As Downton Abbey and The Newsreader conclude, what is the best way to end a beloved TV series?

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As a movie aficionado, I found myself reflecting on Leonardo da Vinci’s famous quote, “Art is never completed, only abandoned,” while immersed in the third and concluding chapter of the captivating Australian series, The Newsreader.

I was anxiously anticipating its UK premiere, and I carefully managed my viewings as if they were precious drops of water from a desert oasis. Aware that once the closing credits appeared, that would be the end of it, the series concludes spectacularly, delivering no disappointment.

In a recent conversation, I talked about wrapping up a cherished long-standing series, Downton Abbey, with Julian Fellowes, its creator. He’s shared that this will mark the conclusion of his extensive work on the series.

Regarding the contrast between penning earlier segments of his epic period series and intentionally concluding it, Fellowes stated: “Until the end, you’re always aiming to entice a fresh audience. But in the final episode, you’re more about expressing gratitude. They’ve stuck with you, and you’re not courting new viewers anymore; they either appreciated the show or didn’t.” So, is it like compiling the most popular tracks into an album? “Exactly.

A common gauge for evaluating recent TV finales, including the controversial one from Game of Thrones, is his opinions. Viewers were left feeling anything from pleased, annoyed, or puzzled (yes, Lost certainly fits that description). The general agreement on the finale of the much-acclaimed series – often referred to as “the world’s most popular TV show” – was that it included too many plot points, forced some questionable romantic connections, and crowned the wrong character. However, who might have been a better choice for the throne? Considering the intricate eight-season narrative, it wasn’t easy to decide.

Contrarily, numerous individuals who witnessed the conclusion of Line of Duty were enraged because writer Jed Mercurio didn’t deliver an adequate ending. I, however, am among a small group that commended his subtle resolution to ineptness instead of stereotypical villainy enabling corruption. Yet, with so much pressure for a more spectacular finale, it seems Mercurio might need to revisit his writing and provide viewers with the climax they desire.

In my enthusiasm, I’d rather tip my hat with haste to a comedy that didn’t just match but surpassed all that preceded it. I’m referring, naturally, to the magnificent Blackadder Goes Forth. The poppies in its final field brought a poignancy that felt even more moving after four series filled with hearty laughter.

Among the three acclaimed TV dramas often referred to as the golden age of US television, two – Mad Men and The West Wing – concluded with style and gracefully paid homage to their preceding episodes. However, the third – The Sopranos – continues to provoke debate due to its ambiguous finale that has left fans divided. This raises a thought-provoking question: what exactly are we looking for in the conclusions of our fictional narratives?

The deeper our affection for a series, the more we dread its conclusion. Ideally, we hope that the characters find happiness before it concludes. However, that’s not how life works. The Sopranos chose to be bolder and more authentic – and, as always, left us in suspense. Or, to put it another way, as Paul Gardner, an artist, once said: ‘A work of art is never truly completed; instead, it stops at intriguing points.’

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2025-09-02 03:18