A Million Little Things Series Finale Recap: Goodbye, Gary — Plus, Grade It
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In 2018, A Million Little Things began its five-season run with a shocking death. In Wednesday’s series finale, it ends with a highly expected, though even more affecting, one.
Yep, Gary dies in the ABC series’ last episode — but not of the lung cancer that has steadily infringed on his health and quality of life for the past few weeks. To find out what went down, and how the remaining Friends of Jon handled it, read on for the highlights of “One Big Thing.” (And make sure to check out our post-episode chat with James Roday Rodriguez and executive producers DJ Nash and Terrence Coli.)
THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE | The hospital bed that the hospice nurse suggested in the previous episode is now smack in the middle of Gary and Maggie’s living room, and Gary is in it. Some time has progressed; he’s no longer able to speak, a side effect of his illness, so he communicates by whiteboard. He doesn’t really want to eat. Colin is curled up at his feet. Maggie and Eddie marvel at Javi, who’s trying out his new walking skills, and act like everything is normal. But it’s not. And when Maggie steps into the kitchen, Gary asks Eddie to call Rome and have him come over as soon as possible.
Then, we flashback to not that long ago, as Rome films Gary busting on Eddie. But eventually Gary grows series, asks Rome to turn off the camera and asks them to help him end his life it if it looks like he’s not beating the cancer. They immediately think he’s kidding, but he’s not. He says when he gives them the signal, they should get in touch with oncology nurse Kevin from the chemotherapy sessions, and he’ll give them the drugs that will “put me out of my misery.”
Rome and Eddie immediately balk. Rome points out that when he wanted to end his life, Gary worked tirelessly to help him see that there was another way. But the intense physical pain that accompanies Stage IV cancer is different from the pain of depression, Gary says — kinda angrily, and also kinda understandably — and he just wants to die with dignity. Also: He doesn’t want Maggie to know. After all, he doesn’t want to die. “This is Plan Z. I just want it to be in place,” he says. Neither of the guys is comfortable with any part of this idea. But Rome grudgingly agrees that they won’t tell Maggie — but he wants to get Gary on video explaining it to her in case Plan C comes to pass. “How will we know it’s time?” Eddie wonders. So they agree upon a codeword: “Rutledge,” which longtime fans will remember was the last name of the person who inspected the elevator where the guys originally met, and was the name of the trust Jon set up to care for his family after his death. “Rutledge”also is what Gary writes on the board during Eddie’s visit.
‘ISN’T THAT WHAT LOVE IS?’ | I get that they’re upset and rattled, but Rome and Eddie lose all their damn sense and stroll right into Kevin’s workplace, talking loudly about the arrangement he and Gary had. Of COURSE he’s not going to whip out some unprescribed morphine and hand it to you right there in the lobby where some doctors are listening, my dudes! He makes it clear to them — as well as anyone within earshot — that he can’t help them, because assisted suicide is illegal in Massachusetts. But he gives them a bag of gelatin snacks, which Rome snatches from the nurse’s hand as he reams him for letting Gary down. But in the parking lot, the guys realize that Kevin did slip the necessary meds into the bag. Their relief at not having to score hard-core drugs on their own then gives way to a new worry: This is real, and Gary is really going to die.
Rome goes to see his dad and winds up crying in his arms. Eddie seeks Katherine’s counsel and she gently reminds him that the decision ultimately is up to Gary: “While we may all have thoughts about it, it is his life.” Theo overhears his parents talking, figures out what’s going on and tells Eddie that he has to help Gary, because he’s suffering. “Sometimes, the right thing to do is really hard,” he says. “Isn’t that what love is?”
GARY WAS HERE | Back at the apartment, while Maggie and Javi are out with Regina, Colin and Greta, Delilah hangs out with Gary. She snuggles up to him in bed and tearfully tells him how much she loves him and how much she’s going to be there for his family when he’s gone. She thanks him for taking care of her kids when she couldn’t, and for encouraging Eddie to follow his heart and make things work with her a second time. Then they engage in a little fart humor. Gross, Gary, but on brand! Then Maggie comes home, readies a wheelchair and announces they’re going on a field trip.
She wheels him out to a nearby fantasy hockey camp billboard hanging on the side of a building, where Greta has grafffiti’d “Gary Was Here” on top of the image — similar to what Gary did for Maggie in the first season. Gary is touched. As Greta, Regina, Colin and Javi look on, Maggie sits in her husband’s lap and they kiss…
… which makes the scene that follows even more heartbreaking. They return home to find a grim-faced Eddie and Rome sitting in the apartment. Off a nod from Gary, they say they’re going to show Maggie a video. “It’s time,” Gary tells her in the video, which sends her into body-heaving sobs.
GOODBYE, GARY | From that point, it’s just a matter of the doing of the thing. They all make Gary comfortable in bed. Regina, who’s mad that Rome kept her in the dark, says a tearful goodbye to Gary and then brings Javi to Katherine’s. Rome is about to hand Gary the laced tea when Maggie takes the mug from Rome’s hand, declaring that if anyone is going to do this, it’s going to be her. Eddie and Rome flank their friend for the last time, then leave for Katherine’s, where Regina, Delilah, Sophie, Danny, Milo, Tyrell, Greta, Theo and Charlie have gathered for the group dinner that Gary hoped would be the way his friends marked his passing.
Back at the apartment, Gary plays one last Made You Look on Maggie – tucking the wipeboard beneath the sheets so she almost sits on it — and she chuckles as she says, “You won.” He shakes his head and whispers, “We won.” (Have I mentioned that an acoustic cover of Wicked’s “For Good” is playing beneath all of this, because even this show’s MUSIC DIRECTOR is determined to end me?!) They clasp hands and Gary takes a drink. The next time we see him, his eyes are closed and he’s no longer responding to Maggie. She cries and whispers to him about how she and Javi are going to be OK, and as the camera pulls back, Colin (OH GOD COLIN) is draped over Gary’s legs, looking gutted — what? HE IS — and whining the saddest pup whine in the world.
SKIPPING AHEAD | Thank goodness, the episode doesn’t end there. After a 15-year flash-forward, we see Javi on his 16th birthday, rewatching the video that Gary recorded for him to mark the occasion. Even though it’s the last one he made, and “I’m gone physically,” Video Gary says, “I’m still here. Our relationship isn’t over.”
As Gary’s voice continues on the soundtrack, we see how the Friends of Jon have fared in the intervening years. Maggie gives Javi a driving lesson. She visits Gary’s grave (which, of course, has “Go B’s!” engraved on it) to tell him that she has a date coming up. Then we hop over to Rome and Regina’s place, where everyone is hanging out to celebrate Javi’s big day. Rome is wearing a Sophie Dixon tour T-shirt. Sophie is pregnant with Tyrell’s kid. Theo is a full-on adult (and played by Lance Lim, Growing Up Fisher). Danny’s hair is bleached blonde on top, and he is there with his husband. Greta and Katherine have a daughter. Delilah and Eddie are still very in love. Bottom line: Everyone seems really happy.
Gary’s voiceover tells JAvi that he needs good friends like the ones Gary found, and he reminds him once more that he’ll always be with his son, “right next to you, loving you.” And then we see Javi at a Bruins game with Theo, Danny and Tyrell. (Side note: Did you catch that cameo by series creator Nash?) The guys take a selfie, just like the original four did in the pilot.
“Oh, mijo?” Gary’s voiceover says in parting, “have a beautiful life.”
It was plan Z, not Plan C, meaning it was a last resort.
I actually heard Plan C as well. I thought it was weird, but then figured maybe it’s only C because it’s actually in the realm of possibly happening (as it was).
Nope. Def Plan Z. Listened to it again this morning.
I also listened to it again and I still hear C the way he says it.
I thought Gary said C and Ed (I think it was Ed and not Rome) responded with Z – as if to emphasize this so much further than from what Gary was thinking at the time.
Closed captioning said Plan Z.
What a sad but beautiful finale. Life, indeed, goes on, and we are all entitled to have a beautiful life.
Sigh…I still wish they hadn’t gone this route with Gary passing, however, with that being said the episode was outstanding, acted by a stellar cast. Yup Colin’s whine got to me too. Loved the way it ended 16 years into the future. Really gonna miss these characters though but they showed the continuity of life and how through adversity life goes on.
These last two episodes were better than the last two eps of This Is Us, and I loved that show.
I was thinking the same thing. Gary dying was so unexpected. I bawled both episodes.
i thought the 2nd to last ep of TIU (the train episode) was excellent. but i agree with you about the finales.
Colin’s whine and sad eyes had me reaching for my 2nd tissue
Wow what an ending to a great great show
I will really miss it
Anyone know where I can find a screenshot of the last scene with the sons of the OG four friends at the Bruins game?
Me too! My husbands friends from grade school are all so close and live in Boston and are huge Boston sports fans.
I LOST it when Colin’s whined!!!
I was being very brave until we saw dear Colin’s very sad eyes and that precious tender “whine.” Still can’t get that image out of my mind! Bless the connection ‘tween us and our furry guys.
I love Regina and Rome and wish they were real people.
Oh lord that melted me. Colin’s whine
Bawled my eyes out but those wigs in the final scene were horrendous and almost ruined the whole thing for me.
They were comical and clearly low budget.
I’m glad that Maggie in the end helped Gary. I would love to see a spin-off where same writers look into the children lives as they grow up . I would watch that too!!!
This has been an excellently written and superbly acted show from beginning to end. We laughed, cried, and lived with these characters. I hope all involved get the accolades and recognition from the industry that they so deserve.
Never missed an episode of this fantastic show! I cried the last two, they broke my heart. Loved every character in this group of friends and how they always had each others back. The actors are so believable. LOVE these people. One of the BEST shows ever I will never forget.
Agree 👍
Absolutely the best show. Sorry it ended
I feel the same way! I couldn’t have said it better than you!
I was already gutted, but lost it when Colin whimpered…he knew! Very happy that the show ended on an upbeat note. I will miss it.
Same….I did the ugly cry on that part 😭
The one thing I’m surprised they didn’t do: Have Jon also VO now with his friend.
So true!
Bravo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
To the writers of A Million Little Things. So, well done, makes you think of your own mortality, family and friendship. Once again congrats.
These characters will always remember and cherish.
It was a wonderful send off. The love between the friends really showed through during the entire show, and at the end, doing as Gary wished, even though they were hurting. I cried all the way through it. I will miss them.
I loved this show. It touched on many relevant issues of the day. I loved how it really highlighted how important family and friends are. I’m sorry to see it end .
I haven’t cried that much over a TV show since….well, it’s been a long time. These writers and actors created something that got us invested and attached. I don’t think anyone cries otherwise. There are plenty of sad storylines on TV that leave folks in a puddle reaching for the tissue box. We cry because we have come to care about this Band of Dads, these Friends on John. We feel a connection to their story. We are invested and so it hurts to see Gary’s journey and to the grief of those who love him. This wasn’t well done because it tugged on our heart strings. It was well done because the series earned our tears with character development and connection.
Ack –
Should have been “there are plenty of sad storylines that DON’T leave folks in a puddle…”
.
That will
Teach me not to try to type on a phone instead of sleeping while
Still wiping tears. :)
I’m betting there is a sequel soon
I’m disappointed with the assisted suicide thing, isn’t it bad enough that so many people are committing suicide these days and you had to play it as being a good thing? Just sayin’. 😒
It’s a reality we need to talk more about. For people in Gary situation, who have tried everything and are literally just waiting in pain to die… They deserve a choice.
I get your point but the idea that someone sees it makes them think it’s okay I push back on. It’s my life to end whenever I so choose, especially because I didn’t get a choice to be here
I thought it was a bit of an odd choice at first too, especially given John committed suicide. The show has been so great on mental health, but to have Gary pass this way was a bit like saying his pain was worthy of it but mental pain isn’t.
But in the end, I think it was less about making a point and just a vehicle to drive the story quickly to conclusion. I thought the episode was devastatingly beautiful, but it seemed a bit rushed and it made me think the show didn’t know it would end when the season began and maybe they had to move things along quicker. Them just casually mentioning Regina lost her race is what most gave me that impression.
They hinted that Regina would lose if she missed introducing the governor at an event, which she did because they were at the airport saying goodbye to Gary.
Agree that it came off odd, but I think the point of that was not about Gary, but rather taking it back to the very first episode and the underlying thread throughout the whole show. Treat mental health health issues with the urgency they deserve and hopefully you’ll have a positive outcome like Rome, instead of it ending in tragedy like John.
That said, Gary had zero chance of any outcome other than agonizing pain followed by death. No ifs ands or buts about it. He had, and should have had, the right to end on his own terms. (RIP Gary. You were a great character)
Because what he did wasn’t suicide, he wasn’t suicidal. It was the humane to do
It was. Taking steps to kill yourself IS suicide. Assisted suicide, death with dignity etc it’s all softened ways of saying he chose to end his life. He’d barely been gravely ill at that point and he had no palliative care. No home nurses. His friends suddenly became volunteer nurses / executioners. Wanting to die in this situation is one thing, but it was addressed in a fantastical way.
Are you seriously saying the character hadn’t suffered enough to deserve that choice? That is the mindset that has people dying excrutiating deaths in far too many states.
I loved everything about this finale. To me, it was hopeful, as the bond continued on to the next generation. I would have loved to know the little details, did Eddie graduate, did Regina run again, etc., but we know they are happy.
Umm, no. He did have palliative care. That was part of the previous episode and it’s why he’s got a hospital bed in his living room the entire final episode. Gary didn’t choose to end his life in the same way John did, or the same way Rome considered. Gary’s life was ending. He was on hospice. He had deteriorated enough at that point that he couldn’t speak, he couldn’t leave his bed. He was fading away and he made the choice to get to the inevitable a little faster. There was no question he was dying, it was just about when. That’s very different than the way the series opened – and while yes, it’s still taking your own life when we strip back the layers, it’s not at all the same.
You are spot on, molly. I can’t believe there are people who don’t get the difference.
Suicide is jumping off a building, putting a gun to your head or hanging yourself. Having stage 4 cancer, being in excruciating physical pain while waiting for inevitable death is not the same as being in debt, finding out your wife cheated on you etc.
That’s why they used the Theo scene of referencing putting down the bird.
This WAS death with dignity and Gary’s choice. He was in extreme pain and it was only going to get worse. That’s why I’m glad that I live in a country that has MAID (medical assistance in dying). It’s selfish to want people to continue in pain just because you don’t want them to leave. It’s also not your choice especially if you truly love them.
So are you saying that dialysis patients that choose not to continue on dialysis, knowing they will then die, are not committing suicide as well? Luckily, they are given a “pass” in this department.
I hate to break it to you, but palliative care is all you get for Stage 4 cancer, even if you are getting chemo, radiation or surgery. It is done without intent to cure, only prolong life. I hope you never have to endure it. The last two episodes were gut wrenching, but that’s what dying from Stage 4 cancer is. My husband is nearing the end right now, and it’s the love and support of family & friends that get you through it.
My husband died 4 years ago …if he had asked me I would have helped him…it’s a terrible death…unless you have faced this please don’t judge…love takes you to places you never thought you would be…
..
I totally agree, and did not feel that they should have had Gary die that way. Like they said, it was illegal and it also put the chemo nurse in jeopardy of losing his job. I have loved the show, but do not like the way they had Gary die. They could have promoted hospice more rather than do what they did. And Catherine, as an attorney should have said when asked about it.
I also thought it was strange Catherine wouldn’t say something about the law. I take no position here on the issue of assisted suicide…just found it a bit clumsily handled on the show.
I totally agree. When my husband was dying of cancer I would have loved to end his pain, but it is illegal. The chemo nurse on this show did the wrong thing and in real life morphine pills would have been controlled by the facility. Nobody can give them out. Not realistic at all! Gary also didn’t appear to be suffering!
He couldn’t talk. He was definitely suffering. Most people with terminal illnesses have one last good day somewhere towards the end. Doctors routinely warn family members that they’re not going to get better and it is rather a sign that the end is coming. This was probably Gary’s last good day.
Just because he didn’t “appear” to be suffering doesn’t mean he wasn’t. (Same way with mental illness). It was obvious he was in pain, not eating, not himself, not going to win the fight. He wanted to go out on his own terms. I get the argument that Kevin could get in trouble but that was his choice too. You have to always suspend a little disbelief with TV. They’re never going to play everything exactly how it is in real life with the true consequences.
I for one thought it was a beautiful ending.
Pat, hospice is a beautiful thing – and yet, its whole purpose is to make the dying person’s final days as comfortable as possible. Folks that work in the field will tell you without missing a beat that sometimes, it’s impossible to do enough. It’s actually a shame that we help our pets ease through incurable, fatal diseases with more compassion than we do humans.
Just wish they didn’t have Gary die. I wanted everyone to have a happy ending 😢
Completely agree with you, Lisa, I wish they didn’t kill off any of the main characters. I haven’t watched completely the last 2 shows because I could see where it was heading, with Gary dying to end this show. I’ll probably wait a couple of weeks before I watch it.
I woukd love to know who is signing the cover of For Good during Gary’s final moments. I know its from the musical Wicked – but this version was really stripped down and I really want to get the guy’s cover of it for my Playlist :-)
Haven’t seen it credited anywhere yet, but my guess would be Gabriel Mann – he’s done other covers for the show and it sounds like it could be him.
I’ve wondering myself!
What an ending to this amazing show that has touched so many lives…I will forever miss this show.
I was a blubbering mess ! I know they did what he requested and he had dignity buy damn that had to be hard . I love a child put perspective on it saying I know it’s hard but isn’t that was love is …. wow I’m gonna miss the whole cast weekly visit to our home :( Thank God they gave us a flash forward
I loved this show too
Gary end is not suicidal…it is humane
Different from Jon..or depression suicide in my opinion maybe that is why writers decided to go that way. I feel that many people including the person I watched this with did not agree with me. I know not all will agree and that is fine…I wish we could see Charlie better I paused so I could see…and. What’s with all the blondes? Katherine and Danny? Knew Theo would be a suit.. missed the Sophie Dixon t shirt. Good end.
I think Katherine’s hair had gone all white as an indication that they all aged 15 years. Sort of like Rome’s beard and worn face.
Thank you very much for summarizing the final episode of this epic series- hard to type through the tears but A Million Little Things has been an epic series – i hope they eventually do re-runs since i missed the first episode. WELL DONE – touching on so many topics and handling them so very well. Accolades to the entire production staff , performers and ABC for featuring it. BRILLIANTLY WELL DONE – THANK YOU
This was great. I’d been bored with the writing for the last couple seasons and now I know why: it all went into the finale. Well done, everyone. I’m still crying and smiling.
So dissapointed. You beat the cancer thing to a pulp. A happy ending was in order. I could barely watch.
Cancer doesn’t always give us happy endings. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages than women, and the survival rate is lower because of late diagnosis.
Gee thanks because I had no idea, having gone through it myself …gee, really???,,,
Could you be anymore condescending?
Glad I came here because I have no clue. Glad I got the 411 from you! Get over yourself.
I think it was the only way to end it. Throughout the series Gary has struggled with cancer. Not everyone survives. Gary had multiple relapses and it was pretty evident have way through this season he wasn’t going to make it.
I truly feel sorry for you and your need to attack. You must be a very lonely, unhappy person
Cancer isn’t pretty. I prefer reality over some candy-corn happy ending. Go watch a Disney princess movie if that’s what you’re looking for.
Was this show your whole life that you feel the need to attack people for their opinions? You are a very sad, judgey person. Feel sorry for you. Get a life
I liked the flash-forward, and the aging effects were really good.
Colin literally broke my heart. I was sobbing but when I saw & heard him…. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t delete it from my DVR because I need to rewatch parts of it that I read here & obviously missed. & Theo. Theo & that line. When he hears Eddie & Catherine talking,; “Eddie (that he) has to help Gary, because he’s suffering. “Sometimes, the right thing to do is really hard,” he says. “Isn’t that what love is?” Tissues.
I’m going to miss this show. This is the 2nd of 3 shows that’s ending that I’m completely hooked on. But at least I’ll be able to breathe watching the next big finale.
I have loved this series from its premiere episode. From Jon’s suicide onward the storyline has been captivating. With the fan base feeling every emotion possible.
I live in Vancouver BC, and I am so very proud the production was here..( I even once saw Gary on the same flight to LA.)
The final season #5 rushed the time frames, but with understanding. I would have just loved more and more and more.
So very sad that it is now ended but very happy that it happened.
Bravo