I also am glad they didn't leave off with John emerging from stasis (or just going into stasis), or just going through the gate. I kept looking at the clock going "Wait... they're not actually going to end it there?

LOL, yeah, me too! For awhile, I really thought the cliffhanger was going to be John stepping back into the gate, to an unknown reception in the past. I was delighted that we got to see what happened after he came back! It was all a little rushed-feeling at the end, but there was so much to pack in -- they hit the highlights, at least!