Last night I watched three season finales: season finale of The Dresden Files, Stargate: Atlantis, and series finale of Stargate: SG1. Two left me satisfied and one didn’t.
The Dresden Files had a great ending. It moved the character and his relationship with Murphy (the female cop he works with) to the next level. It left me not only satisfied that their relationship would continue to move forward, but that it added a new level to both their characters. I like that. As a viewer I’ll tune into the next season to see what happens to Harry, Bob and Murphy.
Stargate: Atlantis has one advantage over SG1 – it’s coming back next season. That means they can end the show as a cliff hangar. Of course a seemingly impossible situation to get out of is always a great hook for a viewer. We not only want to know how they are going to get out of it, we NEED to know how they are going to get out of it. In fact, it will drive me nuts. 
And then we have Stargate: SG1. Anyone who has read my blog for a while knows how much I love this show. And yes, I know they have two movies planned to wrap the story line up. But I have to say, I didn’t feel the finale was a fair way to end such an awesome show. They had some great character development and then took it all away. I won’t say anything more specific because I don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t watched it and want to. But lets just say I can’t wait for the movies to come out. I need closure!
As a writer, this is a great lesson for me. It also explains why I find writing the end of my stories so difficult. I’m very aware of my readers and the journey I’ve taken them on. I don’t want to bring them so far and in the end leave them feeling unsatisfied. A strong ending isn’t just important for the story, but it will keep readers coming back again and again. I like to know that there is closure of the issues they faced in the book. I want to know they are going to be okay (or not, depending on the genre), and in the case of a romance, that they will live happily ever after.
What are some of the things you look for, things that leave you satisfied at the end of a book?
I don’t know if I’m looking forward to my ending. My first story had a complete ending but since I never finished writing it, I don’t know if it had the strength you are talking about. My current story doesn’t have an ending yet. Just haven’t gotten there yet. Given the way that the story has been going so far, I don’t know if I’ll have figured out an ending until I get pretty close to it.
I think I look for credibility in my endings, something that is in keeping with the characters and the conflicts and growth you have given them over the story. I mean Casablanca could not have ended another way… nor Anne of Green Gables… both satisfying and very different. In romance I like the H and H to end up together, I guess I look for a future for the characters who I have taken the time to get to know.
I hate when a series finale leaves you disappointed. It’s such a letdown!
I’m still a faithful of LOST. So far I’m feeling like the threads are being tied up, and that’s the biggest deal for me with this particular show. What was the point of getting all crazy if they weren’t going to make it make sense in the end?
You and I watch very different TV, in general… but I totally relate to this. The final episode of Huff left me so disappointed.
Hope The Sopranos does a better job.
Endings are a four letter word around here these days. The ones I remember and like best are the life-goes-on variety where things are left in forward motion yet satisfy all the loose ends and whatever else. Love ‘em, but man can they be tough to write.
And now I’m mad because I missed the DF finale. I love me some Harry. Some day I really will remember when it’s on. Really I will.
I like logical resolution. Doesn’t necessarily mean a happy ending, just something that makes sense.
I like an ending that shows the character has grown – that they are “more” of something than when they started – and their future is better for it.
I tend to like endings that wrap up important threads. Not that an ending has to wrap up *all* threads — I don’t mind if a few little ones are left dangling. Little “danglers” inspire thought after the reader has closed the book. But great big threads which have been woven throughout the story: I wanna know how those tie together, tie off, or where they go because if I don’t, I’ll feel really let down. There has to be resolution to the ending which speaks to where the story’s been heading all along, not something aimless and and meandering where you just run up on an arbitrary stop sign.
Great idea for a blog post!
I like HEA and ones that don’t leave me hanging. Sorry not very insightful, very full of ice cream b-day cake!
I love to be satisfied at the end of a series. I hate when it ends horribly. I hope this makes sense.
Sure, I like HEA’s, but my fave are surprise endings. The ones that make you go WTF?!! and want to start reading the book all over again…