Farewells

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Now, today's story...

This has really been a good year for season finales. I have been shocked by those of all the shows that I watch regularly. By the way, if you haven't already picked up on it, this is going to be a TV post. If you find yourself nodding off, escape now.

The West Wing's finale back in April was a fitting end to a season about change in an administration that was on its way out and a Presidential campaign following a two-term president. It left you rooting for both the Democratic and Republican candidates and wondering whether C.J. will be spending Season 7 in prison for leaking secret information about a Defense Department space shuttle to the press.

24 ended with the words "Jack Bauer is dead." For four years, Jack has been an unstoppable force inside the Counter-Terrorist Unit in Los Angeles. In the season finale, extenuating circumstances required Tony and Michelle to help Jack fake his death. For all intents and purposes, Jack Bauer is now dead. These writers can do anything.

In NCIS's final episode of Season 2, Gibbs and his team were being hunted by a guy who may or may not be a terrorist. In the final showdown, Kate (a former Secret Service agent) jumps in front of a bullet to save her boss. It hits her vest and she saves the day. But as soon as she's helped up, another bullet goes straight through her forehead. I guess Sasha Alexander really wanted out.

I'm obligated to mention the finale of Lost in which it's possible more questions were raised than were answered. And while some people find that troubling, I find it comforting to know that this writing crew does get to answering questions eventually. The crazy French woman knew "the others" were coming for a boy, but she (and everyone else) thought it was Claire's newborn, since after all they had come for hers 16 years before. Turns out, they wanted Walt, a 10-year-old who seems to have the power to "make things happen." Not only that, but the hatch is open now and it stretches down a lot farther than the broken ladder does.

The Alias finale had arguably the biggest (and best) cliffhanger of all time. For four years, Sydney Bristow and Michael Vaughn have danced around each other. In the finale, Vaughn finally pops the question. And on the couple's drive to Santa Barbara (a long-planned vacation spot) Vaughn informs Syd that his name isn't really Vaughn at all. And just as he prepares to tell Syd who he is, BAM! They're side-swiped and you wonder if they'll even survive. Alias is truly the perfect name for that show. Nobody is who you think they are.

In other good, but less-important finales, CSI: Miami's Horatio Caine learns that his brother isn't really dead but has been working a very secret drug/terrorist raid. On The O.C., Marissa shot Ryan's brother in the back while the siblings were engaged in fisticuffs. She may or may not be spending the summer in lock up.

Joey ended with the title character caught between two loves. Scrubs finished with Elliot moving to a new hospital. And the finale of House saw the sarcastic doc's ex-girlfriend taking a semi-permanent job at his hospital.

Extreme Makeover: The other day Brett outed himself by revealing that the two-story shack I posted a picture of the other day (in North Carolina) is actually his place of residence. This revelation leads me to think that we all need to chip in and help him buy new siding. Brett, who actually lives in Florida, I'm sure would be thrilled at the prospect of having new wooden paneling on the sides of his wooden shack in western North Carolina. So just post your credit card numbers in the comments section and don't worry about noting an amount, I'll take what I deem necessary. Have a great day.

(Disclaimer for Stupid People: DO NOT POST YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER ON A WEB SITE! Thank you.)