Best TV Series Finales of 2010, Ranked

It’s always sad that favorite TV shows come to an end. the 2010s It really was a renaissance era for television. Most like to attribute streaming and superhero movies to the decline of movie theaters, but there’s a strong argument that higher-budget series with movie-quality productions have kept audiences at home, too. A TV series is usually a long-term commitment. Most of them run for up to seven seasons. Others are surprisingly short, stopping at one to three, a trend that’s only becoming more popular with time. Then, there are those like supernatural And The Big Bang Theory It continues until the wheels fall off and ends after more than 10 seasons.

It is important to know when to call it a day in a series. Knowing when to finish is essential to a story-driven series because, oftentimes, it’s painfully obvious when they’re trying to push too far. shows like Lost And The X-Files They had this problem, causing their finals to miss the mark set by what was once their greatness. Not only were the series finales on this list not only huge in ratings, but just great finales in general, closing up loose ends and offering earned farewells, whether they’re happy, buttersweet, or just plain bittersweet. Here are the best series finales of the 2000s decade.

10 Stand Up and Catch Fire – “Ten Swords”

Stop and catch fire It wasn’t very attractive when it first started, but the series quickly found its footing with the following season and the Phoenix has been on the rise ever since. The series tells a story set at the dawn of the modern era and was primarily character driven. She made for some engrossing television, and like all the best shows, she knew exactly when to close the book.

Primarily as a show about the past, Stop and catch fireThe series finale “Ten of Swords” was a look into the future and left fans hopeful for each character. Joe finds himself in an unexpected position as a teacher, but it’s a welcome to his personality and serves as a fitting send-off. On the other hand, Cameron gets her happy ending with her secure future and reunites with Donna, the duo team that was a highlight of the show. Stop and catch fire It was a series of generations that unfortunately did not get the recognition it deserved. Maybe in time.

9 Fleabag – “Episode 6”

Fleabag is one of the shorter shows on this list and was never intended to go beyond one season, mirroring Pheobe Waller-Bridge’s one-man show of the same name. But audiences loved it so much that Prime Video demanded a second season. What might have been access turned to gold and gave the unnamed protagonist an apt but bittersweet characterization.

FleabagThe series finale saw the final culmination of the romance between Fleabag and Priest. Unfortunately, not all relationships end in a fairy tale, but that doesn’t have to be bad. She was grieving, but her journey and issues throughout the series are resolved as she eventually takes responsibility for her own happiness as everyone around her moves towards their happy endings. It wasn’t about the end, but the growth, and Fleabag nailed the trip.

Related: Fleabag: The 7 Funniest Scenes On The Show, Ranked

8 Parks and Recreation – “One Last Ride”

Very few shows can rival comedy gold the deskbut Parks and Recreation Giving the show a run for its money. At its core, the show was about the friendships and bonds that were made over the course of seven seasons, so it was important to properly cast everyone viewers know and love. “One Last Ride” expertly jumps between the present and the future in 2020 and shows everyone at different stages in life.

Most characters get a well-deserved send-off, but it’s Leslie’s farewell with Ron and April that puts viewers at ease. It shows that no matter where you end up building in life, it’s the connections that make the journey worth it. Everyone should go after what they want. Leslie would have to be governor, though there are implications that the presidency was also in her future.

7 Sons of Anarchy – “Papa Goods”

Sons of Anarchy It was quite the trip. For seven seasons, Jackson Teller fought hard to steer his club down a better path. And although he couldn’t quite get them off the gun (as we saw in the Mayan MC), it laid the foundation for them to proceed exclusively towards legitimate business. The series finale, titled “Papa’s Goods,” saw everyone get the farewell they deserve. Chibs is now the new boss, Tig has found love, Gus’ spiral is over, Jax’s sons have a chance to grow out of their father’s life, and Gemma’s lies finally catch up with her, bringing her down from the house. It was a bittersweet ending.

Nobody wants Jax to turn out the way he does, but the look on his face says it all. He is finally at peace from the turmoil he faced during the series, and his club is safe. Sons fans know it’s not the final chapter, but they’ll have to wait and see if Kurt Sutter continues the Biker saga like he’s always wanted to.

Related: Is Sons Of Anarchy Based On A True Story?

6 justified – “promise”

justification It ended after a year Sons of AnarchyThey had different fanbases and accolades. justification He was friendlier to criticism and always had a more down-to-earth and relaxed feel. For that matter, she knew when it was finished and came out quietly and on her own terms. The series cemented one of the best TV rivalries of the modern era between two of television’s most recognizable characters, Rylan Givens and Boyd Crowder, and fans waiting for a showdown between the two got an ending they might not have been expecting, but one that wasn’t. Doesn’t disappoint.

No, there was no fatal confrontation between the two. Boyd chooses to stand down while Raylan reluctantly accepts his surrender. Their story wrapped into a neat little arc and gave the two a powerful, yet simple, ending. For those who’ve stuck with the chain, it boils down to four simple words: “We dug coal together.”

5 Friday Night Lights – “Always”

in his time, Friday night lights It was one of the most beloved series on television. It’s the kind of show a lot of people can relate to, and it was filled with great motivational speeches (courtesy of Kyle Chandler) for when the chips are down. Most didn’t want to see this great series go — it’s only been five seasons — but the final episode, titled “Always,” eased the pain of parting with a hopeful farewell that sends everyone involved on a new journey.

Coach Eric chooses to support his wife in her dreams after finding a new opportunity. Bad boy Tim Riggins has found a future he can look forward to despite life’s hardship, and Julie and Matt move forward in their relationship after Matt proposes. In high school drama, there is always the idea that the journey must finally end after graduation. This ending reflected the uncertainty that comes with adulthood but showed that life is what you make of it.

4 Americans – “START”

The Americans It was one of those highly underrated shows. The story of Russian spies Philip and Elizabeth posing as Americans has made for some of the most sensational stories of the past ten years. There was always a lot at stake the whole time, and it was hard not to support the Jennings, even if they were on the wrong side. But on a show with such high stakes, the final episode was always the most devastating.

The pair finally have their fateful confrontation with Stan in a tense parking exchange. They are then forced to leave their son Henry behind in America while they flee the country, only to see their daughter Paige abandon them at the last minute. The show ends with the couple returning to their home country barely recognizing them and reminiscing about their life choices. The title of the episode, “START,” means a fresh start for everyone. The show ends on a somber note, but the message is clear. There’s no easy way forward, but the couple, who are officially Jennings, are going to figure it out together.

3 Chernobyl – “Vichnaya Pamyat”

To follow up on a conclusion about Russians, here’s a conclusion about Russians. Chernobyl, although only five episodes long, made for one of the best written and directed shows in recent memory. As the name suggests, it chronicled the historic nuclear reactor explosion and efforts to contain the spread of radiation. This show could have been a simple historical drama, but it was done in a way that looked a lot like a horror series. Everything was tense, but in a country running on lies, how could it not be?

The epilogue sees the main trio attend a press conference to explain what happened, but to prevent history from repeating itself, Legasov admits that the earlier testimony was a lie and that the incident was the fault of the Soviet government. Not many shows can make the ins and outs of nuclear reactors so appealing, however Chernobyl It does so, as well as showing the devastating consequences of the fallout.

2 The Office – “The End”

As mentioned before, no sitcoms have been as beloved the desk. Even in the right political era, it still stands. While the last two seasons left something to be desired, the aptly titled series finale wrapped up. Dwight and Angela finally go out of their way to get together. Not only that, but Dwight has finally achieved his dream of becoming the Regional Manager. Jim and Pam decide to move to Texas, so Jim can continue working with the company he helped found, Michael returns, and everyone gets the happy endings they deserve.

There’s a lot to cover, but the epilogue wraps up the nine-year story with good humor, emotion, and another “that’s what the joke said.” Regardless of the past two seasons, fans got an ending they could be happy with. However, a show like this can never die. Despite its ending, fans were clamoring for a replay from the closing minutes.

1 Breaking Bad – “Felina”

Of course, the number one finale of the 2000s has to go to one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the decade. Too bad is a show that has constantly cornered itself in a corner, only to emerge from it in a shocking and believable way. The story of a high school chemistry teacher turned drug lord permeated the zeitgeist and drew millions to see the Heisenberg saga end in what is undoubtedly the perfect series finale. There probably wasn’t anyone who would have thought that Walter White and company would have happy endings, and by the time the finale, “Felina,” rolled around, it was a sure thing.

In his last stand, Walt makes one last attempt to improve his family’s lives and get revenge on those who wronged him. In this task, all loose ends are tied up, all scores are settled, and the certainty of the first episode finally pays off. It may have taken this show a few years to reach pop status, but by the final season, everyone was watching it. Too bad It is one of those shows that will live forever. With a movie, show, and infinite rewatch value, Walter White’s story will live on forever.