Television series often have their heyday, but unfortunately, some eventually suffer a decline in quality that can be traced back to specific episodes. From iconic shows like The Simpsons to fan-favorites like The Walking Dead, one bad episode can tarnish the reputation of an entire series and signal the beginning of its downfall. Let’s take a closer look at 10 episodes that became turning points in the trajectory of these TV shows.
1. The Walking Dead – “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” In the season 7 premiere of The Walking Dead, viewers were introduced to the infamous villain Negan, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. While his portrayal was praised, the episode took a dark turn when Negan brutally killed fan-favorite character Glenn with his barb-wire-wrapped baseball bat, Lucille. The gratuitous violence crossed a line for many fans, and the show’s entertainment factor seemed to wane after this controversial episode.
2. Family Guy – “Life Of Brian” Family Guy shocked fans in season 12 when they killed off Brian, one of the show’s iconic characters, in a hit-and-run incident. This unexpected and tragic twist left viewers stunned, but the following episodes resurrected Brian, raising questions about the decision to kill him off in the first place.
3. That ’70s Show – “Till The Next Goodbye” Topher Grace’s departure from That ’70s Show in season 7 marked the beginning of the show’s decline. Eric’s absence changed the dynamic of the series, and the departure of other key cast members further impacted its overall quality.
4. Community – “Conventions Of Space And Time” The departure of series creator Dan Harmon ahead of season 4 signaled a significant shift in Community’s tone and quality. The episode “Conventions of Space and Time” lacked the depth and intelligence that made the show great in its early seasons, leading to disappointment among fans.
5. Lost – “Through The Looking Glass” While the season 3 finale of Lost was lauded for its dramatic moments, it also highlighted the lack of a clear plan for the show’s overarching story. The introduction of unresolved mysteries left fans feeling unsatisfied and marked the beginning of a divisive journey towards the series finale.
6. Happy Days – “Hollywood: Part 3” The phrase “jumping the shark” was born when Fonzie jumped over a shark while waterskiing in Happy Days. This cartoonish and far-fetched storyline symbolized the show’s shift from its original charm, becoming a textbook example of how a single episode can change a show’s trajectory.
7. Dexter – “Talk To The Hand” Dexter’s twist of revealing Debra’s romantic feelings for her brother Dexter was not only uncomfortable but also out of character for the series. This storyline alienated audiences and contributed to the show’s decline in later seasons.
8. The Office – “Goodbye, Michael” Steve Carell’s departure from The Office marked a turning point for the series. While the show continued for two more seasons, it struggled to maintain its former charm without the central character of Michael Scott.
9. Game Of Thrones – “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” Game of Thrones began to show signs of weakness in season 5 with the controversial episode “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.” The unnecessary and violent sexual assault scene involving Sansa Stark left many viewers uncomfortable and highlighted the show’s use of shock value.
10. The Simpsons – “The Principal And The Pauper” In this episode, The Simpsons took an unconventional approach by revealing that Principal Skinner was an impostor. This decision backfired, as it undermined the audience’s emotional attachment to the characters and signaled the beginning of the show’s decline from its golden age.
While some TV shows managed to recover from their downhill trajectories, these episodes serve as cautionary examples of how a single misstep can alter the course of beloved series forever. As fans, we can only hope that future shows learn from these mistakes and strive to maintain their quality throughout their entire run.
