There is probably no other network that has fans as passionate as the ones that follow shows on The CW. Series like Supernatural were able to last as long as they did only because of fan interest, making The CW a network that usually makes sure to satisfy its viewers.
And yet, there have been definite letdowns that fans have made sure to point out as being of lower quality than what they deserved. Since series finales are so important to leave a show’s lasting impression, these episodes receive particular interest from viewers. The CW has gotten this aspect perfectly on some occasions, while others have missed the mark.
Best: “I Was Feeling Epic” – The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
After over a century of struggles, and even doing the worst things to one another, the Salvatore brothers’ journey ended in peace. The last episode didn’t make too big of a deal over Elena’s return, which was the correct move since The Vampire Diaries had evolved over the years.
The story had shifted toward being about the brothers’ dynamic, and the final episode focused mainly on that. With Stefan making his big heroic sacrifice and Damon earning his own happy ending, the last episode did have an epic feel that culminated in a heartwarming embrace between the brothers when they were finally reunited in the afterlife.
Worst: “I’m The Good Twin” – Ringer (2011-2012)
Ringer had a very intriguing premise in presenting a pair of twins where Bridget assumed the identity of Siobhan after the latter’s death. The downside was that the finale threw a lot of revelations altogether, resulting in a botched mess with too many loose threads.
The episode not only brought all of Bridget’s issues to the forefront, it included Siobhan as well as she returned from her “death” and it was revealed she wanted her sister dead. It was way too muddled up to make sense and the show’s cancellation meant viewers will never know the resolution.
Best: “Fadeout” – Arrow (2012-2020)
After several years of leaving out plot threads for Oliver Queen regarding his past and future, the finale put everything to rest. Easily the best finale out of all the Arrow seasons, this episode was simultaneously a tribute to the legacy of Arrow and set up the future.
“Fadeout” focused on the fallout from the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, with all the consequences from the plot shown here. Oliver wasn’t the center-focus of the episode, but the ending made sure to portray him in peace in the afterlife, which was what fans wanted to see most of all.
Worst: “Chapter Thirteen: Come Together” – Katy Keene (2020)
The reason for this series’ bad ending is due to the fact that it left out several questions that remain unresolved. Rather than bring the show’s storylines together, Katy Keene opted to go for the unambiguous angle in hopes of tying them up for the next season, which won’t be happening.
It made things even more confusing due to the fact that Katy Keene was set in the future of Riverdale, meaning the characters shown here will have no place for surprises in the latter series due to the chronology. All in all, the episode continued the fascination with fashion rather than completing plotlines.
Best: “Chapter One Hundred” – Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)
The show ended in classic Jane the Virgin fashion with multiple hijinks and ridiculous events happening that delay the wedding. Most thought that the series would conclude with more drama than comedy, but the funnier approach was a better way to go.
It focused on the friendships Jane had made over the years, along with delivering a sendoff for fans that had enjoyed the quirky style of the series. The reveal of the narrator being the adult Mateo was a nice touch, confirming that Jane’s ending was a happy one to last into the future.
Worst: “When The Saints Go Marching In” – The Originals (2013-2018)
The penultimate episode had made Klaus’ intentions to kill himself clear but also had the effect of hinting that this wouldn’t come to pass. Unfortunately, the series finale did just that, which didn’t qualify as great storytelling since there were no surprises.
The whole trope of redemption meaning death has been played out for a long time, so the impact of Klaus and Elijah’s deaths just didn’t land. Fans had hoped for a different, happier ending, and the lack of such a conclusion, and any kind of plot twist, continues to be a sour point.
Best: “Finale” – Smallville (2001-2011)
This finale had a mixed response back when it had aired but has aged very well over the years. The story saw Clark confront Darkseid’s attempts to Apokolips to Earth, proving to be his biggest challenge yet and setting him on the path to being Superman.
All in all, the episode did a great job in establishing the main protagonist as the Man of Steel, with the one bad spot being the fact that the show didn’t fully feature Clark in Superman form. Other than that, it was a worthy conclusion to ten years’ worth of storylines.
Worst: “Bon Voyage” – Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Gilmore Girls always messed up with the main characters’ oftentimes confusing characterizations, and the original finale on The CW made things all the more confusing. There wasn’t much of anything that happened here, with Rory suddenly up for a job to cover Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Lorelai and Luke continued to be the way they were, which disappointed fans who wanted them to have a confirmed romance that was going somewhere. Rory’s big sendoff didn’t feel justified since she’d become a rather unlikable character, so the premise of the finale was a weak one to begin with.
Best: “Carry On” – Supernatural (2005-2020)
After fighting God himself in Season 15, and beating him in the penultimate episode, Sam and Dean’s final adventure saw the latter die during a hunt. Sam lived out his life and died as an old, and after his death, he and Dean were reunited in Heaven.
All things considered, the best thing about the finale was how it once again confirmed that the series had always been about the brotherly love story of the Winchesters. It delivered both a heartwarming farewell and an emotional reunion within the same episode, also giving the characters their long-overdue happy ending.
Worst: “New York, I Love You XOXO” – Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
After years of wondering who Gossip Girl was supposed to be, the finale made it out to be Dan. This reveal was widely lambasted, mainly because it turned all the sleazy stuff Gossip Girl did out to be Dan’s doing.
The five-year time skip felt rushed since the present-day storyline had only just shown the wedding of Chuck and Blair. The fallout from Bart Bass’s death was skipped, which essentially meant that the final moments overlooked most of what had happened in the series.
