The television world has been no stranger to legendary shows and iconic characters, yet only a select few programs have truly packed an epic emotional punch in their concluding moments. These final lines remain outstanding staples in pop culture history, and continue to incite nostalgia within viewers decades later.
From trailblazing sitcoms likeThe Golden GirlsandFriendsto acclaimed dramas such asSix Feet UnderandBetter Call Saul, the small screen has featured a colorful array of unforgettable last lines that brilliantly capture the heart and soul of the shows. Here are 20 of the greatest final lines in TV history.
20"Just wanted one last look. Driver, we’re ready." - Schitt’s Creek
Season 6, Episode 14 - “Happy Ending”
Forsix beloved seasons, fans all across the world fell in love with the kooky Rose clan, who went from riches-to-rags and were forced to relocate to the titular town in the sitcomSchitt’s Creek. Featuring the talents of Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy, the wholesome series focuses on the Roses as they attempt to acclimate to their new life in the remote Canadian community, where they meet a slew of hilarious and colorful characters.
Schitt’s Creekmade the decision to leave their devoted viewers wanting more as opposed to overstaying its welcome (as so many shows tend to do), and in the final episode, both Johnny and Moira bid adieu to the town and head to sunny California. Despite initially resenting their predicament and Schitt’s Creek itself, the Rose family grew immensely during their stay and the couple had to soak in everything (including the town’s unforgettably hilarious billboard) one last time before departing.Stream on Hulu.
Schitt’s Creek
Related:20 TV Shows with Feel-Good Finales
19"It’s a long way to Tipperary; it’s a long way to go." - The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Season 7, Episode 24 - “The Last Show”
Trailblazing television and film star Mary Tyler Moore first rose to prominence in the acclaimed ’60s seriesThe Dick Van Dyke Show, before taking over the small screen in the following decade and landing her very own sitcom,The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In the smash hit program, Moore portrays ambitious career-woman Mary Richards, who takes a job at a Minneapolis news station as a producer and develops life-long friendships both at and outside of her work.
The Mary Tyler Moore Showwasa groundbreaking seriesthat tackled then-taboo subjects for TV such as workplace discrimination, premarital sex, and homosexuality, and became one of the leading faces of second-wave feminism.
The empowering sitcom concludes with Moore and her co-stars like Ed Asner, Betty White, and Gavin MacLeod coming together for one final broadcast, emotionally joining in song with one another and belting out “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”.Stream on Hulu.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
18"Hello, brother." - The Vampire Diaries
Season 8, Episode 16 - “I Was Feeling Epic”
After spending eight seasons battling it out for the love and affection of Elena Gilbert, brothers Damon and Stefan Salvatore were finally able to make peace with one another by the time the curtains closed on the dramaThe Vampire Diaries. Set in the mysterious town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the fan-favorite show chronicled the many supernatural beings Elena, the Salvatores, and its inhabitants faced off against, like werewolves, witches, and everything in between.
Despite sharing a contentious relationship, Damon and Stefan are ultimately given the happy ending they had long been waiting for in “I Was Feeling Epic.” The last scene of the series centers on the brothers as they are reunited in the afterlife at the boarding house, as Stefan opens the door and sees Damon standing there, with the elder sibling warmly saying, “Hello, brother.”
The touching exchange mirrors the first words said between the two in the series premiere, and is a full-circle moment for the pair as they lovingly embrace.Stream on Max.
Vampire Diaries
17"I’ll say this to you, my friend, with all the love in my heart and all the wisdom of the universe: Take it sleazy." - The Good Place
Season 4, Episode 14 - “Whenever You’re Ready”
Touting a star-studded cast led by Kristen Stewart, Ted Danson, and William Jackson Harper, the fantasy comedyThe Good Placedazzled audiences with its heartfelt humor, unique premise, and quirky characters, and famously follows Eleanor Shellstrop as she is seemingly welcomed into heaven by mistake, and must change her selfish ways to earn her spot in the afterlife.
Lauded for itsepic plot twist, sensational performances, and exploration of moral philosophy,The Good Placewon numerous accolades during its run, including a Peabody and a NAACP Image Award, and while fans were hoping for more seasons, the show said goodbye after four. Known for its playful approach to wordplay and swearing, the series finale is spoken by Danson’s character Michael, who has returned to Earth and still possesses his mischievous spirit.Stream on Netflix.
The Good Place
16“How’s Annie?” - Twin Peaks
Season 2, Episode 22 - “Beyond Life and Death”
From the mind ofsurrealist master David Lynchcomes the sensational ’90s cult classicTwin Peaks, a revered mystery drama that starred Kyle MacLachlan as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, who heads to the eponymous Washington town to investigate the shocking murder of beauty queen and high school student Laura Palmer. Cooper quickly discovers something sinister lurks deep within the community and must keep his wits throughout the troubling investigation.
Devoted viewers of the eerie series were left devastated when it was canceled after just two seasons, and the episode"Beyond Life and Death"subsequently became the series finale and ended on a cliffhanger.
In the closing scene of the drama, Cooper is in the bathroom and gazes in the mirror, and it is revealed that the nefarious BOB is looking back at him and that Cooper’s demented doppelgänger was actually the one who emerged from the Black Lodge. He maniacally asks,“How’s Annie?“as he bashes his head against the mirror.Stream on Paramount+.
Twin Peaks
15“It’s such a good feeling to know we’re lifelong friends.” - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Season 31, Episode 5 - “Celebrate the Arts”
HallowedTV host Fred Rogershelped change the face of children’s programming when he created and presented the beloved educational seriesMister Rogers' Neighborhood,an enduring and celebrated show that tackled issues and concerns young viewers were experiencing that affected their physical and emotional well-being. It ran for a whopping 31 seasons from 1968 to 2001 and tugged on the heartstrings of audiences everywhere, becoming a must-see for children and their parents.
Mister Rogers presented the half-hour episodes in an engaging and natural manner, soothing viewers with his calming demeanor as he completed tasks, demonstrated experiments, and discussed various subjects pertinent to young watchers. After decades on air, Rogers gave a touching goodbye and even sang a song about how proud he was of his audience, lovingly declaring in his final moments on-screen,“It’s such a good feeling to know we’re lifelong friends.“Stream on Apple TV+.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
14“We’ve been waiting for you.” - Lost
Season 6, Episode 18 - “The End”
By the time the series finale rolled around for the breakout disaster dramaLost, viewers had been put through quite the emotional ringer as they tuned in each week to see what would happen to the survivors of Flight 815. What started out as a series focused on the aftermath of a plane crash and the diverse group of people trying to stay alive, eventually adopted a sci-fi flair that got progressivelymore wild season after season, as the survivors were plagued by supernatural phenomena.
After six head-scratching but nonetheless engrossing seasons,Lostconcluded with Jack, Sawyer, Kate, and the rest of the Flight 815 survivors being reunited at a church, as Jack is greeted by John Locke in the heaven-esque setting and tells the younger man,“We’ve been waiting for you.”
The polarizing grand finale chronicled how the group’s destinies and fates were interconnected, as they were forever bound by their shared trauma; the episode is also open to interpretation and has been widely analyzed in the ensuing years.Stream on Hulu.
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
13"You can’t take a picture of this. It’s already gone.” - Six Feet Under
Season 5, Episode 12 - “Everyone’s Waiting”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, thesmash-hit HBO dramedySix Feet Undercenters on the Fisher family as sons Nate and David inherit their late father’s Los Angeles funeral home, contending with their own personal feelings and baggage in the process. The poignant series focused on heavy themes like life and death, grief, human mortality, and familial dynamics, and ran for five critically acclaimed seasons.
In the final episode"Everyone’s Waiting”, Nate (Peter Krause) visits his sister Claire (Lauren Ambrose) one last time in a vision before she relocates to New York City. The younger sibling starts to take a picture as she prepares to depart, and Nate ambiguously tells her,“you’re able to’t take a picture of this. It’s already gone”, implying that the life she knew is done, and a photo can’t make it last. It is a profound and fitting conclusion to a series that so expertly explored life and mortality.Stream on Max.
Six Feet Under
Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under is a Black Comedy and Drama series that stars Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths, and Michael C. Hall. Running for five seasons between 2001 and 2005, the plot revolves around a dysfunctional family that owns and operates a funeral home.
12“I love you all. Class dismissed” - Boy Meets World
Season 7, Episode 23 - “Brave New World (Part 2)”
Lovable misfits Cory, Shawn, Topanga, and Eric were mentored and watched over by their compassionate teacher and neighbor Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) for seven seasons, with the coming-of-age sitcomBoy Meets Worlddepicting the progression of Cory Matthews as he evolves from a mischievous boy to a responsible young man over the course of the endearing ’90s series.
Throughout the cozy sitcom, Cory and the gang were taught countless life lessons by Mr. Feeny as they experienced the many highs-and-lows of growing up.
Over the years, fans were constantly comforted by the wise teacher and his sage advice, and it was only fitting that the show concludes with the friends back in Mr. Feeny’s classroom as they prepare to go their respective ways, with their mentor emotionally telling them he will always be with them and dismissing the class for the final time.Stream on Disney+.
Boy Meets World
11"And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” - Sex and the City
Season 6, Episode 20 - “An American Girl In Paris (Part Deux)”
Gal pals Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte entertained and amused the masses for six sensational seasons in the romantic dramedy seriesSex and the City, following the lives of theclose-knit best friendsas they attempt to find love and success in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis rounded out the cast of the Darren Star creation, which took home eight Golden Globes and seven Primetime Emmys during its run.
The beauty ofSex and the Cityand its dramatically different four leads is that viewers saw themselves in the attitude and behaviors of the leading ladies and became heavily invested in their love lives. Carrie endured a tumultuous relationship with on-again/off-again love Mr. Big, but she finally got her happily ever after in the finale after the two finally commit to one another with their whole hearts. Her honest last line brilliantly captures the love she was looking for, as she is finally accepted (flaws and all) for who she truly is.Stream on Max.
