The most important TV episode of the year isn’t the first; it’s the last. A good season finale makes viewers eager for fall to arrive. A bad one might leave us asking why we watch a series in the first place. Here’s how I grade some of this season’s finales. Spoiler alert: If you haven’t watched the finales, stop reading now.
“Glee” — The glee club went to Regionals, Quinn had her baby to the tune of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Finn declared his love for Rachel and Will did the same for Emma.
Grade: A. The heartfelt hour captured everything that’s wonderful about “Glee.”
“The Good Wife” — Running for state’s attorney, Peter wanted Alicia by his side, but Will wanted her too. Her decision remained a cliffhanger.
Grade: A. This nearly perfect drama wasn’t satisfied with its complicated love triangle; the jam-packed finale also offered the first courtroom clash between Alicia and Cary.
“Chuck” — Chuck saved Sarah but got his father killed. The Buy More store blew up.
Grade: A. Is “Chuck” just getting better and better? Fans say so.
“Fringe” — Walter, Peter and Olivia returned safe from the alternative universe, but it turned out the real Olivia has been left behind.
Grade: A-minus. Honestly, I don’t usually have a clue what’s going on with “Fringe,” but the season finale stepped everything up a level.
“House” — After House and Cuddy worked frantically to save a woman trapped in a building collapse, Cuddy left her fiance and told House she wanted to be with him.
Grade: A-minus. The episode as a whole was A-plus exciting, but her change of heart came out of the blue.
“Bones” — Opportunities knocked, and everyone answered, with Brennan, Booth and now-wed Angela and Hodgins leaving the Jeffersonian for a year and going separate ways.
Grade: B. Fans who want Brennan and Booth together were frustrated by this finale.
“Brothers & Sisters” — Almost everyone was involved in a bloody chain-reaction crash with a truck. Most survived, but Holly was badly hurt, and Robert (who had heart problems too) died after saying goodbye to Kitty.
Grade: B. Nothing here was very surprising, even Robert’s death, given that Rob Lowe was leaving the series.
“Desperate Housewives” — Serial killer Eddie held Lynette hostage, delivered her baby and turned himself in. Angie blew up Patrick. Turned out somebody’s baby was switched at birth. Susan and Mike prepared to move, and Paul Young returned.
Grade: C. “Housewives” isn’t the show it used to be, but at least the baby switch (and the return of Mary Alice’s widower) set up a potentially interesting Season 7.
