30+ TV Shows That Hooked Us From the First Episode and Totally Nailed the Last Episode as Well

Some TV shows grab you in the first episode and never let go, then somehow stick the landing at the end too. That kind of consistency is rare, especially when a series has spent years building characters, relationships, and big emotional payoffs.

This list rounds up 31 shows that managed to make both their beginnings and endings memorable. From cult favorites to long-running hits, each one left viewers feeling like the journey was worth it.

Here are the TV shows that really delivered from start to finish.

1. The TV Show, Fleabag

First episode is "Season 1, Episode 1" and last episode is "Season 2, Episode 6"

Amazon Prime Video

2. The TV Show, Watchmen

First episode is "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" and last episode is "See How They Fly"

HBO

3. The Haunting of Hill House

First episode is "Steven Sees a Ghost" and last episode is "Silence Lay Steadily"

Netflix

4. The Vampire Diaries

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "I Was Feeling Epic"

The CW

5. The TV Show, Schitt's Creek

First episode is "Our Cup Runneth Over" and last episode is "Happy Ending"

Pop / CBC

That kind of payoff is exactly what keeps fans talking years later.

6. The TV Show, Normal People

First episode is "Episode 1" and last episode is "Episode 12"

Hulu

7. The TV Show, How to Get Away With Murder

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Stay"

ABC

8. The TV Show, Breaking Bad

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Felina"

AMC

9. The TV Show, Gilmore Girls

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Bon Voyage"

Warner Bros.

10. The TV Show, New Girl

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Engram Pattersky"

Fox

11. The TV Show, Six Feet Under

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Everyone's Waiting"

HBO

Some of these finales are still getting praised for how well they wrapped things up.

12. The Good Place

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Whenever You're Ready"

NBC

13. The TV Show, Hannibal

First episode is "Apéritif" and last episode is "The Wrath of the Lamb"

NBC

14. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

First episode is "The Fresh Prince Project" and the last episode is "I, Done: Part 1 and Part 2"

NBC

15. The TV Show, Friends

First episode is "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" and last episode is "The Last One"

NBC

16. The TV Show, Boy Meets World

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Brave New World: Part 1 and Part 2"

ABC

17. The TV Show, Jane the Virgin

First episode is "Chapter One" and last episode is "Chapter One-Hundred"

The CW

18. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

First episode is "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and last episode is "Chosen"

Warner Bros.

By this point, the list is packed with shows that knew exactly how to leave an impression.

It’s like the neighbor who lost a cat, but now the pet has bonded with you.

19. The TV Show, Parenthood

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "May God Bless and Keep You Always"

NBC

20. Avatar: The Last Airbender

First episode is "The Boy in the Iceberg" and last episode is "Sozin's Comet"

Nickelodeon

21. The West Wing

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Tomorrow"

NBC

22. The TV Show, Orphan Black

First episode is "Natural Selection" and last episode is "To Right the Wrongs of Many"

BBC America

23. The TV Show, Friday Night Lights

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Always"

NBC

24. The TV Show, Scandal

First episode is "Sweet Baby" and last episode is "Over a Cliff"

ABC

25. The TV Show, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "What We're Fighting For"

ABC

The momentum never really lets up from here.

26. The TV Show, Parks and Recreation

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "One Last Ride"

NBC

27. The TV Show, One Tree Hill

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "One Tree Hill"

The CW

28. The End of the F***ing World

First episode is "Season 1, Episode 1" and last episode is "Season 2, Episode 8"

Netflix

29. The TV Show, Orange Is the New Black

First episode is "I Wasn't Ready" and last episode is "Here's Where We Get Off"

Netflix

30. The TV Show, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

First episode is "The Sword: Part 1" and last episode is "Heart Part 2"

Netflix

31. The TV Show, M*A*S*H

First episode is "Pilot" and last episode is "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"

CBS

When a show starts strong and ends even stronger, it earns a special place in TV history.

How many of these TV shows have you seen, and which one left the biggest impression on you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Kaley Cuoco’s tense set moment with an A-list “Charmed” actress who overlooked her will make you wince.