St. Elsewhere - 'The Last One'

About

"The Last One," the series finale of St. Elsewhere, aired on May 25, 1988, and is renowned for its shocking and surreal twist. The episode marks significant changes for the main characters, including the departures of Drs. Fiscus and Morrison and the death of Dr. Auschlander. The finale's most memorable moment occurs when the narrative shifts to reveal that the entire series may have been a product of Tommy Westphall's imagination. This twist, while controversial, has become iconic in television history. The episode's conclusion features Tommy, who has autism, playing with a snow globe containing a replica of St. Eligius Hospital. This scene suggests that the entire series was a creation of his imagination, sparking intense debate and discussion among viewers. The finale attracted 22.5 million viewers and is ranked as one of the most unforgettable series finales in television history. The twist has been both praised for its originality and criticized for undermining the series' realism, but it remains a defining moment in St. Elsewhere's legacy.