Which Series Had The Best Ending?

Of the listed shows, Battlestar, without a doubt.

Of all time? The Prisoner. Moore's BSG and Lost would have both been non-existent without Patrick McGoohan's masterwork of lunacy.

The best series finale is still Newhart.

The Quantum Leap series finale made me tear up a little, and I liked the last 15 minutes or so of the Miami Vice finale. Law & Order got absolutely screwed by not getting the opportunity for a series finale, and I hope when The Simpsons goes off the air (if ever), they get to do one. Arrested Development's was ok but seemed kind of rushed

Damn, those are some good finales. Of the list, I picked Next Generation… loved the Q ending. But Lost was no slouch either. MASH of course was epic. ST. Elsewhere's was a little lame, but memorable. You forgot Newhart though, and Justice League Unlimited which was a very epic ending for a cartoon. Boston Legal had a great ending as well. Might throw out West Wing's ending as a suitably notable one…. there's just too many to name.

Dang, I was hoping the Sopranos would be on the list. I loved the fact that, to paraphrase Muhammed Ali, it didn't have to be what you wanted it to be. (Possible SPOILERS) Maybe everything got wrapped up and Tony got a bullet in the head, maybe nothing happened and they just carried on, or maybe, just maybe, it was David Chase's way of saying that we, the viewers, were the ones getting the bullet in the head referenced by Fat Bobby earlier in the series, and that that, is all we get to see of the Soprano's world!

Put me down for the ending of Twin Peaks.
And FlashForward.

Both endings left me wanting more despite the fact that they were being cancelled.

yes finally angel is in second place!

For sitcom, “Newhart.” For one hour drama, “The Fugitive.”

To this day I'm still disappointed by the end of MASH. We were told we'd see them go home; no, we saw them leave the camp. I wanted to see Hawkeye's dad, I wanted to see BJ hug his wife and daughter. “AfterMASH” just made it worse.

“Slings & Arrows.” “The Biederbecke Affair.” The British version of “The Office.” Michael Palin's “Around the World in 80 Days.” “Tanner '88.”

In my book, those shows all had the best endings. What they all had in common was that each series ran for only a limited number of episodes. The problem with most American television is that it goes on for too long, often well past its natural expiration date.

If “Justice League” had ended with the “Epilogue” episode, it would have been brilliant. It didn't and went on one season too long in my opinion.

If “Moonlighting” had ended with the episode where Dave and Maddie finally get together, that would have been a great ending. But not only was that not the end of the series, it wasn't even the last episode of its season.

I really wish more TV series were built around a finite story idea. When the story is over, the series is over. If there are more stories to tell, then do a sequel series.

though Mash would win given that its ending is still talked about and compared to all others not matching its viewers.

Exactly. An explain-it-all show would have killed it in terms of rewatch value. Indeed that's part of the problem, deep down, with the BSG ending…

Nitpickers be damned, Lost gets my vote just because I don't think any episode of any television show has had that kind of emotional impact on me. finale-wise I'd have to say Buffy and Angel would be next best on that list but I can't say in which order. However anyone who says that Enterprise's finale was their favorite is clearly insane.

The Shield.
Without a doubt it was the best series of the decade – with a pitch perfect ending.

Newhart, for sheer off the wall zaniness.
The Fugitive, for being the first long running drama to want to give the loyal viewers closure. I know, I was one of them. William Conrad's final vo was the best.
Recently? Scrubs, ruined by the reboot/ failure.

I have always found “All Good Things” to be a very very satisfactory ending. Frankly the movies never lived up to the promise of that finale.

Twin Peaks.

Newhart had the best finale, and it didn't even make the list.

I voted for Angel – I'm not sure if it's the best or even a necessary characteristic for a finale, but it's the only one whose ending caused me to jump up in a true “F#@% YEAH” moment. Considering it came on the heels of Wesley's last act (which hit me Hard, as he is my favorite Buffy-verse character), that's saying something.

It's not on the list, but the original finale for Magnum P.I. was the best! I'm not talking about the final season 8 finale, but the original season 7 finale “Limbo.” Some folks don't know that the series was set to end with season seven, and in the finale episode, “Limbo,” Thomas Magnum dies after being in the coma for the duration of the episode. During the offseason, the powers-that-be at Universal, decided to go one more season, and the opener, “Limbo 2″, had Thomas come out of the coma. The season 7 “Limbo” was a great way to end the series, even though it was really sad. This is what great writing is supposed to do–evoke emotions. I really felt like I was saying goodbye to an old friend. We all want to see oour heroes live forever, but this was a fitting end, and people can not help feeling a deep, personal loss.

Also when Jerry gets wacked in front of Sil (Season 6 episode 14 Stage 5) Sil doesn't
hear or notice Jerry had been shot.

In my opinion, the “Angel” series finale was the best of any series ever…or so I've thought since “Angel” ended. Now, “Lost” has come along and equalled it–and surpassed it in some ways.

Buffy still ranks the highest for me overall – but this year? I have to agree – Ashes to Ashes was awesome. When they put their minds to it, they produce some cracking TV – think The Prisoner ; Callan ; Life On Mars/Ashes to Ashes ; Manhunt ; Minder….

Although I'm voting for “Lost”, which I thought was a very appropriate end, I'd actually go with “The Wonder Years” ending, for those who remember that show (and WHY is this incredible show STILL NOT on dvd? Grr…). Kevin running from home after quitting the job his dad gave him. The poker game with the adults. Kevin's jealousy over Winnie, their fighting, the night in the barn. The return home for the 4th of July. The final voiceover by adult Kevin explaining what happened to his siblings, parents, Winnie, and Paul. Classic.

dude, where's Fringe ?

BBC's Life on Mars. Hands down the best series finale ever. I'm surprised it was left off the list.

Battlestar Galactica will be my best finale. Almost made me tear up and i was glued to my seat for the whole episode.

Buffy was rather extreme. Entertaining but not satisfying.

Many season finales came at the end of a declining slope of quality for the tv series. SG:Atlantis and SG1 are prime examples. If SG1 had stopped at the end of season 7 with what looked and felt like the most epic season (and potential series) finale, then it would have ranked.

The X-Files and 24 are other examples of the above.

Angel had an extremely abrupt finale for my liking as it was a rushed wrap resulting from a rushed (and misguided) cancellation.

And I can't comment on Lost because i cannot watch it for another few months…..