Series Finale - Typical Plot Devices

Typical Plot Devices

Series finales frequently feature fundamental deviations from the central plot line, such as the resolution of a central mystery or problem, the separation of the major characters, or the sale of a home or business that serves as the series' primary setting. Some alter the entire premise of the series, such as in St. Elsewhere and Newhart.

The final scene often takes place in the show's primary setting, such as in That '70s Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Martin, Full House, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, One Day at a Time, Lost, Boy Meets World, and One Life to Live.

Series finales often include looks into the future or show clips from the series' past, such as in Six Feet Under, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Guiding Light. Characters who have left the show often return, such as;

• Shelley Long in Cheers
• Ron Howard in Happy Days
• David Duchovny in The X-Files
• Denise Crosby and Colm Meaney in Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Eriq La Salle and Alex Kingston in ER
• Elizabeth Mitchell, Ian Somerhalder, Dominic Monaghan, Rebecca Mader, Jeremy Davies, Cynthia Watros and Maggie Grace in Lost
• Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman in The Mary Tyler Moore Show
• Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher in That '70s Show (However, Kutcher had appeared in earlier episodes in a recurring role)
• Amanda Seyfried in Big Love
• Jennifer Morrison, Anne Dudek, Kal Penn, Amber Tamblyn, Sela Ward and Olivia Wilde in House
• Michael Rosenbaum, Annette O'Toole and John Schneider in Smallville
• Jessica Biel in 7th Heaven (originally intended finale)
• Tisha Campbell in Martin
• Kristy McNichol in Empty Nest
• Estelle Harris in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
• Robert Pastorelli and Pat Corley in Murphy Brown
• Adrianne Palicki, Zach Gilford, Taylor Kitsch and Jesse Plemons in Friday Night Lights
• Dana Delany, Roger Bart, Richard Burgi, Christine Estabrook, Lupe Ontiveros and Steven Culp in Desperate Housewives
• Nicole Sullivan in The King of Queens
• David Canary in All My Children

Unseen characters may be revealed, such as Eddy's brother (who had only been referred to) in Ed, Edd n Eddy and millionaire Charlie Townsend on Charlie's Angels, whose voice was only used previously, appears in a clip show only. Characters may make cameo appearances such as Huckleberry Hound in Johnny Bravo. Series finales can also serve as a lead-in to a spin-off series such as the finale of The Andy Griffith Show "Mayberry R.F.D."