Shows That Had Both a 1st and Last Episode Plot - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 08-28-2008, 08:26 PM

We've probably done this topic before, but what the heck. Most of these threads are probably remakes anyways, lol.

This may contain spoilers for those who haven't seen these particular shows.

Wings
1st episode - Due to a package in the mail from the estate of their dead father, Brian returns to Nantucket after a six year absense. He and Joe (who runs Sandpiper) go on a wild goose chase, thinking they have lots of money coming their way.

Last episode - After eight seasons of working together, Joe and Brian find that their father HAS left them lots of money. However, the money tears them apart. In the end, Joe and Helen leave Nantucket for a year so that she can persue her dream, and Brian agrees to run Sandpiper until the couple return.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show
1st episode - Mary Richards moves into a new apartment. She meets Rhoda. She gets her job at WJM, where she meets Lou, Murray and Ted.

Last episode - The whole staff (except for Ted) is fired from WJM. They have a sad farewell.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
1st episode - Buffy Summers moves to Sunnydale and starts high school. She meets Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia and Giles. Also, she begins her gig as the Vampire Slayer of Sunnydale.

Last episode - After seven years of battling vamps and other evil things, Buffy and her crew (which now includes potential Slayers) take on the Hellmouth. They close the Hellmouth, destroying Sunnydale in the process.

3rd Rock from the Sun
1st episode - Dick, Sally, Tommy and Harry come to earth.

Last episode - Dick, Sally, Tommy and Harry leave earth when their mission comes to an abrupt end.

I'm sure there's more. But I'll leave some for others.

Sophia's Wrinkles · 08-29-2008, 04:02 AM

So basically what you mean is a show where an entire experience or chapter of the characters lives is presented? Gosh, this is hard, because although a lot of shows have the ending of a chapter, most of the ones I'm thinking of don't start at the very beginning. Usually when a show begins we just drop right into whatever situation and it's "always been".

I guess The Golden Girls could be considered one. Although three of the ladies were already living together, it was in the first episode that Sophia moved in. Then in the last episode Dorothy gets married and moves away, and then I suppose a new chapter started on The Golden Palace.

Will and Grace is another one. It started with a small arc involving Grace leaving her fiancee at the alter and moving in with Will, so that was a beginning of a chapter. I actually haven't seen the last episode yet so I don't know exactly what happens but I've heard that it was definitely an ending of sorts.

sunshinefizzy · 08-29-2008, 03:49 PM

Three's Company

Episode 1: Jack moves in under very "queer" circumstances.

Episode 8: All three of them move out because of Janet's marriage, Jack's relationship, and Terri's new career move, literally. Jack reveals he isn't gay

Adamantium · 08-29-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophia's Wrinkles

So basically what you mean is a show where an entire experience or chapter of the characters lives is presented? Gosh, this is hard, because although a lot of shows have the ending of a chapter, most of the ones I'm thinking of don't start at the very beginning. Usually when a show begins we just drop right into whatever situation and it's "always been".

I'm just looking for shows where the first episode has a first episode plot where someone starts something or moves in, something like that. And that show also has a last episode with a last episode plot. Like someone moves out or something ends. The two examples you gave were good.

And it seems like most shows start where things have "always been." I'm thinking of The Odd Couple. It has a great last episode where Felix remarries and moves out. However, the first episode had nothing to do with Felix first moving in. It was just Oscar and Felix on a double date with the Pigeon sisters.

Adamantium · 08-31-2008, 07:59 PM

Newhart
1st episode - Dick Louden and his wife Joanna buy the Inn and begin their lives there.

Last episode - After not selling the Inn... Dick gets hit in the head with a golf ball and ... well, you know the ending.

Saved by the Bell
1st episode - School starts. Zack meets Slater.

Last episode - Graduation.

treky · 08-31-2008, 10:53 PM

I guess "CHEERS" would fit this category, because the first show was where Diane reluctently agrees to become a waitress at the bar, after her fiancee leaves her.
And the last episode was where Woody became a city councilman, or something and Norm reluctently agreed to work for him.

MikeLutton · 09-01-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshinefizzy

Three's Company

Episode 1: Jack moves in under very "queer" circumstances.

Episode 8: All three of them move out because of Janet's marriage, Jack's relationship, and Terri's new career move, literally. Jack reveals he isn't gay

correction jack never revealed he was not gay on final episode he schould of though but didnt

greasykid1 · 09-02-2008, 05:35 AM

Friends

Pilot
Rachel is left at the alter by Barry and moves into Monica's apartment.
Ross asks Rachel out for their 1st date (which doesn't happen for a LONG time)

Finale
Chandler & Monica move out of the apartment.
Ross & Rachel get together for the last time (hopefully for good!)

Newsradio

Pilot
Dave arrives at WNYX for his 1st day & discovers that job #1 is firing the guy he's replacing.

Finale
Jimmy James sells the station and moves to New Hampshire.
The rest of the guys part ways.

Quantum Leap

Pilot
Sam steps into the Quantum Leap machine and vanishes, sent through time to "put right what once went wrong"

Finale
Sam learns that he has been subconsciously controlling his leaps throughout the series.
He uses this knowledge to pick an exact place to leap to - to save Al's marriage to his 1st wife.
He chooses to continue leaping.

08-31-2008, 10:53 PM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I guess "CHEERS" would fit this category, because the first show was where Diane reluctently agrees to become a waitress at the bar, after her fiancee leaves her. And the last episode was where Woody became a city councilman, or something and Norm reluctently agreed to work for him.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

08-28-2008, 08:26 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	Shows That Had Both a 1st and Last Episode Plot We've probably done this topic before, but what the heck. Most of these threads are probably remakes anyways, lol. This may contain spoilers for those who haven't seen these particular shows. Wings 1st episode - Due to a package in the mail from the estate of their dead father, Brian returns to Nantucket after a six year absense. He and Joe (who runs Sandpiper) go on a wild goose chase, thinking they have lots of money coming their way. Last episode - After eight seasons of working together, Joe and Brian find that their father HAS left them lots of money. However, the money tears them apart. In the end, Joe and Helen leave Nantucket for a year so that she can persue her dream, and Brian agrees to run Sandpiper until the couple return. The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1st episode - Mary Richards moves into a new apartment. She meets Rhoda. She gets her job at WJM, where she meets Lou, Murray and Ted. Last episode - The whole staff (except for Ted) is fired from WJM. They have a sad farewell. Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1st episode - Buffy Summers moves to Sunnydale and starts high school. She meets Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia and Giles. Also, she begins her gig as the Vampire Slayer of Sunnydale. Last episode - After seven years of battling vamps and other evil things, Buffy and her crew (which now includes potential Slayers) take on the Hellmouth. They close the Hellmouth, destroying Sunnydale in the process. 3rd Rock from the Sun 1st episode - Dick, Sally, Tommy and Harry come to earth. Last episode - Dick, Sally, Tommy and Harry leave earth when their mission comes to an abrupt end. I'm sure there's more. But I'll leave some for others.

08-29-2008, 04:02 AM	#2
Sophia's Wrinkles Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 16, 2002 Posts: 460	So basically what you mean is a show where an entire experience or chapter of the characters lives is presented? Gosh, this is hard, because although a lot of shows have the ending of a chapter, most of the ones I'm thinking of don't start at the very beginning. Usually when a show begins we just drop right into whatever situation and it's "always been". I guess The Golden Girls could be considered one. Although three of the ladies were already living together, it was in the first episode that Sophia moved in. Then in the last episode Dorothy gets married and moves away, and then I suppose a new chapter started on The Golden Palace. Will and Grace is another one. It started with a small arc involving Grace leaving her fiancee at the alter and moving in with Will, so that was a beginning of a chapter. I actually haven't seen the last episode yet so I don't know exactly what happens but I've heard that it was definitely an ending of sorts.

08-29-2008, 03:49 PM	#3
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	Three's Company Episode 1: Jack moves in under very "queer" circumstances. Episode 8: All three of them move out because of Janet's marriage, Jack's relationship, and Terri's new career move, literally. Jack reveals he isn't gay

08-31-2008, 07:59 PM	#5
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	Newhart 1st episode - Dick Louden and his wife Joanna buy the Inn and begin their lives there. Last episode - After not selling the Inn... Dick gets hit in the head with a golf ball and ... well, you know the ending. Saved by the Bell 1st episode - School starts. Zack meets Slater. Last episode - Graduation.

09-02-2008, 05:35 AM	#8
greasykid1 Member Forum Cub Join Date: Sep 02, 2008 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 2	Friends Pilot Rachel is left at the alter by Barry and moves into Monica's apartment. Ross asks Rachel out for their 1st date (which doesn't happen for a LONG time) Finale Chandler & Monica move out of the apartment. Ross & Rachel get together for the last time (hopefully for good!) Newsradio Pilot Dave arrives at WNYX for his 1st day & discovers that job #1 is firing the guy he's replacing. Finale Jimmy James sells the station and moves to New Hampshire. The rest of the guys part ways. Quantum Leap Pilot Sam steps into the Quantum Leap machine and vanishes, sent through time to "put right what once went wrong" Finale Sam learns that he has been subconsciously controlling his leaps throughout the series. He uses this knowledge to pick an exact place to leap to - to save Al's marriage to his 1st wife. He chooses to continue leaping.