1. Blackadder Goes Forth - 'Goodbyeee'
Emotionally broken. That was the only way to describe the effect the last episode of Blackadder had on audiences. The show may have taken a decidedly bleak turn with Blackadder Goes Forth, setting it the trenches in World War I, but it treated the subject matter with reverence as well as giving us some witty dialogue and dark humour. What the show did so well was show the tragedy and farce of the First World War. Upper class buffoons, represented by Stephen Fry's General Melchett, leading the troops live, showing class rather than military skill determining the outcomes of each battle. His aide, Tim McInnery's Captain Darling, looking down Blackadder and Baldrick from the comforts of his office while they live the muddy, bloody trenches. Air force chaps like Rick Mayall's Lord Flashheart, treated like heroes for their daring deeds while the forces on the ground are not. But it is all down with jest and great heart. There is great camaraderie (and verbal abuse) between Tony Robinson's Private Baldrick, Hugh Laurie's Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh and of Rowan Atkinson's Captain Blackadder and that comes to a head in the final episode when they learn that they are going to be part of 'the big push' - they're going to be leaving the trenches and charging the enemy. Despite all his attempts, Blackadder cannot convince his superiors he is mad and is forced to resign himself to his fate and that of everyone else around him. Naturally, given the contents of the plot, everything takes a very dark tone in those final moments, much darker than the rest of the series before it. There are some moments of grim humour before that final charge. Captain Darling's note in the diary that simply says 'bugger,' and George brilliantly exclaiming that he wouldn't want to face the enemy machine gun fire without his stick. But it is the final moments before the charge that are the most poignant. As the guns go silent the soldiers wonder if the war is over. As an audience we're hopeful too. And then George says with joy. The Great War: 1914 to 1917 and we as the audience know that it is hopeless. This isn't end of the war, only these characters. Baldrick has one final cunning plan but it is too late. With a heavy heart Blackadder wishes everyone good luck and they charge... As the Blackadder theme plays out as a sombre piano piece, we watch with horror as explosions tear the field apart and our favourite characters die. The field fades to modern day - a field of poppies - and it is over. In tribute to the real horrors of World War 1 and the final series for these beloved characters, 'Goodbyeee' stands as one of the most powerful, emotional finales of all time. And that's why it sits here as number one on my list. And that's my pick for the 10 greatest TV finales of all time. I'm sure there are more. Many may quote MASH as the greatest, others The Shield. But that's what the comments are for below. Do you agree with my choices? Did you watch every clip and are somewhat emotionally broken right now? Are there others that you would put in their place? And what do you think makes a great TV finale?