The first season of a TV show can make or break the series.It’s become more difficult for a show to come back from a bad first season in recent years,as being renewed can be a challenge for the highest-quality projects. However, all of these series were fortunate enough to make some missteps in season 1 and get a second chance to make a name for themselves on television. Skipping the first season of these works isn’t just recommended; it’s almost always a good idea if you want to dive into the series and enjoy every minute of them.
Unlike the series that have thebest TV show debut seasons, instantly capturing the audience’s attention, these projects struggled to find their footing until at least season 2. This typically comes down to issues of tone and writing, asthe series isn’t sure of its place in the television landscape and has no clear sense of voice.These two elements are vital for the long-term success of a series, making it even more impressive that these shows came back from the brink and reinvented themselves. It’s best to start on a high note, but showing growth is a close second.
The U.S. version ofThe Officehad to learn the hard way that copying the U.K. TV show wasn’t going to lead to success. Though it’s not a carbon copy of the British show, the first season of the 2005The Officedidn’t have its own voice. It made Michael Scott (Steve Carell) too unlikable for most American audiences. Thankfully,it didn’t take long for the series to learn from its mistakes in season 1.It maintained the cringe style of humor while balancing it with deeper empathy and character-driven plots.
The Office Became A Different Show 3 Times, But One Version Was Much Better Than The Others
The Office actually drastically changed up its tone and its characters three times, but the golden era from season 2 to 7 will always be the best.
Many of the best storylines of the series, namely the romance between Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer), fully take off in season 2. By fleshing out all the characters inThe Officeand being unafraid to be strange and offbeat,The Officecemented itself as one of the most successful sitcoms of the 2000s.SinceThe Officerevival TV show is confirmed, it will be interesting to see how this changes the legacy of the American series.
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It’s no secret thatIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiauses its premise and characters to push the boundaries of comedy on television, leaning into the awfulness of its core characters. However, season 1 takes this a little too far, getting uncomfortable throughout a few episodes. While this sense of humor stayed with the series and has cemented its legacy as an iconic sitcom, it’s jarring to watch the first season of the show, asthe comedy was tightened and streamlined as soon as season 2 started.
The introduction of Danny DeVito in season 2 also made an enormous impactonIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as his chemistry with the rest of the cast added an element it desperately needed. It’s hard to imagine what the show would’ve become if DeVito hadn’t joined the cast, as it might have meant the end ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaa long time ago. Fortunately, the series came into its own and struck the right tone before too long, allowing it to run for many seasons.
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From the fourth-wall breaks to short-lived love interests,Sex and the Cityseason 1 can be boiled down to the first and last episodes of the season or skipped altogether. Though the pilot is nothing like the rest of the show, it’s a great introduction to the series and an incredibly structured premiere that will appeal to TV fanatics. However,the first episode of season 2 makes a solid case for diving into the series from there,as it demonstrates the essence and tone of the franchise as a whole.
From season 2 onward, the core group gets to have a lot more fun onscreen, andSex and the Cityisn’t afraid to be funny and emotional all at once.
Even whenSex and the Cityis bad, it’s still fun to watch, but the first installment of the series is rough around the edges in a way thatSex and the Citywould never be again. Though the characters are still dynamic, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is more of a blank slate in season 1, not yet a fully formed individual. From season 2 onward, the core group gets to have a lot more fun onscreen, andSex and the Cityisn’t afraid to be funny and emotional all at once.
Sex and the City (1998–2004)
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One of the most underrated additions to the MCU,Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., consistently surprised audiences and critics as the seasons progressed.Starring Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent seen inThe Avengers,the show expands on the work of the agency as they deal with the fallout on Earth in the wake ofThe Avengers. Though there wasn’t much crossover between the series and the Marvel movies of its era, the story took changes in the canon into account, staying up to date with the franchise.
However,Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.season 1 starts out as an elevated procedural with elements of sci-fi and the superhero genre. Like many similar projects,Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.came into its own when it focused on the season-long arcsand elevated the character-driven storylines. Other than introducing the necessary characters,Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.season 1 boasts very few plot points that carry into the rest of the show, ultimately helping the writers and showrunners to get a better understanding of where they wanted the series to go.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)
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One of the longest-running animated series of all time,The Simpsonsis an institution on television, constantly reinventing itself and staying relevant as the years progress. However, inThe Simpsonsseason 1,the characteristic wit and snappy dialogue, as well as the iconic art style, were practically nonexistent.In the late 1980s, animation was much more difficult to produce quickly, and this hampered the early creation of episodes, startingThe Simpsonsoff on a false note.
Since there are so many seasons ofThe Simpsons, it’s daunting to start from the beginning.
Though there’s a clear sense of humor at the heart ofThe Simpsons, even in season 1, it’s starkly different from the sleek and streamlined visual style of the later installments. Additionally, since there are so many seasons ofThe Simpsons, it’s daunting to start from the beginning. Opinions vary on where to enter inThe Simpsonshistory to get the most enjoyment out of the series, but anywhere from season 2 onward will help the viewer get sucked into the show.
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There have been many TV shows and spinoffs within theStar Trekuniverse, butStar Trek: The Next Generationmight be the most memorable. However, this legacy could have easily looked quite different if the series had stayed on the same path it was on in season 1.Even diehard fans ofTNGwidely accept that season 1 is the weakest by farand doesn’t do justice to the overarching quality of the show.
Finding a balance between nostalgia for the original series and being an original work of science fiction was a difficult task forTNG, and it took time for the writers and showrunners to achieve this. Thebest episodes ofStar Trek: TNGseason 1hint at the show’s potential and the rich legacy that it would come to enjoy. However,even these storylines pale in comparison to the intricate writing and moving character developmentthat the rest of the show was known for.
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As the seasons progressed onFargo, the anthology series had no trouble distinguishing itself from the original 1996 film by the Coen Brothers. However, inFargoseason 1, it’s difficult to separate the movie from the show, as the plot follows the outline of the feature so closely. Whilethis makes it all the more engaging whenFargoseason 2 proved its worth and sharp sensibilities,the success of the other installments only makes it clearer that season 1 is the weakest.
It’s not a bad season of television, but it’s ultimately repetitive and unnecessary to the fabric of the series.
For audiences who have never seen the movie, beginning withFargoseason 1 is a thrilling ride, but longtime Coen Brothers fans don’t need to rehash the story. If anything, it’s easy to get the wrong impression ofFargoby starting with the first installment. The series is much more expansive and original than it first appears, which is highlighted as it steps out from under the shadow of the movie. It’s not a bad season of television, but it’s ultimately repetitive and unnecessary to the fabric of the series.
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Angel, the spinoff series ofBuffy The Vampire Slayer, was a darker, more complex addition to the franchise,expanding upon the world of magic and demons through the eyes of the vampire Angel (David Boreanaz). WhileAngelimmediately had a strong premise as a series, it’s clear in season 1 that the series isn’t sure what it wants to be. Leaning on the crime and procedural elements,Angeldoesn’t trust itself or its audience in season 1.
ThoughBuffyseason 1 isn’t perfect, it could be considered afantasy TV show with no bad seasons, whereasAngeldoesn’t really get going or introduce interesting tension until season 2. This is when some of the series' best characters are introduced, andAngelsheds the police-oriented aspects, focusing more deeply on the mythic lore and conflict with the law firm Wolfram & Hart.For fans ofBuffy The Vampire Slayerlooking to startAngel, it’s not difficult to start with season 2and watch as the series evolves, ending with the stellar fifth season.
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Christopher Eccleston is a great actor, and he gives a compelling performance as the Ninth Doctorin the first season ofDoctor Who’s new era. However, it had been a long time sinceDoctor Whowas on the air, and there was a lot of pressure on the series and Eccleston to launch the new era. Eccleston ended up leaving after season 1, passing the baton to David Tennant, who is widely regarded as the best Doctor of not just the modern era but the history of the show.
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It’s not thatDoctor Whoseason 1 is terrible or doesn’t have fun moments, butit’s impossible not to compare it negatively to Tennant’s iconic run as the Tenth Doctor.Additionally, the limited budget and dated visual effects of season 1 can make it difficult to watch, even through a campy lens. Viewers miss very little necessary context by jumping right into season 2, and while it’s interesting to look back on the first installment, there isn’t much there that relates to the more recent seasons.
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ThroughoutParks and Recreationseason 1, the series was consistently compared toThe Office, butParks and Reccouldn’t pull off the specific brand of cringe humor thatThe Officeeventually perfected. Trying to make Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) into a Michael Scott knock-off wasn’t working, andParks and Recstruggled to find its footing throughout season 1 because of this. While season 2 isn’t perfect, the series starts to define itself on its own terms and develops the emotional core of the story.
Parks and Recreationcame to be known for its vulnerability and empathy, elevating the sense of community and hope within the story above all. Most of the characters and their long-term motivations are unrecognizable inParks and Recreationseason 1, and starting with the first outing gives viewers the wrong impression of the show.The audience misses nothing by beginning with season 2,as it’s easy to pick up on the existing character dynamics.
Parks and Recreation (2009–2017)
