Top 10 Underappreciated TV Show Finales That Deserve More Recognition
#10: “return 0” “Person of Interest” (2011-16)
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Despite regularly performing well in the ratings, CBS canceled this acclaimed sci-fi crime drama going into its fifth season. The showrunners had ideas for a sixth season, but they ultimately had to resolve all lingering plotlines in just 13 episodes. Regardless, Season 5 doesn’t feel rushed with the finale leaving us on a tragic yet highly satisfying note as our heroes make their last stand against the A.I. Samaritan. While it garnered perfect scores from several TV critics, “return 0” only attracted around 6.5 million viewers and went mostly overlooked on the awards trail. With the dangers surrounding A.I. only becoming prevalent in recent years, the finale and the series as a whole deserve a reevaluation… and a revival!
#9: “Everybody Dies” “House” (2004-12)
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“House” was among the most popular medical dramas throughout its run, but the final season arrived without much fanfare. Season 8 scored no Emmy nominations, not even for Hugh Laurie’s iconic performance or the last episode, “Everybody Dies.” Although there were admittedly better seasons of “House,” the finale sticks the landing with the cynical doctor taking a trip down memory lane while contemplating his future… or if he’ll even have a future worth staying around for. Several fan favorites return to say goodbye, including Thirteen, but the heart of the episode boils down to the friendship between House and Wilson. Considering that House was the Sherlock of the medical world, “Everybody Dies” naturally channels “The Final Problem” with our protagonist riding off alongside his Watson.
#8: “Always” “Friday Night Lights” (2006-11)
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“Friday Night Lights” went underappreciated for most of its run, constantly being on the chopping blocks of cancellation. A passionate fanbase and glowing reviews helped the underdog show reach the end zone, delivering a touchdown of an ending. “Always” would win an Emmy for Jason Katims’ script, as well as Kyle Chandler’s performance. Even with these accolades, “Always” deserves a much wider spotlight. The finale delivers in every respect with romance, suspense, and life-altering decisions. Of course, there’s also football, but this show was never about the game. It was about the people who played and loved it. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the ending montage as we see life go on following a crucial play that’s ultimately kind of an afterthought.
#7: “Changing Nature” “Dinosaurs” (1991-94)
We all remember how this sitcom ends, but audiences remain split on whether it’s among the best or worst finales. Some argue that it was too dark for a family-friendly show, traumatizing young viewers. Others countered that despite the playful aesthetic, “Dinosaurs” was always more mature than some remember. Plus, seeing how dinosaurs aren’t around anymore, it’s not like this ending came out of nowhere. We’ve gone back and forth, but we’ve come to truly appreciate just how bleak and fearless this ending is. Part of that might be because of how it mirrors our current circumstances with corporate greed at an all-time high and the environment being taken for granted. Earl says that dinosaurs can’t simply disappear and humans are just as blindly self-assured.
#6: “Exit Event” “Silicon Valley” (2014-19)
The final season of this tech-savvy comedy received a single Emmy nomination for sound editing in the last episode. It deserved so much more, but we guess this is oddly appropriate for the Pied Piper gang. After several seasons of embarrassments, setbacks, and the occasional triumph, it appears Richard and company may finally come out on top. Alas, Richard’s luck doesn’t change as he’s forced to choose between realizing his dream and doing what’s best for the rest of the world. Maybe that’s why this finale is often pushed aside. It’s unsatisfying, but in all the right ways. Our hero’s downfall is cleverly accompanied by a documentary chronicling life after Pied Piper, leaving us on a hilariously tragic final note that somehow still delivers closure.
#5: “Cryogenics; Lightning; Last Review” “Review” (2014-17)
Speaking of tragic comedy, few characters left us laughing while simultaneously breaking our hearts like Forrest MacNeil. Determined to review life, Forrest winds up destroying his life as viewers and their requests consume him. The finale provides Forrest with a way out as his ex-wife requests/begs him to give up reviewing and reunite with his family. Forrest’s decision is infuriating, yet completely on brand. His choice is only made more devastating/funny given the fate of the show he gave up everything for. It’s a somewhat meta ending for a show that unfortunately was never huge in the ratings and seemed to have a lot more life left in it. Yet, we can’t think of a more fitting final curtain for Forrest.
#4: “START” “The Americans” (2013-18)
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For years, “The Americans” was virtually every critic’s go-to answer for the most underrated show on TV. It wasn’t until the final season that it started to get proper recognition. The last episode won Emmys for writing and Matthew Rhys’ performance, but numerous audiences have still yet to discover this masterful espionage drama. The nail-biting, heart-wrenching finale sees two characters, in particular, make impossible choices. One comes down to duty vs. friendship. The other concerns family vs. independence. As the book is closed on these characters, nobody is sure if they made the right call. On a storytelling basis, though, we wouldn’t have ended this story any other way. Of course, we wouldn’t say no to a sequel series addressing the current conflict with Russia.
#3: “I, Done” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1991-96)
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“Fresh Prince’s” final bow by no means went unnoticed, attracting over 19 million viewers. In terms of ratings and water cooler conversations, though, it didn’t capture the zeitgeist like some other 90s sitcom finales did. Looking back, “I, Done” delivers pretty much everything you could ask for in an ending. Each character is given time to shine with some of the funniest running gags taken out for a last hurrah. There’s even room for a few cameos that thankfully don’t distract from the main cast. It’s the last scene that gets us as Will says goodbye to the Banks family one by one. When he arrived, he was the outsider nephew/cousin. He grew into a full-fledged family member who made the now-empty mansion full.
#2: “Gortimer vs. the End” “Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street” (2014-16)
Talk about underappreciated, we’re willing to wager that you haven’t heard of this Amazon series. “Gortimer Gibbon’s” is a hidden gem, however, building to a genuinely profound finale. Blending fantasy with reality, this series captured the essence of a daydream brought to life. That daydream reaches its end with Gortimer having to leave Normal Street and his friends behind. The finale works in several callbacks as Gortimer contemplates what awaits him. We’re left on a bittersweet note that doesn’t sugarcoat the heartache that comes with every closing chapter. This just means another chapter is waiting to be written, though. It may bring more sadness, it may bring joy. The important thing is that we keep writing, seeing where the story takes us next.
#1: “The Book of Nora” “The Leftovers” (2014-17)
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Not nearly enough people watched this critical favorite during its initial run, but history should remember “The Leftovers” as one of the greats. Going into the series, you might assume it’s about the rapture. By the time you reach the final episode, you’ll realize that the show was never about that. It was always a love story that just so happened to take place against a supernatural backdrop. Carrie Coon gives the performance of a lifetime as Nora, whose long-awaited reunion with Alex is capped with a haunting monologue about an alternate reality. Whether or not Nora is telling the truth doesn’t matter. What does matter is that these two are right where they belong, making the most of this reality as their romance resumes.
