What Happened on the Final Episode of ‘The Bionic Woman’?

Lauren Novak January 13, 3:48 pm

THE BIONIC WOMAN, Lindsay Wagner, Richard Anderson, 1976-1978 — Everett Collection

What To Know

In the final episode of The Bionic Woman, Jaime Sommers decides to retire from the OSI, but is told by government officials that her bionic implants make her government property, leading her to flee with Oscar Goldman’s help.
Jaime becomes a fugitive as the agency hunts her, and the episode focuses on her struggle for freedom and the emotional farewell between her and Oscar.
The series ends with Jaime successfully disappearing, leaving her fate open-ended and providing a rare, deliberate farewell for a TV heroine of that era.

When The Bionic Woman aired its final episode, “On the Run,” on May 13, 1978, it offered something unusual for television at the time. The series ended with a deliberate farewell, giving Jaime Sommers (Lindsay Wagner) a clear exit instead of simply moving on without explanation. While the series inspired several TV movies, let’s remember that final episode of the beloved ’70s series, which celebrates its 50th anniversary on January 14, 2026.

What happened on the final episode of The Bionic Woman?

The episode begins with Jaime deciding she wants to retire from the OSI. After years of assignments and constant danger, she tells Oscar Goldman that she is ready to step away and live a normal life. That choice is immediately challenged: Government officials above Oscar’s authority determine that Jaime’s bionic implants make her government property, not a private citizen. Instead of allowing her to retire, they plan to place her in a secure compound for retired agents. Oscar, realizing what this would mean for Jaime’s freedom, makes a critical decision. He warns her and urges her to run.

Everett Collection

Once Jaime leaves, she is officially labeled a fugitive. The organization she once worked for begins actively searching for her, turning her into a target rather than an asset. Much of the episode follows Jaime as she navigates ordinary settings while trying to avoid capture. The episode places particular weight on Jaime’s relationship with Oscar; their final conversation is one of the most emotionally direct moments in the series. Oscar admits how much Jaime means to him and makes it clear that helping her escape matters more than his position within the OSI.

By the end of the episode, Jaime successfully disappears. There is no confirmation of where she goes or what her future holds, only the understanding that she has chosen freedom over confinement. The series closes without a conventional resolution, allowing Jaime’s story to end on her own terms. Although The Bionic Woman continued in several television movies, “On the Run” serves as the true conclusion of the original series.

Where to Watch The Bionic Woman

You can currently stream The Bionic Woman on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock or watch it for free with ads on The Roku Channel. You can also purchase episodes on platforms such as Apple TV+, Fandango and Amazon.