For the past twenty years, HBO has become known as the leading network for high-quality TV shows, often producing content as well-made as major movies. This reputation comes from shows with well-developed characters, impressive production, and stories that challenge viewers. But even the best networks sometimes stumble with their final episodes, and audiences have learned that a strong start doesn’t always mean a satisfying ending. The divisive finale of Game of Thrones is a prime example of a show that left many fans disappointed despite its earlier success.
It’s a real treat to find a TV series that stays consistently good from beginning to end. The shows on this list didn’t just have a strong start – they also grew more complex and meaningful over time, while still staying true to what made them great. These are the shows where the writers had a clear plan and delivered satisfying conclusions that felt well-deserved.
7) The Righteous Gemstones
Danny McBride consistently delivers hilarious television, and The Righteous Gemstones is a prime example. Though the show is full of over-the-top situations and crude humor, it surprisingly offers a thoughtful look at family issues and how greed can ruin people. The series centers on Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) and his three entitled children as they try to grow their televangelist business, all while dealing with blackmail attempts, competing preachers, and their own lack of ability.
The strength of The Righteous Gemstones lies in its characters’ development – they evolve without losing their core personalities. Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin all remain deeply self-absorbed, but the show cleverly reveals the underlying pain that motivates their actions. The series finale, which aired in 2025, was a satisfying conclusion, expertly blending intense criminal storylines with heartfelt moments of forgiveness and connection.
6) Barry
Bill Hader’s show, Barry, was a remarkable achievement. It initially drew viewers in by making them sympathize with Barry Berkman, a hitman, before realistically portraying the consequences of his violent actions. The series begins with Barry attempting to escape his past and pursue acting in Los Angeles, with the help of his unusual acting coach, Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler). While the first seasons were darkly comedic, showing Barry juggling acting and killing, the show eventually transformed into a grim and unsettling exploration of whether someone can truly be redeemed without facing the consequences of their actions.
Throughout its run, Barry consistently delivers smart, unflinching writing, holding every character accountable for their actions. Each season ends with a major twist, and the show always moves forward, avoiding repetitive storylines. The final episodes are brutally honest and realistic, exposing the sad truth behind the violence and removing any sense of glamour. Barry is a well-crafted, concise story that doesn’t waste time and finishes with a powerful, unforgettable impact.
5) Six Feet Under
Unlike most shows about death that center on solving the mystery, Six Feet Under explores the complicated lives of those who are grieving. The series follows the Fisher family, who own a funeral home in Los Angeles, starting with the death of their father, Nathaniel. This event forces his children to face their own uncertain futures. The relationship between Nate and David, brilliantly portrayed by Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall, is one of the most realistic and compelling sibling dynamics ever seen on TV, and it forms the emotional core of the show as it navigates five seasons of loss, love, and the big questions about life.
The HBO series Six Feet Under is well-known for its unique structure: each episode begins with a death that reflects the challenges the Fisher family faces. Though the show sensitively explores issues like mental health and cheating, it’s most celebrated for its finale. Many consider the closing scene – a moving montage set to Sia’s “Breathe Me” that shows the future for each character – to be the best ever. It’s a powerfully emotional and beautiful depiction of life’s inevitable end, solidifying Six Feet Under’s place as a landmark achievement in television storytelling.
4) Curb Your Enthusiasm
Most comedies don’t stay funny for long, but Curb Your Enthusiasm managed to be hilarious for an impressive 24 years and 12 seasons by sticking to its core formula. The show stars Larry David as a slightly exaggerated version of himself, hilariously stumbling through awkward social situations in Los Angeles. He has no filter and insists on following his own personal, often bizarre, code of conduct. What makes the show so clever is how it builds on small annoyances throughout each episode, eventually bringing them together in a chaotic and funny finale.
Larry David is a master of awkwardness, always saying the things others only think and often creating hilarious chaos – whether it’s a silly argument or an accidental mishap. The show’s supporting characters, like his manager Jeff and roommate Leon, perfectly highlight his quirks and anxieties. The 2024 finale was brilliantly self-aware, cleverly referencing the divisive ending of Seinfeld while staying true to Larry’s unchanging personality. Ultimately, it confirmed that Larry never grows or learns, and that’s precisely what made him such a compelling and funny character to watch.
3) The Sopranos
As a film and TV buff, when I think about the peak of television, one show immediately comes to mind: The Sopranos. It really kicked off what we now call the ‘golden age.’ What’s brilliant about it is how it took the classic mob story and used it to explore really complex themes – the breakdown of the American family, what it means to be a man in a changing world, and just the general struggles of modern life. Tony Soprano, played by the incredible James Gandolfini, is this terrifying gangster, but he’s also deeply troubled and starts seeing a therapist, Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). That contrast – the brutal violence of the mafia alongside everyday problems like teenagers and annoying relatives – is what makes the show so compelling and groundbreaking.
What makes The Sopranos so consistently brilliant over its six seasons isn’t complicated storylines, but incredibly well-developed characters. We connect with Tony’s very human struggles, particularly his difficult relationships with his mother, Livia, and his cousin, Christopher. The controversial abrupt ending, while debated at first, now feels perfectly fitting for a man constantly living in fear. It leaves the audience with the same unsettling feeling that defined Tony’s life, and that’s why the show continues to resonate with viewers.
2) Succession
The world of business rivalries felt particularly brutal within the walls of Waystar Royco, as depicted in the show Succession. The series centers on Logan Roy (Brian Cox), a powerful and intimidating media mogul who creates competition among his children, hoping to decide which one will take over his company. At its heart, the show is a tragedy because Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin) all crave their father’s approval, but his mistreatment has left them unable to lead fulfilling, mature lives.
The writing in Succession is brilliantly cutting, packed with both harsh insults and complicated business talk that hides the characters’ underlying pain. Each season builds the pressure, ranging from power struggles within the company to a messy presidential election, but the central problem—a pattern of damaging behavior within the family—never changes. The series finale perfectly illustrates the show’s themes, demonstrating that kindness is often a weakness in this ruthless world. Succession is a darkly funny, devastating, and remarkably consistent depiction of what power does to people.
1) The Wire
David Simon’s The Wire is a complex and realistic television drama that feels like a sprawling American novel. The show meticulously examines the various institutions of a city in decline, using a journalistic approach. Each season focuses on a different part of Baltimore – from the drug trade and the docks, to city government, schools, and the media – revealing how these systems connect and ultimately let people down. We experience this through compelling characters like Omar Little, a notorious stick-up artist, and Stringer Bell, an aspiring drug kingpin.
Instead of dramatic twists, The Wire builds a realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of city life through careful attention to detail. It’s a show that requires your focus, and pays it back with complex stories where even small actions have consequences down the line. From beginning to end, The Wire consistently argues that the system is unfair, offering a powerful and still-relevant social critique.
As a huge HBO fan, I’m really curious to hear what everyone thinks: which show had the most satisfying series finale? Let’s talk about it – head over to the ComicBook Forum and share your thoughts now!
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2026-01-02 22:13