Game-Changing Seasons of Major TV Shows

Introduction

Some of the best TV shows of all time have one particular season that is recognized as having irrevocably changed the show. A season midway through a series that marks a shift in tone or genre will have this effect. Alternatively, major characters leaving the show or new ones being introduced will result in important changes to the overall plot.

Sybil and Tom in Downton Abbey.

On the other hand, a certain season can alter the perception of an entire TV show because it marks a change in the quality of writing. While some shows start badly before things pick up in the second or third season, others hit a point where the writers run out of ideas, and one season is recognized as the beginning of the end. For example, the later seasons of The Twilight Zone and Game of Thrones clearly demonstrated how things were headed downhill.

Daenerys with Jon Snow on Dragonstone in Game of Thrones Season 7

Season 3: The Turning Point

Downton Abbey season 3 was forced to contend with multiple major actors leaving the series. While Siobhan Finneran was written out as having Miss O'Brien take another job, members of the Crawley family posed a bigger problem. The youngest Crawley daughter Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) dies in childbirth midway through the season, and the estate's heir Matthew (Dan Stevens) dies in a car crash just after the birth of his son in the season finale.

These back-to-back deaths were shocking, especially after most of the main cast survived World War I in season 2. Following Sybil and Matthew's deaths, Downton Abbey begins several new storylines, especially for the deceased characters' spouses. Lily James' Lady Rose is also introduced near the end of season 3 to replace Sybil as the 'younger sister' character.

Meredith lies on Derek's chest before his death in Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy changed forever when Sandra Oh left the show, with her character Christina taking a major job opportunity abroad. While Grey's Anatomy is still finding its footing after Christina's departure, the show's main romantic storyline between Meredith and Derek comes to an end when Derek is killed in a car crash near the end of season 11. The season ends with Meredith dancing at a wedding with Maggie and Amelia, introducing the trio of 'sisters' who will be Meredith's main support and the focus of many storylines in future seasons. Grey's Anatomy season 11 is essentially an overall, establishing a new focal cast.

Buffy struggling with her mental health after literally dying and having to deal with Dark Willow would have been a fine storyline on its own. However, Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6 is controversial because of Buffy and Spike's relationship, culminating in Spike sexually assaulting her after she breaks up with him. Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended after season 7, which problematically depicts Spike's redemption and frames him as a hero.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6 in her house

Season 7: The Beginning of the End

While Game of Thrones' final season is generally disliked, its seventh season is mostly fine. Some indicators of future story problems appear, such as hints of Daenerys becoming the 'Mad Queen.' However, Game of Thrones season 7 also marks a turning point in the series as many separate storylines begin to converge. Jon and Dany finally meet, while the remaining Stark siblings reunite (Jon does not see Arya and Bran again until season 8, but Sansa writes to tell him they survived). Season 7 is in a gray area, as many long-awaited storylines come to fruition while the plot elements that will destroy the show begin to take shape.

In Lost season 3, the strange island setting continues. However, the season finale is the true game-changer. A major storyline in season 3 centers around the survivors trying to contact Desmond's girlfriend Penny, who could help them escape. In the famous 'Not Penny's Boat' scene, Charlie seemingly dashes these hopes before he drowns. However, the episode's flashback is revealed to be a flashforward where some of the main characters have escaped the island. This sets up a new tone for season 4 because the audience now knows that they cannot depend upon a linear narrative and that at least some of the characters will make it off the island, only to potentially return.

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark with sword in Game of Thrones season 7

The first several seasons of Supernatural focus on brothers Sam and Dean Winchester hunting standard monsters such as vampires and werewolves. Supernatural season 4 changes the show by beginning to incorporate biblical lore into the plot. Characters such as the angel Castiel and the devil Lucifer are now inseparable from Supernatural in fans' minds. However, some would argue that biblical lore has always been essential to Supernatural because the Winchesters have been fighting demons since season 1 (via CBR). While this season of Supernatural may have changed a show for the better by introducing fan-favorite characters, several other examples undeniably changed their shows for the worse.

Castiel, Dean, Sam in the Men of Letters bunker looking worried in Supernatural