14 TV Series Finales That Landed Flawlessly

Television history is filled with ambitious shows that stumbled at the finish line due to rushed storytelling or unsatisfying resolutions. A truly great finale manages to honor the characters while providing a sense of closure that feels earned after years of investment. The best endings often recontextualize the entire series and leave the audience with lingering questions or profound satisfaction. These episodes stand out as masterclasses in writing by effectively balancing plot mechanics with emotional payoffs.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Walter White returns to Albuquerque to secure a financial future for his family and settle scores with his enemies. He constructs a remote-controlled machine gun trap to eliminate Jack Welker and his neo-Nazi gang. Jesse Pinkman finally escapes his captivity after Todd Alquist meets his demise at the hands of the escaping prisoner. The final moments see Walter admiring the laboratory equipment one last time before succumbing to his wounds. This conclusion effectively wraps up the transformation of a high school chemistry teacher into a drug kingpin.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

Claire Fisher drives away from her home to start a new life in New York City while leaving her family behind. The series concludes with a flash-forward sequence that depicts the eventual death of every main character set to the song Breathe Me by Sia. Viewers witness the future milestones and final moments of the Fisher family members spanning several decades. This emotional montage serves as a definitive thematic statement on the inevitability of death. The finale provides closure for the audience by revealing exactly how each character eventually meets their end.

‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

Philip and Elizabeth Jennings make the difficult decision to return to Russia after their cover is finally blown. They confront their neighbor and FBI agent Stan Beeman in a tense parking garage standoff that relies on years of complex friendship. The couple leaves their children Henry and Paige behind in America to ensure their safety and future. A silent train ride captures the weight of their choices as they transition back to a homeland they barely recognize. This finale focuses on the tragedy of family separation rather than global espionage stakes.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The Roy siblings gather for one final board vote to determine the fate of Waystar Royco. Shiv makes a last-minute decision that shifts the balance of power and ultimately hands the company to Lukas Matsson. Tom Wambsgans ascends to the position of CEO while Kendall Roy is left wandering in despair near the water. The episode underscores the cyclical nature of abuse and the tragedy of ambition within the Roy dynasty. It confirms that none of the siblings were ever truly fit to inherit the empire their father built.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

Jimmy McGill finally faces the consequences of his actions after being apprehended by the authorities. He confesses to his crimes in court and reclaims the name James McGill to win back the respect of Kim Wexler. The former lawyer accepts a life sentence in prison rather than taking a plea deal that would have reduced his time. Kim visits him in the prison yard where they share one last cigarette in silence. The ending completes his character arc by prioritizing moral redemption over legal trickery.

‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)

Eleanor and her friends finally devise a system for the afterlife that allows souls to exit existence when they feel ready. Jason and Chidi eventually choose to walk through the final door after finding a sense of completeness. Tahani decides to stay behind to become an architect and design environments for other souls. Eleanor eventually steps through the door herself and her energy returns to the universe as a speck of light. The episode explores philosophical concepts of mortality and the importance of ending things on your own terms.

‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015)

Don Draper embarks on a cross-country journey that leads him to a spiritual retreat in California. He connects with a stranger during a group therapy session and seemingly finds inner peace while meditating on a cliffside. The final shot cuts to the famous 1971 Coca-Cola commercial implying that Don used his enlightenment to create the iconic ad. Other characters find their own resolutions as Peggy continues her career and Joan starts her own production company. The ambiguous ending suggests that Don ultimately remained a dedicated ad man until the very end.

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

The protagonist attends her father’s wedding and helps bring her family together despite lingering tensions. She confesses her love to the Priest at a bus stop but he gently tells her that it will not pass. Fleabag walks away from the camera and waves goodbye to the audience to signify she no longer needs their validation. This breaks the fourth wall one last time as she heads into a hopeful future alone. The short run ended on a high note by resolving the central character’s grief and path to self-acceptance.

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

Nora Durst tracks down Kevin Garvey in Australia years after they parted ways. She tells him a story about crossing over to the reality where the departed population went and choosing to return. The finale leaves it ambiguous whether her account is the truth or a coping mechanism she constructed. They hold hands at a wedding and find solace in being together regardless of the metaphysical answers. The conclusion prioritizes the emotional connection between the characters over solving the central mystery of the Sudden Departure.

‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015–2020)

David Rose and Patrick Brewer get married in a town hall ceremony that the whole community helps arrange. Moira Rose officiates the wedding in an eccentric costume before departing for California to revive her acting career. Johnny and Moira leave the town while David and Patrick decide to stay and build their life there. Alexis Rose heads to New York City to pursue her own path as a publicist. The finale celebrates the growth of the Rose family from selfish millionaires to loving individuals.

‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)

Vic Mackey confesses to all his crimes to secure an immunity deal with the federal government. His confession destroys his relationship with his family and results in the death of his partner Shane Vendrell. The deal saves Vic from prison but traps him in a desk job he despises for three years. He sits alone in a cubicle surrounded by silence while the weight of his betrayal settles in. This grim ending serves as a fitting punishment for a character who always thought he could outsmart the system.

‘Justified’ (2010–2015)

Raylan Givens and Boyd Crowder have a final confrontation that results in Boyd going to prison rather than dying in a shootout. A time jump reveals Raylan living a quieter life in Miami co-parenting his daughter. He visits Boyd in prison years later to inform him about Ava Crowder’s safety. They acknowledge their complex history by repeating the line about digging coal together. The scene emphasizes that their bond went beyond the law and defined both of their lives.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

Aang faces Fire Lord Ozai during the arrival of Sozin’s Comet while his friends battle the Fire Nation forces. The young Avatar finds a way to defeat Ozai without killing him by removing his bending abilities permanently. Zuko defeats his sister Azula with the help of Katara and takes his place as the new Fire Lord. The series ends with the group enjoying tea together at the Jasmine Dragon in Ba Sing Se. The conclusion balances epic action with the pacifist themes established throughout the show.

‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)

Captain Jean-Luc Picard finds himself jumping between three different time periods due to an anomaly created by Q. He must coordinate his actions in the past present and future to prevent a spatial rupture from destroying humanity. The crew works together across timelines to solve the puzzle and prove human potential to the continuum. Picard finally joins his senior officers for a poker game after seven years of keeping his distance. The finale serves as a perfect bookend to the series by revisiting the trial of humanity introduced in the pilot.

Tell us which TV finale you think handled its conclusion best in the comments.