Best / Worst Series Finale?
 

I haven't watched that many shows from start to finish, but I was wondering what everyone's favorite and least favorite series finales were?

My favorite, at least from recent memory, is <i>Six Feet Under</i>. Just an amazing final episode, especially the closing scene. Another memorable one is <i>St. Elsewhere</i>, though I can see why some people didn't care for it.

I don't have a least favorite at this time, but I'm sure you guys can elaborate. I'm not sure how we should treat shows that were canceled before they could reach a closure, but I suppose they count too.

Remember, please use spoiler tags if you're giving away details! :D

worst.. seinfeld

Yeah, I guess Seinfeld was pretty disappointing.
Curb Your Enthusiasm's was much better, but I guess it's not really a finale anymore. :)

I liked the way the West Wing wrapped up, will have to think if thats my favorite though.

Bad - Buffy the Vampire Slayer - very lame
Bad - That 70's Show
Good - Angel - very cool
Good - Freaks & Geeks
Good - Cheers
Excellent - Newhart
Excellent - M*A*S*H
Excellent - Six Feet Under

Quantum Leap manages to do both. The episode on the whole was average, while the last minute is one of the greatest endings ever.

Same with M*A*S*H.

I just finished watching all 4 seasons of Enterprise, and it's finale was about as bad as I've ever seen...

The Angel finale I really liked.

Stargate SG1 (end of S#8 which could have essentially been the end of the show) was a good wrap up IMHO.

Personally I liked the ending to Seinfeld but I really didn't care for the show for the exact reason they ended up where they did. Justice was finally served ;)

Newhart also had a great ending. Nicely done.


WRT bad endings I have to say The Prisoner ranks right up there. Although it's been awhile since I've seen it but I seem to recall they left a lot of questions unanswered.

I seem to recall the ending of B5 was also kind of lack luster although w/ what happened to S4 and S5 it's not surprising.

Worst - Sein

Worst ever: Enterprise
Bad: Voyager
Just ok: Buffy
Good: Angel
Great: DS9
Best ever: Babylon 5

Yes, I'm a sci-fi nerd. :D

Best: ST: Next Generation and B5

Worst: both X-Files and Enterprise are right up there.


(I like Kittydreamer's list. :) )

Best - 6FU
Worst - Seinfeld

Good - B5 / Sports Night / Newhart / Quantum Link / Lexx / Farscape*
Bad - Seinfeld / Farscape*
Incomplete - Firefly / Space: Above & Beyond / John Doe
Ugly - ST:Voyager

Farscape gets my vote for both Good and Bad. The premature ending forced on Henson by SciFi's cancellation was Bad, but the resolution that was later provided in The Peacekeeper Wars (after SciFi realized their error and greenlighted the project) was significantly more satisfying, and therefore Good.

Favorites:

DS9 (Totally satisfying, and leaving you wanting more at the same time)
ANGEL (the perfect end to this great series)
Firefly (only if the Serenity film counts as a 'finale')

Worst:
Seinfeld - Larry David returns to the show and it WASN'T funny!
Star Trek Voyager - 'nuff said.

Justice, Boston Public, Married With Children, Kindred: The Embraced, Firefly - If you DON'T count Serenity as a finale, The Fugitive (CBS remake starring Tim Daly)...

These are my worst because they had no endings at all.

I liked Seinfeld's finale. It makes sense to me but it wasn't as funny as it could be.

I agree. Regarding B5, perhaps my memory betrays me but I thought it drooped after the Shadow Wars concluded (S3?). X-Files went out similarly (1-2 seasons too long).

Ciao,
Smithsguy

haven't had the pleasure of watching the finales for most of these shows.

but my favorites would have to be x-men evolution and mash.

I think I may love you.

I like to pretend that the last 2 seasons of That 70's Show never happened and they just canceled it without an ending.

I don't think that I've seen the last episode of Seinfeld since it first aired so I can't really comment on it.

Edit: I didn't realize that Seinfeld went until 1998. I thought I was much younger when I saw it. I would have been around 19 when the series ended.

Worst: Seinfeld
Best: Angel, ST:TNG, Newhart.

Worst-SEINFELD!
I know nothing could have lived up to the hype, but they could have at least TRIED.

Best-Newhart

Funny you mention that. I just finished season 8 over the weekend and thought, damn they could end it right here. It would have been a great finale. Those couple of episodes were some of the best they had ever done.

What you say is disheartening though since I still have season 9 & 10 to go. :(

SciFi (sic) "realized" nothing. It was the fans that got this done. They (SciFi (sic)) realized they'd be stupid to ignore a fanbase that big and vocal. Please don't give them credit where they don't deserve it. Other than that, ITA with you.

I'd also like to add the X-Files as worst series finale.

Angel's was real good, but it pissed me off (thanks WB! How's that Dark Shadows show doin' for ya?)

NYPD Blue's was another good one. Have to say I wasn't a fan of the way Alias ended. Nor Homicide: Life On the Streets (if the movie would be counted as the "finale").

Best: Newhart, DS9

Worst: Xfiles. They should have capped it at season 7 and been done with it. Instead you get a strange series of events that lead to a unsatisfying conclusion.

Either you are remembering it wrong, your you missed a lot of the show. The Shadow War ended in the beginning of the fourth season, and the (absolutely awesome) series finale was the last episode of the fifth season.