With excitement about the new Daredevil series building alongside the reveal that Hugh Jackman will be returning as Wolverine in Deadpool 3, it seems like Marvel fans are winning on every front. In addition, the many scattered Marvel projects that were launched and dropped over the years now have the potential to be revived in some way thanks to the magic of the multiverse. Now that the first wave of MCU Disney+ shows has ended, fans have taken the time to reflect on past projects and prepare for future ones.
The most anticipated episodes of every television series are arguably the pilot episodes and the finale episodes. This is especially true for Marvel shows, where the stakes can be incredibly high. Some finales perfectly tie up the series while others fall flat, and the finales of Marvel’s plethora of TV shows range from brilliant to lackluster.
Updated on December 19th, by Meagan Bojarski: Phase Four of Marvel is officially over, and while the quality of its content varied, it proved the viability of creating Marvel series for Disney+. The company also transferred all of its older properties to the Disney+ streaming service, which has allowed fans to rediscover shows that they might have otherwise missed. Between reveals from the movies and shows and external news sources, it’s become clear that mutants are coming to the MCU, as are the Defenders. For the Disney+ shows and those that came before them, the quality of each series and its finale may well decide what kind of future each has in Phases Five and Six of the MCU.
Inhumans
Season 1, Episode 8: …And Finally: Black Bolt
Despite having a talented cast, Inhumans never really took off for fans, which perhaps could have been (and was) predicted given that the intended film version had already been abandoned by Marvel. The series followed the Inhuman royal family as they tried to find their place on Earth, but the characters simply weren’t interesting enough to draw much of an audience. The show only earned an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the finale struggled to overcome that.
There were definitely some successful moments, particularly while Black Bolt and Medusa were evacuating the population of Attilan. However, the characters simply weren’t able to shine because of the low budget. They hardly ever used their powers, and there was no epic battle for fans to latch onto. On top of that, few characters had much of an arc to speak of. Altogether, it might have been the best episode of Inhumans, but it was the worst finale in a Marvel series.
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
Season 1, Episode 9: Whose Show Is This?
From the first trailer, She-Hulk was overshadowed by cameos in her own show. That was a deliberate choice on the part of the showrunners, and Jen brings it up frequently. Despite She-Hulk as a character going back to 1980, she was up against a lot of ignorance to stand out as a worthwhile hero.
The show had its highs and lows, but the finale really captured Jen’s struggle to be recognized on her own merits, as she literally escaped the show and confronted Kevin Feige about the failings of the MCU formula and why she couldn’t be valid on her own without legacy characters like Bruce and Wong. With that being said, its success in that endeavor is up for debate, and it seems that fans either loved or hated the finale, similar to the controversy over the show as a whole.
Runaways
Season 3, Episode 10: Cheat the Gallows
While DC’s Arrowverse spent a lot of time on the families of superheroes, Runaways addressed what happens when teenagers discover that their parents are the supervillains. The concept itself was intriguing (and is similar to DC’s Stargirl series), and for the most part, it managed to balance the teen drama, family drama, and superhero genres.
For a series reliant on found family, it was only right that the finale would explore what would happen if the family fell apart. That question brought a lot of great concepts, comic references, and relationship dynamics to the surface. It also required a time jump, poorly-constructed world-building, and a lot of rushing. An arc that might have worked for a full season was forced into one episode, and while it would be difficult at this point to integrate Runaways into the MCU proper, fans can hope that one day the finale’s arc can be properly explored.
Loki
Season 1, Episode 6: For All Time. Always.
The first season of Loki was very well-received by Marvel fans, earning a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. For most, seeing Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, a deeply beloved character, get to be the lead of his own television series was a dream come true. That being said, the season 1 finale of Loki is one of the more controversial episodes of the Disney+ shows, with some fans liking it and others hating it.
The finale introduces a variant of Kang the Conquerer though some felt it was in an underwhelming manner, failing to establish him as a notable character and killing him off quickly. In addition to that, the controversial romantic attraction between Loki and one of his variants, Sylvie, is set in stone, with the two kissing. Aside from the last scene of the episode, the finale of Loki fails to answer important questions. While the second season will likely answer these burning questions, a season finale should still offer closure and end the season well, instead of leaving too many open endings.
Cloak and Dagger
Season 2, Episode 10: Level Up
Cloak & Dagger was originally ordered by the Freeform Channel, which led to its young adult soap opera tone. Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson both acquired superpowers from a shared catastrophe, with one acquiring light powers and the ability to see others’ hopes and the other acquiring control over the dark and the ability to see others’ fears. After learning that their powers work better together, they teamed up to fix some of the injustices around them.
When it came time for the show’s finale, the characters were forced to face their deepest fears and insecurities. Essentially, the finale staged the entire show as Tandy and Tyrone’s origin story, with their trials in the Darkforce making them into the heroes they needed to be. While several moments were weaker than they should have been, the finale gave the characters closure and set up their potential future in Marvel media.
Agent Carter
Season 2, Episode 10: Hollywood Ending
The Agent Carter show was greenlit after the character became popular in Captain America: The First Avenger. The show stars Hayley Atwell, and it explores how life would have been for such a powerful woman in the 1940s, particularly when it came to sexist infrastructure and complicated romantic dynamics.
The show’s finale had a lot of really strong moments, especially when it came to Peggy’s dynamic with Howard Stark. In addition, the moral complexities that had been explored throughout the series were shown to be subjective, which gave closure to many of the contentious relationships the show had previously established. However, the cliffhanger at the end is difficult to accept given there wasn’t a third season, and the reintroduction of Steve into Peggy’s life in the MCU effectively retcons the finale’s most earned moments.
The Defenders
Season 1, Episode 8: The Defenders
For those who loved the Netflix Marvel shows more than the MCU, The Defenders was a crossover that had been eagerly awaited. While the series brought together Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, the series was not overly popular, losing viewers more rapidly than its predecessors.
As for the finale itself, there were a few shining moments in the midst of a lot of chaos. Unlike major superhero crossovers like Avengers: Infinity War or DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, the show as a whole—and particularly this finale—felt like significantly less than the sum of its parts. The chemistry between the leads felt genuine, but the fights had limited consequences and the cancelation of the Netflix shows meant that even the budding relationships between the various superheroes couldn’t go very far.
Hawkeye
Season 1, Episode 6: So This Is Christmas?
While dealing with important topics, Hawkeye is one of the more lighthearted Marvel shows. It takes place during Christmas, it has a pizza dog named Lucky in it, and the bad guys are a gang that wears tracksuits. Even though Hawkeye is a fun show and the finale is still an enjoyable episode, it misses the mark by just a little.
The main flaw in Hawkeye is its villains and how they are handled in the finale. In the fifth episode, it is revealed that the villain is Kate Bishop’s mother, Eleanor, and she is working with the infamous Kingpin. The excitement at Kingpin’s reveal is quickly diffused when in the finale, he fights Kate and appears to be killed off soon after. It is an underwhelming official MCU debut for such a pivotal character, especially one who is so well done in Netflix’s Daredevil series. The redeeming qualities of this finale are Yelena and Clint’s heart-to-heart and some cool shots of best friend duo Clint and Kate shooting down Tracksuit Mafia goons.
Luke Cage
Season 2, Episode 13: They Reminisce Over You
Throughout its first season, Luke Cage was about Luke trying to stay alive and out of prison, with a desire to help Harlem when he could. Season 2 had a stronger focus on Luke’s actions to keep the peace, as he was no longer fighting for his life.
In the finale, Luke had to decide whether to keep his hands clean or make Harlem a safer place. While that plot line was relatively successful (though controversial), too many elements were added to set up a third season that never came, which left many characters—especially Tilda Johnson—without much closure.
Ms. Marvel
Season 1, Episode 6: No Normal
Ms. Marvel was an important step in the right direction to diversifying the MCU, both in terms of hero demographics and tonal changes. The series feels unique from the standard Marvel formula, and the finale showcased its emphasis on color and community.
Kamala had a successful hero journey, but the ensemble didn’t fare as well. Neither her New Jersey nor Karachi allies felt wholly realized, and Kamran’s villain arc felt rushed. However, those failings were largely overshadowed by the reveals in the end: that Kamala Khan is a mutant and that she can trade places with Carol Danvers. Those surprises turned a respectable finale into a must-see component of the MCU.
The Punisher
Season 2, Episode 13: The Whirlwind
Fans were thrilled when Frank Castle appeared on Daredevil, and his spin-off had high expectations. Unfortunately, the series had some difficulty getting started, and while fans found Jon Bernthal to be an excellent version of the Punisher, the writing tended to be hit or miss.
When it came to the series finale, the show’s characteristic violence was on full display, with action scenes galore. It also took time for the moral quandaries the Defenders Saga is known for, which felt slightly less forced than usual.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Season 1, Episode 6: One World, One People
2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is probably one of the shows that is the most important to the future of the MCU, second to WandaVision. The show explores real topics like systematic racism, income inequality, and the dangers of nationalism, and it also follows Sam Wilson in his journey to becoming Captain America.
Even though the finale offers inspiring moments, like Sam’s impassioned speech regarding equality, it’s predictable while somehow also introducing strange twists. The main villain, Karli Morgenthau, is killed off in a rather underwhelming manner by Sharon Carter, who makes an unprecedented reappearance. John Walker receives an unearned moment of redemption. It’s a finale that technically checks all the boxes, but it leaves viewers unsatisfied.
Iron Fist
Season 2, Episode 10: A Duel Of Iron
Iron Fist was an incredibly controversial show when it began, with the concept alone frustrating many viewers who didn’t see why a white man was at the center of a show based on Asian traditions and fighting skills. Beyond that, Danny wasn’t the most engaging protagonist. However, the ensemble was really impressive, and the second season really helped improve the series as a whole.
The finale of Iron Fist opened as many doors as it closed, and it would be one of the best finales had it been able to fulfill the promises it made. The finale did a great job exploring the background and legacy of the Iron Fist role—which could have led to a lot of really engaging stories in the future—and provided enough glimpses of the comic-accurate character details for hard-core fans to have a lot to celebrate. However, since there was no season 3, much of the set-up in the finale felt pointless when viewed as a series finale.
Daredevil
Season 3, Episode 13: A New Napkin
While the season 3 finale of Daredevil sets up another season that sadly never came to fruition on Netflix, it still works as a series finale. With mesmerizing and visceral fight scenes, impeccable performances from Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio, and incredibly realistic storylines from the Daredevil comics, the show is considered by many to be the best live-action Marvel show so far.
Seaon 3 of Daredevil is a strong point of the show, but the set-up of the finale and the finale itself are some of the weaker aspects of the season. The appearance of some new plot holes and the failure to address those plot holes mar the final episode, distracting viewers from the story. However, given Charlie Cox’s appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, Vincent D’Onofrio’s role in Hawkeye, and the future Daredevil: Born Again series, fans can largely ignore “A New Napkin” as a finale for the character altogether.
Jessica Jones
Season 3, Episode 13: A.K.A. Everything
The finale of Jessica Jones season 3 served as both an end to the series and an end to the Defenders saga. But while fans might want to see a triumphant finale, that has never been the tone of this series.
From start to finish, Jessica Jones was a painful exploration of morality and heroism, and the grim finale is fitting for a series that never let anybody ignore the consequences and casualties of their actions. This worked especially well when it came to Jessica and Trish’s relationship. There were a few muddled plot lines and coincidences, but overall the finale to Jessica Jones gave fans the closure they needed along with hope that the characters might still be revived in the future.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Season 7, Episode 13: What We’re Fighting For
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has the advantage of longevity over other MCU TV series, particularly the more recent Disney+ releases. Running for seven years, the show is able to tell complete stories in an appropriate amount of time, as opposed to being condensed into six episodes.
The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finale is a great one, even though the show has gone through rough patches. It ties up loose ends, offers emotional moments, and fulfills redemption storylines. The best part is the final moment of gratitude between Phil Coulson and Daisy Johnson. Season 7 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is one of the weaker ones, but ultimately, the finale wraps up an incredibly successful show by respecting its legacy.
Legion
Season 3, Episode 8: Chapter 27
Rather than deviating from the MCU, Legion deviated from the X-Men films, portraying the world through the unreliable gaze of David Haller (Legion). Lead actor Dan Stevens put a concerted effort into playing his character (who was diagnosed with schizophrenia) respectfully, and the series as a whole was viewed as artful and complex. The first two seasons each earned a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the final season earned a 94% rating.
With a show that was so universally acclaimed, it’s hard for the finale to ever live up to expectations. It was overly positive, given the emotional turmoil of earlier episodes, and a lot of the most climactic moments felt too easily solved. Several character arcs didn’t feel earned. But at the end of the day, Legion provided a level of depth practically unheard of in the Marvel universe, and its finale was complicated and beautiful in its imperfections as much as its successes.
WandaVision
Season 1, Episode 9: The Series Finale
The very first of the Marvel Disney+ shows, WandaVision was a bonafide hit, capturing the audience’s attention from the very first episode. With its sitcom-inspired style, beautiful cinematography, and emotional acting, the show kept viewers on their toes.
WandaVision plays with the limits of television and defies expectations. As one of the strongest Marvel shows, WandaVision also has one of the strongest finales. It ties up the story of Westview in a heartbreaking way, acting as a prequel to Wanda’s origin as a villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The finale hits all the most important points: a great final fight, Wanda finally becoming the Scarlet Witch, and heartbreaking goodbyes to Vision, Billy, and Tommy. The only negative thing about this finale is that it is somewhat predictable. That being said, it couldn’t have ended any other way, and that’s why the WandaVision finale is one of the best.
The Gifted
Season 2, Episode 16: oMens
Fox’s The Gifted served as a strong introduction to mutants for comic-lovers and newcomers alike, with a world where the X-Men disappeared and mutants were under attack by the government. The Strucker family goes into hiding after their children develop abilities, bringing the audience into the philosophical conflicts between those who continued the X-Men’s mission and those who wanted mutant supremacy.
The series as a whole did a great job exploring the moral and political implications of the persecuted and their persecutors, and the finale did a remarkable job giving those questions a sense of closure. There was excitement, emotion, and an overwhelming sense of hope, which made this an extremely well-done finale, despite a few clunky flashbacks.
Moon Knight
Season 1, Episode 6: Gods And Monsters
In a lot of ways, Moon Knight may be the only Disney+ show that doesn’t feel rushed. It took Marvel a few tries to get the pacing of their six-episode shows exactly correct. Though fans wish they could have learned more about Harrow and Layla, as a whole, Moon Knight does an amazing job at telling a well-paced story.
The finale of Moon Knight checks all the boxes while tying up loose ends and masterfully setting up the second season. The villains, Harrow and Ammit, are defeated after a beautifully choreographed fight in which Moon Knight, Mr. Knight, and Layla all show off their impressive skills. The beauty of the finale, though, is the fact that it ends the first season essentially where it started. The first episode of the show starts with Steven in his apartment, unaware that Marc exists and unaware that Khonshu is in control of him. The last scene of the finale ends with Steven and Marc in their apartment, oblivious to the fact that Jake Lockley exists and that Khonshu is still in control. It’s a full-circle moment, and the credits scene where Jake kills Harrow for Khonshu is the perfect cliffhanger. There are so many things to love about the finale of Moon Knight and virtually nothing to hate.
