to "Party of Five". I cried like a ba...I'm partial to "Party of Five". I cried like a baby when they sold the house. Five seasons is about all you can get from a drama (with out adding too many new characters)<BR/><BR/>Old school.. I'm going with "Little House on the Prarie" when they blew up the town (except the church) and sang Onward Christian Soldiers"<BR/><BR/>I also liked Homicide and Oz finales.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75137630518225016692008-12-01T03:41:00.000-05:002008-12-01T03:41:00.000-05:00Six Feet Under had the greatest, most heart-wrench...Six Feet Under had the greatest, most heart-wrenching, fully complete, cannot be more perfect ending. I can't imagine another series even coming close to it, ever. <BR/><BR/>Also in my list of favs:<BR/>Arrested Development (comedy, i know, but still. . .)<BR/>The Sopranos<BR/>The Wire<BR/>Quantum Leap<BR/>Rome<BR/><BR/>Series that ended too soon<BR/>Freaks and Geeks<BR/>Deadwood<BR/>Carnivale<BR/>Jack and Bobby<BR/>Tell Me You Love Me<BR/>John From Cincinatti<BR/><BR/>Series that I expect to have satisfying endings:<BR/>ER<BR/>Curb Your Enthusiasm<BR/>True Blood<BR/>LOSTDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15445447852492113014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33520855907862275062008-11-30T12:40:00.000-05:002008-11-30T12:40:00.000-05:00Agree with Alan's friend Phil about The Prisoner. ...Agree with Alan's friend Phil about The Prisoner. Hard to imagine an American series going that balls-out batsh_t insane in an finale (although Twin Peaks comes close).<BR/><BR/>And, just to make the Trek nerds feel less nerdy, how about BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. Yeah, the last season was not the best, but that ending, where the reality sinks in that Buffy doesn't have to be the slayer, and for the first time in her life, she can chose her own life rather than have it imposed on her, was great, great stuff.<BR/><BR/>--Andy<BR/>MastersofHumility.comMasters of Humilityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06256390351733530923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19547913396589031912008-11-26T00:00:00.000-05:002008-11-26T00:00:00.000-05:00I'm young and only recently started watching a lot...I'm young and only recently started watching a lot of tv series from beginning to end so...<BR/><BR/>The Wire, without question. Definitely on a cumulative series factor but it did have some great standalone moments within the ep (Opening scene w/ carcetti, Daniels' file coming into play, bubbles going up the stairs, i could go on). <BR/><BR/>I never saw the entire run of Quantum leap, but i do remember catching bits of the finale here and there and Sam helping Al's wife and the last caption (Sam never made it home) seemed pitch perfect from what i saw and knew about the show. <BR/><BR/>Im currently watching the sopranos and im pretty sure ill add that 2 the list, just cuz some many ppl hate it.<BR/><BR/>Arrested Development was good, just for Michael telling his son Maebe was still off limits tho she wasnt technically related but still family.<BR/><BR/>Extras and UK Office both were really good and very well done. Extras especially for deviating from the norm (Andy walks away from fame and doesnt date maggie)<BR/><BR/>Ill go out on a limb that BSG and Lost will both be in my top 5 whenever i get 2 them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-32251372157599831922008-11-25T20:53:00.000-05:002008-11-25T20:53:00.000-05:00It says dramas, but what the heck.The best finale ...It says dramas, but what the heck.<BR/><BR/>The best finale ever is by far ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. It was genius how the Bluths ended almost the same way it started 3 years before. All the references to previous episodes, not to mention to FOX and Skating With Celebrities.<BR/><BR/>SEX & THE CITY also had a wonderful finale. <BR/><BR/>2 shows by Greg Berlanti who ended too soon: JACK & BOBBY and EVERWOOD had amazing finales.<BR/><BR/>And I concur with everyone who said DAWSON'S CREEK, VERONICA MARS and FREAKS AND GEEKS, but I'm actually very surprised no one mentioned MY SO-CALLED LIFE.EAPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04761534250811018484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4873116157005168152008-11-25T16:23:00.000-05:002008-11-25T16:23:00.000-05:00Oops, the song that gives me chills is Breathe Me ...Oops, the song that gives me chills is Breathe <I>Me</I> which I mistakenly called Breathe. Sorry 'bout that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8424514235752678122008-11-25T15:40:00.000-05:002008-11-25T15:40:00.000-05:00OT, but this is driving me crazy:It's "bawling one...OT, but this is driving me crazy:<BR/><BR/>It's "bawling one's eyes out," not "balling." One means profuse crying, and the other, screwing. I don't think y'all are screwing like babies over the end of a show :-DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50698192685270830202008-11-25T15:27:00.000-05:002008-11-25T15:27:00.000-05:00Six Feet Under, absolutely. It had the most satis...Six Feet Under, absolutely. It had the most satisfying and unforgettable finale I've ever seen. I still get chills when I hear the song Breathe. <BR/><BR/>I don't necessarily think you should include it, but Sex and the City had a great ending until the stupid movie fouled it up. <BR/><BR/>Off to read the other 95 comments now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88862631014413279282008-11-25T13:51:00.000-05:002008-11-25T13:51:00.000-05:00I love the finale of Sports Night. I still get ch...I love the finale of Sports Night. I still get chills when Jeremy translates the latin because I know what's coming next.<BR/><BR/>I think the end of Arrested Development was great, but I just might be blurring that entire fantastic third season.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad so many people mentioned Homicide (I'm counting the movie as the finale). The scene at the end with Bayliss and Pembleton is as tragic as tv gets, and the final scene in the station is nothing short of tragic.<BR/><BR/>And yeah, the Avatar ending was awesome, but the whole show was written better than most "adult" tv.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27292849229200617302008-11-25T11:33:00.000-05:002008-11-25T11:33:00.000-05:00That quote from The Wonder Years still chokes me u...That quote from The Wonder Years still chokes me up. <BR/><BR/>I hated Six Feet Under. I'd seen enough episodes to decide that the show was too clever and self-conscious by at least half. But I loved the finale. That it was seen through Clare's eyes only made it better. She was one of the few characters I liked.<BR/><BR/>Also:<BR/>Angel. Seeing Spike finally being appreciated for his poetry just killed me. And the ambiguity of the ending was perfect.<BR/><BR/>St. Elsewhere. Not an FU to the audience, but definitely a big WTF from the audience.<BR/><BR/>Rome. The only better would have been to see those two wacky kids, Pullo and Vorenus, walk off together. Theirs was probably the most powerful friendship ever portrayed on television, rivaled only by Mulder and Scully (before the romance).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63719910192902462132008-11-25T09:50:00.000-05:002008-11-25T09:50:00.000-05:00The Wonder Years closed beautifully."Things never ...The Wonder Years closed beautifully.<BR/><BR/>"Things never turn out exactly the way you planned. I know they didn't with me. Still, like my father used to say, 'Traffic's traffic, you go where life takes you' and growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers, the next you're gone, but the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a time a place, a particular fourth of July, the things that happened in that decade of war and change. I remember a house like a lot of houses, a yard like a lot of yards, on a street like a lot of other streets. I remember how hard it was growing up among people and places I loved. Most of all, I remember how hard it was to leave. And the thing is, after all these years I still look back in wonder. "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85478327590179759242008-11-25T06:12:00.000-05:002008-11-25T06:12:00.000-05:00I'm adding another vote for the Our Town montage t...I'm adding another vote for the <B>Our Town</B> montage to end "Northern Exposure." Just on those 4 minutes, it's the finest finale I've seen -- <BR/>just a beautiful pairing of images and words. <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTaexm5TuKQ" REL="nofollow">Youtube</A><BR/><BR/>The song is by Iris Dement, here's a <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9-pDSYPrio" REL="nofollow">live version</A>.<BR/><BR/><I>And you know the sun's settin' fast,<BR/>And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.<BR/>Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,<BR/>But hold on to your lover,<BR/>'Cause your heart's bound to die.<BR/>Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.<BR/>Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,<BR/>Goodnight</I>billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116980864333670109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91823133263924363412008-11-25T01:30:00.000-05:002008-11-25T01:30:00.000-05:00mac13 said... Buffy's deus ex machina ending ki...<I>mac13 said...<BR/><BR/> Buffy's deus ex machina ending kind of reflected the entire series' modus operandi, didn't it? Considering that, I was satisfied by it.</I><BR/><BR/>it's not the deus ex machina aspect of the ending that bothered me. (though I would disagree with concept that Buffy's mdus operandi had a lot of deus ex machina) <BR/><BR/>It's the fact that it <B>violates</B> the core theme of the series which female empowerement.<BR/><BR/>You have a dozens of empowered women and they couldn't do what one male could.<BR/><BR/>Do I think Joss did that on purpose? No. He needed a reason to get Spike on Angel.<BR/><BR/>That being said in order to satisfy a plot demand for another show, he weakened the theme of the main series. It was Bad Writing and sadly it highlights Joss Whedon's weakness as a writer. He works so hard to get a little thing right he'll ignore what it does to the bigger picture.<BR/><BR/>But that's getting waaaay off topic.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08965717916375558077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21905894155055764002008-11-25T01:28:00.000-05:002008-11-25T01:28:00.000-05:00Having just finished Sports Night on DVD I have to...Having just finished Sports Night on DVD I have to second (3rd? 4th?) that finale. Excellent. <BR/><BR/>Also seconding Family Ties & Spin City - the Family Ties one especially. Oh and the finale of Cheers - particularly the last couple of minutes. <BR/><BR/>For dramas I'd say the last few minutes of the West Wing w/ the Bartlett for America napkin, but overall I don't think it was a finale worthy of a show that caliber -at least not what it was for the first several seasons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30672934640179023552008-11-25T01:02:00.000-05:002008-11-25T01:02:00.000-05:001. The Sopranos- perfect ending. Journey will ne...1. The Sopranos- perfect ending. Journey will never sound the same again. I challenge anyone to make an attempt to parallel park more suspenseful.<BR/><BR/>2. The Wire- The greatest drama ever could not have ended in a more satisfying fashion. The bar scene was beautiful.<BR/><BR/>3. Freaks & Geeks- I was angry that it was the finale. But "Ripple" was a perfect song choice to end the show.<BR/><BR/>4. The O.C.- The final montage and scene hit all of the high notes.<BR/><BR/>5. Veronica Mars- There was nothing special about the finale, except that it was an entertaining episode. Kristen Bell was great and oh so charming in her final performance.<BR/><BR/>Special nod to Six Feet Under. I never watched the series, but I saw the final montage, and I can see why people rave about it.<BR/><BR/>Comedies<BR/><BR/>1. Seinfeld- I am in the minority but I thought it was perfect and the only possible way to end the show.<BR/><BR/>2. Newhart- ingenious<BR/><BR/>3. The Larry Sanders Show- perfect send off<BR/><BR/>4. The Office (UK)/Extras Specials- Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are already legends as far as I'm concerned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59488225069137797042008-11-25T00:53:00.000-05:002008-11-25T00:53:00.000-05:00Glad the Homicide finale is getting a few mentions...Glad the Homicide finale is getting a few mentions. Sometimes I feel like show has plummeted in esteem since (the admittedly similar and superior) The Wire has come and gone. I actually have trouble re-watching the finale just because the cumulative effect is so overwhelming particularly the rapid fire montage which manages to refocus the entire series (which began as a true ensemble) as the tragedy of Bayliss' fall from grace.Andrew Dignanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03535783608109870688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9080009261767748482008-11-24T23:39:00.000-05:002008-11-24T23:39:00.000-05:00A couple of comedies that tried to do something mo...A couple of comedies that tried to do something more than comic in their final eps: <BR/><BR/><I>Roseanne</I>, which used the final episode as an apology and explanation for the roundly derided final season; <BR/><BR/><I>Will and Grace</I>, which used the fast-forward approach to great emotional effect, although it does put a surprisingly heterosexist spin on W&G's entire history, he said somewhat vaguely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13683359716819223652008-11-24T23:22:00.000-05:002008-11-24T23:22:00.000-05:00deadwood ending. just kill me now milchdeadwood ending. just kill me now milchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13211289631100878132008-11-24T23:21:00.001-05:002008-11-24T23:21:00.001-05:00Been really great reading everyone's choices! My p...Been really great reading everyone's choices! My personal favorites are "Dawson's Creek", "Roswell", "Gilmore Girls", "Frasier", "The Office" (UK), "Wonderfalls" and the final montage of "Northern Exposure".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50644971738088882432008-11-24T23:21:00.000-05:002008-11-24T23:21:00.000-05:00The Buffy finale is not bad television, but it's n...The Buffy finale is not bad television, but it's not on the same level as the show. (SPOILER FOR AN EVEN OLDER SHOW) Really, Anya is the only one who dies? How does that feel epic enough for that show?<BR/><BR/>To the one person above about the lack of a "bow" for Ryan and Taylor: they barely dated, it would have been silly to act like they were 100% meant to be. I felt like they gave them exactly what they deserved: a chance as adults to see if they were meant for each other.Byron Hauckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12781238264572019596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70999035997518961392008-11-24T23:16:00.000-05:002008-11-24T23:16:00.000-05:00I'm not ashamed to say this, Six Feet Under, hands...I'm not ashamed to say this, Six Feet Under, hands down. Maybe not the bes tall around episode but I was balling like a little baby during the final montage. To this day I can't hear Sia's "Breathe Me" without getting weepy!<BR/><BR/>The Wire was a close second but like you said, it was more of the overall end of an era feel with my all time favorite show coming to an end.<BR/><BR/>But I'm sorry, when those robbers shot Keith coming out of the armored truck, I couldn't hold it. My wife was looking at me like I had lost my damn mind!<BR/><BR/>I loved the Sopranos but Ireally wanted more. I din't need total closure but I still just can't feel satisfied by the cut to black.StickUpKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07522742402290919922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53977220435556995012008-11-24T22:58:00.000-05:002008-11-24T22:58:00.000-05:00My criteria for a great finale would be that it wo...My criteria for a great finale would be that it would have to get to me when I first watched it, but than stay with me, so that days, months, years later, when I think of it or see it again, it still makes me think and makes me happy, sad, or moves me in some way.<BR/><BR/>So, given that, these would be my top 3 picks:<BR/><BR/>Sports Night – It had heart, and it had hope, but yet it also managed to give closure to the show. The subtle, warm joy and relief coming from all the characters when they realized their show had been saved was a thing of beauty, and heartwarming. Even though the show ended in real life (that was a damn shame), that finale let me imagine that somewhere, somehow, the show within a show continued for those characters. <BR/><BR/>Quantum Leap – Wonderful end to a sweet show, even if it was bittersweet. It celebrated the love between the two main characters, and ended with sacrifice, loss, and fulfillment. Sending one character into a great mystery and giving closure to another. That final title card was a killer.<BR/><BR/>Six Feet Under – While the episode as a whole tied things up a little too nicely for this show (and capped a somewhat uneven season), the final scenes, from the “I Just Want to Celebrate” video to the end of the episode, were beautiful, moving, haunting and a fantastic end to a groundbreaking series. Flashing through the lives of these characters, after living with them for 5 years, got to me like no other sequence on television. “You can’t take a picture of this. It’s already gone.” I still can’t see a Prius, hear that Sia song, or think about Nate disappearing from sight while jogging behind Claire’s car without tearing up a little. Plus, I think I hugged the people I care about more, and was a bit kinder to people in general, after seeing SFU’s final season and this episode in particular. A tv show and episode that can change you; now that’s some powerful television.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87793553231260843372008-11-24T22:49:00.000-05:002008-11-24T22:49:00.000-05:00I know others have mentioned it, but I also have t...I know others have mentioned it, but I also have to chime in with Angel. Just a great way to send off the series (and I loved how one could think they characters would cotinue their fight).<BR/><BR/>I'd also mention The O.C, The West Wing and Homicide in there too.Figgsrock2https://www.blogger.com/profile/17854696840406454276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41564727151596633012008-11-24T22:47:00.001-05:002008-11-24T22:47:00.001-05:00Buffy's deus ex machina ending kind of reflected t...Buffy's deus ex machina ending kind of reflected the entire series' modus operandi, didn't it? Considering that, I was satisfied by it.<BR/><BR/>Sopranos' ending was smart, engaging, interesting, and probably the perfect ending for a show that wasn't designed for a denouement.<BR/><BR/>Six Feet Under's ending wasn't as smart as Sopranos', but it was so crushingly beautiful and pretty much the dictionary-definition of "ending" that it wins.<BR/><BR/>And I'm eagerly anticipating both Shield's and Lost's endings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com