These TV shows surprised and impressed us with solid pilot episodes and fantastic series finales. Some great series have bad pilot episodes, and others are compelling at first then become confusing or boring at the end. It’s not common for the same show to always hit all the right notes.
When a story can truly come full circle and show great character growth, it’s an incredible achievement for any genre. Whether it’s one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s or an HBO sci-fi story that makes us think about how to get over the death of a loved one, these shows have equally amazing first and last episodes.
Friends (1994-2004)
By comparing the Friends The pilot episode and series finale make it clear why the 1990s sitcom still makes so much sense. Sure, many episodes and catchphrases are still hilarious, but ultimately, it’s a moving story about the beauty of close friendship and growing up.
The first episode cements new single Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) within the group of friends, and in the finale, she and the others are very close. The romance between Rachel and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) that begins in the pilot also pays off in the end when they commit to each other.
The ending is beautiful and realistic. Even though we know the group of friends won’t see each other every day now that Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) live in the suburbs, they will still be in each other’s lives, and that seems normal.
Black Orphan (2013-2017)
The pilot and series finale Black Orphan showcase Tatiana Maslany’s incredible acting talent and ability to play multiple clones that feel distinct from each other and are equally fascinating.
The sci-fi series begins with Sarah Manning beginning her epic journey and discovering the clones. It ends with Sarah and the others becoming friends, becoming a beautiful part of everyone’s lives once the main threat passes.
The best part of Black Orphan The series finale is knowing that Sarah has grown as a person and learned to accept help and love, which makes the conclusion so satisfying. Instead of leaving questions unanswered or presenting an overly confusing chain of events, like some sci-fi shows, this one has a perfect ending.
The West Wing (1999–2006)
The west wing ends as it began: with a feeling of hope and optimism about life in general and politics in particular. The pilot features a fun story about President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) crashing his bike into a tree and focuses on the smart members of his staff who uncover the latest crisis.
We expected Aaron Sorkin’s popular drama to end with the conclusion of Bartlett’s presidency, and the final episode is as emotional as it should be. With Bartlet thinking of “tomorrow“while he was on a plane and his team was going to see a movie because they didn’t know what the future would be like, it’s a sincere ending that isn’t overdone.
EST (1994-2009)
Most TV shows with more than 10 seasons don’t have perfect pilots and finales, but that’s what makes EAST special. The first episode, “24 Hours”, is a moving introduction to the epic romance between Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) and Doug Ross (George Clooney) and also shares the harsh daily reality of practicing medicine through the storyline of Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards).
THE EAST the finale, “And in the End…”, has a similar emotional center and fast-paced tone. You see the doctors you’ve loved watching for over a decade doing their best to ignore their exhaustion and save people, and you get the same comforting feeling as when you listened to the pilot.
Instead of upsetting fans with a shocking death or failing to bring back major characters, the medical drama’s latest episode feels like just another episode of this great series (and with a great appearance from Noah Wyle). And that’s what makes it work so well.
Oz (1997-2003)
OZThe first episode, “The Routine,” shares the violent prison area a group of inmates find themselves inand the last one, “Exeunt Omnes”, sees everyone leaving. Since this is such a unique location, it made perfect sense that this was the note that the show would end on.
Even though some parts of HBO’s prestige drama seemed unnecessary and upsetting, like the pills that would make the inmates age sooner, the ending worked well. The best series finales often see the main characters move away to begin the next stage of their lives, and OZ concluded by clarifying that these characters would not be in this place forever.
The Wire (2002–2008)
David Simon’s acclaimed HBO crime drama not only had an impeccable pilot and series finale, but it’s hard to pick a terrible or lackluster episode from all five seasons.
The first episode sets up this world, including major characters like Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) and drug dealer Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), and the finale resolves the serial killer plotline from Season 5 and lets us know what’s happening to each person we’ve been following.
The best part of The thread the finale focuses on the beauty and pain of life in Baltimore, Maryland. We are happy to have spent time with these people and like to think of them continuing their complicated lives in the future.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
While The Sopranos The finale is more controversial than its universally beloved pilot, which balances a sweet scene of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) tending ducks with his violent life as a mob bossboth episodes stand out as some of the best television ever made.
From start to finish, The Sopranos clearly shows that Tony cares about his family more than anything. This makes him more human and sympathetic than he would otherwise be. And because Tony lives so dangerously, we’re always afraid he’ll get hurt, which makes the final scene so unsettling and unforgettable.
Mad Men (2007-2015)
Both Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss) have grown up a lot over the years. Mad Men finalwhich makes for a satisfying story. In the pilot, Don is having an affair and is on top of the advertising world, and Peggy is a scared and nervous secretary.
In the finale, Don begins to think more carefully about his feelings and trauma during a spiritual retreat, and he even tells Peggy that he’s not perfect, which is something we never thought we’d see.
Peggy also finds more confidence in life and work, knowing that she will continue to pursue her advertising passions without Don and will be seduced by Stan Rizzo (Jay R. Ferguson). We really hoped that Don would confront himself at some point and that Peggy would find success.
The Leftovers (2014-2017)
If The leftovers The pilot sets up the mystery of the “Sudden Departure” event that caused 2% of the world’s people to disappear, the series finale answers it…maybe.
There are two ways to interpret the endingwhich works since the entire HBO series makes us think long and hard about what we would do if we had to live without the people we love.
After meeting the determined Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) and the heartbroken Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) in the pilot, we go on an unsettling journey with them, and it’s heartwarming to see them speak in the finale. Whether or not we think Nora’s story about finding her family in another reality is true, The leftovers is a fascinating story about death and love.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
After the shocking scene of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) exiting an RV in his underwear, it was hard to believe that Break the bad could improve its driver. But fortunately, the last episode, “Felina”, is just as effective, mixing moments of action and emotion.
It was clear that Walt would die in the series finale, whether from his terminal lung cancer or criminal activity. Although his final scene is definitely violent and alarming, he seems okay with what’s happening, which serves as a good ending to his unique story.
