Grace and Frankie Ending Explained (and Why the Show Was Cancelled)

Netflix’s critically acclaimed comedy series, Grace and Frankieended after seven seasons, and many are wondering what the show’s ending means and why it was canceled. Created by Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris, Grace and Frankie follows Grace Hanson (Jane Fonda) and Frances “Frankie” Bergstein (Lily Tomlin), both married to lawyer husbands, Robert Hanson (Martin Sheen) and Sol Bergstein (Sam Waterston). However, the titular duo discover that their husbands Robert and Sol have been in love for years and are leaving their wives to be together.

Frankie and Grace move into a joint beach house, even though they were never very close to each other when they were still married. However, throughout the series, Grace and Frankie become involved in a series of misadventures, romantic conflicts and family dramas that force them into a relationship, resulting in the two women becoming close friends. Despite Grace and Frankie being one of the best LGBTQ+ shows on Netflix, the series was canceled after releasing its seventh and final season, although Fortunately, both the story and all the character arcs reached their natural conclusions.

Grace is forced to face her inner demons

Grace and Frankie’s ending is heavily introspective for Grace

In the final episode of Grace and FrankieGrace decides to finally confront the inner demons she’s been repressing. For example, when Grace reads the memoirs of her ex-husband and former criminal, Nick, she states that his marriage to Grace was one of the worst mistakes he ever made. Although Grace is upset by this revelation at first, she soon discovers that Nick was always unhappy when they were together.

This was an emotional blow for Grace, but also a time of growthas it makes her accept the fact that she is not a perfect person and that, despite good intentions, she can often make her loved ones feel hurt and unhappy. Additionally, Grace reconnects with her brother Geoffrey (Jamey Sheridan), who she hasn’t spoken to in nearly 20 years.

​​​​​

Grace is afraid of the ocean throughout the series​​​​​​, but it’s never explained exactly why. Grace and Frankie finally gives an explanation for this fear during Grace and Geoffrey’s reunion, in which it is revealed that their father drowned while swimming in the ocean. Grace was so traumatized by this event that she never set foot in the sea or ocean again. However, after reconnecting with her brother, Grace finally came to terms with her past trauma.

Frankie tries to leave his mark on the world

A fake funeral leaves Frankie questioning the value of her past

Meanwhile, Frankie is also dealing with her own internal conflicts during the Grace and Frankie ending, specifically with his hypothetical mortality. Afraid that she will die within seven days, Frankie organizes a fake funeral because she wants to hear what her family and loved ones will say in their eulogies.

However, Frankie quickly becomes frustrated when all the eulogies given at the fake funeral mention Grace, making her believe she is a companion in her own life. In addition to her arthritis worsening to the point where she is unable to continue painting, which is her passion, Frankie wonders what kind of impact she will leave on the world.

Grace and Frankie realize they need each other

The duo’s bond is cemented by a near-death experience

Frankie is so afraid that her arthritis will get worse and she will eventually die that she takes out all her frustration on Grace. The two get into a heated argument, but after Frankie admits to Grace what is bothering her, the two forgive each other and hug. Unfortunately, the two women are electrocuted when they hug, thanks to Frankie’s microphone connected to Grace’s vodka martini. Grace and Frankie wake up in heaven and find God (Dolly Parton).

Despite the duo’s plea to return to Earth as they want to spend the rest of their days together, God states that Frankie will stay in heaven while Grace will return. Realizing that this is possibly the last time they will see each other, Frankie and Grace say a sincere and emotional goodbye.

God is so moved by the bond that Grace and Frankie have that He allows them to return to Earth. Once the duo comes back to life, they come back more connected than ever. Grace helps Frankie continue her artistic passions by helping her hold a paintbrush, and in return, Frankie takes Grace to the beach to help her overcome her fear of the ocean.

Sol comes to terms with Robert’s memory loss

The ending wasn’t just meaningful for Grace and Frankie

Near the end of Grace and Frankie, Robert’s memory loss worsens to the point where he cannot remember the first time he and Sol met, confusing it with the memory of how he and Grace met. Sol is afraid that Robert’s condition will worsen to the point that Robert will completely forget all the memories they have together. So, after consulting a doctor, the two travel to the hotel where they met. At first, Robert doesn’t recognize where they are or how important the hotel is to their past/relationship.

However, when the music, “The Way You Look Tonight” starts playing, Robert suddenly remembers all the fun and excitement he had with Sol. After hugging and kissing, the two agree that they should take time to create new memories and enjoy the last few days they have left together, even if Robert ends up losing those memories due to his condition.

Brianna and Mallory start a new future together

Sisters put aside their differences for a better tomorrow

Meanwhile, Grace and Robert’s daughters Brianna (June Diane Raphael) and Mallory (Brooklyn Decker) are at very difficult times in their lives. Not only has Brianna officially split from Barry (Peter Cambor) once and for all due to both being unhappy with their current lives, but Barry is thriving post-split.

Meanwhile, Mallory is fired from her job at Tanneth. The sisters lean on each other and eventually manage to overcome their individual obstacles. Brianna and Mallory eventually decide to start a business together, believing that if they have each other, the future looks bright.

The True Meaning of Grace and Frankie

The show is ultimately about the transformative power of love

THE main theme of Grace and Frankie is love and how it can be a powerful tool to motivate people to overcome their inner demons and find a new sense of purpose. Towards the end of the final season, many of the characters are plagued by some sort of problem that leaves them feeling helpless and hopeless, whether it’s a medical condition, a job loss, or missing a significant other.​​

However, at the end of Grace and Frankie, almost all of the characters eventually realize that no matter how difficult life may seem, they will always overcome their obstacles as long as they are not only supported by their loved ones but also simply love themselves.

Why Grace and Frankie Was Canceled

The program reached its natural conclusion

There was never a specific reason for this Grace and Frankie did not continue into season 8. After all, ratings remained strong and the show overall continued to be a hit for Netflix. However, the story managed to reach a natural conclusion without ending on a frustrating cliffhanger. In terms of why Grace and Frankie was canceled after its seventh season, co-creator Martha Kauffman said:

“It was a combination of things. Netflix is ​​no longer making long-term series. And we are very lucky that we got a seventh season.” (through Hello!).

However, regardless of the reason it was cancelled, thankfully Grace and Frankie was able to end on a high note, and its moving conclusion paid homage to the beloved characters.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin have reunited since the end of Grace and Frankie

The pair have been co-stars several times

A fundamental reason for the success of Grace and Frankie it was the impeccable on-screen chemistry between stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. While many fans were probably sad to see the show end, the finale wasn’t the last time the pair shared a screen, and there have been several projects since. Grace and Frankie he concluded that he saw them gathered together. Not only that, but Grace and Frankie It also wasn’t the first time Fonda and Tomlin worked together.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin first co-starred in a film in 1980, decades before the release of Grace and Frankie in 2015. 9 to 5 was a 1980 comedy starring Fonda as Judy, Tomlin as Violet, and Dolly Parton as Doralee (adding additional weight to her cameo in the show). The plot of 9 to 5 sees the trio smoke weed together, and the ensuing paranoia leads to a series of mishaps that begin with Tomlin’s character, Violet, becoming convinced that she poisoned her boss’s coffee.

However, it was in the second half of their careers that the duo became an iconic duo, and there have been two Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin films released since then. Grace and Frankie completed in 2022. Both arrived in 2023 and are 80 for Brady and Moving on. 80 for Brady sees Tomlin and Fonda co-starring alongside Rita Moreno and Sally Field. The film focuses on a quarter of Tom Brady’s fans who travel to Houston to see him play but lose their tickets, leading to a series of shenanigans not too far removed from those seen in 9 to 5.

Moving forward, on the other hand, it’s an intriguing revenge comedy that fully utilizes the chemistry the duo ably demonstrated in Grace and Frankie. After the death of a mutual friend, Jane Fonda’s Claire and Lily Tomlin’s Evelyn conspire to kill their friend’s widower because of the way he treated her while she was still alive. All three projects represent great options for Grace and Frankie fans who still haven’t gotten tired of seeing the duo together.

Did Grace and Frankie end on a high note?

Many fans thought the show got too dark, but it had some positive moments

Grace and Frankie It feels bleak when looking at the characters’ futures, and the ending was polarizing as it tried to be upbeat and heartwarming, but the show ended up dark and overly depressing. There are some sad moments, specifically regarding Sol and Robert and the signs that dementia will eventually take a toll on their love and relationship. However, the moment when the memories return allowed the two to share a moment, offering a happy ending at least for that time.

Some fans think the series got too dark in the final season, ruining the fun and excitement of the comedy by introducing cancer, dementia, and even the momentary deaths of Grace and Frankie. Even with a shining moment at the end, fans know things will only get worse for them (especially Robert and Sol), and they won’t have a happy ending. Editor The stupid child he wrote:

“To some extent, it is a program based on the realities that older people face, but ultimately, it is a work of fiction. Here they could have been treated better, just like most elderly people don’t get treated in real life, and in the final act of the show, just like in the final act of someone’s life, they deserved a rest.”

However, there were other fans who felt that Robert and Sol’s story was the most realistic in the series, and although it didn’t end in “high note”, ended in a painfully honest moment with a happy moment in the elevator. Redditor Bob Kelso30 centimeters he wrote,

“Robert and Sol were so incredible this season. Their storyline was so heartbreaking and powerful. Sol’s performance and the total void in Robert’s memory made me cry a lot all season. Their last scene in the elevator was really what they deserved it.” , they deserve love and happiness and will always be there for each other.”

As for the title characters, some fans were happy with the Grace and Frankie ending, with Redditor BrownSugarBare loving the painting moment between the two women. “My God, I just finished and the painting scene was too much, my heart was in my throat. Their relationship is everything a person can ask for from a soulmate.“