Following five seasons of characters Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) oscillating between tension and friendship, the fan-favorite series ended May 28 with a finale befitting of its hilarious, heartwarming and Emmy-winning run.
After the episode began with Ava directing the pilot of her new comedy show and Deborah opening her new casino, the mood suddenly shifted to a more difficult conversation with Deborah revealing she has cancer that has spread.
Instead of seeking treatment, she reveals to Ava that she plans to visit an assisted suicide clinic in Europe. Ava—with an emotional performance—spends the entire episode attempting to dissuade her boss-turned-best-friend from her decision.
Of course, Deborah and Ava have their standard banter, too, which lays the groundwork for the episode’s final twist: Just as they’re about to board their last train to the treatment facility, Deborah changes her mind after realizing Ava makes her joke-writing better.
“I may not have 30 years,” Deborah tells her outside the train station, “but I think I have another hour. Will you help me write it?”
After Ava agrees to help with her next comedy special, the pair are seen walking down the streets of Las Vegas as Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minnelli sing their mashup of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.”
And don’t worry, Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter got some love, too, as Jimmy and Kayla corner her dad into handing the reins of Latitude Management over to them.
While the HBO Max series’ last episode was satisfying—and emotional—for fans, the entire final season seemed to give viewers exactly what they wanted. Indeed, after Ava was hired in season one by a deceptive Deborah to be a comedy writer, the internet was filled with fan-fiction of the duo evolving from enemies to lovers.
So, series creators Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky and Paul wrote an episode where Deborah and Ava made out while pretending to be girlfriends on a trip with Leslie Bibb and Cherry Jones.
“It was so funny,” Hannah told USA Today in an interview published May 7. “I thought they handled it beautifully. I thought it was true to the reality of the characters while also delivering what [fans] wanted.”
Meanwhile, Megan spent the season delivering instantly-iconic lines, like telling a respected actress, “You’re acting’s ass and you’re being outperformed by a dead corpse, mama!”
Plus, fans were treated to incredible guest stars like Jesse McCartney, Christopher Briney, Billy Baldwin, Trisha Paytas, Ann Dowd and Bob Mackie.
But while the cast has been vocal about the laughter they’ve shared during the six years of creating the show, Hannah—who won the Emmy last year for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series—has admitted how difficult it was to end it.
“I became ill,” Hannah told USA Today last month about filming her final scenes. “The second I walked out of where we were shooting, and I was doubled over. My body was shutting down.”
But the bond she built with Jean carried her through. As she put it, “Jean is such a loving, caring person who really does cherish the people around her, and we all get to feel that warmth.”
And the feeling is mutual for Jean, who said she could “always lean on” Hannah. Plus, she added, “She'll always tell you the truth.”
Read on to see other shows that recently said farewell.
It's time to say "au revoir" to Emily Cooper. Netflix announced season six of the Lily Collins-starring series, set in Greece, will be its last.
Blessed be this news. The Handmaid's Tale spinoff starring Chase Infiniti was renewed for a sophomore season.
The Apple TV freshman comedy series starring Elle Fanning will return for season two.
Court will be adjourned for the Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, with the Netflix legal drama's fifth season serving as its last.
Netflix's docuseries following the NFL's top-tier athletes will return for season three.
Netflix confirmed the series—which premiered on the streamer in 2020—has been renewed for season 11, set in the Massachusetts capital.
Kate Hudson's sports comedy scored a slam dunk with season three renewal.
Dan Levy's Netflix comedy will take fans on another wild ride during season two.
The coming-of-age series was renewed for season four at Netflix.
See the fallout from Amanda Batula, West Wilson and Ciara Miller's love triangle scandal continue to play out when the hit Bravo series returns for season 11.
Nearly two years after the 18th season of So You Think You Can Dance aired, Fox president Rob Wade confirmed, per Variety, "there’s no plans to order another season."
However, the network noted it had not completely shut off the music, with Wade adding, "We’ve had conversations about it, but nothing formal."
Get excited, baby gorgeous. Utah's iconic Housewives are returning for season seven on Bravo.
Bravo is setting sail on season five of the travel reality show.
The dance competition series' fate hangs in the air following season 18, as Fox Television President Rob Wade confirmed in May that "right now, there’s no plans to order another season."
A new batch of Real Housewives stars will switch places with real-life moms when season two premieres on Bravo.
These Charmers aren't going anywhere. Charleston's beloved socialites will spill more sweet tea during season 13 on Bravo.
Oxygen's true-crime series hosted by June Squibb will document more murderous grandmas during season two.
Bravo's long-running reality series was renewed for lucky number season 13.
Goodbye, chef. FX announced the culinary drama's upcoming fifth season will be its last.
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Oxygen's true crime series will be back for season two.
Kelly Siegler will be back on the case when season three debuts on Oxygen.
Bravo is cooking up more culinary competition because Top Chef will be back for season 24.
ABC's revival of the medical comedy will return for season two.
The animated spinoff will investigate new supernatural mysteries in Hawkins during season two.
The Sci-Fi horror series starring Harold Perrineau will return for a fifth and final season on MGM+.
The Law & Order spinoff starring Christopher Meloni was canceled by NBC and Peacock following five seasons.
The sheriffs are back on duty when season two debuts.
CBS' top CIA agents will be back on the case when they return for another season.
Carrie Preston's quirky alter-ego will return with the CBS show's fourth season.