Are American tv shows stuck in Act 2 for their entire runtime between season 1 and final season?
Season 1s are great, setup, some payoff, a bit of lead into the overarching story. Then season 2 to X. The heroes win and then lose in the final episode, cliffhanger to next season. People get bored. Final season is announced and they wrap up the show.
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What are these shows? :)
Star trek is notorious for having bad first seasons.
The first season of Parks and Recreation was so bad compared to the rest. They didn't seem to know what to do with the characters. They really gelled in the second season. The rest of the run was great and the final episode was inspired.
P&R continues to be in my mind what happens when you let a show with talented actors and smart writers marinate a bit. Everyone on the show became a bigger star/household name afterwards.
So many shows get cancelled after a season. And I wonder how many shows, if they got that P&R treatment, would be amazing today.