A lot of shows that begin with a mystery or quest to find a certain character or place, and then they find it in the first season finale… when season two starts, you realize whoever came up with it had no idea where to go from there.
From. Such an interesting premise, great first season, but now that it’s going into season 4 it’s clear they have no idea what to do. I swear, this show wasn’t so much “we haven’t written where it goes yet and we’re trying to sort it out”, as much as “we didn’t expect to get renewed and planned to end it without having to explain anything”. It’s getting the Lost treatment and introducing 3 new mysteries for every 1 that gets kinda solved.
Yeah, pretty much. The only thing keeping me interested in the stories after they reach that point is lore, but even that starts getting convoluted eventually.
I think the associated “mythos” and all the online communities they create is a big part of the appeal of these shows. Scouring every scene and interview for clues, predicting what will happen well in advance, etc. Because they take forever to answer the big questions, tons of different theories can exist at the same time and everyone can feel like they’re right (until they’re eventually not, another reason why people often hate the endings of these shows).
Supernatural was definitely one of the shows I was thinking of. Went from “let’s find dad” to “let’s find a way to mess up a simple MOTW show” real quick.
it wasnt even suppose to last past 5 seasons anyways. although they had somewhat decent seasons like 8 and 11, the others were just fillers, and kind played into the fanfiction, they gave what fans want. the leads being in love with each other,sorta.
they are so obssesed it spilled over being a parasocial relationship, when the actors started doings cons for the fans, it just got awkward and wierd, if you heard about the death threats agains the actors(the mother and child that was with dean in first few episode of season 6, they couldnt return because of that) the fans got it in thier head they were ruining the relationships, that the characthers were gay. the more cons they did the more bizarre the questions were, plus i think thats why mark sheppard(crowley) stopped doing them.
It was so weird. Like, I get having an unconventional ship, I’ve had my fair share of those, but bothering the cast or real people with it… It’s just not right.
In another fandom, The Walking Dead, I used to ship Carol/Daryl, but the other shippers became incredibly toxic towards some opposite ships and towards the actors. It was enough to turn me away from the fandom.
whoever came up with it had no idea where to go from there
Maybe the show was more succesful than they hoped and instead of letting it end there they were suddenly told to please produce another season.
Or the actors are good actors, but don’t click in that certain way that is necessary for shows to remain entertaining across multiple seasons.
Or season 1 is based on a book, and subsequent seasons are just based on its characters.
Often small pointers during the episodes will tell you if a season 2 was ever envisioned.
Anyhow, the decline after the first season is very common. I wish they’d just leave it at that. I mean, try season 2 by all means, but if it doesn’t take off, leave it for the sake of good entertainment. Don’t go churning out more.
Maybe the show was more succesful than they hoped and instead of letting it end there they were suddenly told to please produce another season.
Kind of a dilemma, especially for american TV shows. They need to be able to go for 10+ seasons, but also need to be prepared to get cancelled after the first season and not end it on a cliffhanger. Usually they’re prepared for neither.
A lot of shows that begin with a mystery or quest to find a certain character or place, and then they find it in the first season finale… when season two starts, you realize whoever came up with it had no idea where to go from there.
From. Such an interesting premise, great first season, but now that it’s going into season 4 it’s clear they have no idea what to do. I swear, this show wasn’t so much “we haven’t written where it goes yet and we’re trying to sort it out”, as much as “we didn’t expect to get renewed and planned to end it without having to explain anything”. It’s getting the Lost treatment and introducing 3 new mysteries for every 1 that gets kinda solved.
So most mystery box shows, basically.
Thanks a lot! I didn’t know this had a name. Funny enough, all the shows named there are the ones I was thinking of.
It’s funny how such a complicated genre can also be so predictable lol
Yeah, pretty much. The only thing keeping me interested in the stories after they reach that point is lore, but even that starts getting convoluted eventually.
I think the associated “mythos” and all the online communities they create is a big part of the appeal of these shows. Scouring every scene and interview for clues, predicting what will happen well in advance, etc. Because they take forever to answer the big questions, tons of different theories can exist at the same time and everyone can feel like they’re right (until they’re eventually not, another reason why people often hate the endings of these shows).
that was the way with kripke and supernatural 1-5 was mystery/horror,etc. new showrunners from 6-15 was just all wtf it was.
Supernatural was definitely one of the shows I was thinking of. Went from “let’s find dad” to “let’s find a way to mess up a simple MOTW show” real quick.
it wasnt even suppose to last past 5 seasons anyways. although they had somewhat decent seasons like 8 and 11, the others were just fillers, and kind played into the fanfiction, they gave what fans want. the leads being in love with each other,sorta.
lol, yeah, I remember. I used to hang out in fandom places and people wouldn’t shut up about Wincest. 😂
they are so obssesed it spilled over being a parasocial relationship, when the actors started doings cons for the fans, it just got awkward and wierd, if you heard about the death threats agains the actors(the mother and child that was with dean in first few episode of season 6, they couldnt return because of that) the fans got it in thier head they were ruining the relationships, that the characthers were gay. the more cons they did the more bizarre the questions were, plus i think thats why mark sheppard(crowley) stopped doing them.
It was so weird. Like, I get having an unconventional ship, I’ve had my fair share of those, but bothering the cast or real people with it… It’s just not right.
In another fandom, The Walking Dead, I used to ship Carol/Daryl, but the other shippers became incredibly toxic towards some opposite ships and towards the actors. It was enough to turn me away from the fandom.
Maybe the show was more succesful than they hoped and instead of letting it end there they were suddenly told to please produce another season.
Or the actors are good actors, but don’t click in that certain way that is necessary for shows to remain entertaining across multiple seasons.
Or season 1 is based on a book, and subsequent seasons are just based on its characters.
Often small pointers during the episodes will tell you if a season 2 was ever envisioned.
Anyhow, the decline after the first season is very common. I wish they’d just leave it at that. I mean, try season 2 by all means, but if it doesn’t take off, leave it for the sake of good entertainment. Don’t go churning out more.
Kind of a dilemma, especially for american TV shows. They need to be able to go for 10+ seasons, but also need to be prepared to get cancelled after the first season and not end it on a cliffhanger. Usually they’re prepared for neither.