When a show has the opportunity to go out on their own terms, it often leads to the most memorable moments in TV history. The M*A*S*H send off was superb. The Seinfeld bow was brilliant. The Sopranos was, if nothing else, thought provoking. But what about those shows who are taken from us too soon? The gloomy cloud of renewal uncertainty often leaves them stranded between cliff hanger and series wrap up, which equals unsatisfying for the fans.
What if you could have just one more episode? What if that series got back together to give you one more look into its world where everything would be explained and you could have some closure? I know I’ve thought about it. Here then are the shows I’d like to see just once more.
John From Cincinnati:
I would want not another episode of this HBO single season drama about surfing Jesus or whoever he was supposed to be, but rather a special episode where show creator David Milch (Deadwood, NYPD Blue) sits there and tries to explain just what the hell this show was about! You’d have a better shot figuring out Memento starting half way through than you do watching every frame of this circus. The show was such an acid trip gone wrong that I wouldn’t be surprised if the DEA had the writing staff under surveillance. Outside of Joe Strummer’s kick ass theme song, I understood nothing. I wasted 13 hours of my life on this Milch! Please tell me why!
Deadwood:
Onwards and backwards as the reason Milch even got to film John from Cincinnati was the definitive modern western Deadwood. This show was so good, so memorable, so much a slice of perfection that it inspired me to devour the genre across TV and film. I became a huge fan of westerns and even had a tentative road trip through the real Deadwood planned! After a paltry 36 episodes, HBO and Milch agreed on a pair of farewell movies that vanished quicker than a bottle of whiskey in Calamity Jane’s hands. We’ll never get a finale it seems, but at least it gave that lovable cusser Ian McShane a bigger career.
Wonderfalls:
While DVD commentary clearly supports the idea that the 13 produced episodes of Wonderfalls (only 4 of which aired) were intended to be a complete story, the overall character arcs were left dangling on the edge of Niagara Falls, never to plummet below to resolution. It brings a tear to wax lions’ eyes everywhere. Showrunner Bryan Fuller did manage a few references in his equally amazing follow up series Pushing Daisies, but that’s not enough Jaye for me. I wonder if Muffin Buffalo delivers?
Spaced:
I don’t really have any witty reason for this, I just adore the show and would like to see more. Do Tim and Daisy ever, you know… wink wink, nudge nudge. Will Mike lead a one man invasion of Wales? There’s a hint of what might have been in the DVD documentary, but a third series would’ve been awesome. Maybe Tim can draw a comic book sequel some day. Haven’t seen it? Shame on you.
My So-Called Life:
Oh the pain and misery of Angela getting into Jordan’s car and leaving Brian standing there all unrequited and stuff!!! Arrrgghhh!!!!! Seriously, the whole point of even writing this article was to talk about my abandonment issues with My So-Called Life. I need closure! Do Angela and Rayanne fix their friendship? Does nice guy Brian ever get to say “I love you?” Will Tino’s band make the big time?!! Damn you Claire Danes! Damn you and your film career! I’m gonna go listen to the soundtrack again and whimper.
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