The 17 best TV series finales of all time, from 'The Americans' to '30 Rock'

"The Americans" ended last week with an incredible, thrilling finale that was the perfect cap to a phenomenal series. 

Series finales are difficult. They require an ending, but not too much of an ending, and often don't go well. After "The Americans" blew us away, we're fondly looking back on some of the best series finales from the distant and recent past. 

Here, we collected some of the greatest series finales that left us shaken, happy, or confused in the best way possible.

Here are 17 of the best series finales of all time, from "M*A*S*H*" to "The Leftovers":

SEE ALSO: 'The Americans' ended with one of the greatest series finales ever, and it marks the end of TV's Golden Age

"M*A*S*H*"— season 11 episode 16, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"

When it aired: February 28, 1983

After 11 years on the air, "M*A*S*H" lived up to expectations in its series finale. And it is still the most-watched TV series finale of all time. In the end, the characters finally get to go home, but that also means they won't be together anymore. It's a bittersweet ending that forever changed what a series finale for a TV show can be, because it doesn't always have to be the happiest ending possible.

"Cheers"— season 11 episode 26-28, "One for the Road"

When it aired: May 20, 1993

Besides the return of Diane, the series finale of "Cheers" is still so great because it isn't much different than a typical episode. All of the characters have similar problems: Jack and Diane get back together but then they break up (they were the original Ross and Rachel), and Cliff is annoying, as always. The series ends as most episodes of the show do: with the Cheers gang contemplating life at the bar. 

"Six Feet Under"— season 5 episode 12, "Everyone's Waiting"

When it aired: August 21, 2005

It's easy for a montage from the early aughts set to a indie song to age poorly, or just remind you of "Grey's Anatomy." But the "Six Feet Under" finale doesn't, after almost 13 years. It hammers in the theme of the show — death — but never feels ham-fisted. It shows the deaths of all the major characters on the show, but is somehow more sweet than sad.