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Original poster

Name a tv show that hasn’t declined in quality

51 replies

Soubriquet · 07/02/2022 09:11

As the seasons progress

A lot of tv shows now have amazing first series, then it suddenly goes on a downward spiral until it’s cancelled or finished.

So what are your top shows that in your opinion, has not gone downhill.

Mine are:-

The good place
Brooklyn 99
Firefly
Dark Angel
Dollhouse
And whilst it had some bad episodes, Supernatural

OP posts:
Xiaoxiong · 07/02/2022 09:19

Yes I feel like older shows used to have a crap first series and then settle into a better groove (eg. Star Trek: TNG, Buffy, Firefly). Maybe because writers got more freedom after a first series, I'm not sure. Older shows (I'm talking 90s-00s) also transitioned between individual episodes to longer story arcs when people got things like Tivos or set top boxes to record episodes. Now, shows start out knowing they can have one long narrative arc the whole way through.

Shows which have not dropped off that I have seen recently through multiple seasons - all I can think of is Succession. I'm sure there must be others but nothing springs to mind.

sunkendreams · 07/02/2022 09:20

I loved the original (UK version of) Being Human. Although some bits in the middle were a little uneven, I thought they did a great job in essentially replacing the original cast with characters I cared about just as much. I thought the fifth season was great and it went out on a high.

TeenPlusCat · 07/02/2022 09:23

QI. Always good, but improved from the N series.

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Original poster
Soubriquet · 07/02/2022 10:38

It was call the midwife that made me start this thread.

That was such a good series. Started off high, went higher and then all of a sudden, it started to yank and hasn’t come back up yet. Probably won’t at all now which is a shame because it was a good program

OP posts:
MikeWozniaksMohawk · 07/02/2022 10:41

It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia

BoodleBug51 · 07/02/2022 10:45

Chicago Fire. I'm on season 8 and it just gets more watchable. The script writing is really top notch.

Greys Anatomy however is a disgrace. Should have ended 10 years ago, it now makes me really angry to even try and watch (our Sky box series linked the new season, I lasted about 15 minutes).

BareBelliedSneetch · 07/02/2022 10:46

Black books.

I was gutted when it finished, but recognised it was probably a good place to stop.

Catnuzzle · 07/02/2022 10:48

Afterlife
Vikings
The Shield
Dexter
Boardwalk Empire
The Killing
Justified

morningstruggles · 07/02/2022 10:50

I think Peaky Blinders is still going pretty strong

cheapskatemum · 07/02/2022 11:18

@Soubriquet

It was call the midwife that made me start this thread.

That was such a good series. Started off high, went higher and then all of a sudden, it started to yank and hasn’t come back up yet. Probably won’t at all now which is a shame because it was a good program

Totally agree. Yesterday's hit an all time low.

Good point about Peaky Blinders. Otherwise, I'm struggling to think of one. I had to stop watching Casualty because I was just NHS'd out, but in reality I should have stopped watching a couple of years sooner. It had become farcical.

SuperheroBirds · 07/02/2022 11:45

You
Derry Girls

Guacamoleontoast · 07/02/2022 11:52

@Soubriquet

It was call the midwife that made me start this thread.

That was such a good series. Started off high, went higher and then all of a sudden, it started to yank and hasn’t come back up yet. Probably won’t at all now which is a shame because it was a good program

I definitely agree with this. The story lines have got so unbelievable lately, and I miss Trixie and Phyllis. Some of the earlier episodes used to have me in tears, but now it's just meh.
Iputthetrampintrampoline · 07/02/2022 11:53

Grand designs

TheAnswerIsDontThinkAboutIt · 07/02/2022 11:56

@MikeWozniaksMohawk

It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia
My favourite, but I think it has declined since about season 12/13. Still an incredible run. Not a duff episode in any of those seasons.
Ilkleymoor · 07/02/2022 12:06

Motherland

Pinkbonbon · 07/02/2022 12:09

American horror story. Though tbf some seasons are worse than others.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 07/02/2022 18:08

I agree with American Horror Story. Some of the seasons are dicey but overall it’s good

I’ve literally just watched the spin off American Horror Stories and it was twisted. Loved it though

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 07/02/2022 18:13

Have I Got News For You

Ineedsomeluck2022 · 07/02/2022 18:22

Schitts Creek
The Last Kingdom

lugeforlife · 07/02/2022 18:28

Ghosts

SuperheroBirds · 07/02/2022 18:35

@Ineedsomeluck2022

Schitts Creek The Last Kingdom
Yes! Every moment of Schitts Creek was wonderful
Purple777 · 07/02/2022 18:35

Ghosts
Schitts Creek
The Good Place
Pesky Blinders
Homeland
Your garden made better. Bloody love this programme

The original SATC I really enjoyed.

Definitely not Greys Anatomy.... I wish it could be as good as the first few years! Now it's just filler filler filler.

Abracadabra12345 · 07/02/2022 18:38

@Soubriquet

As the seasons progress

A lot of tv shows now have amazing first series, then it suddenly goes on a downward spiral until it’s cancelled or finished.

So what are your top shows that in your opinion, has not gone downhill.

Mine are:-

The good place
Brooklyn 99
Firefly
Dark Angel
Dollhouse
And whilst it had some bad episodes, Supernatural

Of course Firefly only had the one season but I’d agree that the episodes increased in quality as it went on.

We are still in mourning...😔

It’s a hard one. What about Friends? I know it dipped but then got better again.

zukiecat · 07/02/2022 18:40

The Last Kingdom

Still waiting patiently for S5, though sad that it will be the last.

There is a film being filmed just now to tie up any loose ends.

1990s · 07/02/2022 18:46

The Good Wife
The Americans (although haven’t quite finished last series, no spoilers!)