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Why do so many TV dramas start off well then degenerate into a wet fart?

158 replies

BuckyBarnesArm · 11/11/2021 21:01

Latest is Close To Me. Ridiculous. The Tower also ended ridiculously.

DUPED into watching stuff with good first episodes and then FORCED to watch them through because I have no life til the soggy arsed end. Or am I just fussy?

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 12/11/2021 23:07

@CreepingDeath

Yeah this is so frustrating. Happened to Stranger Things, The Fall, Homeland, 24, Criminal Minds and so many others. I often think it's because they start off with a good idea, interesting characters etc. and then after a season or two the main plot lines or character development has been done.

But by that stage the audience is invested and it gets good viewer numbers, so the studio throw a load of money at them to keep going for another few seasons and it's just a rehash of the same shit. Or they get the characters together, which never really works.

US shows are really bad for having loads of seasons and so many episodes, there's only so many stories you can do. Or if it is built on a certain premise then only takes a season to unfold, then they take it in a weird direction that doesn't work and flog the crap out of it. It's all about money I guess. They want to cash in on a sure thing.

It's the classic business vs creative tug of war, you see it in movie franchises and music as well - something new is successful because it's fresh and different, then the guys in suits want 10 more of the same thing because it was a hit, and they lose what made it interesting or unique in the first place.

Yep this is exactly what happened with The Handmaid's Tale. Series 1 was superb and due to its massive success they've strung it out to a possible 10. As the series have gone on they have got more and more ridiculous and season 4 was not good. The first series of Killing Eve was also brilliant and should have been wrapped up at the end.
Helocariad · 13/11/2021 08:17

Just watching series 2 of Killing Eve atm and agree, it's not as strong as the 1st one.

NigellaSeed · 13/11/2021 08:25

Oh yes so disappointed. Give enough screen time to an interesting villain and they soon start turning into one of the good guys. Yawn

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GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 13/11/2021 08:39

I watched The Flight Attendant recently and while it was glossy and high end with clothes to die for the main character was just so utterly stupid. I wouldn't watch a second season.

TheWeeDonkey · 13/11/2021 08:50

I think a lot of these series should just be one series or less episodes. Its like they've got something popular so they have to drag it out, but sometimes its better to burn out than fade away. GoT was my biggest disappointment, I don't think I'll ever get over that. LoD is a close second though.

awaynboilyurheid · 13/11/2021 09:04

Line of duty was great tv till the final series , wooden acting from Kelly McDonald totally spoiled it, a stupid storyline and poor ending spoiled it such a shame as I loved the three main actors and earlier series.

Agree Americans are making the best tv, two of my favourites recently were Your honour which was was fab, and in a complete different genre Maid, well acted and so thought provoking, enjoyed watching them both.

dayswithaY · 13/11/2021 09:09

I won't be watching any new series of Handmaid's Tale as it seems to have morphed into some sci-fi horror nonsense.

I can understand long running shows jumping the shark, it's common. But the ones that really annoy me are the ITV and Channel 5 ones with middle class woman in danger, a secret from her past resurfaces, or she's living in a creepy house, unsolved murder, etc.

They then have a stunning house with open plan kitchen, amazing designer clothes, lots of coats, a few jump scares then it all gets wrapped up with a simple explanation.

Pippi1970 · 13/11/2021 09:12

The Chestnut Man was absolutely absurd, the plot was stupid.

I don't watch any BBC dramas for this reason OP, they are all shite.

The best thing I've seen recently was When The Dust Settles. On All 4. It's Danish and absolutely brilliant and gripping.

DismantledKing · 13/11/2021 09:12

Years And Years was like this; completely jumped the shark halfway through.
Thought the first series of Killing Eve ended badly too. Haven’t watched it since.

AnnaMagnani · 13/11/2021 09:18

Line of Duty lost it about 2 series ago. We are just clinging on to the wreckage now.

Giri/Haji - now that was amazing. Happy to leave the characters we liked the most miserable, crossed numerous genres - gangster thriller, road movie, love story, moved into animation or dance when it felt like it.

Obviously it got cancelled after one series Angry

cortex10 · 13/11/2021 09:18

We were so disappointed with the last series of Endeavour.

Smorgasborb · 13/11/2021 09:21

@mafted

I know, it's like the writers haven't progressed from school when you had to write a story and either got fed up or ran out of time and had to rush the ending Hmm
"... and then I woke up and it was all a dream".

Finished a couple of school homework stories that way and got a terrifying red penned 'see me' in my homework book from the teacher and a stern talking to about creative writing and good endings!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 13/11/2021 09:30

My current pet hate is ending a series/season on a cliff hanger... then not mentioning it in the next series!

With the example im thinking of im guessing that the actor had been thinking of leaving/was being written out and they changed their minds. The ending of the last series was referred to in one sentence.

iklboo · 13/11/2021 09:43

You've made me think of the horrific last episode of Transparent. An all musical special.

Yes. They had to cobble that together as Jeffrey Tambor had been sacked for sexual harassment.

Forestdweller11 · 13/11/2021 09:51

Ive loved The outlaws and Maid. I am a bit of telly addict/binge watcher. I've really wanted to get into Dalgleish, but I'm find it rather turgid. I think they'd have better off putting it in a modern setting. At least though it's just two episodes on consecutive nights. I've persevered with Angela Black but I'm prepared to be disappointed. There has been nothing really comparable to Queens Gambit in the last two years.

notacooldad · 13/11/2021 09:56

Yes I agree with you OP.
A couple of years ago I started watching The Replacement about an architect who went on mat leave. It was a good premise and ended up rubbish.
I stopped watching the so called dramas for a while.
I watched the one about the really modern house and husband fell down the stairs
Again, started off ok and descended into nonsense.
I watched Madoame Blanche because at least I know its going to light weight and a bit daft! Go in with low expectations and you wont be disappointed.

Pippi1970 · 13/11/2021 10:06

The Queens Gambit was overrated imo. Really sagged in the middle.

DevilWaresPrada · 13/11/2021 10:18

I agree about the queen's gambit, could have been at least a couple of episodes shorter.

I thought The Chestnut Man was brilliant, probably the best series I've seen all year.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 13/11/2021 10:23

hmm
they have to cut them short, 6 episodes is normal

MrsLargeEmbodied · 13/11/2021 10:25

the Maid ended well
as did Outlaws
and Giri Haji

still not finished Chestnut man

MrsLargeEmbodied · 13/11/2021 10:30

and agree : Loved Mum
and I May Destroy You
Killing Eve was great, for the first series only.

Breaking Bad was great, but i didnt want it to end

its financial isnt it, keep flogging it!

MargotMoon · 13/11/2021 10:36

This is a very handy thread of what to avoid!

I've just started Close To Me and am going to abandon it. Mainly because of the ridiculous conversation between the main character and her son, where he tells her the distressing news that during the past year (of which she has lost her memory and is trying to piece is together) he quit university and instead of living at home has moved out. Mum is clearly distraught but doesn't ask why he did either of these things and then son says "I'll go and check on dinner" - like no 18 year old man ever did when visiting his parents. It's just shit writing!

ronfa · 13/11/2021 10:47

chestnut man started well but was shit

Pippi1970 · 13/11/2021 10:53

@ronfa

chestnut man started well but was shit
Yep
AnnaMagnani · 13/11/2021 11:09

Killing Eve managed half a season, just about held it together for the end. After that - running on fumes.

I May Destroy You was a rare thing that got better as it went on and again the ending was really powerful.

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