When recommending certain shows, I always have a few caveats:

• For Parks & Recreation and The Office: if you do not enjoy the first episode, just skip to Season 2 Episode 1 for both shows. Both shows find a more comfortable footing in season 2.

• For It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, start with Season 2. (I learned my lesson with this one, as I had at least three friends who attempted to watch IASIP from the beginning, but they didn’t really like the first few episodes, so they stopped. For those who I managed to convince to just jump to S2E1, they enjoyed it and stuck with the show. In Season 1, many of the characters are unlikeable, but in Season 2 onwards, they are unlikeable while also receiving their ‘comeuppance’). Plus, Frank is introduced.

• Mr. Robot: a general warning that Season 2 is a little slower than all the other seasons, but that it all comes together in Seasons 3 and 4.

• The Leftovers: a general disclaimer that the show isn’t really about ‘why’ people went missing, but about those left behind.

• The Expanse: if you find the premise and/or characters interesting, but are feeling a bit underwhelmed or bored, keep watching until at least the end of Episode 4.