interestingly bittersweet

Last night was the series finale of Will and Grace. I have to admit, that I was a fan of the show, but not so much that I actually watched it regularly. Many times, the show down right infuriated me for one reason or another; Will’s inability/unwillingness to find a boyfriend, Jack’s incessant overly effemininite nature, too many guest stars detracting away from the comedy pairings of the 4 main characters, etc., but I always liked the show, and always ended up watching it. And last night, I have to say, when I sat down to watch the final episode, I was a little bit sad. Sad, mainly because this is one of the first shows I ever saw that even had a glimmer of semblance to someone like me on TV. A gay man as the main character. Groundbreaking, yes, but at the same time, not really. There have been gay characters on TV for years, but what makes this show so special, is that it shows us as just normal people that go on with our lives. It shows Will’s struggle to find happiness amongst all of the chaos in his life, and shows him through what we all want, gay, straight, or whatever in life; to make friends, have relationships with people, be happy, and hopefully find someone that we love that will love us back. Additionally, it offered us his journey in a humorous medium with fantastic characters, and portrayed real bonds between people. Grace is like my ideal example of someone I would be friends with (I even have a Grace), and if I could find her, I would seriously want Karen Walker to become a close friend of mine. To me, this is what was groundbreaking, the fact that these people just were who they were living life, and that Will and Jack just happened to be gay and funny; yes, too gay at times, but what are you going to do… it’s comedy.

With that being said, last night’s episode tried to wrap up the entire series in one hour, which, unlike some shows, where they end with the people just riding off into the sunset or whatever, Will and Grace took us until the end. It showed us what happened with Will and Grace, Jack and Karen, and a couple of other regular characters over the next 20 or so years. And the thing I think that got me the most, and that really threw me while I was watching the finale, was that Will and Grace somehow lost touch, and drifted apart; only to come back together in the end. And you know what, that really got me thinking, it is interesting how people that you know so well, and feel so close to, can drift out of your life almost overnight. At least they were able to come back together in the end, but that final scene, when they all met up in the bar for a drink, it was hard to see people that had spent so much time together, and cared so much about each other, only just then reconnecting after several years apart. It was hard to realize that this is what happens with life, that things change, and that people change, and that sometimes, it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. I know that I am glad that it ended well, with Will and Grace back together, but it was interestingly bittersweet for me, since they had lost touch for almost a lifetime in between. Life imitated for you can truly be accurate sometimes, and it can be hard to watch. I will miss Will and Grace, and I am glad they ended how they did. Hopefully something as good as Will and Grace, or better, will come along to take its place.

15 Responses to “interestingly bittersweet”


  1. Gravatar Icon 1 Shan! May 19th, 2006 at 11:20 am

    The part about them coming back together in the end…

    that’s what always makes me cry when I watch “A League of Their Own”.

  2. Gravatar Icon 2 the other byron May 19th, 2006 at 2:29 pm

    I thought the show was good. Not really what I expected but definitely sincere. Years from now people are going to study the impact of W&G on gay visibility and rights. I can’t wait to see what homo show comes next!

  3. Gravatar Icon 3 mingaling May 19th, 2006 at 3:38 pm

    That was really good. God, I will *so* miss Jack and Karen.

  4. Gravatar Icon 4 John May 19th, 2006 at 3:49 pm

    I didn’t watch it. I liked the show, but I’m not torn up that it’s over.

    that’s what always makes me cry when I watch “A League of Their Own”.

    Me too! I love that movie. I can sing the song, but I won’t here.

  5. Gravatar Icon 5 Joe May 19th, 2006 at 5:50 pm

    Time goes on
    People touch and then they’re gone
    And you and I
    Will never love again
    Like we did then

    Someday, when we both reminisce
    We’ll both say
    There wasn’t too much we missed
    And through the tears
    We’ll smile when we recall
    We had it all
    For just a moment

  6. Gravatar Icon 6 scottk May 19th, 2006 at 6:12 pm

    It’s wierd but I have had that same experience lately, well not in a bar but 4 of the people that have drifted from my life have found their way back to me. I love reconnecting with old friends and it is a really good feeling. I can tell I have really been missed, as have they.

  7. Gravatar Icon 7 Kiddo78 May 19th, 2006 at 6:49 pm

    My sentiments exactly. All of them. I think it was very realistic showing that Will & Grace grew apart and lost touch for a considerable time. Happens all the time with good friends. You know it’s a good friend, though, when you can get back together after several weeks, months, even years and just pick up where you left off. I got a chill while watching thinking about how much I’ve changed and done since that show started back when I was a just wee little college punk!

  8. Gravatar Icon 8 Robin May 19th, 2006 at 8:06 pm

    I’m sad to say goodbye to the show. The finale could have been better but I hate having to say goodbye to another friend…I mean show.

  9. Gravatar Icon 9 Kim May 20th, 2006 at 2:57 pm

    The finale too made me think about how I’ve drifted away from close friends. I have to work on the ‘coming back together’ part.

    Oh, and can I be your Karen, Duane? I drink a lot and can be really rude. I’m still working on the rich part though…

  10. Gravatar Icon 10 duane May 22nd, 2006 at 11:29 am

    Kim, um yeah! But you may have to wait… Lori is definitely my Karen right now. But I wouldn’t mind having two Karens.

  11. Gravatar Icon 11 Joe May 22nd, 2006 at 1:23 pm

    Tell me how Charmed ended?

  12. Gravatar Icon 12 duane May 22nd, 2006 at 1:39 pm

    Basically, Piper went back in time using Coup’s ring, and was able to bring her mom and Grams to help save Phoebe and Paige. They were able to stop Billy and Kristy nicely, but only because Billy ended up trusting the Charmed ones and accidentally killed Kristy (thank god!). She was kind of bent up about it, but she managed to get over it, and stayed friends with the Charmed ones. It ended with the sisters writing about the stuff they did in the book of shadows, and they basically lived happily ever after. It was a good wrap up, but was kind of anti-climactic. All of the sisters had lots of kids in the future. It was sweet.

    I think that they may be talking about a spin off featuring Billy’s character, which would be awesome. This ending totally left it open for them to do just that. Here’s hoping!

  13. Gravatar Icon 13 beth May 23rd, 2006 at 4:45 pm

    duane, am i your grace? i miss you.

  14. Gravatar Icon 14 David Dalley May 23rd, 2006 at 4:53 pm

    I loved the show, hated the final episode, and am still mourning the loss of Karen. Bless.

  15. Gravatar Icon 15 duane May 23rd, 2006 at 6:23 pm

    beth; I miss you too!

Leave a Reply




    categoricalness

    achivalness