Unwatchable TV Series: Why Certain Shows Are Regrettable Rewrite Candidates

When it comes to television series, not all are created equal, especially when it comes to rewatchability. Some shows are so compelling that they can be enjoyed multiple times, while others are so disappointing that they become a regrettable experience rather than a pleasure. Here, we discuss four series that fall into the latter category, offering a candid look at why rewatching them can be a struggle.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

While "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" promises a thrilling and captivating experience, it often fails to deliver. The series aims to blend elements of horror, fantasy, and drama but frequently hits a wall with its wooden or overacting characters. For viewers like me, suspending reality is a significant challenge, and the plot can become deeply frustrating. The moments that should be thrilling often fall flat, leaving viewers questioning the quality and coherence of the story. Ultimately, the poor execution and lack of engaging character development make this series one that's best left in the recycling bin rather than revisited.

Game of Thrones (GoT)

Game of Thrones (GoT)

For me, "Game of Thrones" is one of those series where rewatching is practically impossible. While the first few seasons captivated me with their intricate plot and complex characters, subsequent seasons took a noticeable turn for the worse. By series 3, I struggled to keep up and became increasingly disengaged. The writing became wooden, and the characters, while initially dynamic, turned wooden and overacted. The once-magnificent world of Westeros began to feel increasingly unbelievable and the narrative overly convoluted. Such a steep decline in quality meant that the series became a chore to rewatch, and rather than enjoying revisiting the story, I found myself regretting the time spent on it. The desolate fate of the entire series did not help me overcome the mounting disappointment, and it ultimately joined the recycler's bin, unwatched.

Fringe

While the initial season of "Fringe" presented a captivating and engaging premise, it quickly deteriorated into a show that was difficult to keep up with. Over time, each season introduced new plot elements, but they often became increasingly convoluted and nonsensical. The show kept "jumping the shark" higher and higher until the second-to-last season, where an episode made no sense at all, leading to moments of confusion for the audience. The phenomenon of the 'shark jump' is a term used to describe the point when a show's quality significantly declines, and for "Fringe," it came much too soon. Eventually, this highpoint was surpassed, and the final season officially overstepped the mark, leading me to abandon it partway through. Each subsequent season thus became increasingly difficult to enjoy, reinforcing the decision to leave it behind.

The Orville

The Orville

"The Orville" had a promising start, aiming to capture the essence of a starship crew while offering a lighthearted and engaging storyline. However, as the series expanded, the quality began to dip significantly. The first season had its moments of cringe-inducing episodes, but overall, it could still be rewatched. However, the second season marked a turning point, with the firing of the most relatable character (played by Morgan McCloud) and her replacement with a subpar clone. This change not only diluted the show's core appeal but also made it progressively painful to rewatch. The moment this central character left, the series' narrative became even more convoluted, making it near impossible to continue. Thus, the second season became a terminal point in the series, initiating a rapid decline in enjoyment and rewatchability.

Final Thoughts

While rewatching can be a refreshing and enjoyable experience, it is important to be aware of the quality of the content you are revisiting. Series like "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," "Game of Thrones," "Fringe," and "The Orville" pose significant challenges when it comes to rewatching due to their poor execution, declining quality, or drastic narrative shifts. As such, they are not worth rewatching and should be appreciated in their original form. In the end, the joy of rewatching should be unhindered by disappointment, and these series unfortunately fall short.