After These 7 Incredible Season 1 Finales, I Knew I Had To Keep Watching These TV Shows

Season 1 finales are one of the most challenging episodes of a TV show to write, as they have to wrap things up neatly while keeping the door open to make audiences want to keep watching. Some series finales are so good that they save their shows, and these shows have incredible season 1 finales that make it impossible to turn the series off. If the last episode of season 1 has done its job right, it should be agony waiting for the show’s next installment to be released. This was the case for many of these iconic projects.

There are some TV shows’ season 1s that should be skipped because they don’t have the same tone or trajectory as the rest of the series. However, for these works, season 1 demonstrates the best parts of the story, culminating in an explosive season finale that brilliantly sets up the rest of the show. While a cliffhanger isn’t necessarily required to make for a strong ending to season 1, it usually helps keep viewers interested during the hiatus between seasons. Of course, the season as a whole had to be effective, but these finales uplifted the entire string of episodes.

7 The Good Place (2016–2020)

Season 1, Episode 13, "Michael's Gambit"

Even fans who claimed they saw the twist coming in The Good Place season 1 finale, «Michael’s Gambit,» had to admit they were surprised by Eleanor’s (Kristen Bell) ability to figure out the characters were in the Bad Place. The chemistry of the characters helps propel every season of The Good Place, and it’s thanks to the comedic timing of the lead cast that the narrative turn hits so effectively in «Michael’s Gambit.» The Bad Place twist has consistently been ranked as one of the best plot developments in recent TV history.

«Michael’s Gambit» was a risky episode, as this discovery meant that the show had to change its structure and formula for the remaining seasons, essentially restarting the show. However, it ultimately paid off, as The Good Place uses this twist to further its discussions of morality in the modern era. The relationship between Eleanor and Chidi (William Jackson Harper) is at the forefront of «Michael’s Gambit,» as their connection is what helps her realize Michael’s plan after he erases their memories.

6 Lost (2004–2010)

Season 1, Episodes 23, 24, & 25, "Exodus: Parts 1 & 2"

Though the pilot of Lost is considered one of the show’s best episodes and one of the greatest pilots in TV history, the season 1 finale, «Exodus: Parts 1 & 2,» shouldn’t be overlooked. Throughout Lost‘s run, most seasons got a full order, allowing the series to grow and explore different story avenues as the characters evolved. By the time «Exodus» aired, the characters had spent a lot of time on the island learning how to survive, but the discovery of the boat with the Others and the opening of the hatch put the series on a new path.

What the hatch was hiding was a subject of frequent debate for fans of the show.

What the hatch was hiding was a subject of frequent debate for fans of the show, as was the fate of Walt (Malcolm David Kelley). Walt was kidnapped by the Others off the raft in front of his father, Michael (Harold Perrineau), which was intensely traumatic for both characters going into season 2. «Exodus» set the tone for what was to come in Lost, as the series would make a name for itself by keeping audiences guessing and ensuring that fan theories could always run wild throughout the series.

5 Severance (2022–Present)

Season 1, Episode 9, "The We We Are"

The wait between Severance seasons 1 and 2 was agonizing, but the excitement of the season 1 finale, «The We We Are,» kept the momentum flowing throughout the hiatus. One of the driving forces behind the tension in Severance is the anticipation of seeing the outie and inner versions of the characters interact and eventually join forces. Though the audience knew who Mark’s (Adam Scott) outie was throughout the events of season 1, it’s not until «The We We Are» that the viewer discovers the most shocking identity.

The fact that Helly (Britt Lower) is really Helena Eagan, the heir to Lumon, left the door open for the characters to uncover what exactly this would mean for the innies moving forward. Additionally, Mark S. discovers the identity of his outie’s wife, Gemma, putting together the pieces that she’s one and the same as Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman). Season 2 upped the stakes even further throughout the most recent installment, so hopefully, fans won’t have to wait as long before they find out what happens next.

4 Westworld (2016–2022)

Season 1, Episode 10, "The Bicameral Mind"

Though Westworld struggled to make good on the promise of the season 1 finale, «The Bicameral Mind,» in season 2, the epic cliffhangers and discoveries make it worth watching. «The Bicameral Mind» confirmed many fan theories about the truth behind the hosts’ consciousness and saw Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) come into her own as an individual with agency. She destroys what Ford (Anthony Hopkins) has been trying to build, and Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) fights back against the hosts’ treatment in his own way.

Despite its ups and downs, the season 1 finale proves why it’s worth sticking with Westworld and spending time with these characters.

Westworld is a sci-fi TV show I would love to see make a comeback. The series never got the series finale it deserved. Based on the quality and excitement of «The Bicameral Mind,» it’s likely that the writers and creators of Westworld could’ve crafted an even more explosive conclusion to the entire show. Despite its ups and downs, the season 1 finale proves why it’s worth sticking with Westworld and spending time with these characters. After struggling to escape their circumstances, seeing the hosts fight back is thrilling.

3 Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)

Season 1, Episode 10, "Fire and Blood"

For fans of George R.R. Martin’s novels, the shocking twist in the Game of Thrones season 1 finale wasn’t unexpected, but this didn’t change how emotionally impactful it was to see it onscreen. Though GOT had already established itself as a show that would kill off main characters at the drop of a hat, Ned’s (Sean Bean) beheading in the season 1 finale, «Fire and Blood,» changed everything. After this point, there was no hiding that Westeros was at war and that the Starks were going to have to fight to avenge the murder of their father.

Across the sea, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) was making some realizations of her own. After Drogo’s (Jason Momoa) death and the betrayals from those closest to her, she rises from the ashes. The hatching of the dragon eggs is one of the most pivotal moments in Game of Thrones and alters the power dynamic, as well as Daenerys’ trajectory, forever. This set the stage for a new and improved show that was in full swing and able to revel in the new magic introduced by season 1.

2 The Boys (2019–Present)

Season 1, Episode 8, "You Found Me"

Developed by the mind behind Supernatural, Eric Kripke, The Boys has been an exciting series to since it premiered in 2019. Based on the graphic novels of the same name, and the superhero genre’s answer to the influx of content about super-powered people. Dark, violent, and bombastic, The Boys is also highly political and comments on many of the pitfalls of heroism onscreen through the character Homelander (Antony Starr), who takes center stage in the season 1 finale, «You Found Me.»

It seemed impossible that The Boys could top what it had already done since episode 1.

After the intense first season and big reveals that had already been a large part of the show, it seemed impossible that The Boys could top what it had already done since episode 1. However, «You Found Me» proved to be the perfect culmination of the secrets that had been building throughout the story when it came to Butcher’s (Karl Urban) missing wife. Discovering that she was alive and was living in hiding with Homelander’s son changed the shape of The Boys forever, and was the most devastating emotional note to end on while waiting for season 2.

1 Succession (2018–2023)

Season 1, Episode 10, "Nobody Is Ever Missing"

Ending a season on a birth, death, or wedding is a classic TV show maneuver, but the Succession season 1 finale, «Nobody Is Ever Missing,» took this to the next level. As Shiv and Tom’s doomed wedding takes shape, Roman deals with the fallout of the rocket crash, and Kendall attempts a hostile takeover; things quickly heat up. However, the moment that made audiences certain they had to keep watching was when Kendall returned to Logan, brought back into the fold after the car accident that ended with one of the wedding servers killed.

It’s an unforgettable moment that haunts Kendall for the rest of the series and gives Logan even more power over his son than ever before. Part of the fun of watching Succession is the moral bankruptcy of the characters, as it’s both hilarious and devastating to see the awful things they do to each other. However, the Succession season 1 finale perfectly captures the power and privilege the Roys wield and how this influence and lack of accountability created the monsters that are Logan’s children.