Unveiling the Most Disastrous TV Episodes That Came Dangerously Close to Toppling the Entire Show
Unforgettable TV shows stumble in these infamous episodes, risking their cherished reputation Witness the moments that left fans disappointed and questioning the legacy of these beloved series
No television series is immune to the occasional disastrous episode, some of which are so detrimental that they jeopardize the overall quality of the show. These missteps are particularly glaring when they happen to popular and beloved series. There are various reasons why a typically good show might release a subpar episode; it could be a failed artistic risk, production constraints that force the writers' hand, or simply a lack of fresh ideas from the creative team.
A poorly executed episode can harm a series at any stage of its run. If it occurs early on, it can cause the show to stumble just as it's gaining momentum. In the middle, it can serve as a turning point where the quality begins to decline. An unsatisfying conclusion can tarnish the reputation of a cherished series or even diminish the overall caliber of previous seasons. Whether it's a complex sci-fi saga or a lighthearted sitcom, these ten dreadful episodes serve as a cautionary tale, illustrating the perils of miscalculation and losing sight of the show's essence.
10 Stranger Things (2016-Present): “The Lost Sister”
9 Happy Days (1974-1984): “Hollywood: Part 3”
{{Stranger Things}} has always excelled in its ability to seamlessly blend together various plot threads and characters into a cohesive and engaging storyline in each season. However, in the second season's episode titled "The Lost Sister," this strong storytelling technique takes a backseat to a loosely connected side story. In this particular episode, Eleven's character temporarily departs from Hawkins and becomes involved with a group of super-powered outcasts. This seventh episode disrupts the flow of the main plot at a crucial moment, as its events do not significantly contribute to the overall storyline. Consequently, many viewers were left frustrated by the absence of their favorite characters throughout the entirety of this episode.
The phrase "jumping the shark" refers to the point at which a TV show loses its credibility and starts catering to the audience's absurd demands. The term was coined in season 5, episode 3 of the 1970s sitcom Happy Days, where Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli is dared to jump over a shark on water skis. While the earlier seasons of Happy Days aimed to portray the realistic challenges of teenage sexuality, racism, and social inequality in the 1950s, this particular moment showcases how drastically the show had deviated from its original course. The image of the iconic character water skiing in a leather jacket and swim trunks has since become synonymous with infamy.
8 Scrubs (2001-2010): “My Night To Remember”
7 Arrow (2012-2020): “Fallout”
During its run, Scrubs proved to be an innovative and thought-provoking sitcom, consistently pushing boundaries. However, there was one episode in season 6 that fell short and hinted at a potential decline. In this episode, a patient suffering from amnesia triggered the characters to reflect on their own memories through the use of a widely disliked TV trope: the clip episode. This particular episode, titled "My Night To Remember," is often regarded as one of the worst in Scrubs' history due to its snarky self-awareness about lacking inspiration. This aspect further amplifies the feeling that the talented writers were starting to become complacent.
Arrow's season 6 premiere takes a leap into uncharted territories, encountering its own moment of extreme implausibility. Tackling the aftermath of the explosive climax of season 5, the first episode delves into the repercussions of a cataclysmic blast on the island of Yian Lu, where key characters such as Diggle, Thea, Curtis, Rene, and Felicity were caught up. Against staggering odds, "Fallout" unveils the astonishing fact that every major character miraculously survives the explosion. Being known for its comic book-inspired ambiance, Arrow had previously managed to strike a balance between fantasy and realism, emphasizing consequences for its characters. However, this unbelievable revelation emphatically thrusts the show into a realm of pure fantasy and dedicated fan service.
6 The Simpsons (1989-Present): “The Principal and The Pauper”
5 Community (2009-2015): “Advanced Introduction to Finality”
Despite not being the worst episode of The Simpsons, "The Principal and The Pauper" from season 9 is widely regarded as marking the end of the show's "golden age." This particular episode exemplifies many of the criticisms often associated with the later, weaker seasons of The Simpsons. In it, we discover that Principal Skinner is actually an imposter named Armin Tamzerian, who assumed the identity of his commanding officer during the Vietnam war. The plot itself is both strange and unsettling, indicating a lack of fresh ideas for a series that had been on the air for nearly a decade. Interestingly, even the series creator, Matt Groening, has openly admitted that this is one of his least favorite episodes.
After the show's creator, Dan Harmon, was abruptly fired following season 3, Community's notorious fourth season came into existence. Unfortunately, without Harmon's guidance, the season lost the charm and originality that had endeared the show to its fans. The season concluded with the episode "Advanced Introduction to Finality," which aimed to serve as the series finale but exemplified the issues plaguing season 4. In a cynical attempt, the episode resurrected elements from two of the most beloved plots of the Harmon era, "Modern Warfare's" paintball and "Remedial Chaos Theory's" dark timeline. This poor imitation of the series' previous greatness would have left an indelible blemish on its legacy if it hadn't been renewed for a fifth season, led by Harmon himself.
4 Doctor Who (2005-Present): “Love and Monsters”
3 How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014): “Last Forever”
"Love and Monsters," a Season 2 episode of Doctor Who, was penned out of necessity due to the schedule constraints. In order to lessen the focus on the main cast of David Tennant and Billie Piper, creator Russell T Davies devised a standalone episode. This installment follows a man who assembles a group with the shared goal of locating the Doctor. However, their mission is hindered when the group falls into the clutches of a disguised alien called the Abzorbaloff. Criticisms directed at the era led by Davies are evident in this episode, including weak supporting characters, juvenile humor, and an outlandish creature design. These elements posed a threat to the burgeoning reputation of the Doctor Who revival.
How I Met Your Mother's controversial finale looms over the entire show, overshadowing the disappointments that often accompany the final episode of many series. Although the two-part finale was meticulously planned and even partially filmed years in advance, this meticulousness fails to consider the natural growth and evolution of the characters throughout the show's run. The later seasons of How I Met Your Mother, arguably superior in quality, focused intensively on the captivating relationship between Barney and Robin. Audiences became emotionally invested in this pairing, only to witness years of development crumble within minutes due to an outdated script in the finale.
2 Parks And Recreation (2009-2015): “Pilot”
The Parks and Recreation pilot attempted to imitate the tone of The Office, resulting in a more cynical and mean-spirited version of the show. The treatment of the characters in this episode was particularly disappointing. Unlike the likable ensemble that would later become a highlight of the beloved show, the pilot presented a barely recognizable cast that came across as unlikeable, narcissistic, and irritating. Unfortunately, this poor execution almost doomed the show from the start, making it one of television's worst pilots.
1 Game of Thrones (2011-2019): “The Iron Throne”
Dubbed as one of the most notorious series finales ever, "The Iron Throne" marked the culmination of the mounting criticisms directed towards Game of Thrones during its later seasons. With the deviation from the books and an increasing reliance on cheap fan service and inconsistent character portrayals, it became evident that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were gradually losing interest in the show. The hurried conclusion to the series, within a reduced 6-episode season, left viewers fuming over the multitude of underdeveloped resolutions to intricate storylines. The most glaring example was the abrupt transformation of Daenerys Targaryen, who went from a just ruler to a bloodthirsty tyrant in a matter of days.
