One Last Scene: TV’s Best Goodbyes

Whether it’s an actor being written off or leaving a show to pursue other projects, television is no stranger to on-screen goodbyes. Whilst many shows rely on character deaths as a cop-out, some give their characters well-deserved closure much to the tearful delight of audiences.   

There are many goodbyes to choose from, but these farewells perfectly encapsulate the characters’ arcs over their respective shows and break audiences’ hearts in the best possible way.  

Cristina Yang – Grey’s Anatomy 

 As a show famous for its character deaths, Grey’s Anatomy specialises in goodbyes. However, one of the most heart-wrenching farewells is not a death, but Cristina Yang leaving Grey Sloan for her dream job.  

Yang arguably undergoes the most character development across her 10-season stint, growing from an arrogant intern to an accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon, having survived enough freak accidents and traumatic situations to rival Meredith Grey. Fans watch her constantly prove herself only to be diminished by the other characters, whether it’s the varying Chiefs of Cardio or the dreaded Owen Hunt. 

Cristina Yang’s last episode perfectly sums up her time on the show. Not only do we finally see her get much-needed closure with Burke after seven seasons, but she gets the job she’s spent her whole career working towards. The tears start falling as Cristina and Derek part ways after growing to appreciate their friendship outside of Meredith, but it’s Cristina’s final goodbye with Meredith that really tugs at your heartstrings. After they dance out their feelings in true Grey’s Anatomy fashion, Cristina’s final piece of advice to Meredith, ‘He is not the sun. You are’, gives her friend the advice she needs for the rest of her journey. Whilst incredibly tragic, Cristina Yang’s departure is much needed for her character and a perfect ending.  

Michael Scott – The Office 

For a light-hearted sitcom, The Office knows just how to make you cry. Michael Scott is undeniably the heart of the show and Steve Carell perfectly brings him to life, making his ending all the more bittersweet. 

 From the beginning of the show, it’s clear that all Michael wants, aside from constantly making ‘That’s what she said’ jokes, is a family. His romantic life, particularly the on-again-off-again situation with Jan, is often used for a laugh, but his relationship with Holly is more serious and heartfelt than expected for him. Whilst Michael strives to turn the Scranton branch into one big family, which he ultimately succeeds in doing, it is clear he needs more. After many scenes with children, showing his desire to be a father, it only makes sense that Michael leaves for a family of his own. 

His departure gives the perfect opportunity for the surrounding cast to celebrate him in Michael Scott fashion, as they perform a personal rendition of ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent. Keeping his final day a secret is out of character for the often-over-the-top manager, but his emotional not-quite goodbye with Jim is much more poignant. And for fans who wished Dwight had a similar moment, they were rewarded with Michael’s surprise return just in time for Dwight’s wedding. 

Michael Scott’s ending is handled brilliantly, remaining completely in character for him and still creating a huge emotional response in audiences. However, many fans also attribute the absence of his character to the show’s decline in the later seasons. 

Marissa Cooper – The O.C. 

This is a controversial pick, not only because of Marissa’s outcome, but because this is, in fact, a character death, not a goodbye. However, before her death, Marissa planned to leave home after an episode devoted to emotional farewells between the characters, making this a more ambiguous choice.  

After suffering for three straight seasons, it makes perfect sense that Marissa would want to leave the Orange County and move on to greener pastures. Almost all loose ends were tied up for her: she had repaired her relationship with her mother, finally graduated, reunited with her father, and moved beyond her substance abuse issues.  

As annoying as it was, her death was not wholly unrealistic. Volchok was an unfinished, unpredictable storyline and it makes sense that Marissa, who was no stranger to an unfortunate accident, died the way she did. Constantly a victim of the male characters, she could not end her journey unscathed. Dying in Ryan’s arms, her only love interest who genuinely cared for her, chasing after her absent father yet again, is the perfect ending for Marissa, albeit heavily tragic. 

The most notable moment of Marissa’s goodbye is not her death, or her haunting the narrative of season four, but her last afternoon with Summer, Seth, and Ryan. Happy moments between the four are often followed by extreme tragedy, and this is no exception. However, for one day, the audience gets to watch them be completely carefree. None of the main characters are left without closure as they prepare to go their separate ways and whilst her outcome is tragic and unexpected, it is clear that Marissa finally finds the peace she always desired. 

 Of course, there are other notable mentions of character goodbyes, like That 70’s Show ending just before the clock strikes 12 on 1980’s New Year’s Day or all six characters leaving to start their new lives in Friends. However, there is something more personal about a character choosing to leave their life behind to finally achieve what they have been pursuing all along – even if it is just because an actor wanted to leave a show.