After five seasons, Leverage is preparing to air their series finale. The show hasn’t been canceled, but Executive Producer Dean Devlin isn’t worried about such details. In what has to be an unprecedented move, he’s decided to give the fans closure while the fate of the show is still up in the air.

Here’s the letter he posted via TVGuide.

Dear Leverage Fans,

As of the writing of this letter, we still do not know if there will be a season six of our show.  Just as we didn’t know when we created the last three episodes which are about to air.  Because of this uncertainty, John Rogers and I decided to end this season with the episode we had planned to make to end the series, way back when we shot the pilot.  So, the episode that will air on Christmas is, in fact, the series finale we had always envisioned.

This is not to say we would not do a season six should we get the opportunity. Everyone involved with the show, from the cast, the crew, the writers and producers, would like nothing more than to continue telling these stories.  But, in case we do not get that opportunity we felt that, creatively, after 77 episodes, we owed it to you, our fans, to end the show properly.

I sincerely hope you watch these last three episodes.  They build to our conclusion.  And the finale, I believe, is the most powerful episode we’ve ever done.

From all of us who make the show, thank you for watching, supporting and encouraging us.  I’ve never experienced a fandom as intense, loyal and wonderful as you all.

Let’s go steal a series finale!

Dean Devlin

I love that he wants to give the show a proper send off. The Leverage team has always been extremely fan friendly; answering questions, Tweeting, sharing behind the scenes photos. They always made the fans feel like they were a part of the show and that’s rare in TV.

On the other hand, it feels like they’re asking to be canceled. Once you give the characters closure, how do you come back from that if they get another season?

Many TV shows have faced this dilemma. I’m pretty sure Supernatural has gone into a few hiatuses without knowing if they have a pick up or not. Leaving a show on a cliffhanger before a cancellation is the worst.

The best option is to stop this cliffhanger nonsense. Do you really think a cliffhanger makes fans tune in who wouldn’t tune in otherwise when the show returns after a break?

As for Leverage, as much I love the show, I think it’s time to put it to bed. The last two seasons (and we’re talking short seasons) have been uneven. After watching that mammoth episode where Parker, Eliot and Hardison stop the terrorist attack, I thought they were heading for a new year with just the three of them. I’d be okay with that. That episode was fast, tense and exciting.

The way the show stands now, it feels like the same con with different wrappings every week. And once you’ve “stolen” a whole country, where’s up from there?

I have always been a Leverage supporter but even good things must come to an end. Air the finale as planned on Christmas night and end it all on a high note.

Are you with me or are you ready for a lot more Leverage?