Spoiler Alert

As a rule, I avoid series finales.  I've said this before and it's no surprise.  They are ultimately very sad and I am ultimately very against crying.  I've managed to skip finales of some of my favorite shows - The West Wing, Will & Grace, Burn Notice and I'm sure there are more.  I still have no idea what happened at the end.  And I'm ok with that.  

But over the course of the last week, I decided to man up because 2 of my favorite (1 most favorite) shows were going off and I thought I could handle it.  And surprise to end all surprises, I did.  I happened to love the Newsroom finale.  I know there were many others that thought it was hokey and ridiculous.  But I thought it was just hokey enough.  It had heart and it was a fitting ending.  Also, I've had that "How I Got to Memphis" playing on an unending loop in my brain since Monday.  I thought I'd managed to get rid of it, but for some reason it appeared back when I woke up this morning.  But that's not the point.  The point is, the show was good, and I didn't cry.

Then tonight came White Collar's last bow; a show I've been in love with since the pilot. What Matt Bomer, Tim Dekay and Willie Garson have together should be bottled.  Their chemistry is perfect!  Everything about that show is wonderful and spot on and I'm still not sure how Royal Pains has managed to stay on USA Network while White Collar was cancelled. Also beside the point.  

Halfway through, I literally texted the bestie "this is why I avoid finales" (I won't spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it) but I foresaw lots of crying in my future.  The bestie and I were plotting the writer's demise at this point.  But after the next 20 minutes, I'm willing to saint Jeff Eastin for his writing of a perfect finale.  It was sweet, funny, and it brought back loads from the last 5 seasons.  It also included everyone of the supporting characters while still letting those 3 fantastic actors shine.  If there's a Hollywood God, I'd like him to give these guys another project together one day - even if it's just reading the phone book.  I'm sure they'd make it interesting and funny and all together adorable.

So I think I've conquered the beast.  Of course, these finales weren't billing themselves as sob-fests.  The next time a finale comes along, I may be ready or I may also avoid it like the plague because the trailer told me to.  Honestly, I blame the previews.  It's entirely their fault : )