The 13 Best TV Finales We've Ever Witnessed, Listed in Order

      Here are the 13 greatest TV finales in television history.

      Spoilers ahead, obviously.

      They are listed from least to most exceptional.

      But First

      Credit: FX

      These rankings are, of course, subjective. If you have a differing opinion on any of these choices, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

      We’re always on the lookout for good TV recommendations, after all.

      Now, here’s the list, beginning with…

      13 — The Good Wife

      CBS – Credit: C/O

      The Good Wife made a remarkable callback to its outstanding premiere episode—where Alicia (Juliana Margulies) slapped her unfaithful husband Peter (Chris Noth)—by having Diane (Christine Baranski) slap Alicia instead.

      This was retribution for a betrayal in court that highlighted Alicia’s evolution from wronged spouse to cunning player and cleverly established Diane as the lead for The Good Wife spinoff, The Good Fight.

      It stands as one of the best TV finales and an excellent setup for a continuation.

      12 — Barry

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      Bill Hader encapsulated our reactions as Barry concluded with an “oh wow.”

      Did anyone see that logical yet shockingly surprising final episode death coming? We certainly didn’t. However, we appreciated how the series examined its own exploration of fantasy versus harsh reality in a film within the show.

      The Barry finale also deserves recognition for its commitment: it made it clear that there would be no more Barry. We love a TV finale that leaves no questions unanswered.

      11 — Game of Thrones

      Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones. Photograph by Helen Sloan/HBO – Credit: C/O

      We understand that many viewers disliked this finale. To that, we ask: Did you actually watch Game of Thrones? A great finale is both unpredictable and inevitable, and this was certainly true for Daenerys Targaryen’s rise and fall (Emilia Clarke).

      It was clear that power would corrupt Khaleesi. And, naturally, expectations would be subverted. That’s the entire essence of Game of Thrones.

      However, the most significant twist was that it all culminated with the main characters—after extensive bloodshed—discussing their issues and arriving at a somewhat mundane, yet entirely reasonable, solution. The series concluded with a conversation rather than a battle, something no one could have foreseen.

      10 — The Wire

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      The Wire deserves credit for tying up all loose ends—realistically. No forced happy endings here.

      McNulty (Dominic West) experienced a bittersweet and long-awaited departure from the police force, Bubbles (Andre Royo) achieved sobriety, the scheming Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) won the gubernatorial election, and the good-hearted Carver (Seth Gillam) got the promotion he earned. Yet, we also witnessed a young life succumb to addiction.

      There were never any easy resolutions in The Wire, and it remained true to that theme in its final episode, making it one of the best TV finales.

      9 — The Americans

      FX – Credit: C/O

      The 2018 finale of the FX spy drama is both heartbreaking and hopeful. As Philip and Elizabeth Jennings (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) execute an against-all-odds escape from the United States, they come to the painful realization that their freedom has a horrifying price: their daughter Paige (Holly Taylor) will not be accompanying them.

      Her future holds promise, while theirs appears bleak. The mix of emotions perfectly aligns with the spirit of The Americans.

      8 — St Elsewhere

      NBC – Credit: C/O

      The ‘80s NBC hospital drama astonished audiences with the last-minute suggestion that the entire six-season narrative may have played out in the mind of an autistic boy gazing into a snow globe.

      Yes, really.

      After its 1988 airing, it remained the gold standard for jaw-dropping TV finales for years.

      7 — Newhart

      CBS

      The Newhart finale felt like an inspired, almost satirical take on the St. Elsewhere conclusion—along with all “it was all a dream” endings.

      After eight whimsical and enjoyable seasons, Newhart concluded in 1990 with Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) getting struck by a golf ball and waking up… in bed with Emily Hartley (Suzanne Pleshette), the character played by Bob Newhart in his earlier sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, which aired for six seasons from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978.

      It turns out he had been Robert “Bob” Hartley—his character from The Bob Newhart Show—all along. This was a delightful and absurd conclusion to a sitcom filled with such moments.

      6 — The Office (Original British version)

      BBC Two – Credit: C/O

      Ricky Gervais’ David Brent delivered many laughs in