Instead of the nice and tidy "happy ending" for the Evans clan.

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I wonder if it would have been so much more meaningful and interesting if the last episode had the characters still dealing with hardships but still determined to make better lives for themselves. A major theme of Good Times, was that we had this family trying to do the best they can in trying circumstances. So to wrap everything up in a sudden and simultaneous "happily ever after" package may have trivialized it.

I'm sure that it was it was written at the time that the ending was a sort of gift to the viewers who had stuck with the show and were rooting for the characters. And even though the ending that I suggested would have otherwise been more realistic, but it would probably have been too depressing and certainly unrewarding. But the happy ending could have worked if they had built up to it, perhaps with an arc than spanned several episodes.

Though I do like the ending where everyone moved up to the better neighborhood and building, (and conveniently all together with even Wilona & Penny) I also feel it could have been more realistic and not so "happily ever after".

I think the biggest letdown was how Thelma's character ended up. In the beginning of the series, she had college aspirations and was a promising, self sufficient character, then she goes and marries before she's even 20 and decides to become a wife for the rest of her life.
I'm re-watching the series now, and don't know if she dropped her college plans altogether when she married Keith as I haven't got up to that part yet. But if she did, then that's sad that she reverted to a 1950's housewife in an era when women were finally making it on their own.
I would've liked to have seen Florida get approved for a mortgage on her own, since she was working f/t as a bus driver by then and they all moved into their own little house rather than mooch off millionaire Keith for the rest of their lives.

Instead of the nice and tidy "happy ending" for the Evans clan.

z6Fk6I9LZhA

PIrhW5kBAfI

ZIknMWfcK_g

I wonder if it would have been so much more meaningful and interesting if the last episode had the characters still dealing with hardships but still determined to make better lives for themselves. A major theme of Good Times, was that we had this family trying to do the best they can in trying circumstances. So to wrap everything up in a sudden and simultaneous "happily ever after" package may have trivialized it.

I'm sure that it was it was written at the time that the ending was a sort of gift to the viewers who had stuck with the show and were rooting for the characters. And even though the ending that I suggested would have otherwise been more realistic, but it would probably have been too depressing and certainly unrewarding. But the happy ending could have worked if they had built up to it, perhaps with an arc than spanned several episodes.

Absolutely! The series finale (entitled "The End Of The Rainbow") should've been handled much better, with either a two- or a three-part episode or even a multi-episode story arc spanning the second half of its sixth season that would've ultimately reached its climax in the final episode.

As I mentioned previously in another thread, I was extremely disappointed when I watched "The End Of The Rainbow" for the first time many, many years ago. I was highly displeased with the fact that the good news the Evans clan had prayed for throughout its six-season run on CBS (1974-79) was bestowed upon them in only twenty-five minutes (twenty-two in syndication).

My idea for "The End Of The Rainbow" would've been a two-hour made-for-television movie (shot on film, of course), featuring on-location filming in Chicago intertwined with footage already shot in Hollywood. The tone for the two-hour film would've been strictly dramatic; no laugh track or canned laughter would be included at all.

My spin on the series finale would've began with Florida in a cemetery visiting James' grave, followed by a brief but poignant scene with James' ghostly, invisible form talking to and interacting with Florida at his grave. Grandpa Evans and his wife, Lena, would have appeared in a brief cameo, with Grandpa announcing to the family that he and Lena adopted a child after receiving a patent for one of his inventions. Frank Mason would've reentered Willona's life once again (shortly after Willona was promoted to head buyer at the boutique), this time asking her for his hand in holy matrimony. Michael would've joined an all-black fraternity at his college. J.J. and T.C. would've taken the next step by transforming their platonic friendship into a steady relationship by making love for the first time.

Meanwhile, Sweet Daddy would've finally turned over a new leaf by finding religion and renouncing his criminal past after J.J. donated some of his own blood in order to save his life several episodes earlier (in the episode "Blood Will Tell")...Ned the Wino would've sobered up and started attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings...Wanda would've finally stopped weeping...Bookman and his wife, Violet, would've apologized to the Evanses for making their lives a complete hell for the last five years...and Florida would've finally revealed the fate of her second husband, Carl Dixon.

The two-hour film would've climaxed with the Evanses finally moving out of their two-bedroom apartment...everyone who had made an impact on their lives in the last five years would've stopped by and offered their testimonies while bemoaning the fact that the Evanses were leaving the projects. During their farewell party, Thelma unexpectedly begins experiencing labor pains and is rushed to the nearest hospital (with the entire family in tow, of course). Thelma is rushed into the maternity ward, with Keith, Michael, and J.J. by her side, while Florida, Willona, and Penny prayed in the waiting room. The finale would've ended with Keith, Michael, and J.J. helping Thelma delivering her child, much to Florida's delight. Now THAT'S a series finale!

Thanks for posting, TMC! Enjoy your day!

Though I do like the ending where everyone moved up to the better neighborhood and building, (and conveniently all together with even Wilona & Penny) I also feel it could have been more realistic and not so "happily ever after".

I think the biggest letdown was how Thelma's character ended up. In the beginning of the series, she had college aspirations and was a promising, self sufficient character, then she goes and marries before she's even 20 and decides to become a wife for the rest of her life.
I'm re-watching the series now, and don't know if she dropped her college plans altogether when she married Keith as I haven't got up to that part yet. But if she did, then that's sad that she reverted to a 1950's housewife in an era when women were finally making it on their own.
I would've liked to have seen Florida get approved for a mortgage on her own, since she was working f/t as a bus driver by then and they all moved into their own little house rather than mooch off millionaire Keith for the rest of their lives.

Good point, cfr1970. You'd think Thelma would've transformed into an independent, self-assured woman with a steady career by the end of its six-season run (especially given the fact that "Good Times" aired on CBS during the advent of the Women's Lib movement), but it was not to be.

Good point, cfr1970. You'd think Thelma would've transformed into an independent, self-assured woman with a steady career by the end of its six-season run (especially given the fact that "Good Times" aired on CBS during the advent of the Women's Lib movement), but it was not to be.

Having her get married and pregnant by 20 was a real letdown after watching her in the early seasons being really motivated to go to college after HS. But the writers really dropped the ball with her character early on anyway because she must have went through so many men during those 6 seasons.

Off the top of my head I can quickly recall the 40 year old man (gross since she was 17), the African guy who wanted her as part of his harem, and another one who was her fiance wanting her to move to California. Boy did she get around before Keith came along. I guess school took a back seat when she discovered men.

What they did to her character went completely against the whole "women's lib" era of the 70's which was sad.

I think a reunion movie would've been great and a ratings hit. There was a resurgence of everything 70's back in the early 90's and it would have been the perfect time to revisit the characters one more time to see where they all would be. (except Janet Jackson since she was a mega star by then.)

If a mediocre show like "What's Happening" was able to come back after 10 years and survive a few seasons again, there was no reason a TV movie of "Good Times" couldn't have been made and it's obviously WAY too late now to do that with Esther Rolle gone and the kids all on Social Security now lol.