Best Finales in TV History

Felina

The shocking and violent story of Walter White comes to a heartwrenching end when Walt, in a rare moment of altruism, decides to go in a final mission to destroy the last of his enemies and ensure his friends and family can live freely. Walt is not a moron, he knows he doesn't deserve redemption for all the atrocities he committed as Heisenberg, but he is able to prove where his loyalties really lie. Vince Gilligan made sure the show went out with a bang.

Person to Person

According to creator Matthew Weiner, the series ends with the characters "slighty improved" than they were in the beginning. A journey to California leaves Don at an emotional crossroads and forces him to decide what he really wants to do with his life. The characters move on with their lives, and Don is last seen meditating on a hilltop, with the shocking implication that he was behind the iconic Coca-Cola hilltop advertisement.

Everyone's Waiting

A series that has long explored death in its many forms has an emotional and poignant conclusion when the Fishers cope with Nate's death and decide to face whatever future lies ahead of them. What follows is the main characters all dying from different causes. Since they are all involved in the manners of death for a long time, is it really any surprise that their story ends in death as well? Even so, the show offers a grim, yet ultimately positive view on life, and even if the Fishers are six feet under, they can take comfort in the joy of living their lives to the fullest.

The Last One

After taking their relationship into decades-long absurdity, Ross and Rachel decide once and for all to be a couple for real; no more jokes or excuses. Also, Chandler and Monica get ready to leave the iconic apartment and move to the suburbs. After everything is said and done, the titular Friends get ready to start new chapters in their lives. The only downside is that the finale spawned Joey's pathetic excuse of a spin-off.

Family Meeting

After building up our sympathies for a ruthless, backstabbing anti-hero, the show brutally tears that premise apart by showing just how much of an asshole Vic really is. After beating his fellow corrupt cops to an immunity deal, Vic indirectly causes the deaths of Shane and his family. Meanwhile, his own family enters the Witness Protection Program and Vic himself is put on a crappy desk job as punishment for his confessed crimes. The viewers are left to ponder what future awaits Vic or even if he deserves a future at all.

Always

Praised for its realistic portrayals of Middle America and its inhabitants, Friday Night Lights ends with one last game to decide the championship. Many characters are given proper sendoffs and overall the finale offers a hopeful look to the future.

Hogcock!/Last Lunch

Liz has started a family but misses work, so she decides to return to NBC and work on the final episode of TGS. Easier said than done, as Liz must solve the crew's problems so that production can go without further delay. Also, Jack realizes he is no longer happy as a corporate executive and decides to do something different with his life. Against all odds, the protagonists overcome their challenges, deliver the final episode of TGS and move on with their lives. The episode and the series end many years into the future, with Kenneth discussing the idea of a possible TV show with Liz's great-grandmother, based on stories Liz told her. The show ends the only way it should have: in the most comedic and bizarre way possible.

The Last Show

Because the Six O'Clock News is losing ratings, the station's new manager cancels the show and fires people left and right. Surprisingly, the main characters are fired as well; except for Ted Baxter, who actually threatens to quit if the others are fired but caves in under pressure. After a final broadcast, the protagonists share a final, emotional moment before leaving the news room together.

Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

The most watched series finale of all time, a feat unlikely to be repeated given our increasingly divided TV fanbase. M*A*S*H* explored the consequences the Korean War had on the protagonists, and as the war concludes, the 4407th is disbanded and Hawkeye is transferred to a hospital in a more peaceful area, where he can get to know his patients without the pressure of war.

One for the Road

An emotional conclusion to the story of Sam Malone and the bar where everybody knows his name. Cheers ends the love story of Sam and Diane Chambers in a surprising fashion: they split permanently. It's for the best though; because as Norm says, Sam's true love will always be the Cheers bar. It only takes a single line of dialogue for viewers to understand the end has come: "Sorry, we're closed."

The Last Newhart

You probably already know this one. After many comical adventures, the town is bought by a Japanese tycoon who wants to build a huge golf course. Dick and Joanne are the only ones who refuse to sell, so the golf course is built around their inn. After that, the show becomes more bizarre and ridiculous by the minute, until Dick is hit on the head and awakens... as Dr. Robert Hartley from The Bob Newhart Show. Talking with his wife Emily, he reveals the whole series was just an extended dream he was having. Unexpected? Yes. Hilarious? You bet it was!