The original series finale during the sixth season garnered a generally negative critical response. Emily Exton from "Entertainment Weekly" described it as "probably a bit confusing" for the series' earlier viewers, in light of the casting adjustments in later seasons. A writer for Gawker criticized that "as the camera zooms out into the South California nothingness, nothing has changed, and neither audience nor cast is for the better". However, a writer from "People" was more positive, feeling that the conclusion was a "surprise twist".