This is a friendly reminder to read our rules.

Remember, /r/Showerthoughts is for showerthoughts, not "thoughts had in the shower!"

(For an explanation of what a "showerthought" is, please read this page.)

Rule-breaking posts may result in bans.

Well, that's a bit of a bummer! Maybe we should start a petition to encourage TV show creators to keep the quality consistent throughout all seasons. Let's make it happen!

[removed]

A petition. To tell writers to write better.

Overtime a loss of quality needs to happen, not enough ideas, being burnt out, new writers who don't understand everything about that product just to keep releasing episodes.

Believe most shows are designed initially to have a 3 to 4 season story arc. Once that's played out it's all kinda downhill from there

One you hit 100 episodes, around 5 seasons for most network programs, your show can be syndicated. Often times that's around when there is a change up in contracts and creative teams. The show isnt jusy running on a regular primetime slot anymore, but can be run daily on fringe channels. Sometimes this goes smoothly, other times not so much.

I think all shows are different. Sons of Anarchy and Breaking Bad did a good job of keeping each season self contained in case it had to end right there. Shows like Monk and How I Met Your Mother are very episodic but do have an overarching plot they can just back to anytime they want. It didn't really matter if those shows ran 1 season or 8, they could finish they way they always wanted at any time. Game of Thrones, from the very beginning, was a show that planned for 7 seasons and it wouldn't been weird to end after 2. Simpsons, Seinfeld, and Always Sunny has absolutely no overarching plot and episodes can run indefinitely out of order.

Frankly, I think the Breaking Bad model of one season at a time is best. There is no reason to set up season 4 plot points in season 2