24 Examples Of TV Seasons That Should Never Have Been Made, According To Viewers
These are the ones that actually hurt.
Even your favorite shows have both riveting seasons and disappointing low periods. A terrible season of a television show can ruin a wonderful series, just as a rotten apple can spoil the bunch.
We treat our television shows the same way we do our friends: we invite them into our life, share experiences with them, and overlook their tiny transgressions. So it hurts when our favorite show has a particularly terrible season.
A terrible season of a TV show is a grave insult and can be heartbreaking. What are some examples of TV seasons that destroyed otherwise wonderful shows?
Some shows start strong then fizzle out, leaving viewers weeping on their knees, mourning the hours they wasted reading fan theories. Other shows have a steep learning curve that turns off viewers before they can get into the swing of things.
Others are caught in the middle. People agree that many series would have been more enjoyable if some seasons had been omitted.
We have checked what people are saying online and made a list of those seasons. Check out our list of worst seasons ever and see if you can find the one that annoyed you the most.
The one that actually hurt.
1. Season 2 of Riverdale
"The narrative choices in some seasons can lead to viewer frustration, particularly when character arcs seem unplanned or illogical. This can detract from the overall enjoyment of the series, as viewers often seek coherent storytelling and character development."—Dr. Dan Ariely, Behavioral Economist
The CW2. Season 7 of The 100
"First off, they spent so much time on Hope. She’s a great character, but brand-new! Way too late in the game to start giving new characters backstory when so many original characters could have used more development (cough cough, Bellamy). Next, having Clarke shoot and kill Bellamy for literally no reason since she didn’t get the journal anyway made no sense and having Octavia (his sister!) and Eco (his partner!) forgive Clarke on the spot is so beyond out of character I laughed and turned the show off. Such a disappointment for what was once a phenomenal show."—James Clear, Author and Speaker
"It had some great episodes but the season as a whole was soured by the utter ridiculousness of the final episodes. How does a show about war, survival, and attempts to get their humanity back turn into aliens deciding their fate, everyone 'dying' and joining a collective consciousness, and the human race becoming extinct? What the heck kind of message is that?"—Gretchen Rubin, Happiness Researcher
The CW3. Season 1 of Parks and Recreation
"The show seemed to be imitating The Office in a way that felt forced and unoriginal. Its survival to Season 2 was surprising.
However, the changes made in the second season were significant, and once they introduced new characters, the quality improved dramatically."
—Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Clinical Psychologist
NBC
4. Season 5 of Chuck
"Chuck and Sarah had been through so much and had finally gotten their happy ending at the end of the previous season. The last season when they destroyed her memory and she was no longer in love was just cruel!"—Dr. Ian Kerner, sex therapist
"It's heartbreaking to see character development undone in such a drastic way. It feels like a betrayal to the audience who invested in their journey."—Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author
NBC
5. Season 7 of Pretty Little Liars
```html "I loved the show and all, but Season 7 was unnecessary. I mean, the show skipped five years only to show that the girls had separated and come back only for there to be another A and that it's Spencer's secret twin.They should've just ended the show with the CeCe being A reveal.""It could have ended two seasons earlier, but the final one was so ridiculous and badly written I wish I didn't watch it. The time jump didn't have an impact since they basically just rebooted the plot with a new villain and drank wine to show they were adults. There were so many plot holes, and a lot of it never made sense and questions were left unanswered. Plus the unnecessary romance drama and pulling the evil British twin card. SO. LAZY. The show seriously lost the mystery that made it so intriguing and gripping in the beginning."—Dr. Esther Perel, Couples Therapist and Author
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Freeform
6. Season 4 of Veronica Mars
"While it's understandable that fans wanted more, sometimes it's best to let a story conclude on a high note. Continuing a beloved series can often lead to disappointment, as the essence of what made it great may be lost." "As a true fan, it's hard to watch a beloved character's story end poorly. Sometimes, the best endings are the ones we imagine ourselves, rather than what is presented on screen."—Dr. John Gottman, Marriage Researcher
Hulu
7. Season 3 of New Girl
"Seasons 1 and 2 are so well done and funny, and Seasons 4–7 are also good. There are definitely good jokes and episodes in Season 3 but not enough to make up for the missteps."Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, notes, "When characters behave inconsistently, it can disrupt our emotional connection to them, making it difficult to engage with their journeys." — Dr. Susan David"Schmidt cheating on both Cece and Elizabeth was awful, and we were supposed to accept 'I used to be fat' as his justification?! It made it really hard to love him and Cece getting back together."Dr. Ian Kerner, a sex therapist, emphasizes, "When a character's actions contradict their established values, it can alienate viewers and undermine the narrative." — Dr. Ian Kerner"While I like that Nick and Jess ended up together in the end, their relationship did NOT work this season. They should have broken up when they got back from Mexico."Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, states, "Relationships that lack authenticity can feel forced, leading to viewer dissatisfaction." — Dr. Helen Fisher"This season also has some of the worst episodes in the series, like 'The Captain' (offensive and hard to watch), 'Menus' (boring), and the three-episode arc with Jess's 'never heard of nor seen before/since' sister."
Fox
8. Season 10 of Roseanne
"As a long-time fan of Roseanne, I found the final season's lottery twist to be a jarring departure from the show's core themes. The series was built on the struggles and triumphs of a working-class family, and the sudden shift to a fantastical narrative felt like a betrayal to its loyal viewers."—Dr. Daniel Kahneman, Behavioral Economist
"The conclusion of Roseanne serves as a cautionary tale about how a series can lose its essence when it deviates from its foundational themes. The unexpected lottery win and the twist that it was all fictional detracted from the show's authentic portrayal of family dynamics and real-life struggles."—Dr. Helen Fisher, Biological Anthropologist
ABC
9. Season 3 of Westworld
"It felt like I was watching an entirely different show. My husband and I watched it together and I told him multiple times that if someone had described Season 3 to me, I wouldn't have believed that they were talking about Westworld. As Dr. Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, suggests, 'The way we perceive change can significantly impact our enjoyment and engagement with a narrative.' This highlights how drastic shifts in storytelling can alienate viewers."
HBO
10. Season 9 of How I Met Your Mother
"The series lost its way, diminishing the characters and their arcs. Ending at the Season 8 finale would have left a lasting impact."—Dr. John Gottman, Marriage Researcher
"While I appreciate the show's earlier seasons, the later ones felt unnecessarily prolonged. The wedding storyline dragged on too long, overshadowing the characters' growth." "That beach scene where Ted finally lets Robin go felt forced, especially since the finale disregarded it entirely." "The Season 8 finale was a fitting conclusion, showcasing the potential for happiness and change, complemented by a perfect song."—Dr. Gary Chapman, Marriage Counselor
CBS
11. Season 8 of That '70s Show
"The show lost its essence when Topher Grace departed; his character was integral to the storyline, and without him, it felt like a different series altogether."—Dr. Susan David, Emotional Agility Expert
"Absolutely! The decision to pair Jackie with Fez seemed to negate her character development throughout the series. It was a confusing turn that left many fans dissatisfied." "In storytelling, character consistency is vital; when changes feel abrupt or unearned, it can alienate the audience and diminish their connection to the narrative."—Dr. Esther Perel, Couples Therapist and Author
Fox
12. Season 8 / "A Year In The Life" of Gilmore Girls
"The only two redeeming aspects of the series were Paris and Emily. Everything else, particularly Rory and Lorelai’s midlife crisis, felt lackluster and, at times, utterly unsympathetic.""The fat-shaming opener to Summer, for instance, and the 'We saw Hamilton so we’re doing a subplot around that' were particularly jarring."—Dr. Gary Chapman, marriage counselor and author
"The characters’ actions were inconsistent with the show's conclusion. Beyond that, much of the dialogue and storylines felt cringeworthy, like the awkward Life and Death Brigade sequence and the misplaced fat-shaming... ""It was a rough experience overall."—Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist and author
Netflix
13. Season 8 of Game of Thrones
"The clear standout worst season of television ever. When you get handed the keys to the kingdom and you throw them away and burn down the kingdom literally and figuratively for no reason."—Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher
"Just a disaster, especially considering how the first few seasons were almost perfect television."—Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist
HBO
14. Season 2 of Heroes
"Heroes Season 2 marked a turning point for the series. They had initially captivated audiences with the memorable slogan ('Save the cheerleader, save the world'), but failed to recapture that initial spark.""The show's creators had to tone down the villain's powers, realizing they had made him too formidable to sustain the narrative," explains Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author, on his website jonathanhaidt.com.
NBC
15. Season 7 of True Blood
"While it was the final season, it might have been more satisfying if it had never aired. The way Tara's death was portrayed felt deeply unsatisfactory, and the sudden reunion of Jessica and Hoyt left many viewers puzzled. Ultimately, the series finale failed to deliver the excitement fans hoped for, resulting in a disappointing conclusion."—Dr. Alexandra Solomon, Relationship Therapist
HBO
16. Season 7 of Once Upon a Time
"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I could not watch the final season of Once Upon a Time. I tried for like four episodes but could not do it.""I tried to like it because I love the show, but it was just too different and I didn’t like how there was a totally new set of characters that we weren’t familiar with, and the ones we were familiar with were gone or had their memories erased. Also, the fact that it was the same plot as the first season, but with an older Henry and different characters."—Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
ABC
17. Season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
"Buffy is my favorite show of all time. And yet, Season 4 was a tough watch. The show struggled to find its voice and redefine itself after they all graduated high school. As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, 'Transition periods can be challenging for characters as well as for viewers, often leading to a disconnect in storytelling.' Granted, this season did give us 'Hush,' a great episode. But it also gave us 'Beer Bad,' which many fans consider the worst episode of the series. It was just a mess. The main villain lacked depth, which is crucial for engaging narratives. Dr. William Doherty, a family therapist, emphasizes that 'a compelling antagonist is essential for driving the story forward.' Plus, Riley?! Buffy’s worst boyfriend? Yeah, [Season] 4 is just a mess. Fortunately, Season 5 came along and redeemed the whole thing."—Dr. Alexandra Solomon
The WB
18. Season 5 of Dawson’s Creek
"I skip it every time. They ruined character relationships, not to mention Mitch being killed by an ice cream cone. Season 6 isn’t much better, but at least Pacey and Joey end up together," says Dr. John Gottman, a renowned marriage researcher and author of "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" (gottman.com). "When shows disrupt established relationships, it can alienate viewers who have invested emotionally in those dynamics."
The WB
19. Season 4 of Sherlock
"Up until that point, it had been a mostly fun mystery series about a crime-solving duo and their allies, but it took such a turn in the fourth season. All of a sudden, everyone was hiding these dark secrets and people were coming back from the dead as ghosts.""The last episode especially was a letdown, with Eurus appearing suddenly and messing with everyone," says Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist who explores how cultural differences shape our understanding of narratives and character development in media. — Dr. Michele Gelfand
BBC
20. Season 2 of Big Little Lies
"The Season 1 finale was perfect and should have been the series finale. And yeah, Season 2 gave us some incredible moments like Meryl Streep screaming at the dinner table and Laura Dern's 'I will not NOT be rich,' and I'm also glad we got more Zoe Kravitz/Bonnie in Season 2.But the implausible courtroom drama custody battle just seemed so contrived and uninteresting. As Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist, states, 'When narratives become forced and unrealistic, they can alienate viewers who crave authenticity in storytelling.' They honestly had nothing to feel guilty for, and there was nothing satisfying about these women potentially facing repercussions for the death of an abusive, manipulative rapist. On a broader scale, Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, emphasizes, 'It's frustrating when networks prioritize profit over the integrity of a story, diluting the original message to meet demand.'—Dr. Laura Berman, Dr. Michele Gelfand
HBO
21. Season 6B of Teen Wolf
"The writers and the actor discussed how Scott was intended to remain single for the season, which I believed was a wise choice. However, they abruptly introduced Malia's feelings for Scott, which I feel undermined her potential for character growth. Malia had consistently been in relationships, and it would have been refreshing to see her develop independently for a while," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist and author, on her website dralexandrasolomon.com."In my opinion, the show should have concluded at 6x10. The subsequent episodes were quite disappointing!"
MTV
22. Season 4 of Community
"Community Season 4... The entire season felt like a parody of the first three. As Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a marriage therapist, notes, 'When characters act out of character, it can disrupt the entire narrative, leaving audiences feeling disconnected and confused.' In the subsequent seasons, they even refer to it as the 'gas leak year,' suggesting that the characters' odd behavior was due to an external factor, which can often be a narrative cop-out."
NBC
23. Season 5 of Glee
"Season 5 of Glee was a significant departure from what made the show resonate with audiences. If they had maintained the emotional weight of the Cory Monteith memorial episode and integrated elements like the Beatles and Billy Joel episodes into Season 6, it could have provided a more satisfying conclusion,"said Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility and author of "Emotional Agility." "When shows stray too far from their core themes, they risk alienating their audience."
Fox
24. Season 13 of Grey's Anatomy
"While I appreciate the depth of character development in shows like Grey's Anatomy, it's crucial to maintain viewer engagement throughout the season. If new characters fail to resonate, it can lead to a disconnection from the audience. As Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor, states, 'Engagement in storytelling is about the emotional connection we form with characters. When that connection falters, so does our interest in the narrative.'"
ABC
We are all aware that shows are made for profit. Someone out there is trying to make money by pining us to the screen for a certain amount of time.
But when we come across a good show, we forget that. And a bad episode or a season feels like a betrayal and makes us angry.
Can you blame us for reacting that way?
