After Julia's death, Spike returns to the Bebop one last time to say goodbye. He tells Faye he's going to find out if he's truly alive, and shares a cryptic story with Jet about a man who lost an eye and couldn't tell if he was awake or dreaming. Despite Faye's desperate pleas for him to stay, Spike walks away with quiet determination, finally ready to confront Vicious and settle things once and for all.
Spike storms the Red Dragon Syndicate headquarters alone, fighting his way through waves of armed soldiers with his signature fluid style. He climbs to the cathedral at the top where Vicious is waiting, and the two former partners have their final duel. The fight ends with Spike victorious but mortally wounded. He stumbles down the steps, surrounded by stunned syndicate members, points a finger gun at them, says "Bang," and collapses. The screen cuts to black with the words "You're gonna carry that weight," leaving his fate deliberately ambiguous.
This is the series finale. The ending sparked endless debate about whether Spike actually died, though director Shinichiro Watanabe has suggested fans should draw their own conclusions.
"You're gonna carry that weight."
Note: The film Knockin' on Heaven's Door takes place between Sessions 22 and 23, before this finale.