Has anyone stopped watching a long running show long before the series has ended and when the series finale premieres watched it?

I watched the series finale of ER tonight. I haven't watched it regularly for about eight years. I quit after they killed off Mark Greene. I'm not at all familiar with the present cast. I recognize a few actors but I know really nothing about the characters. But I watched it for the cast of characters from the early years who had returned for the final episode.

( Cut for spoilers of series finale )

While it's been a long time since I really watched it, it's hard to believe it's over.