Even with the recent news about its possible sale to Netflix, HBO Max is still a top streaming service, especially for original shows and movies. Starting as a cable channel in the 1970s, HBO was one of the first to offer a subscription service and quickly became known for producing high-quality, award-winning television. Shows like Sex and the City and True Detective are just a few examples of how HBO consistently sets a high standard for the industry.
It’s surprisingly common for even great TV shows to stumble with their endings. Game of Thrones, despite being one of HBO’s biggest hits, is famous for its disappointing final season and series finale. Maintaining quality over multiple seasons is challenging, and delivering a satisfying conclusion for viewers is even harder. But HBO has occasionally nailed it, and here are five examples of their best final episodes.
5) The Wire, “-30-”
David Simon’s The Wire didn’t offer a neat and happy conclusion. The series finale, titled “-30-,” felt painfully real and avoided overly dramatic moments. Instead of a big emotional climax, the episode ends with Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) leaving the Baltimore Police Department and simply saying, “Let’s go home.” The final scenes, accompanied by the song “Way Down in the Hole,” highlight the show’s central message: even after everything the characters went through, the cycle of the drug trade continues unchanged.
What I love about The Wire‘s ending is how real it felt. It wasn’t about tying everything up neatly; it let the characters grow and finish their journeys. But it also didn’t pretend to fix the big problems – it showed you that even with new people in charge, the same issues just keep going. The cops are still at their posts, and the show made it clear that one person can’t magically change a deeply broken system. Honestly, that depressing truth felt so much more powerful than any happy ending or dramatic tragedy they could have written.
4) The Sopranos, “Made in America”
When the final episode of The Sopranos, “Made in America,” originally aired, it caused a huge uproar and many viewers disliked it. Now, it’s widely considered a brilliant piece of television, particularly the ending. Creator David Chase’s choice to abruptly cut to black during Tony Soprano’s family dinner in 2007 was shocking and immediately sparked years of intense discussion and analysis. At the time, many fans were frustrated, feeling let down after investing six seasons in the show without getting a clear resolution.
Looking back, the finale’s genius is obvious. Chase intentionally avoided a simple resolution to the show’s core conflict, wanting to avoid a predictable message about whether crime pays or doesn’t. Instead, the ending leaves viewers feeling the same constant dread as Tony. Some fans even believe the abrupt cut to black represents the audience becoming victims themselves. Earlier, Tony’s emotional goodbye with Uncle Junior hints at the ultimate futility of their life, suggesting everything they’ve done will be forgotten. Despite some issues with the final season, “Made in America” still stands as a flawless conclusion to a truly unforgettable series.
3) Succession, “With Open Eyes”
The final episode of Succession, titled “With Open Eyes,” perfectly encapsulates the show’s core themes and confirms Logan Roy’s assessment that his children aren’t truly capable. Kendall, Shiv, and Roman all start the episode believing they’ll take over after their father, but they’re each mistaken, failing to learn from previous mistakes.
This episode really highlights how emotionally flawed each character is – Kendall is pathetically desperate, Shiv is completely self-centered, and Roman is deeply insecure. These flaws lead to dramatic and chaotic clashes. Interestingly, Matthew Macfadyen’s Tom seems to be the only one who truly understands what’s going on. Ultimately, the decision to not let any of the Roy children win and instead put Tom, a reliable but easily controlled figure, in charge feels thematically perfect and, looking back, was the only satisfying way the show could have ended.
2) The Leftovers, “The Book of Nora,”
Right from the start, The Leftovers embraced mystery. The series finale, “The Book of Nora,” continues this trend, with creators Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta deliberately avoiding a concrete explanation – whether scientific or supernatural – for the unexplained disappearance of 2% of the world’s population. Instead, the episode centers on Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) and Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), who find each other again after years of separation.
The show doesn’t reveal whether Nora’s story is true, but that’s not the point. What’s important is that Kevin chooses to believe her, and his decision feels genuinely moving, even without knowing the facts. The finale suggests that faith, love, and cherished memories are more meaningful than absolute certainty. By leaving the central mystery unanswered, The Leftovers offers a deeply satisfying emotional conclusion and encourages viewers to stop searching for a definitive explanation of what really happened.
1) Six Feet Under, “Everyone’s Waiting”
Most TV viewers agree that the finale of Six Feet Under, titled “Everyone’s Waiting,” provided the most complete closure for its characters of any series ever. Considering each episode began with a death, it made sense that the show would eventually address mortality head-on. However, few were prepared for just how moving and beautifully done the finale would be.
This episode follows Claire Fisher (Lauren Ambrose) as she begins a new life away from Los Angeles, while her family struggles with the changes happening around them. However, the episode is best known for its closing montage, set to Sia’s “Breathe Me,” which reveals how each main character eventually dies. The montage spans decades, giving final moments to characters like David (Michael C. Hall), Ruth (Frances Conroy), and Nate (Peter Krause). It’s a touching sequence that feels deeply meaningful without being overly dramatic. Ultimately, it reframes the show’s constant focus on death as a way to appreciate and celebrate life, reminding us to cherish every moment.
What’s your pick for the greatest HBO series finale ever? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-02-13 00:15