Which shows got significantly better over time?
 

As opposed to the thread about shows that are/went past their prime, which shows started off weak and then exploded in later seasons? The type of shows that peaked around season 4, 5 or even 6 maybe, or were unwatchable at first and turned it around later on.

Shows like Archer and Justified for me didn't really start grabbing my attention until the latest season. I would always watch them, but it's only lately when I've been excited about seeing them. They're now first on my download list.

Parks and Rec had a terrible first season, and put me off watching. It wasn't until season 3 when a friend recommended the show again that I bothered. Even then, I was told that season one was a chore to get through, but still worth it for the next few.

Parks & Rec is the best example, the first season isn't that bad but the rest is so incredibly better.

I'd say maybe Breaking Bad, although that wouldn't necessarily be significantly better. It's been pretty great since the first season, but it just seemed to get better and better with each season.

South Park, they really hit their stride in seasons 6 and 7, once they were able to churn out timely episodes

Psych. Not that the first two seasons were bad, I just thought seasons 3, 4 and 5 (particularly the Yin/Yang trilogy ending each season) elevated the show.

The interesting thing about this, is how the animation technology seems to be their gift and their curse.

It got good enough for them to make timely episodes and definitely enhanced the series, but after watching the documentary that Frank Drebin was talking about, it seems that it's gotten so good that they can literally throw something together in six days and that appears to have hurt the show's quality in these later seasons.

Inno knows, South Park really did get better. Personally, I think Scrubs after the first season or two kicked it up and each character was able to find it's niche. Saw the Pilot episode recently and I'm shocked the show got picked up because it was pretty damn bad.

Worrrrrrd.

If it wasn't for those shitty n00bs ruining the last season this would be the obvious choice.

Just to upset Iggy, Buffy. Not that it had a terrible 1st season but like a lot of shows it seemed to get it's bearing after it, near doubling the number of episodes helped too.

I agree with that. The first season is probably the worst.

Wouldn't even say it was a bad 1st season, just kinda plodded along at times, plus Faith didn't appear in it.

I agree entirely, it's still great but the budget and production difference between seasons 1 and 2 was pretty big. Angel was a little fanny in season 1 as well.

Yeah, you can see a huge difference in the budget, probably be the same with most shows mentioned in this thread.

You do get Buffy in a cheerleader outfit though so that gives season one a lot more points.

You make a compelling argument.

Pretty much any science fiction series, particularly TNG, the X-Files, Stargate SG-1, and Doctor Who. All of them had first seasons that ranged from mediocre to horrible, but they all got much better as they went.

24

Season 4 and 5 was easily the peak of the series.

Seinfeld

Smallville

Doesn't hurt that it was in itself a filler show in season 1.

I think Stargate started off pretty good. Atlantis, on the other hand, took time for me to like. Also, are we talking classic Who or new Who? Because season 1 of the new series was awesome. Classic Who, yeah, but they didn't really even have the concept down.

Although I do agree with the trend.

And with Lock Jaw's Smallville. that was supposed to quote here, too. The first season was so bad I didn't give it a look for a couple more years.

Breaking Bad and Blue Mountain State

Yes 100 percent

I always hear this and am surprised, because the first couple seasons were phenomenal. Never saw the rest.

I never got past the 1st season, just got fed up with every episode being explained by kryptonite.

Stargate Universe, from half way of season 1 to when it was cancelled improved alot. I think it would have continued to do so if it had lasted longer.

Most of the characters were still boring as hell though (do I care if Chloe was turning into an alien or whatever)

I think after the first two seasons NCIS improved a lot, but now seems rather blah. Actually, scrap that. I just remember that Jim Carey's ex was in the seasons after the first two, and she irritated the hell out of me every time she stepped on to the screen.

Smallville was shite through and through. The hotness of Erica Durance was the only thing that brought me back to it every now and again. Plus, Smallville quite possibly has the worst series finale ever. Just godawful.

Opposite with me since Season 4 was when I started although have seen a couple of episodes from early seasons.

Think it has to do with Bauer's character itself since by then he's completely developed and the switch of the show itself to more action-oriented than drama-oriented.

Charles in Charge. No Nicole Egert in the first season.

Both Eureka and Warehouse 13 got significantly better, though they're not bad at the start. They just got really good with time.

Really hated the "Astrolabe" arc of this most recent Warehouse 13 season.