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Shows that improved after the first season

posted 4 years ago by Stratego (31086)
85 replies | jump to latest

I think that usually the first season is the best or one of the best seasons of a show. It still feels fresh, it has a clear concept and very often they feel the need to change things around in the second season (and not always for the better). Sitcoms may be the exception, because comedy is a complicated thing.

But what are shows that significantly improved after the first season?

EDIT: I'm going with a random one. Matlock!

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

Star Trek Enterprise. It went much better after the first two seasons.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Same goes for Voyager after season 3.

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

It seems to be something recurrent in the ST franchise during the 90s. Early seasons were meh to bad, and the next ones went from good to very good. I wonder if there's a reason for that.

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 4 years ago

I think the only Trek series that I have seen start out strong was TOS.

[–] NotoriousRio (12927) 4 years ago

Blackadder. The budget was drastically cut yet with Ben Elton joining to co-write, Blackadder became much more wittier and memorable.

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

Like I said, sitcoms seem to be an exception. There are several I can think of that improved after the first season with characters removed/added or a different tone.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

[deleted]

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

dallas

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

The mini series or the actual first season?

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

there is only one dallas

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

Okay, you clearly misunderstood my question.🙄

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

there was a mini series?

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

Yes. 5 episodes. But they call it the first season nowadays.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7994) 4 years ago

Family Matters. The show isn't as funny without Urkel.

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

Ah man, I actually preferred the first season because there's not so much Urkel.

[–] Furienna (3377) 4 years ago

Since I loved Steve, I must agree with GreenGoblin.

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

He was okayish in small doses, but he took over the show and the plots became too outlandish.

[–] Furienna (3377) 4 years ago

And that is how many people feel, but I must disagree.
Steve became the break-out character because he brought a certain spark to the show.
And as for the outlandish plots, I'm okay with them.

[–] Keelai (36182) 4 years ago

Roseanne. Shie improved after she fired the bad writers.

Lost in Space (original) - Dr. Smith changed from a serious villain into a coward. Show became funnier.

[–] exithereplease (3553) 4 years ago

Oh Good Lord..."Everybody Loves Raymond" bar none was a jaw dropping improvement. I don't even think they should stream or syndicate the first season at all.

[–] Rockman4 (1726) 4 years ago

Buffy

Season 1 isn't bad but it improved way more in Season 2 with Spike & Drusilla showing up and then of course introducing Oz and the great Angelus arc

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

I disagree. Indeed, the early seasons in high school are the ones I liked the most.

The big jump in quality in the series happened during season 6 and 7, when Whedon left the show. These last two seasons are very shitty ones.

[–] Stratego (31086) 4 years ago

I knew someone was going to mention Buffy! I totally disagree, though. I think season 1 and 2 are the best seasons, followed very closely by 3. Season 2 had a better story arc and the great charactes you mention. But the first season feels so fresh and has an appealing cheekiness compared to the more serious tone of the second season. The monster of the week episodes are also among the best.