Someday, maybe all TV show producers will realize what people want from a finale. They want closure of storylines, characters to mature, paths to be set for the future. They want one last rewarding experience with the show they've devoted a small piece of their lifetime to. There's still a lot of people that don't understand this. But the people who made this show clearly did.
When I saw the previews the week before about a plane crashing into the hospital, I was in doubt. How could this show have such a dramatic event and still find time to complete its storylines - some of which had gone on for weeks? But they did it, and still had time to give more than lip service to wrapping up the seasonal story arcs. They even still had time for one last tender story about reunited lovers, plus another life and death drama beyond the plane crash.
The most wonderful thing about the episode is that some characters say things you never thought they'd say, while other say things you'd almost been praying for them to say all season. The last full scene features an inspiring speech and a final line guaranteed to melt your heart. Music is used skillfully as well, including featuring the song "Superman (It's Not Easy)" as the beautiful background music for the final scenes. When all is said and done, there's nary a cliffhanger in sight - just a satisfying conclusion.
Over 50 years ago, THE FUGITIVE set the gold standard for how to do a great finale. This episode also earns the gold medal for a magnificent finale - a precious reward to all the fans who stuck with this marvelous series all the way to the end.
When I saw the previews the week before about a plane crashing into the hospital, I was in doubt. How could this show have such a dramatic event and still find time to complete its storylines - some of which had gone on for weeks? But they did it, and still had time to give more than lip service to wrapping up the seasonal story arcs. They even still had time for one last tender story about reunited lovers, plus another life and death drama beyond the plane crash.
The most wonderful thing about the episode is that some characters say things you never thought they'd say, while other say things you'd almost been praying for them to say all season. The last full scene features an inspiring speech and a final line guaranteed to melt your heart. Music is used skillfully as well, including featuring the song "Superman (It's Not Easy)" as the beautiful background music for the final scenes. When all is said and done, there's nary a cliffhanger in sight - just a satisfying conclusion.
Over 50 years ago, THE FUGITIVE set the gold standard for how to do a great finale. This episode also earns the gold medal for a magnificent finale - a precious reward to all the fans who stuck with this marvelous series all the way to the end.