The Good Trouble Series Finale: A Coterie Farewell
The March 5, 2024, Good Trouble series finale marked the end of an era for Los Angeles' communal living apartment, the Coterie. The last five seasons of the show were closed as well as a decade's worth of adventures for Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana Adams Foster (Cierra Ramirez), characters first seen in The Fosters. Originally a spinoff of The Fosters, Good Trouble debuted in January 2019 and followed Callie and Mariana's post-graduate life as they negotiated jobs, relationships, and social justice concerns in their new home.
a distinctive ending in the wake of cancellation.
Though initial plans called for a sixth season, the Writers Guild of America strike in 2023 caused Good Trouble to be shelved following season five. Notwithstanding the cancellation, the network offered a special solution whereby the showrunners could use their savings to film extra material and reshoot scenes, so turning the season 5 finale into a series finale. The outcome was a 90-minute episode with fitting ends for the ensemble of the show.
The Farewell Dinner at The Coterie
Alice (Sherry Cola) answers a phone call at the series finale saying the Coterie is under sale. Three months to move are given to the residents, which prepares the major event of the episode—a farewell dinner where the characters get together to say goodbye and share their travels.
The episode threads together the narratives that define Good Trouble's five seasons as the characters relate their unique tales. Previously trying to rebuild her women's shelter, Malika (Zuri Adele) is now running for city council and gathering support in the polls. After turning down a hosting post on "America's Funniest Ferrets & Friends," Alice finally agrees to the gig when her sitcom is canceled. Choosing to concentrate on his street art career, Gael (Tommy Martinez) declines an apprenticeship with a famous artist. After their musical, Ethan (Miguel Pinzon) and Davia (Emma Hunton) move to New York City.
Final Case: Mariana and Joaquin
The last episode of Mariana and Joaquin (Bryan Craig) has especially action-packed ending. They hunt down cult leader Silas (Graham Sibley), whom they have been trying to expose. They see Silas excavating a body under Jenna's (Maiara Walsh) direction. There is a confrontation, and Jenna eventually shoots Silas—who survives and faces trial. Silas in jail, Jenna in rehab, and Joaquin exploring the realm of cults in his career closes the episode. Mariana and Joaquin have broke off their romantic relationship, though.
Goodbyes and New starts.
The last scene offers a touching farewell for the whole cast. Alice and Sumi (Kara Wang) buy a house together and invite their friends to keep meeting there. After navigating his immigration concerns, Luca (Booboo Stewart) starts seeing Ladle. He is on a tour with Olivia Rodrigo and his dance career is flourishing. Once he remembers, Evan (T.J. Linnard) tells Mariana he loves her. The episode ends with the characters celebrating their experiences and looking forward the future by sipping a last drink and dancing to "Party Rock Anthem" around the pool.
A farewell made possible by teamwork
The Good Trouble crew managed to produce a moving and whole series finale in spite of cancellation. Showrunner Joannah Johnson thanked the network for letting them use their savings to film extra material and rework scenes. Johnson clarified that although the characters could experience success more quickly thanks to the accelerated timeline, the original plan was to investigate these narratives over time.
Johnson underlined the need of ending the show with Callie and Mariana, the central characters of Good Trouble's narrative. The last scene, showing Callie and Mariana leaving the Coterie, marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of another for the two sisters. Filming the finale was emotionally taxing, but the crew embraced the chance to wrap up a cherished show appropriately.
Although Good Trouble's cancellation was surprising, the series finale gave the viewers a mixed but finally fulfilling ending for the characters as well. It is evidence of the strength of teamwork and the will of the show's writers and actors to produce a moving and whole last chapter.
