Series finale

"Final Episode" redirects here. For the song, see Final Episode (Let's Change the Channel).

A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series.^{[citation needed]} These terms refer to an intentionally planned ending, rather than one in which the series is unexpectedly cancelled after the last episode is produced. Episodes labeled "series finale," or ones leading up to it, often include remarkable events in the overall series story arc. An extended length episode, or television or theatrical film may serve as the series finale. The finale may also be used as a device to create a spin-off series.

Typical plot devices

Series finales frequently feature fundamental deviations from the central plot line, such as the resolution of a central mystery or problem, the separation of the major characters, or the sale of a home or business that serves as the series' primary setting. Some alter the entire premise of the series, such as in St. Elsewhere and Newhart.

The final scene often takes place in the show's primary setting, such as in That '70s Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Martin, Full House, One Day at a Time, Lost, and Boy Meets World.

Series finales often include looks into the future or show clips from the series' past, such as in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Guiding Light. Characters who have left the show often return, such as;

• Shelley Long in Cheers
• David Duchovny in The X-Files
• Denise Crosby in Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Eriq La Salle and Alex Kingston in ER
• Elizabeth Mitchell and Maggie Grace in Lost
• Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman in The Mary Tyler Moore Show
• Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher in That '70s Show
• Amanda Seyfried in Big Love
• Michael Rosenbaum in Smallville
• Tisha Campbell in Martin

Unseen characters may be revealed, such as Eddy's brother in Ed, Edd n Eddy. Characters may make cameo appearances such as Huckleberry Hound in Johnny Bravo. Series finales can also serve as a lead-in to a spin-off series such as the finale of The Andy Griffith Show "Mayberry R.F.D."

Origins

Most series in early television consisted of stand-alone episodes without continuing story arcs, so there was little reason to provide closure at its end. Early series which had special ending episodes were Howdy Doody in September 1960 and Leave it to Beaver in June 1963.

Considered to be "the series finale that invented the modern-day series finale,"^[1] "The Judgement", the final episode of The Fugitive, attracted a 72% audience share when broadcast.^[2] This finale received the highest viewing figures in American history prior to being surpassed by the Dallas episode "Who Done It".

In some cases a series finale proves to be premature, as a subsequent season is created, such as with 7th Heaven, Sledge Hammer!^[3] and Babylon 5.^[4][5] Scrubs aired a two-part episode billed simply as a "My Finale" in May 2009 as the show's renewal or cancellation had not been decided as of its airing, and so it was not known whether the episode would conclude just the season or the entire series.

Notable series finales

By audience share, the highest rated finale to date was from the series M*A*S*H in 1983. The episode, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", gained an audience share of over 77%. In the extended-length episode, the Korean War ends, and the characters of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital make their goodbyes and finally go home. Another famous series finale is that of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which aired in 1977.

Some positive critical reviews come from shows that have controversial or twist endings. The finale of The Prisoner, "Fall Out", caused controversy by providing a cryptic end to the series. The lead actor of the series, Patrick McGoohan, wrote and directed the final episode. He recalled in an interview years later that the final episode attracted a large audience, who demanded a clear resolution to the series. McGoohan recalled having to hide from fans immediately afterwards because of the reaction to the ending.^[6]

The episode "The Last Newhart" ended the series Newhart, by revealing the run of the series to be a dream conjured up by the main character of The Bob Newhart Show. In a similar vein, the series St. Elsewhere ended with the suggestion that the entire series is a fantasy of a small boy in the episode "The Last One".^[7]

The final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "All Good Things...", won the 1995 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.^[8]

The 2005 series finale of Six Feet Under, "Everyone's Waiting", was ranked as episode #22 on TV Guide's list of "TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time", and was also named one of the best TV moments of the decade.^[9][10]

The series Lost picked up 13 Emmy nominations in the 2010 Emmy Awards, seven of which were for the series finale "The End". Perhaps the most notable series finale may be the end of the Oprah Winfrey Show which had 4,561 episodes, 25 seasons and had over 5 million viewers. Her show ended on May 25, 2011 with some of her most notable guests ever.

Use as spinoffs

Series finales are sometimes used as a platform for spinoff shows. Examples include:

• Three's Company series finale was a platform for the spinoff Three's A Crowd
• The Andy Griffith Show's series finale was a platform for, and shared the same title as, the spinoff Mayberry RFD.
• Duet's series finale was a platform for the spinoff Open House.

See also

• Season premiere
• Season finale
• Most-watched US series finales
• Series premiere

References

1. ^ "TV's All-Time Best Series' Finales". http://tv.msn.com/tv/BestFinales-1. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
2. ^ "Top 100 TV Shows of All Time". Variety. http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=chart_pass&charttype=chart_topshowsalltime. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
3. ^ "Show History". The official Sledge Hammer! Web Site. http://www.sledgehammeronline.com/show_history4.htm. Retrieved 14 August 2009. 
4. ^ J. Michael Straczynski (1996-12-18). "From jms re: yr 4/5". Compuserve. http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-6929. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
5. ^ J. Michael Straczynski (1997-05-21). "How will this play out". Compuserve. http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-2847. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
6. ^ DVD Verdict, The Prisoner
7. ^ Schneider, Michael (2007-06-15). "Going Out With a Bang". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967055.html?categoryId=2526&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
8. ^ The Hugo Awards by Year, World Science Fiction Society website, accessed 29 January 2008
9. ^ http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/feature/tvs-top-100-episodes-of-all-time-40-21-1441.html?page=2
10. ^ "Top Moments of the Decade". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/special/best-of-decade/galleries.aspx?gallery=Moments-Decade-1012504&page=11. Retrieved 2010-10-17.