User Reviews

had never seen this final episode until tonight after having been a fan of the series since seeing some of it in my teenage years on ABC-TV.

i found the extra emphasis on non-verbal character interaction particularly satisfying - likely the contribution of actor-director 'james broderick' (qv). this was complimented with some strong writing from writer-producer 'edward zwick' (qv).

especially enjoy the dramatic exchanges between buddy and doug. 'kristy macnichol' (qv) was surprisingly powerful at times, like when she confronts her dad over his behavior.

honestly, i'd have like it more except for the annie story-arc. unfortunately, to me, not on the same level as the other material in the program.

makes me wonder if buddy's bf was possibly going to be added as a recurrent character for future episodes. his part was surprisingly developed and carefully cast ('kraig cassity' (qv)). curiously, IMDb-listings suggest this was his last TV-role.

obviously, there was no suggestion that this was the final episode, so the series appears to have ended with no resolution or grand exit.

The last episode is fairly unremarkable. Buddy picks up a guy at the hardware store by staring at him like a creep. Predictably, Doug acts like a jerk. The alternate storyline features Dana Plato as Annie's old friend Debbie. We're supposed to believe that the girls are a similar age, when in reality Plato was three years older and it shows. The biggest surprise is that she makes no moves on Willie and his dreadful beard. I don't know if this episode was meant to be the last of the series, or if they were cancelled between seasons, but it's a bit of a disappointment. More of a whimper than a bang.