https://www.statsignificant.com/p/which-shows-got-their-finale-right
A data-centric study of TV endings.
Using DuckDuckGo, and scrolling behind the sign-up pop-up, I was able to read the story, and even the author admits that his statistical analysis didn’t seem to always match the internet chatter. It was mildly interesting.
Using Firefox I just scrolled and selected skip when the popup happened.
The data was good enough, but obviously misses a lot of nuance. For example some shows, like Game of Thrones, had an already subpar last season that then ended in rubbish. Whereas Dexter (at least by IMDB ratings) was having an ok last season, which then ended in rubbish.
You also have shows like Seinfeld or Big Bang Theory that can really end anywhere. Sure they have a finale but it's not like we're building to a grand finale across the entire show. Compare this to How I Met Your Mother, which could only ever end with Ted meeting the mother, which the show took an interesting but ultimately mistaken approach with.
You also have shows like House of Cards which, yes that is the finale we got, but obviously not the planned finale. Or shows like Scrubs, where the finale was a season earlier.