“These TV series are over, but did they satisfy?” |
| These TV series are over, but did they satisfy? Posted: 02 Jun 2010 08:49 AM PDT "Lost" could never satisfy viewers who wanted every key to unlocking each of the mystery doors. Many answers were parsed out as the series wound down, but never enough for hard-core fans. That could be one of the finales' greatest successes, to give the characters resolution while still continuing the discussion as to what it all means. '24'
Impossible, improbable and often times ludicrous, "24" managed each year to deliver a non-stop thrill ride with Jack Bauer at the helm. Main characters were killed and sometimes resurrected to live another day. This final season, Jack finally lost it as he started the day as a doting grandpa and, within 24 hours, ended up gutting a man for a swallowed SIM card and taking down a corrupt president. It was just another day, until fans discovered more than midway through that this would be the last for Jack Bauer. So how could this series possibly end with him making it out alive? And how could he die if there was going to be a non-prequel movie? The finale made us almost believe that the end was near for Jack, right down to the scene when a government agent is about to assassinate a kneeling, handcuffed Jack the way Jack once took out his boss at the bidding of the president. This time, however, the president reversed the order and Jack was saved to run away yet again. The haunting last look into the drone surveillance camera showed us a broken man, limping off to lick his wounds. Maybe he'll end up like most grandparents, taking care of his beloved granddaughter. But we suspect that if the money planets align, Jack could be back on the big screen. And this finale offered a way for fans to say goodbye no matter which fate awaits him. It's an ending that closely aligns with another iconic series. "My favorite television series finale was 'The Sopranos' because it was pitch perfect and it didn't try too hard to be 'the end,' " said "24" producer Howard Gordon. "In terms of how Tony's story could have played out or punctuated, there were really only three options: He could have been whacked, arrested or kept doing what he's been doing. David Chase allowed enough ambiguity to allow any of those possibilities, ultimately telling the audience it's the end because it's the end." 'Nip/Tuck'
That's the best way to describe how this graphic series opted to go out in the end. Yet creator Ryan Murphy still managed a few semihappy endings, which was more than what fans might have expected in a series that constantly yanked the glad out from under the feet of every character who came close to discovering peace. The Carver didn't come back and stage a massacre at the plastic surgery office, and no one ended up in a bloody heap on the floor. Instead, viewers were treated to an episode that had a senior citizen going out in a blaze of porno glory, Sean McNamara getting a second chance at being a dad and doing something nice for humanity, and Christian Troy moving on and finally putting his friend first. Maybe it was finding his bliss on new creation "Glee," but Murphy gave fans an ending that allowed some sunshine to creep into these dark and dismal souls — even if that meant we remained concerned about the future of at least one innocent. It wouldn't be "Nip/Tuck" without at least one cringeworthy moment. That came when Matt McNamara hijacked his beautiful toddler daughter and offered her to his transsexual love, Ava, with a line about how he might not be the perfect person she's looking for, but he's got a perfect baby she could have. This after Ava gave up her physically defective adopted baby to Sean. While concern for the little girl's future might keep fans up at night, at least the finale offered some measure of peace and closure. 'Ugly Betty'
But they were at least partially wrong. This series burst on the scene in 2006 with a cutting edge look, and for the first time, a Latina carrying a network TV series. While it would have been nice to send Betty off into the world as a strong single Latina, that wasn't the case. Just like her Spanish-language counterpart, Betty indeed developed from awkward duckling to sexy swan. In the end she didn't fall into the arms of her playboy boss and steadfast pal — although she might have leaned in that direction. In a satisfying but in no way unexpected way, everyone snags a happy ending on this show that was all about Cinderella possibilities. Despite the fact that Prince Charming arrived in town without a job — Daniel had given the reins of Mode magazine to his long-time tormentor, Wilhelmina, before tracking down Betty in London — he still had enough cash to take her out to dinner and romance her into a new relationship, or so the ending implied. 'Heroes'
Stalled by the writers strike in 2007-2008, the series never came back strong after being one of the bright spots on an otherwise dismal NBC schedule. And when the series was canceled after the final episode aired in February, there was no way to have a true series finale. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.) Talks are underway for a movie next year to wrap up all the loose ends, but for now fans who stayed on to the bitter end can only find satisfaction in knowing that Hiro reconnected with Charlie, only to come to the realization that a hero has to put true love on the back burner when he's responsible for saving the world. Whether he gets a chance to pen that finale or not, "Heroes" creator/producer Tim Kring said no finale gets it absolutely right for everyone. "What makes these zeitgeist shows so popular is that they create a highly personal relationship with each member of their audience," Kring said. "As such, a show's ending is judged by vastly different expectations." Kring noted the "M*A*S*H" finale was the most realized of all the finales, an emotionally satisfying goodbye to the show and the characters. However, there wasn't a lot of plot in "M*A*S*H" that required resolution. "So, with that in mind, my vote has to go to 'Lost,' if nothing else, out of sheer respect for how much they had to wrap up," Kring said. "It's like a whole other category than say, a situation comedy where very little is left hanging from week to week. So, a big kudos to Damon and Carlton for managing such huge expectations with a wonderfully deft touch." Perhaps if Kring gets a chance to do a finale movie, Lindelof and Cuse can return the compliment. © 2010 MSNBC Interactive. Reprints |
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