'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/xAAeEAACAwADAAMAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQAFIRQxwf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQF/8QAGREAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAzEh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCKVe3ktOotzTSWSGfWAZTj7h0++rv5yhUo+tu04LcnzleeNZWVZRgLDSB59e8ccHbzChQlLT//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Any show's initial premise acts as the guiding star for the viewers. It helps to gain a loyal fan base. Yet for some series, the plotline starts to lose its footing and goes off its course.
Even though a show might start with a properly woven narrative, without proper vigilance, it might quickly turn into a mess. Although it cannot be denied that the creators of a show are always under immense pressure to keep the good thing going, sometimes the shows morph into something else altogether.
It is not a sudden collapse but a gradual process. Over time, these shows become less intentional and more alienated. So, let’s dive into the TV shows that lost track of what they started with over time.
7 TV Shows that lost track of what they started with over time
1) Lost
It cannot be denied that Lost truly started off with a bang. It was intriguing and unique, which brought forth a huge number of viewers from all around the world. However, it cannot also be denied that for any long-running show, one of the main aspects to keep the show as intriguing as it started off requires a lot of elements.
A strong storyline, character development, no one-dimensional characters, and so many more. For Lost, though the series had an intense plotline at the start, it started to go downhill after the first few seasons.
The earlier seasons were a masterclass of storytelling. Every episode unearthed new clues that the viewers enjoyed. The series was a perfect blend of character drama and survival thriller. However, as the series progressed, the show began to wander.
The plot threads were sometimes dropped without a clear explanation. It slowly started to annoy the viewers. Though new characters were introduced, some of them were so one-dimensional that they diluted the overall plot mystery.
The strength of the early seasons of the series was the human element of survival and the intriguing character backstories. However, it slowly took the backseat. Lost started off as a strongly woven tapestry. Over time, the threads became tangled and lost their magic.
2) Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl truly had immense potential to become one of the best TV shows. However, even though the first few seasons were extremely binge-worthy, slowly the TV show lost its charm. As the storyline progressed, the show tried to maintain the same level of intrigue. It did not happen.
The blend of fashion, romance, drama, and the most important aspect of the show, the real identity of the Gossip Girl, was a fun and unique storyline. Many viewers have pointed out that Gossip Girl should have ended after the first few seasons. They should have concluded the story much earlier.
It would have kept the thrill, and the intrigue would have remained strong. Blair Waldorf’s character was truly an iconic one. Blair’s intellect and Serena’s popularity created a unique dynamic. The early seasons of the series weaved together the individual plotlines in a nuanced manner.
The college admissions, family secrets, and love triangles felt genuinely exciting to watch. As the seasons progressed, Gossip Girl lost its footing. The initial charm was lost completely. The characters started to wear off. The actions of the characters became increasingly outlandish and illogical.
It became less and less relatable. The show started to cycle through the same relationships over and over again. Hence, the initial entertaining element got lost. The plotline of the identity of the Gossip Girl was also disappointing, according to the viewers.
3) How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother had a fantastic start. However, as the show progressed, it became more and more unbearable, according to the viewers. Especially if we consider the last season of the series, it was truly not an ending that the viewers enjoyed.
After years of investing in the plotline of How I Met Your Mother, the last season disappointed the viewers with the depiction of Tracy’s death and Ted’s feelings for Robin. Now let’s talk about how the show grabbed the viewers' attention when it started.
In the beginning, Barney, Robin, and Ted’s characters kept us hooked. It cannot be denied that, slowly, the show lost track of its original spark. The lack of character development baffled many of the viewers.
Robin and Ted’s relationship made it hard for either of them to find happiness that lasted. The last season felt incredibly drawn out. It missed the mark even when it had immense potential.
The journey, which was once so engaging, became a bit of a winding road that ultimately led to a destination that many felt was not worth the extensive trip.
4) Pretty Little Liars
The list would not be complete without the addition of this series that left the viewers completely shocked and intrigued with the first few seasons of the series. It had all the perfect elements to make a successful show. From mystery to romance to a unique premise, the possibilities this series had were immense.
However, even though the series had potential, it failed midway. The tormentor “A” kept the storyline going from the beginning of the series. The initial mystery revolving around A got stretched out.
Some of the characters were suspicious, but they were suddenly innocent without a proper explanation. Though the series introduced new characters, these characters felt more like a distraction rather than some genuine developments.
It only added more inconsistencies. The ultimate finale felt rushed. It ultimately did not align with the character arcs and the overall clues.
5) 13 Reasons Why
13 Reasons Why should have ended with the first two seasons. Many viewers have pointed out that the story of the series was unnecessarily stretched. The first season depicted raw emotions and a storyline that left a deep impact on the viewers.
The series had immense potential. The first season truly was a pioneer in depicting the sheer impact physical abuse can have on someone. Each of the tapes revealed Hanna’s story, which she was not able to tell everyone before her premature death.
The first season was gripping. The raw depiction of bullying, sexual assault, and the ripple effects of small actions has been portrayed in a nuanced manner. The show’s strength in the first season was the narrative. The painful topic was explored in a sensitive manner.
The performance of the actors, especially Katherine Langford, depicted the story with emotional depth. As the show started to continue beyond the limited series concept, it lost all its charm in one go. Especially Bryce Walker’s character arc disappointed the viewers.
13 Reasons Why started off as a brave show. It shed light on difficult matters. However, its efforts to continue the show diluted the original message.
6) Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men started off as a hilarious and fresh TV show with its unique premise. The strong performance of the characters was also remarkable. However, as the series progressed, it failed to keep the same level of intrigue as it began with.
The humor of the series in the first few seasons came from the clash of the vastly different lifestyles of Alan and Charlie, their humorous banter, and Evelyn’s overall nature. Alan’s desperate attempts to maintain some level of semblance in their chaotic life were truly one of a kind.
However, when Charlie Harper’s character was replaced, the show started to go downhill. Even though Kutcher’s character, Charlie, had some chemistry with Alan, it was not on par with Charlie and Alan’s dynamic.
By the finale, the show almost felt like a shell of its former self. It became a prolonged effort to keep the once-successful formula going. The changes in the cast, character arcs, and shifts in the comedic tone of the show drifted far from how the show started. It was not taken well by the viewers.
7) Gilmore Girls
As we know, Gilmore Girls is truly one of the most binge-worthy series. However, it is binge-worthy up to the first few seasons only. The initial seasons are filled with such intrigue that it quickly became one of the favorite shows of many viewers.
However, it is not an easy task to keep a show intriguing up to the very last episode. For Gilmore Girls, the ending also felt flat, and the last few seasons went completely off track.
The show was all about the journey of the two incredible women navigating through life. Rory’s change in character completely changed the perspective for the viewers. It felt out of sync with her established personality.
Her romantic relationships became more and more dramatic and less genuine. Though the show tries to keep the show fresh, it does not fit the foundation.
Trending
For more such interesting pieces, stay tuned to Soap Central.
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation
