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And here we are, the finale of Schmigadoon!. I really was worried that there was no way they’d be able to tie up all the loose threads from the previous five episodes in just 27 minutes … but they did.
As with the previous episodes, this one starts 17 hours before Josh and Melissa entered Schmigadoon, during their fateful couples retreat camping trip as the two attempted — and failed — to put their tent together, both of them happily accepting how ridiculously complicated it was, especially with only pictures for directions that seemed to have zero connection to their tent. And even sleeping outside without a shelter, Melissa’s least favorite thing, she was okay with it as long as she was with Josh.
Then we’re back to the present right where the last episode ended, with Josh finding the heart-shaped stone with his name on it. While trying to talk Carson down from the tree he’s perched in, still angry about his sister being his mother, Josh gives him a few words about how love and relationships require work. Carson learns quickly and plummets from the tree, using Josh as a landing pad. Emma shows up, all is forgiven and she and Josh feel that this is now the time to cross that bridge to start a new life in New York City. But Carson’s questions about the big city trigger memories of Melissa, particularly the one about snow. But he’s sure that relationship is dead so off they go.
Melissa still sleeping on the side of the road where the Baroness left her, discovered by Doc Lopez and his mother who have been out searching for her. Melissa was right about the Countess stepping aside so Melissa could have Jorge, and he affirms that she is everything he wants. But then Mama interjects, asking if Melissa truly loves her son. Melissa hesitates when she says of course she does, but Mother Lopez isn’t buying it, launching into a monologue about the love she shared with her late husband. It all plays hard on Melissa’s heart and she finally comes to realize that Josh is her soul mate. Jorge isn’t thrilled that his mother may have screwed things up for him, but his mom says he’ll find someone else. And then they graciously give Melissa a ride back to town. Meanwhile, Emma and Carson are ready to head across the bridge but Josh stops, tears in his eyes, Carson’s questions also making him realize it’s always been Melissa. He knows meeting Emma and Carson changed him for the better, and while sad that they won’t be going to New York City, Emma is completely understanding and tells Josh to go get Melissa.
In Schmigadoon, they are about to vote for the new mayor, with Mildred Layton doing all she can to smear the newly out Mayor Menlove, reminding the townspeople that his poor wife is so shocked and betrayed that she can’t show herself in public. Just as the vote is about to commence — in the traditional way by show of hands — Melissa runs in and sees the crowd, wondering if she missed a song. And right behind her is Josh, interrupting the second attempt at voting. Mildred is fuming. Melissa tells Josh that she’s sorry for thinking that anything that wasn’t perfect was a failure, and for a moment Josh just stands there. Wondering what he’s about to say, Melissa is stunned when Josh … starts singing ‘You Make Me Wanna Sing’. It’s a lovely moment — that may require the use of a few tissues because of Keegan-Michael Key’s emotional and heartfelt performance — and it gets even better as the lights dim, everyone disappears and the couple shares a lovely dance together. This is a direct callback to when Melissa explained musicals to Josh, telling him when you’re to emotional to talk, you sing, and when you’re too emotional to sing, you dance. Josh is full of emotion in this moment and it plays out beautifully.
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But Mildred isn’t feeling it, raining more rage on the couple, trying to remind the townspeople what these two outsiders have done to Schmigadoon. But Emma tells Mildred exactly what they’ve done, not to the town for for the town, showing everyone that they should live their lives freely. Cue Mrs. Menlove’s entrance, telling Mildred that Aloysius is finally being honest about who he is and she loves him for that. He says he loves her too … but not in ‘the bedroom way’. She tells him she’s quite aware of that. Then Emma reveals she’s Carson’s mother, Betsy says she’s a socialist, and Danny reveals there’s no way to win the ring toss and he really wants to change his ways. Even Pete admits he enjoys being hurt. But Mildred is the one who has to face not one but two huge secrets — the unwed mother Melissa helped is Mildred and Reverend Layton’s daughter, and the Reverend is also a homosexual with feelings for Aloysius.
Mildred has a complete meltdown, screaming at the townspeople, calling them toilet people. And the Reverend calls for the vote at that moment. Mildred tries to take back what she said but she’s the only one who votes for herself. Not even her husband raised his hand for her. Mayor Menlove won by a landslide, proud to be Schmigadoon’s first openly gay … anything. Broken down by all this, Mildred finds Melissa showing her a bit of kindness, or tough love, by telling her she’s been a real asshole to everyone, but it’s never too late to change. And this being a musical, Mildred is transformed into a new person, happily meeting her grandchild for the first time. And then the townspeople do break into song, ‘This Is How We Change’, which has a more modern, Sondheimian feel to it than the other songs in the series which referenced older classic musicals. It has a bit of Sunday in the Park with George meets Rent feel to it, and that segues into a more upbeat, gospel-rock number straight out of Pippin and Godspell.
With everything now right again in Schmigadoon, Josh and Melissa know it’s time for them to cross the bridge. Josh hugs Emma and Carson, Melissa hugs Aloysius — and gives Mildred a sort of ‘You better behave’ look — and the two take each other’s hand and cross the bridge into a circle wipe to black. Roll credits. Hand me a few more tissues.
This isn’t quite a The Sopranos ending, but it could be a way to leave things open for a second season. I’d love to see more, but I also want to believe the intention is there that Josh and Melissa did make it across the bridge and back to the lives, confident that they do have enough love to make their relationship work, even when it doesn’t seem to be working. Some people may be upset about the slight ambiguity of the ending, but I think that in the tradition of any musical romance, in the end the two lovebird who were destined to be together are together and that is the end of their story. Schmigadoon! has just been a wonderful series from start to finish, poking fun at old musical tropes but also embracing them as well. If you’re a fan of musical theater, then you almost certainly enjoyed the series and got the musical references. And if you aren’t, perhaps the series has sparked an interest in seeking out some classic musicals. I, for one, am going to miss this show, but I’m happy that it will be available to rewatch again and again.
What did you think of the finale? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
All episodes of Schmigadoon! are now available to stream on Apple TV Plus. Subscribe through our affiliate link.
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