Whoa. It has been like Dec. 24 at a procrastinator’s house — the wrapping-up frenzy that TV shows have been doing.
To sort it all out, we’ve concocted this score card of season/series-enders. As a further public service, we’ve added lovely icons to represent the traditional finale fodder: pregnancies, weddings, gunplay, death and cliffhangers. Finally, please enjoy our dazzling finale-o-meter, with ratings from 1 (disappointing) to 5 (delightful).
‘The Office’ RATING: 3
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? It wasn’t as good as last year’s amazing “Office” finale — which had that memorable Jim-Pam kiss — but it still had its share of funny moments.
What happened: Jim, Karen and Michael all interviewed for Jan’s job — which she didn’t know she was losing. Oops. Michael was hilariously wowed by Jan’s new, er, figure, and as Dunder Mifflin’s heir apparent, a scheming Dwight painted Michael’s office black. But aargh, we have to wait until next season to see if he broke up with Karen.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ RATING: 2
(PREGNANCY)
(WEDDING)
(DEATH)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? Remember when the “Grey’s” characters were likable and treated patients? Is it wrong to be relieved that this increasingly shrill medical soap is off the air for a few months?
What happened: The 75-minute finale was overwrought, and it’ll be sad if George doesn’t return — though we won’t cry if Burke is finished. Except for the scene of Cristina after her non-wedding and Alex’s story line, this was a bust. The chief’s wife’s pregnant, at 52!? Come on..
‘Ugly Betty’ RATING: 5
(GUNPLAY)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? Great. This typically tip-top, perfectly paced episode finished out “Betty’s” season in style.
What happened: A lot. Amanda found out that she’s Fey Sommers’ secret daughter; Daniel and Alexis may be dead thanks to a car accident (which wasn’t really an accident); Hilda’s fiance, Santos, might have died in a convenience store robbery shooting; and Betty finally declared her love for Henry. On top of that, Betty’s nephew Justin shone as the lead in the school’s production of “West Side Story.”
‘My Name Is Earl’ RATING: 4
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? Whip-smart dialogue kept us laughing until they slapped the cuffs on Earl.
What happened: Boy, was karma going Earl’s way. His do-good list of paying back the people he had wronged was getting shorter, and he had his own apartment and — gasp — a real job. But then Earl realized the only way he could keep ex-wife Joy out of jail was to take the rap for her crime. So soft-hearted Earl got the ultimate payback: a two-year jail sentence.
‘Veronica Mars’ RATING: 4
HOW WAS IT? It’s not good that “Veronica Mars” is done for good, but the episode itself was decent, and the many subtle references to Season 1 were cool.
What happened: Veronica investigated a sexy video clip that featured her fooling around with her new boyfriend, Piz. No gunplay, but a still-pining Logan beat up two different guys he thought were responsible for the video shenanigans. The final shot of Veronica walking down a rain-slicked street, as “It Never Rains in Southern California” played, felt like a fitting, film noir-esque coda.
‘Lost’ RATING: 4
(PREGNANCY)
(DEATH)
(GUNPLAY)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? Despite the fact that Jack was kind of annoying, the finale was pretty darn exciting and action-packed.
What happened: We saw flash-for- wards of what appeared to be Jack — off the island, on the booze and mourning the death of what may have been another island survivor. On the island, the beach folk fought off the Others and made their way to a possible rescue. The best part: Hurley and his VW van saving the day.
‘Heroes’ RATING: 3
(GUNPLAY)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? Pretty good, but after promising to wrap up most of its first-season stories, “Heroes” didn’t deliver.
What happened: Sylar finally faced off with Peter Petrelli, who went nuclear, but Nathan flew off with his brother so that Peter wouldn’t nuke New York when he exploded. Hiro ran Sylar through with a sword, but did the superbad guy survive? Are the brothers Petrelli dead? This finale brought up more questions than it answered, but still, it was cool that we learned H.R.G.’s first name (it’s Noah)
Gilmore Girls’ RATING: 5
HOW WAS IT? After a mostly disappointing seventh season, the last few episodes of this much-loved show, especially the sweet finale, were touching and wonderful. Not a dry eye in the house.
What happened: The residents of Stars Hollow threw a graduation party for Rory, and Luke and Lorelai (hooray!) finally kissed and made up. Lorelai and her mother, Emily, agreed to keep those Friday night dinners going (sniff) and Lorelai’s father, Richard, told Lorelai how proud he was of her (sob).
Jericho’ RATING: 3
(GUNPLAY)
(DEATH)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? A stirring ending to this show’s first season — too bad CBS canceled it. But will a fan campaign revive this survival-oriented series?
What happened: The townsfolk defended themselves from an attack from a nearby settlement, and town patriarch Johnston Greene died. A fun finale diversion was “Spot the ‘Deadwood’ Cast Member” — Gerald McRaney played Green, plus there were appearances by “Deadwood’s” Timothy Omundson and Titus Welliver.
‘How I Met Your Mother’ RATING: 4
HOW WAS IT? It was a finale that actually answered a key question (OK, part of one): Robin is not the “Mother.”
What happened: Marshall and Lily’s wedding reception was in full gear, with Marshall’s bad-hair incident neatly covered and a drunk Lily still standing. But what was up with Ted and Robin? Was Robin pregnant? Were they getting married too? Barney had to know! And so did we. And then we found out. Ted and Robin broke up. And so the mystery of “how I met your mother” remains.
‘House’ RATING: 3
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? It was confusing, but ended with a bit of a cliffhanger.
What happened: Dr. Gregory House is cranky, cranky. But he’s so cranky good that a couple from Cuba takes to the seas so the doc can figure out what’s wrong with the wife. What does the pill-popping doc do? Treat her with the “I don’t care” attitude he shows all patients. Which is part of his appeal. Sure, he ends up diagnosing the ailment and she recovers, but his team is gone, either having been fired or quit. House is alone again, naturally.
‘CSI’ RATING: 4
(DEATH)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? We finally found out who the wacko Miniature Killer was, and her history as the disturbed daughter of a creepy ventriloquist was, well, creepy.
What happened: The Miniature Killer not only managed to get into the “CSI” staff’s offices, but she (dun-dun-dun) kidnapped the girlfriend of Gil Grissom (William Petersen), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), and left the injured CSI tech under an overturned car. Guess we’ll have to wait to see whether Fox’s contract talks go well enough for her character to return next year.
‘Scrubs’ RATING: 4
(PREGNANCY)
(WEDDING)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? As is usual for this six-year NBC veteran, it was excellent, combining both great giddy fun and a compelling dramatic push into next season.
What happened: Instead of ending where it appeared to be heading, on the wedding of Eliot and Keith, it took us to the brink. And there, J.D., now living with pregnant Kim, and Eliot appear ready to make out when the curtain falls. A cheap stunt if it weren’t in character for two people known for sabotaging their own happiness.
‘Desperate Housewives’ RATING: 3
(PREGNANCY)
(WEDDING)
(DEATH)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? Plenty of story lines were cast for next season, and with Bree back, the Gabby/Carlos/Edie triad may get a needed rest.
What happened: Lynette’s mom moves in. A “pregnant” Bree returns, but she’s faking to protect her really pregnant daughter. Gabrielle weds Victor, but learns it’s to help with the Hispanic vote. Susan and Mike marry quick and cute. Final scene shows Edie’s limp feet after apparently hanging herself.
’24’ RATING: 1
(PREGNANCY)
(GUNPLAY)
(DEATH)
(CLIFFHANGERS)
HOW WAS IT? The smart become stupid and vice versa. Jack’s disgraced former boss Bill Buchanan sashays away from an FBI search of his home to help Jack save the world.
What happened: Jack destroys his father and a circuit board, thus averting a U.S./Russia war; writes off yet another woman (the traumatized Audrey Raines); and his PDA never needs a recharge. Cranky computer whiz Chloe gets pregnant. Jack’s evil dad dies (maybe).
‘Brothers & Sisters’ RATING: 4
HOW WAS IT? Aside from silly party shenanigans, a satisfying finale to the first season. Justin’s farewell was especially moving.
What happened: At the engagement party for Kitty and Robert, his wacky relatives trashed Nora’s home. A former lover of Saul’s showed up, and Kevin and Jason kissed. Justin reluctantly shipped off early to Iraq.
