The Ultimate List of TV Show Downfalls: Unveiling the Game-Changing Episodes

Summary

The reputation of a beloved TV show can be easily tarnished by a single unfavorable episode, marking the start of its decline.

Popular shows like The Simpsons and The Walking Dead have experienced a decrease in quality as a result of controversial episodes, including the shocking demise of a beloved character.

Some TV shows, such as Stranger Things, have managed to recover from a poorly received episode and elevate their overall quality in subsequent seasons. For popular shows like The Simpsons or The Walking Dead, their downfall and loss of appeal can often be attributed to one divisive episode. It is not uncommon for TV shows to hit a peak in the middle of their run and gradually decline afterwards. This decline in quality can be due to various factors, such as writers running out of creative ideas and resorting to gimmicks, the departure of a key actor, or the controversial and heartless killing off of a beloved character.

Not every TV show with a (sudden) bad episode is doomed to go downhill; some shows have saved themselves from that kind of failure. Stranger Things stumbled with season 2, episode 7, “Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister,” and the lackluster third season indicated a decline in the show’s overall quality, but the acclaimed season 4 managed to turn it around. Still, from Community to Game of Thrones, the reputation of a fan-favorite TV show can be tarnished by one bad episode that signaled the beginning of the end.

10 The Walking Dead – "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be"

In the season 7 premiere of The Walking Dead, titled "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be," Negan took center stage after the suspenseful ending of season 6. Jeffrey Dean Morgan delivered an outstanding performance, but the excessively brutal killing of Glenn with Lucille, Negan's barb-wire-wrapped baseball bat, was disturbing. The aim was to shock and create drama, but it ended up feeling exploitative. Glenn was a beloved character who had been part of the show from the very beginning, and his gruesome death scene took away from the entertainment value of The Walking Dead.

9 Family Guy – "Life Of Brian"

8 That '70s Show – "Till The Next Goodbye"

In Family Guy season 12, episode 6, titled "Life of Brian," Stewie made the unfortunate decision to destroy his time machine. Little did he know that this seemingly trivial act would lead to a heart-wrenching twist. Shortly after the destruction of the time machine, Brian, the beloved character, tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run accident. The cruel irony was that Stewie, without his time-travel abilities, was unable to go back and save his dear friend.

Normally, Family Guy is known for its focus on humor rather than character development. However, "Life of Brian" diverged from this pattern and presented an unnecessarily somber and melancholic episode. It exploited the audience's adoration for Brian, a character who had become an icon to many. What compounded the confusion was the fact that Brian miraculously returned a few episodes later, and everything reverted back to its usual state. This raises the question: Why did the showwriters choose to kill off Brian in the first place?

With

8 That '70s Show – "Till The Next Goodbye"

, the audience was left grappling with the aftermath of Stewie's impulsive act, reflecting on the consequences it had on the show's dynamics and the emotions it stirred within viewers.

In the final episode of season 7, titled "Till the Next Goodbye," Topher Grace bid farewell to his character Eric in That ‘70s Show. This departure was due to Grace's decision to take on the role of Venom in Spider-Man 3, a career move that didn't quite live up to expectations. The absence of Eric in season 8 drastically altered the dynamic of the show, and when Ashton Kutcher's Kelso also left, it felt like a completely different series.

7 Community – "Conventions Of Space And Time"

6 Lost – "Through The Looking Glass"

: Following the departure of series creator Dan Harmon from Community, the distinctive comedic essence he brought to the show was sorely absent. Season 4 offered a glimmer of hope with the introduction of the amusing Greendale Babies animated series and a clever parody of Paranormal Activity. However, the third episode, titled "Conventions of Space and Time," marked the beginning of Community's decline. Despite featuring some enjoyable comedic moments, the episode lacked the profound sophistication that characterized the show's earlier seasons. Instead, it leaned towards conventional sitcom tropes, deviating from its original intention to challenge and overturn clichés.

The season 3 finale of Lost, titled "Through the Looking Glass," stands as a pinnacle episode within the series. Widely acclaimed as one of television's most iconic moments, it brings forth the unforgettable "Not Penny's Boat" scene and a startling revelation that the flash sequences are not mere flashbacks, but rather flashforwards. However, this episode also represents the turning point for the show, signaling the absence of a clear direction in the overarching storyline. The introduction of numerous enticing mysteries and teasers ultimately led to unresolved plotlines, highlighting the declining quality of the series. This dip in quality ought to have been a grave cautionary sign, foreshadowing the divisive nature of the series finale.

5 Happy Days – "Hollywood: Part 3"

The term "jumping the shark" was first used when Fonzie, the breakout character from Happy Days, went waterskiing and leaped over a shark in season 5, episode 3, titled "Hollywood: Part 3." This phrase has since become a way to describe TV storylines that are unrealistic and go beyond what the audience can believe. Many shows, including Jane the Virgin with Michael's fake death and Grey's Anatomy's infamous musical episode, have also jumped the shark. However, Happy Days' original shark jump remains one of the most extreme examples.

4 Dexter – "Talk To The Hand"

In the eleventh episode of Dexter season 6, titled "Talk to the Hand," Debra confessed to her therapist about her romantic feelings for her own brother. This shocking revelation not only added an uncomfortable layer to the show, which already required viewers to accept the portrayal of murder, but it also seemed completely out of character for Debra to develop such emotions for Dexter. Over the course of six seasons, the audience had come to understand and appreciate the deep bond between the siblings, making this storyline an unnecessary and inappropriate deviation from their typical dynamic.

3 The Office – "Goodbye, Michael"

2 Game Of Thrones – "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"

Steve Carell was the linchpin of The Office during its first seven seasons. While the supporting cast included fantastic actors portraying their own endearing characters, Carell was the driving force behind the show. In season 7, episode 22, "Goodbye, Michael," Carell bid a perfect and heartfelt farewell as Michael Scott. However, despite the network's insistence on continuing the series without him, the show struggled in season 9. Certain storylines, such as the one involving an unconscious Stanley, were stretched thin to fill entire episodes. Fortunately, The Office managed to provide a satisfying conclusion in its series finale at the end of season 9, and Carell's return undoubtedly played a significant role in its success.

Game of Thrones, HBO's renowned fantasy drama series, spiraled into controversy with its hurried final season. However, the initial crack in its armor appeared in season 5, episode 6, titled "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken." This particular episode marked a grim turning point as Sansa Stark reluctantly entered into wedlock with Ramsay Bolton, culminating in a distressing scene of sexual assault. Tragically, the focus of this scene gravitated more towards Theon's anguish rather than Sansa's. Regrettably, this depiction of sexual violence seemed gratuitous, adding nothing of substance to the narrative, and only serving as another instance of Game of Thrones resorting to shock tactics for mere sensationalism.

1 The Simpsons – "The Principal And The Pauper"

Principal Skinner has been a beloved character on The Simpsons from the show's inception. Throughout the years, his commitment to his job, military background, complex relationship with Bart, and on-again-off-again romance with Mrs. Krabappel have all been explored. However, in episode 2 of season 9, titled "The Principal and the Pauper," Skinner's true identity as an impostor was revealed. This decision conveyed the message that the writers failed to recognize the emotional connection that fans had formed not only with Skinner, but with the entire cast. The Simpsons crossed a line with this particular episode, marking the end of the series' golden era.