5 Must-Watch Western TV Shows With the Greatest Endings, Ranked

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As a fan, I’ve learned TV show finales can be really hit or miss. Some of the older shows, like Gunsmoke and Rawhide, just ended suddenly, which felt really unsatisfying. And more recently, shows like Yellowstone left me with so many unanswered questions and a disappointing ending that didn’t live up to how strong the series started. It’s frustrating when a show you love doesn’t stick the landing!

Sometimes, a TV show will wrap up its story well, even if it’s not a particularly famous or highly-regarded series. These satisfying endings are uncommon, but a strong finale, especially for a Western, can really shape how people remember the show.

Hell on Wheels Gives Every Character Their Due

Before becoming known as Christopher Pike in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Anson Mount first gained recognition for his role as Cullen Bohannon in Hell on Wheels. This five-season series followed the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad and the difficult lives of those who built it.

Okay, so the ending wasn’t exactly a huge surprise, especially knowing the history it was based on, but it still really hit me emotionally. It was so satisfying to see everyone get their due. I loved that Mickey and Eva were starting a new life out West, and Bohannon finally going after Mei in China felt like a perfect full-circle moment. It really tied up all the storylines we’d been following for so long. Honestly, it left me with this bittersweet feeling – like everyone was finally at peace, moving on, and starting fresh, and it was just… really well done.

Godless Ended With a Satisfying and Action-Packed Shootout

Netflix’s Godless is a Western miniseries taking place in the made-up town of La Belle, New Mexico. After a mining accident killed many of the men, the town is now largely run by women. The arrival of a mysterious stranger inevitably disrupts the peace.

The final episode centers around a showdown between the women of La Belle and the Griffin Gang, who Roy has been running from. This culminates in a thrilling and visually stunning gunfight – one of the best seen in recent Western TV shows. The women of the town ultimately step up and defeat the villains in a dramatic, action-filled conclusion.

Longmire Concludes with a Surprising Turn of Events

Walt Longmire, played by Robert Taylor, is a truly unforgettable sheriff, but even he reaches a point where he needs to retire. He’s hesitant to do so because he doesn’t fully trust anyone in the Absaroka County Sheriff’s Department to take over his job.

In a surprising move, Walt chooses his daughter, Cady (Cassidy Freeman), to take over his work. Though she’s not a law enforcement officer herself, Cady has an exceptional understanding of the law and Walt’s complete trust. This unexpected decision ensures that Absaroka County will continue to be protected by a member of the Longmire family. The choice beautifully wraps up Walt’s personal journey and provides a heartwarming conclusion, fulfilling the show’s central themes by passing the responsibility on to Cady.

The Big Valley Concluded with a Gripping and Satisfying Finale

Barbara Stanwyck was a highly respected star of Western television, and her portrayal of Victoria Barkley, the strong-willed head of a ranching family in The Big Valley, is considered one of her best roles. The show ended with a particularly gripping scene where Barkley nearly dies, making it one of the most memorable finales of its time.

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Two brothers sought revenge on Barkley for their father’s death, and they nearly succeeded when they attacked her at home with guns. Luckily, her son Jarrod intervened, cleverly using a distraction to disarm them in a tense shootout. The dramatic ending was groundbreaking for its time, keeping audiences captivated until the very last moment and offering a surprisingly optimistic conclusion to the family’s story after four seasons.

Justified Ends with Its Most Memorable Quote

Few TV series endings are as powerfully emotional as this one. In the final scene, Raylan visits Boyd in prison after Boyd attempted to kill Ava, a woman Raylan had previously released. To protect Ava from future harm, Raylan tells Boyd a lie: that Ava died in a car accident. When Boyd questions why Raylan delivered the news in person, Raylan cryptically responds, “We dug coal together,” hinting at their shared history and a complicated bond.

This phrase highlights the shared background and hometown that connected the two men, and the bond they formed through working together and facing difficulties. It’s a way of understanding the relationship between Raylan and Boyd, reminding us that despite everything, they’re both still just working-class men from Kentucky. It’s a strong and appropriate way to conclude their story.

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2025-12-26 05:38