While Younger started as a little show for TV Land created by hit-maker Darren Star, the man behind such shows as Beverly Hills, 90210, and Emily in Paris, it, not surprisingly, morphed into a huge hit comedy-drama about the seemingly cut-throat world of book publishing. Filled with Millennial drama, lies, career aspirations, love, and lust, it took viewers on a wild journey.
Fans had big questions after the penultimate episodes. Would Liza and Charles finally be together, once and for all? Would Josh find happiness? And would Kelsey finally realize her huge career dreams and move on from Empirical? All of those questions were answered in under an hour during the final episode of the series. And while some stories ended the way fans suspected, there were also a few surprises.
Surprise: Charles & Liza Didn't End Up Together
After so much "will they, won't they" dancing around their obvious feelings for one another, a failed attempt at a relationship, and bouts of jealousy as Charles seemingly moved on with a beautiful billionaire, fans wanted to know: would he and Liza find their way back to one another?
The short answer was yes, as was revealed in the second-to-last episode. But the long answer was no. While they both really wanted to make things work, it became clear that Charles would never really be able to trust Liza. It stemmed all the way back to that first lie. There would always be doubts about her true intentions, even if he really wanted to feel as though he could trust her implicitly. Fans wanted a happy ending, but considering Charles was never one of the most likable characters, it was accepted that the pair decided to end things amicably.
Saw Coming: Kelsey Would Start Her Own Company
It was obvious as Inkubator was on the rise, and once forever traditional Charles even saw value in it, Kelsey knew she was onto something. She had a fresh way of thinking, a passion and drive, and a deep belief in herself. So, it came as no surprise that she found success.
While it was a surprise that the success didn't come with the investors she initially thought and that it would see her moving to Los Angeles, it makes total sense that Reese Witherspoon's company would be the one to reach out and offer to back her plans.
Surprise: Charles Might Pursue Becoming A Writer
The topic of the story Charles wrote when he was in his 20s kept coming up every now and then on the show, but nothing ever came of it. So, it was a surprise when it was revealed that Liza secretly submitted the unfinished manuscript to a prestigious writing organization, and they accepted Charles into their club.
This news finally gave Charles the push he needed to believe in himself and his talents. In a strange twist of irony, it was he who might possibly leave his kids behind this time to pursue writing as his wife did once before.
Saw Coming: Liza & Josh Would Find Their Way Back To One Another
The final scene of Liza and Josh in the bar, him wearing the same signature white T-shirt he wore the first time they met, was a beautiful way to end a story that might just be starting. The implication was that Liza and Josh might find their way back to one another romantically.
Even if not in a romantic fashion, fans suspected there would be some kind of "moment" between the two once lovers. Not only was Josh among the first the learn about Liza's big lie, but he also stuck with her through thick and thin, as she grew as a person alongside him. So, while Kelsey expressed how the perfect investor was right under their noses the whole time and they didn't see it, Liza might have realized that the perfect guy for her had been under her nose the whole time, too.
Surprise: Max Is Gay/Bisexual
While Lauren started to believe that some twist of fate brought her and Max together, she got the biggest shocker when Max called her to the hospital to reveal his new fiancé. And it was a man. He expressed that he learned from her to be true to himself and pursued a relationship with a male nurse who had his eye on him for some time.
Lauren didn't lose out entirely, as it seemed they might have entered a polyamorous relationship of some kind. Whether it would be lasting or just fun for a period remained to be seen. But it makes sense that Lauren's story would always have twists and turns and continue on its wild ride.
Saw Coming: Josh Would Become More Successful
Josh began as a young man just living his life in New York, running a mildly successful tattoo shop. But he changed once he had a child and continued to become a more responsible adult. He made shifts in his business to help secure a future for his child, got new roommates in Kelsey and Lauren, and watched his local star rise.
Josh becoming successful was suspected: he was, after all, a fan-favorite character that everyone was rooting for. But the nature of his success wasn't easily suspected – that he would end up buying the building he lived in from the landlord who was selling after a bad divorce.
Surprise: Diana Wasn't Even In The Episode
Diana had been MIA for much of the season, appearing only once in a video call from Italy where she was having the time of her life with her new husband. But as one of the fan-favorite and funniest characters from the beginning, it was a surprise that she hadn't yet returned, or at least had a short cameo in the episode.
What's more, her name wasn't even mentioned in any context. It made little sense that at a 100-year birthday party for the company that meant the world to her for so many years that she wouldn't even make an appearance at the soiree, even if just by video.
Saw Coming: Rob Was Bad News
Kelsey never had the greatest taste in men, making a lot of questionable dating choices. But it seemed like things were looking up with Rob. She ignored the red flag that Clare did not have good things to say about him after their break-up and continued on with the fantasy.
So, it came as little surprise that he turned out to be bad news. While he played it off as though he was trying to connect Kelsey with VCs for Inkubator, in the end, it was all business as he was more concerned about collecting his referral fees.
Surprise: Maggie & Cass Getting Together
After Cass discovered that Maggie had an affair with her wife, got Maggie "canceled," then helped her revive her career after not being able to live with the guilt, which seemed to be the end of her story arc.
So, when she appeared in a big role in the episode and seemingly becoming the one woman who might finally be able to tie Maggie down, it was a huge surprise. Maggie was easy to love and the type of character even fans would love to have been friends with. So she deserved to find happiness in the end, even if it was in the unlikeliest of places.
Saw Coming: Liza Rising Up The Ranks
It wasn't surprising that Liza ended up rising up the ranks in the end. Named interim editor-in-chief, potentially permanent, to run the show while Charles went on his writing expedition, she had proven over the years that she could handle it.
It was surprising that she did not leave Empirical to pursue running Inkubator with Kelsey given how deep their friendship was and how well they worked together. But since Kelsey was moving off to Los Angeles while Liza had a daughter to worry about in New York, that she was staying put, and staying loyal to the company that accepted her once they found out about the lie, made total sense.