Shows that jumped the shark

[Deleted]

Miami Vice jumped the shark in its fourth season, but that does not mean I don't like it. It's actually my second favourite season, but it's also fair to say it got a bit... weird. 

One episode has a cryogenically frozen reggage singer:





And then James Brown appears in a trippy episode about UFOs. This is an actual still from the episode:




Think that's weird enough? This is some strange 80s style X-Files precursor type shit here:



Oh, and there's an episode about bull semen smugglers. Classic.




I love these stupid episodes (most people don't however), but the season actually has several gritty and standout episodes. I do appreciate the change from the usual coke dealer stuff to more outrageous, zany content. It was the 80s after all.

[iank]

I'm not sure I'd call that jumping the shark if you still like it.

Many shows jump the shark just by going on too long. That 70s Show went on at least one season too many, as did The X Files in its original run (not even counting the revival). Neighbours has jumped the shark so many times it's a wonder anyone at all still watches. It's like biweekly at this point.
Roseanne jumped the shark in its 8th season (again way too long) and again don't even get me started on the shitshow that is the revival.

[rushy]

Once Upon a Time redefined the concept. Pretty much every episode after season 4 had my jaw on the floor from how stupid it was. I was only 17 at the time, but even then I was shocked it didn't get cancelled until season 7

[Deleted]

NuWho jumped the shark when Eccleston said, "run!"

[burrunjor]

Oct 11, 2023 21:04:22 GMT rushy said:

Once Upon a Time redefined the concept. Pretty much every episode after season 4 had my jaw on the floor from how stupid it was. I was only 17 at the time, but even then I was shocked it didn't get cancelled until season 7

I agree except I think that it jumped the shark, or at least the seeds where sown in season 4, when they undid Rumple's redemption. Honestly he should have either stayed dead, or been brought back powerless. I favor the former to be honest as much as I like Robert Carlyle I hated pretty much every Rumple story after his return from the dead. I didn't mind the Dark Fairy story in season 6, but that was only because I LOVED Jaime Murray. She makes an unbelievably sexy, badass villain, but she could have been that without being his mother, which was another retread of Peter Pan. I think Zelena should have taken Rumple's place as the token evil team mate. Would have been better for her too, as whilst Rebecca Mader was wonderfully Lucy Lawlessesque in her hamminess, I really didn't like that version of the Wicked Witch in terms of how she was written. Her being a jealous fangirl of Rumple was demeaning to a great villain.

Season 5 meanwhile was utter, absolute shit in every way. 

[rushy]

Oct 13, 2023 21:48:28 GMT burrunjor said:

Oct 11, 2023 21:04:22 GMT rushy said:

Once Upon a Time redefined the concept. Pretty much every episode after season 4 had my jaw on the floor from how stupid it was. I was only 17 at the time, but even then I was shocked it didn't get cancelled until season 7

I agree except I think that it jumped the shark, or at least the seeds where sown in season 4, when they undid Rumple's redemption. 

That's very true, but I felt they at least adapted Frozen decently enough to where I cared about the characters despite not having seen the film. There was also a good storyline about Emma struggling with her newfound magic. The Author lore was fun in a meta sort of way, and tied back to the earlier seasons. Rumple - even though his heel turn was out of character - was effectively cunning. To me, 3 and 4 are both past respectability, but I can still overall appreciate them. 

5 is complete shit, as you say, and 6 and 7 are weak. 

[burrunjor]

Oct 13, 2023 21:53:06 GMT rushy said:

Oct 13, 2023 21:48:28 GMT burrunjor said:

I agree except I think that it jumped the shark, or at least the seeds where sown in season 4, when they undid Rumple's redemption. 

That's very true, but I felt they at least adapted Frozen decently enough to where I cared about the characters despite not having seen the film. There was also a good storyline about Emma struggling with her newfound magic. The Author lore was fun in a meta sort of way, and tied back to the earlier seasons. Rumple - even though his heel turn was out of character - was effectively cunning. To me, 3 and 4 are both past respectability, but I can still overall appreciate them. 

5 is complete shit, as you say, and 6 and 7 are weak. 

7 was one of the weakest series of any of my favourite shows. They had the lamest, most boring villain, only to kill them off and just settle for a dark twin of Rumple YAWN. 

I wish they'd used the Horned King from the Black Cauldron. Or Jadis from Narnia. She is one my favourite villains in anything.

[Deleted]

Oct 11, 2023 11:37:43 GMT @kengrubshaw said:

Miami Vice jumped the shark in its fourth season, but that does not mean I don't like it. It's actually my second favourite season, but it's also fair to say it got a bit... weird. 

One episode has a cryogenically frozen reggage singer:





And then James Brown appears in a trippy episode about UFOs. This is an actual still from the episode:




Think that's weird enough? This is some strange 80s style X-Files precursor type shit here:



Oh, and there's an episode about bull semen smugglers. Classic.




I love these stupid episodes (most people don't however), but the season actually has several gritty and standout episodes. I do appreciate the change from the usual coke dealer stuff to more outrageous, zany content. It was the 80s after all.

Oh God, I forgot Season 5 of Vice had a superhero episode. A middle aged man running around trying to stop crime under the name of "Miracle Man."  Unlike Season 4, which is goofy in a fun way, Season 5's more absurd stories are just shite. 

[rushy]

Oct 13, 2023 21:55:04 GMT burrunjor said:

7 was one of the weakest series of any of my favourite shows. They had the lamest, most boring villain, only to kill them off and just settle for a dark twin of Rumple YAWN.

I think 7 should be at least given minimal credit for trying to do something different (6 was nothing but fan service). Rumple's storyline was genuinely interesting throughout. I liked seeing Hook on his own again, and being a father. I also liked the idea of focusing on a parallel Hook (an actual good use of the multiverse concept). Alice was a delight.

It's pretty obvious that they had intended for Mother Gothel to be the overarching villain of season 7, but then found out they were being cancelled and decided to replace her with someone more appropriate for the finale.