The much-loved series, Peaky Blinders, recently drew to a close with its sixth season airing earlier in 2022. The Shelbys had quite literally fought their way through life in a show that had viewers hooked from the get-go, and as with every other highly rated series, audiences were sad to see it finish.
However, an ending can be just as powerful as any other episode, often proving the quality of writing. No viewer wants to see their favorite show fall off its pedestal because of a poor finale, which is why there are so many series with fantastic endings, as Redditors have pointed out.
The Office (2005 - 2013)
Following the success of the UK version of The Office, the US adaptation took to screens and met the high standard of the former show. Fans were treated to nine seasons and the show's writers had to draw their creation to a close with a perfect ending. For some, certain seasons were better than others. However, the ending made up for it as pointed out by Redditor PiquantCat, who stated, "Even though in my opinion the show was better before Michael left it, the finale was great."
Michael Scott was a core part of the show's success, so it's understandable that some missed his presence in later episodes. But coming back for the final installment, coupled with the heartwarming nostalgia felt by each of the Dunder Mifflin employees, was a joy to see.
Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)
Breaking Bad has a truly original plot that combined academic intelligence with the unsettled and dangerous world of manufacturing and selling drugs, specifically, meth. As Walter's journey took unexpected, dark twists and turns, his life began to unravel, but the ending needed to be slick enough to sum up an already great series.
For Reddit user KingBR1, the show left them "...nearly 100% satisfied and seemed to tie up all storylines in the best way possible." For a show that has various subplots, with Walter even leading a secret life, it needed to culminate in a finale that dealt with the whole story, which the writers successfully did.
Blackadder (1983 - 1989)
Blackadder is a hilarious British sitcom that explores different time periods in a comedic setting, with the implication that the Blackadder from each season is a descendent of the previous.
Redditor rymenocerous chose "...the end of Blackadder Goes Forth," as a show with the best ending and it's clear to see why. The whole show was laced with sidesplitting humor, but the finale beautifully brought home the heartache and gut-wrenching sadness of WWI. As the soldiers ventured "over the top," to face their certain death, the show that was consistent in its quick wit paused to find a space for a suitable change in genre that gave the show a meaningful ending.
M*A*S*H (1972 - 1983)
Adapted from the feature film of the same name, M*A*S*H is a classic comedy about the war in Korea, focusing on an ensemble cast set in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Although based on the Korean War, it was reflective of the Vietnam war, whilst avoiding being overtly didactic.
One Reddit user chose "Mash" as the show with the best ending. The aptly named episode "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," saw the characters discuss their plans for the end of the war, leading different lives and parting ways. Whilst the show includes ample comedy, it took a moment to feed in an emotional ending, which proved the skill of the program's creators, inventing a superb ending.
Cheers (1982 - 1993)
It became one of the most viewed finales in TV history, as the doors to Cheers were closed one last time. The core characters are comparable to that of Friends, but from a different decade and with just as much humor. Not only was the show popular at the time it aired, but there are plenty of reasons why Cheers has also aged fairly well.
The ending was heartwarming and memorable, which is perhaps why Reddit user ozarkbanshee acknowledged "Cheers" as having the best finale. Sam's realization that the bar was his one true love, was a moving concept that beat any kind of unrealistic or slushy ending that could have been.
Fleabag (2016 - 2019)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge gave a refreshing take on tragicomedy by introducing the use of breaking the fourth wall in Fleabag, which is more often seen in theatrical performances. This makes sense since Fleabag began on the stage as a one-woman play. Yet, using the tool on-screen only added an extra layer of excellence to the show.
Reddit user Special-Investigator gleefully chose "Fleabag!!!!" as having the best ending. Fleabag's constant conversation with the camera was seemingly a safety net for her character when life wasn't going well. But the season finale saw her choose to step away from the camera and audience, perhaps in an attempt to start anew. It gave a real sense of hope for the much-loved character, which viewers were only too pleased to see.
Friends (1994 - 2004)
It's perhaps fair to say that Friends remains one of the most well-known and iconic US sitcoms which started in the '90s. The cast stole the hearts of audiences from around the world as they watched their lives develop with love, laughter, and all the complicated bits in between.
Reddit user an1nja simply stated "Friends," as the show they believe has the best ending. The six main characters had moved on in their lives and it was time for the 10th season of their stories to be the last. Whilst it was emotional for fans to see their favorite characters leave, it was also emotional for the characters themselves. Although they all seemed to take a happy step into their next chapters, they were still sad to be moving on, therefore allowing viewers to relate to each of them in a truly superb ending.
Scrubs (2001 - 2010)
Scrubs was (and still is) a very popular sitcom, revolving around the daily lives of medical professionals in a hospital setting. The show was greatly received for many of its elements, including characters, storylines, music, and even some of the janitor's best pranks.
Redditor MrTheBeard said, "Scrubs. Ignoring season 9 for sure since it was an additional season." Interestingly, season 9 wasn't as greatly received by many viewers, leaving them to accept season 8 as the perfect ending that succinctly tied up the plot lines for each of the main characters. It may not be the last episode of season 9 that viewers loved so much, but the finale to season 8 really counted towards the successful show.
Orange Is The New Black (2013 - 2019)
Detailing the life of living in a women's prison, Orange Is The New Black is a Netflix comedy-drama that first aired in 2013. Although the show became increasingly popular, for some viewers, there were parts that weren't quite as good but were redeemed because of the ending.
Reddit user CelebSighting expressed this feeling by stating, "the writing fell off for a few seasons in the middle...and the series finale was phenomenal." Sometimes, a show may lose its footing and the storylines don't match up to what has previously been seen. But this proves exactly why a good ending can be so important and really enhance a whole series.
Band Of Brothers (2001)
Whilst there are a number of fictional shows that have their outstanding endings, there are also those that are based around truth, which provides finales with just as much brilliance. Reddit user Dhtmo1 chose "Band Of Brothers" as their favorite.
Based on Stephen E. Ambrose's book of the same name, the show focused on a group of soldiers fighting in the Second World War. With each episode introduced by the real-life soldiers, the ending wonderfully and emotionally wrapped up the miniseries with further interviews with each of the surviving brothers, providing a greater sense of what was felt. Whilst a television show can never be as intense as the realities of war, having those that actually fought in the war speak their own truths helps to convey a small sample of what it was like.