Bel-Aircan replicateThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s iconic ending, but it will only work if it does one thing first.Bel-Airseason 4has been confirmed to be the show’s last, much to the disappointment of fans, and there has been some discussion about how the spinoff series will wrap up everyone’s stories. Some have argued thatBel-Airshould have a different ending toThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, maintaining the show as a separate project. However, others argue that a callback toThe Fresh Prince’siconic ending would be conclusive and nostalgic.
CopyingThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s iconic ending scene would be a risky move for the spinoff, mainly because it may not have the same impact.Bel-Airhas changed a lot of thingsfromThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airto fit its more serious tone and deliver a completely separate project that is only based on the sitcom. Therefore, replicating such a prominent moment would be hard to pull off, andit would not have the same effect ifBel-AircopiedThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’semotional ending because the characters aren’t in the same place.
Bel-Air Season 4 Needs A Time Jump For It To Replicate Fresh Prince’s Ending
Copying The Sitcom’s Ending Would Not Make Sense For Will
Bel-Airwould need a time jump to accurately replicateThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’sending becauseWill has not spent enough time with the Banks family to achieve the original show’s effect.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airaired for 6 seasons, with an astonishing 148 episodes. In contrast, Peacock’sBel-Airis made up of four 10-episode seasons, equating to only 40 episodes in total. WhileBel-Air’sepisode run times are often more than double that of the original sitcom’s, there still hasn’t been enough time to replicate the events ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ssaddest episode.
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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’sending saw the Banks family moving away from home, each going in different directions, leaving Will behind in Bel-Air to finish his studies. The moment marked true growth for the character as he takes the Banks’ lessons to heart. Replicating this inBel-Airwould require a time jump becausethe Banks family leaving Will now would feel like abandonment, as the character has not had the same amount of growth. Therefore, to avoid a failed replication of the sitcom’s ending,Bel-Airmight benefit from aFresh Prince of Bel-Aireaster egginstead.
Why Bel-Air Might Be Better Off Not Replicating Fresh Prince’s Ending
Bel-Air Needs To Stand Independently Until The End
Bel-Airmight be better off if it didn’t attempt to copyThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’sending to avoid trying to fit so much character growth for Will in the final season.If they were to go down the same route, a lot would need to happen to Will inBel-Airseason 4, and the show’s conclusion might feel rushed. Instead, it would be better to focus on the actual story and come to a different conclusion which is more fitting, without trying to tackleThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’slegacy as having one of thebest final sitcom scenes.
Recreating too much ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwill take away from the show’s independence and authenticity.
Furthermore, althoughBel-Airhas plenty of references to the original sitcom, including cameo appearances, they have never felt out of place. IfBel-AircopiedThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’sfinal episode, it would feel somewhat forced. Much like aWill Smith cameo inBel-Airseason 4, recreating too much ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwill take away from the show’s independence and authenticity. Therefore, we can only hope that the ending ofBel-Airseason 4 stays true to what the show has always been; a unique spinoff series that tastefully reimagines its source material into an independent story.
