Almost every new show brings something fresh to the table. Be it creative storytelling, unseen character tropes, or just stellar cast members — first seasons give viewers a lot to look forward to. However, the problem with high-concept first seasons is that they usually leave little room for potential follow-ups. Once concluded, their once exciting plots become paper-thin, making it difficult for creators to level-up.
There are, of course, exceptions where creators give viewers the benefit of the doubt. Despite giving well-rounded conclusions to the first seasons, they intentionally keep certain plot points undone. Unfortunately, maintaining this sense of novelty isn't as easy as it sounds. It's a paradox where inconclusive first seasons might disappoint viewers but leave some room for follow-ups. But if the viewers are left disappointed, why would there be a second season at all. That explains why many second seasons fail to please viewers.
10 Top Of The Lake
Appreciated by critics and viewers alike, the first season of Top of the Lake offers a lot more than generic mystery drama. While keeping its dialogues and mysteries taut, the show maintains an unnerving atmosphere throughout its seven-episode runtime.
Unfortunately, after season 1, Top of the Lake runs out of new stories to tell and heavily relies on cosmic concordances that make little sense. Although its ensemble and well-written characters still keep it mildly intriguing, it lacks the riveting pace that it once had, making it no better than other generic mystery dramas that are aimlessly floating around.
9 Bloodline
The first season of Bloodline takes its time to find its feet. For a while, it becomes difficult for a viewer to follow its convoluted timelines and complex familial ties. But for the ones who patiently sit through its first few hours, it eventually proves to be the perfect form of pay-off media.
In the second season, despite being buoyed by strong performances, Bloodline struggles to captivate viewers like its predecessor. It is still a product of the same threads that put together season 1, but somehow the familiarity of its characters and their relationships make it less binge-worthy. Bloodline was even renewed for a third season later on, but that received the same fate as season 2.
8 The Following
Starring Kevin Bacon, the first season of The Following hooks viewers with its robust, suspenseful pilot. With what follows, the series maintains its edginess with unforeseeable twists and thrills. However, despite being incredibly tense, The Following demands a heavy suspension of disbelief from the very beginning. The more it stretches its logical implausibility in its second season, the deeper it digs into its own hole. Towards the end of season 2, it fails beyond recovery and becomes painfully uninteresting in season 3.
7 Ressurection
Adapted from Jason Mott's novel titled The Returned, Resurrection revolves around the residents of Arcadia whose lives change dramatically when their deceased loved ones mysteriously return. Conceptually, Ressurection seems to be in the likes of Stephen King's Pet Sematary. But what makes it unique is its emphasis on sentimentality rather than the horrors of the returning undead. That's one big reason why season 1—although replete with flaws—engages with viewers and makes them ask for more.
But with season 2, Resurrection becomes less emotionally engrossing, and its procedural supernatural whodunnit elements just don't seem ambitious enough. Not to mention, Sundance Channel's The Returned easily overshadows Resurrection with its superior take on a similar plot.
6 Revolution
The first season of Revolution walks viewers through a post-apocalyptic landscape, where a mysterious blackout has dawned upon the entire world. In its attempt to portray the reunion of a family, the show brings some stunning visuals and potentially compelling plot points to the screen. But because of its organic sci-fi characteristics — or lack thereof — it becomes quite redundant even after revitalizing its ideas in season 2.
5 Graceland
From the first season itself, Graceland is formulaic with its premise. It centers on the lives of undercover agents from several law-enforcement agencies, living together in a mansion called Graceland. But even with its average plot developments, the series proves to be a fun ride because of clever twists and likable characters. In its sophomore season though, in an attempt to further notch up its mystery drama, the show jumps the shark and drives itself down.
4 Dark Angel
Not only was Dark Angel James Cameron's television debut, but it also served as Jessica Alba's first breakthrough role. The sci-fi drama tells the story of Max, a genetically enhanced superhuman prototype who has escaped a military lab. Other than Cameron's impressive vision of a post-apocalyptic world, it's Jessica Alba's palatable one-liners that give it a unique identity.
Sadly, beyond its rich cyberpunk themes, the show pales out compared to Cameron's other creations that are replete with didactic subtext. This absence of soul becomes far too evident in its second season, ultimately leading to its downfall.
3 True Detective
True Detective is a classic example of a show being so good in its first season that it fails to live up to its own high standards in season 2. Powered by the brilliant performances of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, the first season of True Detective is one of a kind. With its slow-burn of a premise and nihilistic undertones, the show grabs viewers from the very first episode.
Season 2, again, boasts a star-studded cast but fails to bring back all the other elements that made season 1 a television landmark. The plot feels less inventive, lacks the first season's rhythm, and most of all, stalls away from the scintillating character dynamics of its predecessor.
2 13 Reasons Why
If not the best, 13 Reasons Why was easily among the most talked-about coming-of-age drama when it first premiered. The reason being its harrowing exploration of high school challenges, violence against women, and grief. But as soon as 13 Reasons Why unnecessarily extended its storyline beyond its source material, it fell flat. It's almost surprising how despite going completely downhill after season 1, the show was renewed for three more seasons; out of which, none could revive it.
1 Under The Dome
Rightfully labeled as the king of horror, Stephen King gets the kind of celebrityhood that most authors can only dream of. The credit, of course, goes to his catalog of iconic horror novels that translate so well to the screen.
Even so, not all of his adaptations reach their full potential. Under the Dome stands as an example of this. What starts as a loyal adaptation of King's cosmic/survival horror novel, later becomes an absurdly rigid and dim-witted exploration of the extraterrestrial. Stephen King himself said that he loathed the show's mediocrity in its latter seasons.
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