Throwback Thursday: Series Finales of ‘The O.C.,’ ‘CSI: NY,’ ‘Oz,’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’

February 21-27 is the week of good-bye. For our Throwback Thursday we bid a fond farewell to February as well as some iconic TV programs. 

It’s always hard to say good-bye to our favorite shows, but this week in history is a whammy of series finales. Starting in 2003 with Oz and moving into 2007 with The O.C. Even the 2010s weren’t without sadness for they brought the end of CSI: NY and Parks and Recreation.

To counteract the sadness that is seeing our favorite shows end, we picked some wonderful, uplifting moments from shows we love. There is the infamous Ben and Leslie wedding on Parks and Recreation, the introduction of Adrian Pimento on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Kimchee’s mom’s visit on Kim’s Convenience causes some truths to come out.

Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a bumpy ride through TV history.

Major TV Moments:

Ben and Leslie finally say ‘I Do’ (Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 14, “Leslie and Ben”) (February 21, 2013)

It’s the wedding of the century for both Pawnee, Indiana, and the viewers of Parks and Recreation alike. Ben Wyatt and Leslie Knope have overcome all odds both personally and professionally in order to walk down the aisle and utter those long-sought-after words, “I do!”

Things don’t entirely go to plan, but when have they ever for these two? In the end, their friends band together to ensure that their special day is one they will never forget. 

It’s a wedding that many fans watch over and over again because it gives us nothing but happy vibes all around. Everything is perfect all the way down to Leslie’s “newspaper” dress!

Adrian Pimento is Introduced (Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 3 Episode 17, “Adrian Pimento”) (February 23, 2016)

Fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine remember Adrian Pimento fondly despite him being only a recurring character. In his short time on the show, he managed to capture all our hearts. 

During Season 3 he is introduced as a new detective at the precinct who is fresh off a 12-year run as an undercover cop. He quickly bonds with Jake and the two create many shenanigans together as they solve cases together. 

At one point he even becomes Rosa Diaz’s fiance and they make plans to wed much to the chagrin of Terry. His time at the Nine-Nine is short-lived owing to Adrian having to fake his own death. However, he leaves a major impact on the precinct.

Kimchee’s A Big Fat Liar (Kim’s Convenience Season 3 Episode 8, “To Him It May Concern”) (February 26, 2019)

Since the beginning of Kim’s Convenience Jung has been looked down upon by the majority of the moms in the neighborhood. He never quite understood why — blaming his own mom mostly for her gossiping tongue and disapproval of some of his actions as a teen. 

However, when Kimchee’s mom comes to visit Jung realizes that Kimchee is to blame for starting it all. Back when they were younger and Kimchee got caught doing things his mom wouldn’t approve of he would blame Jung or Jung’s influence even if Kimchee was the actual ringleader. 

This puts a strain on Jung and Kimchee’s friendship while they sort out their own residual feelings on the matter. Luckily for Jung, Kimchee confesses to his mom in the end that he had lied to her for years.

TV Finales:

Oz Season 6 Episode 8, “Exeunt Omnes” (February 23, 2003)

The tale of Tobias Beecher and the men of Oz comes to a thrilling conclusion with “Exeunt Omnes.” With Tobias’ parole revoked because Keller got him to deliver a package of illegal meds and then called in an anonymous tip about it he is back within the four walls of Oz.

The play “Macbeth” is being put on by the inmates with Schillinger as Macbeth and Tobias as Macduff. Keller tells Schillinger that he will switch his blade for a real one so he can kill Tobias, but in actuality, he switches out Tobias’ resulting in the accidental death of Schillinger.

If Keller thought this would be a happy ending for them he is much mistaken. Tobias is pissed off at what Keller did so, Keller pulls a fast one and jumps from the upper floor landing, committing suicide but making it look as though Tobias killed him.

It’s an action-packed hour-long finale that leaves the show on a high note. While shippers of Beecher and Keller are left disappointed by Keller’s death, it’s still a good ending for two very complex characters. 

The O.C. Season 4 Episode 16, “The End’s Not Near, It’s Here” (February 22, 2007)

With The O.C. the series ending was a bit more abrupt than they had wanted it to be — the show got canceled. However, that didn’t mean the writers didn’t try to make sure all the stories were wrapped up properly before we said goodbye. 

One of the most memorable parts of the finale is the ending montage that went through everyone’s future paths beyond the final episode. It’s a tactic that many great shows have adopted over the years and honestly, it’s the series finale’s one saving grace.

Watching Seth and Summer get married and have a family is what everyone wants and more. The wedding involves everyone who matters to them so it’s a nice family reunion.

Then closing out the episode with a nod to Marissa Cooper with Ryan’s drive-by — a call back to the series premiere — gives the fans everything they could possibly want.

CSI: NY Season 9 Episode 17, “Today Is Life” (February 22, 2013)

While the CSI franchise has 3 parts to it, CSI: NY was always the one with the most consistent storytelling and character growth. It ran for a total of 9 Seasons from the late 2000s to early 2010s, which is quite the feat.

With Gary Sinise as the leader, Mac Taylor this show captured the hearts of so many fans. On this series finale, Mac finally proposes to his longtime girlfriend Christine and she says yes. What a great parallel to when the show started and Mac was a widower still grieving the death of his wife in 9/11.

The story of the episode is one that oddly enough became more real to life in recent years with the relationship between Blacks and the police becoming more and more heated. All things considered, the finale is the only way this compelling crime scene drama could have ended. 

Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 12, “One Last Ride” (February 24, 2015)

The most successful way to say goodbye to beloved characters is to fast forward their lives a little bit and peek into what is yet to come. This is exactly what Parks and Recreation chooses to do with their series finale. 

We get to see Ben and Leslie continue to raise their children and nurture Leslie’s lofty political goals — why yes I DO want Leslie as our President someday. It makes saying goodbye to them a bit easier because we get to see how happy they become.

Watching the others achieve their goals as well is quite beautiful as well, after all these guys have become our family over the years. Gary living to be 100 before dying is poetic, getting to see Ann and Chris again is just sublime, April and Andy having a baby on Halloween is totally them, and seeing Ron on a canoe at one with nature is everything we could hope for him. 

Basically, the series finale made us feel like we didn’t actually say goodbye, just see you later. 

Tell-Tale TV Archives:

The last three years at Tell-Tale TV have been full of exciting content during this week. Check out the interview, list, and news article we posted below!

First off we have an interview with Summer Bishil aka Margo on The Magicians. Then we have a list of the best 20 Classic LGBTQ+ Couples. Finally, we round out our archives dive with a news article about the Chicago franchise getting a three-season renewal for all the shows.

2018

Summer Bishil Talks ‘The Magicians’ [Exclusive Interview]

2019

20 Fantastic Classic LGBTQ+ Couples on TV

2020

Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. Snag Three-Season Renewals at NBC

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What are some major TV premieres, finales, or moments you remember? Sound off in the comments below and your choice just might be featured in a future Throwback Thursday column.

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