Breaking Bad Had TV’s Greatest-Ever Finale, But This 10-Year-Old Comedy Came Close

When the final season of Breaking Bad aired in 2013, the show was under immense pressure. It had become a massive television hit, and everyone wondered if creator Vince Gilligan could deliver a finale that lived up to the high quality of the series. The final episode, “Felina,” was almost universally praised, proving that Breaking Bad achieved what few exceptional TV shows manage to do: a truly satisfying conclusion.

The conclusion of Breaking Bad, with Walt’s purposeful and fitting death, and Jesse’s hopeful escape, felt both satisfying and complete. Walt managed to outsmart his rivals until the very end, culminating in a thrilling final confrontation with Jack’s gang. What truly set the ending apart, though, was how it was expanded upon by the subsequent films El Camino and Better Call Saul, which added even more depth and resonance to the original story.

Many consider the finale of Breaking Bad‘s “Felina” to be the best TV series finale ever. However, a few years later, a unique comedy almost reached the same level of excellence.

The Good Place’s Finale Was Almost As Good As Breaking Bad’s

Sitcoms usually have simpler endings than crime dramas like Breaking Bad. Typically, the main focus is on resolving a romantic relationship and giving the friend group a heartfelt farewell.

However, The Good Place wasn’t a typical sitcom, and its finale, “Whenever You’re Ready,” was remarkably unique. The show essentially wrapped up its story in the episode before the last one, creating a new afterlife system and giving the main characters the happy endings they deserved. It could have ended there with a satisfying conclusion, but it wouldn’t have been truly memorable.

The final episode of The Good Place dared to ask what happens after everything is perfect, and in doing so, it explored the big questions about life and death. Ultimately, the show circled back to the core idea it started with: wondering what the future holds.

Both the Breaking Bad finale, “Felina,” and The Good Place‘s “Whenever You’re Ready” successfully ended their shows in a way that felt complete, yet still left some questions unanswered. Breaking Bad definitively concluded Walter White’s story and dismantled his criminal empire, but it didn’t show what happened to Jesse or Walt’s family afterward—only that they had a possibility of a better future.

Like a lot of great shows, The Good Place didn’t bother showing us what actually happens after the afterlife, and honestly, it didn’t need to. It wasn’t about a full explanation of how everyone reached enlightenment – though Jason’s Madden moment was pretty perfect! – but the ending felt complete. It didn’t leave you with unanswered questions that annoyed you, but instead, a satisfying sense of closure. They explored everything they needed to, and those characters walked off into the sunset on their terms, which is exactly what made the show so compelling.

The ending of The Good Place was both deeply moving and uplifting, and its visuals were stunning – it’s easily one of the best TV series finales ever made. It’s right up there with Breaking Bad as a top contender, though one of these finales is ultimately more satisfying.

Why Breaking Bad’s Ending Still Has An Edge Over The Good Place

Although both Breaking Bad‘s “Felina” and The Good Place‘s “Whenever You’re Ready” are excellent series finales, Breaking Bad‘s is generally considered more impactful for a couple of key reasons.

Some viewers felt that The Good Place‘s ending felt like an extra finale, and while it supported the show’s overall message, it wasn’t crucial to the actual plot. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it contrasts with shows like Breaking Bad, which feels like a complete and perfect work – especially its finale – where every part is essential and nothing could be removed without diminishing the whole.

Honestly, my biggest issue with the finale of The Good Place was just how quickly it all felt. Even split into two parts, it didn’t quite feel like enough time to really give each of the four main characters the send-off they deserved. I mean, they were facing total non-existence after leaving paradise – that’s huge! The show did a great job with what it had, and everything still made sense, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was all a little rushed. I just wanted a bit more time with each of them as they made that final, massive decision.

The finale of Breaking Bad was a remarkably well-crafted episode, giving just the right amount of attention to each character and storyline. Even with the added depth from El Camino and Better Call Saul, it’s clear the finale wasn’t rushed and fully explored all necessary elements.

Read More

2026-01-13 16:59