All good things... Part 2

Part 2 of this frankly epic countdown has finally arrived so here we go!


5. Frasier - 'Goodnight Seattle'
Frasier was part of a large sitcom movement in the 1990s with Friends becoming the most prominent, and others such as Seinfeld and Third Rock from the Sun coming closely behind. For my money, however, Frasier was the best show to emerge from this era. Wittier than most, very clever and it didn't fall into decline as much as other long running series do. For the most part this finale does nothing different from other sitcom finales. There's moves, marriages, births and promotions to keep everyone satisfied, but there are two things that really makes this a good finale. Firstly the final scenes; Frasier's goodbye to his family is plenty emotional and not overdone, and after 11 years of tension Martin's 'thank you Frasier' is enough to bring a tear to the eye of the most cold hearted of viewers. Following this, Frasier's recitation of Tennyson's 'Ulysses' just works, there's no other way to describe it, it is a great scene that can be viewed here. Secondly, what makes this a good finale is the sense of a completed circle that is very satisfying. We leave Frasier in much the same place as we found him, moving on, making a change in his life, and the small twist in the end adds the final delicate touch.


4. Scrubs - 'My Finale'
I'm not sure how strictly correct this is as a finale considering that they did make a ninth series of Scrubs that was later cancelled, but this, for many fans was the end of JD's story, and a grand ending it was too! Again another sitcom finale that does a lot of box ticking, and is most notable really for the last couple of scenes in which JD leaves Sacred Heart. I don't want to give too much away here, and I'm sure you can find a clip of these scenes on YouTube if you're really curious, but I would argue that it is one of the most beautifully shot scenes in television history. Never before have comedy and catharsis been so beautifully intertwined, and played out to Peter Gabriel's 'The Book of Love' (see video), which adds the perfect finishing touch. Stunning.


3 The Office (UK) - Christmas Special 
Never before has there been a more frustrating character than David Brent, a simple happy ending was never going to cut it for this character. No, the office finale needed something else for David Brent and I can't think of a better way to end Brent's story than to see the beginnings of a real turn around in his character. If you would watch this video from 7:13 (or the whole lot if you fancy it) and witness two brilliantly telling moments for the David Brent. The first moment sees Brent becoming less of the image orientated man that he has been, finally he is able to stand up for himself, and someone that we presume he cares for, with the brilliantly simple line 'why don't you fuck off' (7:42), a line that pretty much had me jumping for joy. The second, and much more subtle moment and comes at 9:08 when Tim and Dawn finally kiss (I should confess here that I found the Tim and Dawn storyline a less satisfying part of the finale than David Brent's) but the expression on Brent's face at this moment is simply fantastic. It shows a man that is more caring and kinder than we have ever previously seen. Much like the finale of Extras, The Office doesn't necessarily give us a happy ending (except in the case of Tim and Dawn), but leaves us with a hopeful one. This was the ending that we all wanted without even knowing it.


2. Lost - 'The End'

If there were ever two men under more pressure to write a good finale than Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof then I have never heard of them. Possibly one of the most anticipated finales on television, and also one of the most divisive. This episode's lack of definite answers left a lot of people unsatisfied, but as far as sheer resolution goes this story is wrapped up perfectly. All of the explanatory dialogue in this episode is spot on, beautifully written and just the right touches in just the right places, so that you never feel like you are being beaten over the head with information. More than this though Cuse and Lindelof create an ending that is as poignant as it is satisfying. I watched this finale with my flatmate at the time and I will never forget the air of contented silence as the final scene faded out, creating a magnificent story arc. The criticism often aimed at this finale is that it did not provide the answers everyone was waiting for, and this is true to some extent. However, I would also argue that we are provided enough answers and clues to at least speculatively fill in the gaps ourselves. A series, then, that keeps us discussing it long after it ends. What more could you ask for?


1. Blackadder - 'Goodbyeee'
I honestly believe that there is very little to say about this finale, it neatly displays the horror of the trenches, and is made even more poignant because of the comedy that comes before it. There is not much left to say except watch this series. When the laughter stops and the guns begin, you will not be left unmoved.

Thanks,
X