The series finale


Ignoring the reunion movies, did you like the way the series ended? What would you have changed?

I don't like the finale - I don't think there really was a finale, ie closure, and it was disappointing. I think the series should have ended with Chris being given command of her own squad (they alluded to that early in the final season, and I thought that's the direction they were going in), and she likely would have taken Mary Beth with her. I assume they would not have been partners under that scenario, though. Still, I think Mary Beth would have just continued to work to reach her 20 years and then retire.

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I rather liked the two-parter shows they aired. It had a serious hook for me, and the suspense kept building and building and building. Besides that, the intrigue was terrific. Then again, I watched the two-parter back when I was younger and more impressive. I'm watching it now, and still enjoying the story line, although I'm finding things to be skeptical about.

I hated that they ended the series on this note, because it really felt like there were so many strings left hanging. But the way they left the series on these two episodes kept me thinking of Cagney & Lacey ever since.

I can't believe that the producers had meant to leave the series this way? It seemed to me back then as it does now that the show must've been cancelled at it's high point without the intention of it's ending, other than it was forced to end?

/s/ Signature? Nah, I don't want to sign anything.

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I read Rosenzweig's book, and while I don't particularly remember what he said about the finale, I think they did know it was the finale, which makes it more disappointing, IMO.

I'll amend my original post a bit and say that I sort of like the idea that the two just continued on and we don't know what happened to them b/c that's what life is like, but I would have much preferred if there was closure there for the audience. I think we needed to see what happened to them even if we didn't like what it was. Were they staying at the 14th or transferring out? Chris outranked MB, so was that an issue with maybe just one leaving if a spot was open? I didn't like that it just ended, and that the last conversation was about something as dumb as painting a bathroom (which Chris would never waste her time doing anyway; surely the city has maintenance people for that).

I'm starting over with the series and am on season two (one on the DVDs) now, so it'll be a while before I get to the finale again, but I didn't like what I saw initially.

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Oh wow! It never occurred to me that maybe someone had written a book where I might find out more. Thanks for sharing that.



/s/ Signature? Nah, I don't want to sign anything.

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Barney Rosenzweig wrote a book "Cagney, Lacey, and Me."

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It a compelling book. He doesn't pull any punches. How Tyne Daly is still speaking to him, I'll never know lol.

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Agree re Daly, but I didn't enjoy the book.

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I just ordered a copy of the book and I'm dying to read it.

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I just got the 30th anniversary box set a couple of months ago and I eally enjoyed it.

Barney Rosensweig`s book was on one of the CD`s in the set. While some parts of it were interesting I have to say I couldn`t finish it. I get that he speaks his mind but to me he came off really self-inportant and I did not agree with or appreciate most of the things he had to say about Tyne Daily. I think he got her all wrong..

I loved the interviews that were included in the set and movies that were made before and after the series ended.

So glad all of the episodes were included from the very beginning. I`ve heard that sometimes it skips over the episodes with Meg Foster.

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What about Tyne Daly? I don't remember a lot when the show was filming and I was a senior in high school when it ended. I just remember there were some petty rivalries between both women, including star billing and fights over close ups. I don't remember much of last season and I'm just finishing watching the 2 part finale, which stinks. I wanted to know who set them up. A very disappointing ending and the the dumbest advise ever... paint the ladies room. What the heck was that suppose to mean?

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I’ll revive this IMDb thread bc I’d love to know what he said about Tyne Daly?

I’ll look for the book. I’ve often wondered how the two stars got along. Seems like Gless sort of stole the show. They made Cagney a more and more comical character as the series progressed and she got more ruthless and rude as well. I’d go so far as to say she became abusive towards Mary Beth. But she was an alcoholic and so it made sense. I enjoy watching Cagney but I wouldn’t want to be friends with someone like her. She’s interesting but such a ham and she had terrible taste in men. It was very disappointing when she got back with David after he represented Mansfield. Then there was Dory the coke head who got sober and wanted to marry her and get control of her trust fund, lol. There was the disabled rights advocate who accused her of treating him like a one night stand, when that’s exactly what she was was to him. That was a very well written episode imo.

I watched Gless on Burn Notice long before I ever got into Cagney and Lacey so it was interesting to see her as a much younger version of Maddie, which is what she seems to me.

Of the two though, I get the feeling that Tyne Daly is the deeper actress with a vastly broader range. But I haven’t seen much else either of them has done.

I’m going to get that book!

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