Philosphy on the final item of a set

As I see it, there are two ways to view an item that is the last of a set of "roughly identical" items: as simply the final iteration or as something that must be, in a way, the punctuation and somewhat encompass all that came before it.

The former is a very easy method to choose. It's the same as what has been done before and it will be done again (but for the last time). It doesn't try to assess any of its predecessors, but simply adds to them. It says what needs to be said and is done.

The latter is a much more challenging task. It requires a careful contemplation (not to mention- memory) of everything before it. All the previous information must be summed up perfectly and, if necessary, abbreviated appropriately. It may add new information to the set or it may not, but regardless, the majority of its goal is to bring to an excellent conclusion all history of its relatives.