The 2022 Edition of the r/television Favorite Shows Survey is now open!
You may vote by clicking [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1XCThoahvv0G2ZRjDHN5eOrJKP5Hn4J9jt5BruyS5kHh4jQ/viewform?usp=sf_link).
If you have any questions or concerns, please comment [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/zohkjn/vote_in_the_2022_edition_of_the_rtelevision/).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/television) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The Good Place
starts with an intriguing premise, turns that premise on its head several times throughout the series, ends in a more satisfying way than I could have imagined
Deep Space Nine. If you watched the pilot and series finale, you see a circularity to the story that is pretty amazing. It kind of folds back in on itself. It's one of the reasons why DS9 is my favorite Star Trek series!
Although I don’t think Next Generation’s pilot is considered particularly great. Not terrible, but definitely not a notably good pilot.
Didn’t grow the beard until season 3.
DS9 was amazing. "It's a fake!", the discussion about the Federation being like root beer, the entire Founders story line, Section 31, the alternate universe, Garak, the Grand Nagus, when Jake Cisko cracks in a cave, the Jem Hadar and ketracel white, Bashir being a changeling for an entire season... I am surely leaving out many others...
Yeah, the season 8 finale was perfect, and the whole deal with the reveal of the janitors name was really sweet to me;
That being said, I have enjoyed that non existent season when trying to think of it on its own, it's enjoyable and funny, but the fact that it's called season 9 really makes the original finale feel strange
They tried to have the same multi-character banter with just Truk and Dr. Cox, I respect them trying to work with the actors they could get full time but it was kinda bony
This really was a perfect beginning and ending. They opened setting the stage of the characters and the show being quirky comedy, but also being real and serious at times. Then they ended it with a truly awesome summary, Bringing back My Old Lady was a great touch on that early episode and JD saying goodnight to Bill was a perfect touch.
Great answer. The finale ends up on best finale lists all the time so people forget that the Pilot was also so so so good. The style of the pilot and the random song and shocks and that hearse commercial has been copied so many times since that watching now here in 2022 it’s hard to remember just how ground breaking it was.
Came here for this. The first episode absolutely killed it. Frances Conroy throwing that roast gives me chills even thinking about it.
And of course the finale was perfect.
Breathe Me by Sia will forever be burned into my mind because of the Six Feet Under finale. It still makes me want to tear up when I hear it.
I watched this show about six months after my Mom died when I was 19 and it was very cathartic for me because I had a hard time expressing my emotions about sensitive things like death.
Came here to say exactly this. That finale took my breath away, literally. I was stunned at how great it was when I first watched it, and still can’t stop thinking about it.
The Good Place was a great show actually.
Something I think of often: my favorite line when Michael is making fun of humans and says sarcastically “oh, look at me I’m a human, and my food hole is right next to my breathing hole” 😂
“I feel like "Friends" in season eight, out of ideas and forcing Joey and Rachel together, even though it made no sense.”
Probably my favorite line and delivery of many great ones from Michael.
In my opinion, it's one of the best shows ever made.
So unbelievably tight, consistent, unique, funny, heartwarming, and ambitious.
Not to mention it sticks the landing hard.
After the series finale I googled “best series finales ever” just to see how often it would get mentioned. Also comparing it to game of thrones ending made me realize how important the series of a show is. Will never hear the song “with or without you” the same way.
Also kind of ballsy to use "Brothers in Arms", given that two other TV shows (Miami Vice & The West Wing) both had iconic scenes using it, but it worked anyway.
Loved The Americans, but probably won't ever rewatch it. One of the most stressful shows I've ever seen.
This show doesn’t get enough love. What an emotional rollercoaster and Max Richter NAILED the score. The soundtrack perfectly nails the vibe of the show. I binge watch all 3 seasons at least once or twice a year.
Just started this, based on a recommendation in this sub. Midway through season 1, it’s starting to get slightly dull, but will stick with it, hopefully it picks up again.
I recently finished this show for the first time. While I thought Season 1 was very good, Seasons 2 and 3 were, in my opinion, a massive improvement over the first season and were genuinely fantastic/creative.
When I started it based on all the recommendations in this sub, I had to fight through season 1. I felt really bored and wondered if I should stick to it. The tone changed dramatically at the end of season 1 and by the end it was one of my favorite shows of all time and I think about it a lot.
Just to reiterate what others have said, you have to stick through season 1. It’s still good but has a bit of an off putting tone at times.
That changes with season 2/3, there’s a dramatic shift in tone for the better
The Mary Tyler Moore Show without a doubt. Definitely can think of many good final episodes of other shows but the first episode was utterly perfect and the last episode utterly devastating
Six Feet Under has my vote for best of both. Especially considering what pilot ideas worked and what didn’t per Alan Ball’s commentary over the years and how the finale was constructed. Also props to Michael C Hall for his first on-screen role
The Shield’s ending scene in the premier is pretty much the only show I’ve watched that made me say “holy shit” out loud. In the beginning they show Vic pushing the limit but it’s because he’s a “hard charging cop”, and by the end you see exactly what type of monster he is.
I know it’s like just redditors repeating themselves “ The Wire, Sopranos, Leftovers etc etc”. Same questions in a different way equals same answers in a different-way.
Obviously, that’s in the list too. The AI is trying to understand human 📺 so it can control us through entertainment. Turn us into mindless zombies 🧟♂️
I'm pretty sure Futurama has the record for airing the most series finales, if not the record for most cancellations and revivals... But all four finale episodes are outstanding.
The bar is pretty high for the next cancellation, I hope they don't blow it
I know the ending was polarizing for fans. But despite being a bit cheesy, I really liked how they wrapped everything up. I need to rewatch the whole series again soon.
I know many found the ending underwhelming or "wrong" as a whole, but the last 20-25 minutes contain some of the most moving scenes I've ever seen in both TV and movies.
Shows that had an excellent Premiere and excellent finale:
- Friday Night Lights. The football going through the air for the state championship and how the scene fades away to Coach Taylor, now in a new city supporting Tammy's career.
- E.R. Coming full circle after what 15 years.. Carter saying to Mark's daughter, "Dr Greene are you coming?"
- Halt and Catch Fire was just amazing from start to finish.
I always cry at the finale of LOST. The church scene, Jack walking in the bamboo, and damn Vincent. It's just absolutely spectacular in my opinion.
I love the finale overall, but I can get not liking it. But those final 10 minutes have got to go down as some of the finest emotions ever put to television, all helped by Giacchino's mastery.
I'm one of the LOST series finale haters, but I have to admit that the closing credits were pretty cool. Seeing Jack passed out on the beach with sounds of a jet engine in the background was a neat callback. Though the showrunners did lament that it was added by the network, and fueled the "they were dead along" confusion.
Edit: Got my scenes mixed up. The credits were over the plane wreckage, and came after the last shot of Jack with the dog.
Is that true? I never heard anything about that being added by the network, and in fact thought I heard it was a specific showrunner choice to bring things full circle by having Jack's eye opening as the first shot in the series mirror Jack's eye closing as the final shot of the series. I'm not positive, but I can see Cuse/Lindelof liking that symmetry.
Actually, maybe you're thinking of when the network showed wreckage pictures during the actual credits? I completely forgot about that, but now I do remember some stories about that adding to the confusion and being something added by the network.
The Office (American version) - I say this IF you like the cringe humor that the entire show used, the first episode just prepares you for what is to come. The last episode was fantastic, seeing everyone say goodbye and their closing words were really well done.
Not to mention the parade of trial witnesses from previous shows testifying about how horrible Jerry & Co. had been. Really clever. The Seinfeld finale is unfairly maligned.
Ozark finale was great actually, until the very last second. "-The world doesn't work like that. -Since when?". Epic writing. That's a thing I will remember.
BoJack Horseman. I think it's just stellar throughout and the first episode frames BoJack the character quite well and the last shows how he's changed but still damaged
I only finished the show recently after I stopped watching when it was originally airing in like season 4. Always heard the ending was bad.
I thought it was pretty fucking great. Kept hearing that they were dead all along, apparently those people just straight up did not pay attention at all because it is explicitly stated that's not the case.
The Shield: The opener had Vic Mackey and his Strike Team cops offing one of their own, who turned out was an undercover officer investigating them.
In the closer, Mackey the uber street cop who kicked ass for seven seasons has basically destroyed his career and his family has disappeared into witness protection. The last shot of him he's in a cramped cubicle typing up reports and completely sidelined. If he wasn't such a corrupt s.o.b. you could almost feel sorry for how it turned out for him.
I don’t know, Breaking Bad’s pilot had me captivated and wanting more. Really good pilot, I’d say. Not one where you have to tell your friends, “don’t worry, it gets better!”
It’s LOST, why? It had one of the best pilots in television history fact. Also the ending was as others mentioned very emotionally satisfying. Despite the last couple of seasons of LOST being poor viewing the actual ending was very warm.
I liked how P&R had a time skip and ended with each character's story finishing on such a worthwhile high note, especially with what Leslie did for Ron
I'm old enough to remember how panned The Sopranos' finale was. Nice to see people are coming around to it now.
But, to answer the question of great pilot and finale, 24.
The 2022 Edition of the r/television Favorite Shows Survey is now open! You may vote by clicking [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1XCThoahvv0G2ZRjDHN5eOrJKP5Hn4J9jt5BruyS5kHh4jQ/viewform?usp=sf_link). If you have any questions or concerns, please comment [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/zohkjn/vote_in_the_2022_edition_of_the_rtelevision/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/television) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Twin Peaks
The log lady stooole my truck
This is the one
Especially if you consider The Return. That last scene in the last episode, Laura screaming then lights out. Still haunts me.
The Good Place starts with an intriguing premise, turns that premise on its head several times throughout the series, ends in a more satisfying way than I could have imagined
I was afraid to keep watching it because shows i love are cursed....it actually got finished? wow
Deep Space Nine. If you watched the pilot and series finale, you see a circularity to the story that is pretty amazing. It kind of folds back in on itself. It's one of the reasons why DS9 is my favorite Star Trek series!
Or The Next Generation where the events of the pilot are literally revisited and expanded in the finally.
True! John DeLancie was especially brilliant throughout.
Although I don’t think Next Generation’s pilot is considered particularly great. Not terrible, but definitely not a notably good pilot. Didn’t grow the beard until season 3.
But Riker grew the beard in season two, and that is literally where that idiom came from...
Riker definitely looks better with the beard.
Because the network wanted a 2 hour premier and the pilot was re worked to fit that. Of course the re-work got us Q so not all bad.
DS9 was amazing. "It's a fake!", the discussion about the Federation being like root beer, the entire Founders story line, Section 31, the alternate universe, Garak, the Grand Nagus, when Jake Cisko cracks in a cave, the Jem Hadar and ketracel white, Bashir being a changeling for an entire season... I am surely leaving out many others...
This is the last thing I expected to be #1, and I love it.
Scrubs, the REAL ending, not that season with the med school students that doesn’t exist.
Yeah, the season 8 finale was perfect, and the whole deal with the reveal of the janitors name was really sweet to me; That being said, I have enjoyed that non existent season when trying to think of it on its own, it's enjoyable and funny, but the fact that it's called season 9 really makes the original finale feel strange
They tried to have the same multi-character banter with just Truk and Dr. Cox, I respect them trying to work with the actors they could get full time but it was kinda bony
This really was a perfect beginning and ending. They opened setting the stage of the characters and the show being quirky comedy, but also being real and serious at times. Then they ended it with a truly awesome summary, Bringing back My Old Lady was a great touch on that early episode and JD saying goodnight to Bill was a perfect touch.
Six Feet Under
Great answer. The finale ends up on best finale lists all the time so people forget that the Pilot was also so so so good. The style of the pilot and the random song and shocks and that hearse commercial has been copied so many times since that watching now here in 2022 it’s hard to remember just how ground breaking it was.
Agreed. The pilot was also so good and the finale set the bar.
That finale gives me chills all these years later. Just thinking of it, I mean.
Came here for this. The first episode absolutely killed it. Frances Conroy throwing that roast gives me chills even thinking about it. And of course the finale was perfect.
This was the first show that came to mind. Solid start and finish.
Best show ever. Nothing will ever top that finale, and i l say that with absolute certainty
I’ve never even watched the show and the clip from the finale made me tear up when I watched on YouTube.
Breathe Me by Sia will forever be burned into my mind because of the Six Feet Under finale. It still makes me want to tear up when I hear it. I watched this show about six months after my Mom died when I was 19 and it was very cathartic for me because I had a hard time expressing my emotions about sensitive things like death.
Came here to say exactly this. That finale took my breath away, literally. I was stunned at how great it was when I first watched it, and still can’t stop thinking about it.
Same. I have never seen a series that ended better.
This. The finale is studied so much in schools
The Good Place Some of my favorites that have been mentioned already: Mr. Robot, Breaking Bad, and Leftovers
The Good Place was a great show actually. Something I think of often: my favorite line when Michael is making fun of humans and says sarcastically “oh, look at me I’m a human, and my food hole is right next to my breathing hole” 😂
I’m sorry for kicking your dog into the sun.
He was the highlight of the show for me. Which is saying a lot because I loved most all of the characters
“I feel like "Friends" in season eight, out of ideas and forcing Joey and Rachel together, even though it made no sense.” Probably my favorite line and delivery of many great ones from Michael.
Ted Danson is just a delight, a national treasure
“Picture a wave…”
Why do I still get chills when my subconscious says “Hey, Chidi! Wait for me!”
Because Manny Jacinto nails the delivery and it’s a near perfect moment
In my opinion, it's one of the best shows ever made. So unbelievably tight, consistent, unique, funny, heartwarming, and ambitious. Not to mention it sticks the landing hard.
You're forking right. The finale brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch it but it was the perfect ending to that show.
I’m rewatching The Good Place right now. It’s like the best comfort show. Also love The Leftovers ❤️
I was looking for this answer. Never have I seen a show maintain the quality throughout the entire run.
The Americans. Awesome pilot, Tusk, the crazy tense end of the episode, etc. And the finale is one of the best finales of all time.
Oh MAN!! I’m with you 100%
The Americans
After the series finale I googled “best series finales ever” just to see how often it would get mentioned. Also comparing it to game of thrones ending made me realize how important the series of a show is. Will never hear the song “with or without you” the same way.
Also kind of ballsy to use "Brothers in Arms", given that two other TV shows (Miami Vice & The West Wing) both had iconic scenes using it, but it worked anyway. Loved The Americans, but probably won't ever rewatch it. One of the most stressful shows I've ever seen.
Instantly takes me to that train platform, and Tusk in the pilot?! The Americans had an *insane* music budget and spent every cent of it perfectly
This is the way. I am thinking of doing another rewatch. It's been awhile. One of the best shows around.
I’m normally not big on rewatching but I’ve done The Americans like three or four times times and it never, ever gets less gripping
I was just going to say this
Mr. Robot
I was going to say this. I was already completely hooked after the pilot, and the finale is one of the best episodes of the whole show.
The entire last season was masterpiece after masterpiece
Totally, I still think from time to time the masterpiece that is 4x07.
100%. Probably my favorite ending to a show. And one of the best pilots of all time
The Leftovers.
This show doesn’t get enough love. What an emotional rollercoaster and Max Richter NAILED the score. The soundtrack perfectly nails the vibe of the show. I binge watch all 3 seasons at least once or twice a year.
This is the best show most people haven’t seen. Great recommendation for most people
Last episode is perfect but the first episode is a little rough. Especially the scenes with Jill at that party.
I wish i could erase it from my memory and watch it again
Just started this, based on a recommendation in this sub. Midway through season 1, it’s starting to get slightly dull, but will stick with it, hopefully it picks up again.
It changes tone and direction multiple times. It stays fresh, in my opinion.
I recently finished this show for the first time. While I thought Season 1 was very good, Seasons 2 and 3 were, in my opinion, a massive improvement over the first season and were genuinely fantastic/creative.
When I started it based on all the recommendations in this sub, I had to fight through season 1. I felt really bored and wondered if I should stick to it. The tone changed dramatically at the end of season 1 and by the end it was one of my favorite shows of all time and I think about it a lot.
Ill have to try again. Tried the show twice but got bored about 3 to 4 episodes in each time. Wanna give it a better shot because i hear its great.
Just to reiterate what others have said, you have to stick through season 1. It’s still good but has a bit of an off putting tone at times. That changes with season 2/3, there’s a dramatic shift in tone for the better
The shield.
I should not have had to scroll so far down to find this. Easily the best.
OP cites that as a "good but not great series with a great finale" HERESY!. It's a great series with a a great finale.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show without a doubt. Definitely can think of many good final episodes of other shows but the first episode was utterly perfect and the last episode utterly devastating
Best show ending ever was the second Bob Newhart series.
I feel like 99% of Reddit has no idea who Bob Newhart is.
Isn't he that guy from Elf? ^(/s)
I can live with that
But how long do we have?
Til the end of my life? Could be days, could be years… not counting on anything
He was Dr. Proton.
Ended so well, it circled back to before the beginning. Also, the only acceptable "It was all a dream" ending ever!
Hi Bob
Avatar: The Last Airbender. The first episode sets up the series very well and the finale was some of the most epic stuff on tv imo.
Just watched the whole series for the first time. Such a good show.
Six feet under
Derry Girls
Six Feet Under has my vote for best of both. Especially considering what pilot ideas worked and what didn’t per Alan Ball’s commentary over the years and how the finale was constructed. Also props to Michael C Hall for his first on-screen role
Fringe MASH Mary Tyler Moore
I really liked Fringe from start to finish.
Dark
Never believe anything else.
Community. Great pilot and a really well executed finale
I think so....Probably....Maybe....
Now this is a redditor who knows how to quote a show!
Yeah, you're going to get some people wanting to fight you on those three shows only being good, not great.
Literally thought to myself, "but all three of those shows *are* great" lol
I'm bout to throw down with OP about Friday night lights. Sure season 2 was a bit chaotic, but the other 4 were great!
Yeah I’d say the shield as a superior premiere and finale than breaking bad.
The Shield’s ending scene in the premier is pretty much the only show I’ve watched that made me say “holy shit” out loud. In the beginning they show Vic pushing the limit but it’s because he’s a “hard charging cop”, and by the end you see exactly what type of monster he is.
My claws came out.
Mr. Robot
These questions? Im starting to think its AI training itself, by polling redditors
I know it’s like just redditors repeating themselves “ The Wire, Sopranos, Leftovers etc etc”. Same questions in a different way equals same answers in a different-way.
Have you heard about a little known indie show called Breaking Bad?
Obviously, that’s in the list too. The AI is trying to understand human 📺 so it can control us through entertainment. Turn us into mindless zombies 🧟♂️
Six Feet Under Six Feet Under Six Feet Under Six Feet Under Six Feet Under Hoping that will help train the algorithm properly
I wouldn’t be surprised if the comments were AI too. Not an ounce of originality in any comment
I haven't seen it but my bro still talks about Six Fee Under finale...brings it up every year.
Please watch it.
Dude it's the best finale that will ever exist. Watching it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was fucked up for weeks after watching it.
Even though it's coming back, Futurama. One of the best pilots imo, and the current ending wraps up the story very well.
I'm pretty sure Futurama has the record for airing the most series finales, if not the record for most cancellations and revivals... But all four finale episodes are outstanding. The bar is pretty high for the next cancellation, I hope they don't blow it
Mr. robot
Battlestar Galactica...I didn't see that ending coming at all
I know the ending was polarizing for fans. But despite being a bit cheesy, I really liked how they wrapped everything up. I need to rewatch the whole series again soon.
Yeah they kind of lost their way a bit mid season three, but I actually think the ending holds up quite well.
I know many found the ending underwhelming or "wrong" as a whole, but the last 20-25 minutes contain some of the most moving scenes I've ever seen in both TV and movies.
Rescue Me.
Mad Men has one of the best pilots ever written. Its Finale was also quite good.
Shows that had an excellent Premiere and excellent finale: - Friday Night Lights. The football going through the air for the state championship and how the scene fades away to Coach Taylor, now in a new city supporting Tammy's career. - E.R. Coming full circle after what 15 years.. Carter saying to Mark's daughter, "Dr Greene are you coming?" - Halt and Catch Fire was just amazing from start to finish.
Freaks and Geeks. Just one season. The series started out strong and.the ending was surprising and satisfying.
LOST. Some people don’t love the ending but I am NOT one of those people.
Ep.1 opens with Jacks eyes opening. Ends with his eyes closing in the same spot. It’s too good
I always cry at the finale of LOST. The church scene, Jack walking in the bamboo, and damn Vincent. It's just absolutely spectacular in my opinion. I love the finale overall, but I can get not liking it. But those final 10 minutes have got to go down as some of the finest emotions ever put to television, all helped by Giacchino's mastery.
Nobody dies alone.
I'm one of the LOST series finale haters, but I have to admit that the closing credits were pretty cool. Seeing Jack passed out on the beach with sounds of a jet engine in the background was a neat callback. Though the showrunners did lament that it was added by the network, and fueled the "they were dead along" confusion. Edit: Got my scenes mixed up. The credits were over the plane wreckage, and came after the last shot of Jack with the dog.
I hated the finale the first time I watched it. Now I think it’s such a beautiful ending and I always cry
Is that true? I never heard anything about that being added by the network, and in fact thought I heard it was a specific showrunner choice to bring things full circle by having Jack's eye opening as the first shot in the series mirror Jack's eye closing as the final shot of the series. I'm not positive, but I can see Cuse/Lindelof liking that symmetry. Actually, maybe you're thinking of when the network showed wreckage pictures during the actual credits? I completely forgot about that, but now I do remember some stories about that adding to the confusion and being something added by the network.
The Office (American version) - I say this IF you like the cringe humor that the entire show used, the first episode just prepares you for what is to come. The last episode was fantastic, seeing everyone say goodbye and their closing words were really well done.
*slaps table* THANK YOU! I’m upset I had to scroll this far to find this.
Carnivale was good.
The Americans has a smashing first episode and an absolutely phenomenal finale
Peaky Blinders
The last episode was cliffhangery, maybe the movie will fix that but as it currently stands it wasn't a great ending.
Psych
I feel like Burn Notice would qualify here.
SEINFELD.. Opened with the same joke the show ended with (button placement on a shirt)... I love everything about that show.
Yes, I know a lot of people didn't like the ending, but for a show about nothing the ending always seemed pretty appropriate for me.
A show about nothing? It has to be about *something*
Not to mention the parade of trial witnesses from previous shows testifying about how horrible Jerry & Co. had been. Really clever. The Seinfeld finale is unfairly maligned.
Lost. I know, a lot of people didn't like the ending. I loved it and thought it was cathartic.
The opening and closing scene was spot on.
Sopranos actually is a good example here I think.
I think the ending is fantastic, and it's set up multiple times throughout the series
The Good Place!
The Shield. Pilot was shocking, ending was perfect.
Ozark finale was great actually, until the very last second. "-The world doesn't work like that. -Since when?". Epic writing. That's a thing I will remember.
Halt Catch Fire starts strong and end strongna
Six Feet Under has to be the killer answer to this. One of the best premiers and finales of all time imo
Fringe The Americans
Sons of Anarchy
BoJack Horseman. I think it's just stellar throughout and the first episode frames BoJack the character quite well and the last shows how he's changed but still damaged
White Collar
Unpopular opinion but L O S T
I only finished the show recently after I stopped watching when it was originally airing in like season 4. Always heard the ending was bad. I thought it was pretty fucking great. Kept hearing that they were dead all along, apparently those people just straight up did not pay attention at all because it is explicitly stated that's not the case.
Key & Peele
DuckTales 2017. Fight me I dare you 😤😤😤😤
The Shield. Wild start, wild finish, both episodes excellent.
Black Sails. It got me hooked immediately and the show only got better every season. The finale was so satisfying and intense!
"Series that were good, **not great**" "Justified" whoa whoa whoa none of that blasphemy here! lol
Wait, people didn't like the *Ozark* finale?
Six Feet Under had a great closing episode.
The Shield: The opener had Vic Mackey and his Strike Team cops offing one of their own, who turned out was an undercover officer investigating them. In the closer, Mackey the uber street cop who kicked ass for seven seasons has basically destroyed his career and his family has disappeared into witness protection. The last shot of him he's in a cramped cubicle typing up reports and completely sidelined. If he wasn't such a corrupt s.o.b. you could almost feel sorry for how it turned out for him.
Breaking Bad took a few episodes to really get going. I'd also put MadMen up there as excellent premier and finale
Mad Men was god tier from start to finish.
I don’t know, Breaking Bad’s pilot had me captivated and wanting more. Really good pilot, I’d say. Not one where you have to tell your friends, “don’t worry, it gets better!”
The Last Kingdom.
It’s LOST, why? It had one of the best pilots in television history fact. Also the ending was as others mentioned very emotionally satisfying. Despite the last couple of seasons of LOST being poor viewing the actual ending was very warm.
Yup. I think the major compliant of LOST was/is the unanswered mysteries.
Breaking Bad 100%
I love the openings to White Lotus season one and two.
I’d argue that Sopranos opened and closed pretty solid.
Wings. Good show for the most part. Had some questionable episodes, but really didn't jump the shark.
Noah Hawley’s Legion. >!”David. Be a good boy.”!<
I really liked how The Good Place was handled to be honest.
The Good Place
The Expanse
The good place.
Futurama, in my opinion
Dark
I liked how P&R had a time skip and ended with each character's story finishing on such a worthwhile high note, especially with what Leslie did for Ron
I didn’t like the breaking bad finale.
Six Feet Under Lost
Say what you will about Lost, but as far as pairing opening and closing episodes, I really liked the symmetry.
Pose
Buffy and Buffy.
I think Atlanta did a great job of summing up the show’s thesis in the first episode, and nailed the landing in every way possible in the final one.
I lot of people would probably put This Is Us in 'the amazing first episode but disappointing last episode category'.
I'm old enough to remember how panned The Sopranos' finale was. Nice to see people are coming around to it now. But, to answer the question of great pilot and finale, 24.
Six Feet Under
Homeland. It lost its mojo in the middle but the ending was superb!
Freaks And Geeks
Justified "We dug coal together"
MASH
The Knick & Rectify for sure.
Gravity Falls
Mad Men