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What makes a great ending of a TV series? Is it a happy one? Perhaps it's a surprise twist? Is it the tying up of loose ends or an ending that leaves questions unanswered?
Unsurprisingly, which TV series has the greatest finale is a pretty hotly contested topic, and not everyone is going to like the same endings. We asked LADbible readers to vote on which was the greatest series finale out of four classic TV series - Lost, 24, Prison Break and Sons of Anarchy - all of which are available to stream with Star on Disney+.
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We've rounded up their answers here. Now, it probably goes without saying that this article contains spoilers. So, if you haven't watched these series, you should probably head straight to Star on Disney+ to start streaming (unless you're the sort of person who skips to the last page of a book to to find out the ending before you begin, in which case, read on). Whether it's for the first time or you just fancy re-watching your favourite series, we recommend heading over to Disney+, getting comfy and starting an epic marathon!
Lost
Probably the most controversial ending of a TV series of all time, Lost came last in this poll with just 15% of the vote. The ending left many viewers confused at the time of its release, with many believing that the 'flashsideways' scenes in the final season meant that these characters had actually been dead all along and that the island was actually purgatory.
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It was finally explained by the show's creators that the island was real and that these scenes represented an afterlife that the characters had created for themselves. They also explained that the series was about people who were lost, not just on a deserted island, but in the search for meaning and purpose in their lives. It feels like it was a good finale that wasn't quite explained well enough or as one reader put it: "There was a good story there lurking in the midst of some padding."
24
Marginally ahead of Lost, 24 came next with 17% of the vote. The final series of 24 ends with the loss of Jack's former flame and daughter of the President of the United States, Audrey, mirroring the death of Jack's wife Teri Bauer in season 1. Audrey's death sends Jack on a killing spree to assassinate the various terrorists assisting evil mastermind Cheng Zhi. But it doesn't end there.
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Jack then learns that his longtime colleague Chloe has been kidnapped by the Russians who want Jack to surrender himself in order to let her go, which he eventually does. Jack is then shipped off to spend the rest of his days in a Moscow prison. It might not have been the most popular finale in this list but at least Jack ended the series as he started, fighting the bad guys.
Sons Of Anarchy
Second in the poll and less than 1% behind the winner, Sons of Anarchy, the seven-season long series about the outlaw motorcycle club, SAMCRO, in the fictional Californian town of Charming. The emotional finale of Sons of Anarchy brings the entire series full circle.
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Jax has spent the seasons trying to fulfill his father's wishes for SAMCRO and writing his own notebooks to pass onto his sons. Just as his father did, Jax sacrifices himself to give his sons a chance, but rather than leaving the notebooks as a guide, he destroys everything in the hope that his sons will walk a different path. It came second in the poll but was a clear favourite for some voters who commented: "Sons of Anarchy 100%", and "Really great ending and Jax had to go."
Prison Break
Topping the poll for the greatest TV series finale of all time was Prison Break with just over a third of the vote. There were, of course, two 'finale' episodes for Prison Break, the series finale at the end of season 4 (which was originally supposed to be the final episode) and then the final episode of the 'revival' season 5, which came out eight years later.
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In the original ending, Michael, knowing that he is dying from a brain tumour, sacrifices himself in order to help his wife, Sara, to escape. Michael was believed to have died (either due to the brain tumour or during the plot to escape). The revival season, however, gives viewers a happy ending that some will have wanted. Michael is alive, he is able to finally get revenge for being framed for murder, and eventually walks away a free man.
Watch now on Disney+ with Star
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