Well this is interesting, and counter-intuitive. I would have expected fewer shows to "stick the landing," given how notoriously some endings have been treated. I would have loved to see where the Sopranos landed, as it has arguably one of the most controversial endings ever (oft-parodied, even), though I personally thought it was great.
For me the show with the worst finale was Lost. I also came to this late, renting seasons on DVD and having to binge watch them in a week before I had to return them. The writers made so may interesting twists and mysteries then gave up in the final episode at made everyone walk into the light. The Game of Thrones finale by comparison at least tried to tie things up even if it was unsatisfying. Also dishonourable mention to Battlestar Galactica where they just decided that God did it.
More shows are written with an ending in mind, so they're building up to that ending.
The show that I see as the pivot point was the two-season, early 2000s Dollhouse, where the first season was an "of the week" adventure with an underlying conspiracy. Then Joss Whedon was told to wrap it up in season two, so Season 2 was only the conspiracy theory story, not dragged out and concluded well. Now every show is only the season 2 experience rather than the fun season 1 mixed with the more serious parts.
Well this is interesting, and counter-intuitive. I would have expected fewer shows to "stick the landing," given how notoriously some endings have been treated. I would have loved to see where the Sopranos landed, as it has arguably one of the most controversial endings ever (oft-parodied, even), though I personally thought it was great.
It’s Pitt-ing time!
The best TV show finale by far was for Newhart. It was so shocking -- and so brilliant -- that I actually gasped. And then I applauded.
This kind of brilliant writing is rarely seen today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdUWXf8jJk
For me the show with the worst finale was Lost. I also came to this late, renting seasons on DVD and having to binge watch them in a week before I had to return them. The writers made so may interesting twists and mysteries then gave up in the final episode at made everyone walk into the light. The Game of Thrones finale by comparison at least tried to tie things up even if it was unsatisfying. Also dishonourable mention to Battlestar Galactica where they just decided that God did it.
I now see that the finale of Lost has an IMDB rating of 9.1. I may have lost all faith in IMDB.
Thank
More shows are written with an ending in mind, so they're building up to that ending.
The show that I see as the pivot point was the two-season, early 2000s Dollhouse, where the first season was an "of the week" adventure with an underlying conspiracy. Then Joss Whedon was told to wrap it up in season two, so Season 2 was only the conspiracy theory story, not dragged out and concluded well. Now every show is only the season 2 experience rather than the fun season 1 mixed with the more serious parts.