After nine seasons, Alice came to a close by opting for the fairy tale sitcom ending, albeit with a more somber tone.
The waitresses all have big news that will change their lives. Alice is finally going to be a singer by going on the road with Travis Marsh's band, bringing that storyline full circle. Jolene is going to open a beauty shop... well, she never really had any lofty goals, so good for her. Vera's husband is getting a promotion, and later she finds out she's pregnant. They're afraid to break the news to Mel because the sudden change in their lives means they'll have to leave the diner, but Mel reveals to them that he's sold it for a pretty penny. Everyone rejoices as they're all finally catching big breaks, but a cold shadow looms across the celebrations when they realize this means their little work family is all going their separate ways.
What follows are a bunch of clips from throughout the series-with surprise clips of Flo (but no Belle)-as they reminisce about the good times with some of the diner's regulars on its final night before demolition, but the somber shift in tone remains. I appreciate that a show that usually ends with laughs and applause committed to this. There's celebration, there's mourning, and there's no grating or out of character moments just to force drama for the finale. Alice ends with the cast leaving Mel's diner practically in a funeral march, a bittersweet and respectful reminder that nothing lasts forever.
The waitresses all have big news that will change their lives. Alice is finally going to be a singer by going on the road with Travis Marsh's band, bringing that storyline full circle. Jolene is going to open a beauty shop... well, she never really had any lofty goals, so good for her. Vera's husband is getting a promotion, and later she finds out she's pregnant. They're afraid to break the news to Mel because the sudden change in their lives means they'll have to leave the diner, but Mel reveals to them that he's sold it for a pretty penny. Everyone rejoices as they're all finally catching big breaks, but a cold shadow looms across the celebrations when they realize this means their little work family is all going their separate ways.
What follows are a bunch of clips from throughout the series-with surprise clips of Flo (but no Belle)-as they reminisce about the good times with some of the diner's regulars on its final night before demolition, but the somber shift in tone remains. I appreciate that a show that usually ends with laughs and applause committed to this. There's celebration, there's mourning, and there's no grating or out of character moments just to force drama for the finale. Alice ends with the cast leaving Mel's diner practically in a funeral march, a bittersweet and respectful reminder that nothing lasts forever.