The gold standard in TV farewells, from “Friends” to “Mary Tyler Moore.”
Series finales are tricky.
They can deliver a happy ending, properly tying up loose ends and giving viewers a sense of closure.
The series finale of ‘Friends’.Credit: NBC
Or they can surprise, whether we’re talking about an unexpected twist or a famous cut to black.
We’ve rounded up 25 TV series that managed to stick the landing.
It was the poignant goodbye we wanted.
NBCU Photo Bank
He became a true vigilante, claiming, ‘‘I am judge and jury.’’
AW
The Sopranos(19992007)
Who needs resolution?
Andhe did… sort of.
Kelsey McNeal/FOX
The teariest is saved for last.
(Mike Farrell): ‘‘Goodbye’’ spelled out in stones on the launch pad.
(There’s a reasonJason Katimswon an Emmy for writing it.)
Altogether, the finalecemented the show’s impact.
As Tim always put it, “Texas forever.”
(How’s that for a final bit of comedy?)
That was especially true of its subdued yet powerful series finale, which contains two stunning sequences.
Then, there’s the emotional final montage, which followed the Jennings as they wordlessly escaped the country.
After everything, the Jennings' marriage survived, but their family didn’t.
Joey Delvalle/AP Images(2)
A fittingly depressing (and perfect) ending to this series.
Ken Tucker
St.
It was therefore assumed that all six seasons ofSt.
Elsewheretook place in the son’s imagination.
KT
The Leftovers(20142017)
The Leftoversremained true to itself to the very end.
All that matters is that she’s here in the now and so is Kevin.
‘Friends’ series finale.Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett
Thus, the entire second series was but a dream.
But that isn’t what made the finale so incredible.
Goggins then perfectly delivered the line that said everything about their relationship: “We dug coal together.”
Justin Lubin/NBC(2)
Will Hart/HBO
Prashant Gupta/FX
Everett Collection
Mario Perez/ABC
Bill Records/NBC
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
FX
Everett Collection
Ben King/HBO
Landov
Ben Cohen/NBC
Ursula Coyote/AMC
‘Justified’ series finale.Prashant Gupta / FX / Courtesy of Everett
