10 Times TV Shows Had Big Changes That Shouldn't Have Worked, But Did

It's not uncommon for TV shows to take big risks to keep up with the demands and requirements of the ever-changing television landscape. When a series brings a character change, a plot twist or an unexpected change to the formula, it can sometimes throw the entire project off balance. However, when executed correctlythese big swings can pay off enormously and serve to cement the show as a classic. While many formulaic shows are popular and high quality, the pieces of TV that will be remembered for years to come are those that weren't afraid to stand out.

While some of these TV shows have often shocked viewers with major plot twists, there are other ways for series to branch out beyond story choices. A common risk that producers and studios are often hesitant to greenlight is budget increases or any type of storyline that could alienate or upset audiences. However, It is inevitable that some choices will polarize viewers, because it is impossible to please everyone. Fortunately, most fans of these shows were pleased and intrigued by the direction the series took because it increased its overall longevity.

10

Doctor Who (1963–present)

The Concept of Regeneration

There were many times of Doctor Who over the years, with Ncuti Gatwa leading the last few seasons as the titular Doctor, but the original series created many of the show's iconic aspects. It was a stroke of genius when writers and creators of Doctor Who realized that the series was too strong to end because William Hartnell, the first Doctor, wanted to leave the show. To keep the series going, they introduced regeneration, which allowed the Doctor to remain the protagonist, regardless of the actor who brought them to life.

Recently, the series shook things up with the concept of bigeneration, but Doctor Who confirmed bigeration cannot happen again. However Doctor Who tried, nothing will surpass or displace regeneration as the best idea in the entire series. On paper, it seems like audiences would be hesitant to accept a new actor playing the beloved main character. Instead, it's been a constant source of excitement and evolution for the series.

9

Lost (2004–2010)

Big budget episode 1

There are many narrative twists that posed great risks to Lost over the years, but it is the conception of the series as a whole that was the most revolutionary aspect of the project. The pilot of Lost is considered one of the best pilots in TV history, and this is thanks to a combination of elements that fit together perfectly. However, neither execution would have been possible if not for the large budget allocated to the pilot and the first season as a whole.

A pilot not being able to get that level of resources was amazing and worth it in the long run Lostas the first two-part episode set the tone for the series. One of the creators of LostJJ Abrams, made his mark in Hollywood with many big-budget blockbusters like Star Wars and Star Trekbut of course he always knew where to put that money. Lost I understood that the story wouldn't have been as effective without the spectacle of the plane crash and cast.

8

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Killing Buffy twice

There is no shortage of tragic deaths in Buffy the Vampire Slayerthe sequence of seven seasons, and the fact that the 1st season ended with the death of the protagonist demonstrated that the series was willing to be dark. Of course Buffy, brilliantly played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is brought back to life, but this early trauma informs the rest of her life and her approach to being the Slayer. The reason Buffy was killed off again at the end of Season 5 was because the creators thought this was the last season of the series.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6 was so dark because the network change and Buffy being brought back to life for a second time meant that the tone and themes of the series had to evolve. Although Season 6 is one of the series' most polarizing installments, It ended up being a blessing that Buffy died in Season 5, as it allowed the series to grow and change, setting up for a heartfelt and satisfying end to the Slayer story in Season 7.

7

Succession (2018–2023)

Killing Logan

SuccessionThe final season of TS ends with a bang, as the corrupt protagonists' despicable actions catch up with some of them, and others are rewarded for their duplicity. Until season 4, Logan (Brian Cox) is the formidable patriarch of the Roy family and controls every move his children make, whether they realize it or not. Desperate to step out of his shadow and win his approval, they are in the midst of an epic battle and estrangement with him. when Logan dies suddenly in season 4, leaving the future uncertain.

Roy's three main children are left spinning after his death as the center of their universe disappears, leaving them fighting for the company they don't truly understand. On paper, Logan was a vital character and drove the plot of Succession advance like no one else. However, finally being able to see the Roys without him and understand how much he was protecting them and how incapable they are is what demonstrates the vicious cycle at the heart of Succession.

6

Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)

Bringing Alison back

Often strange and always exaggerated, Pretty Little Liars is a classic teen drama from the 2010s that helped define this era of television. The crux of the first seasons is the mysterious disappearance and supposed death of Alison, the lynchpin of a group of high school friends who come together when they begin to be blackmailed by someone who knows all their secrets. The chemistry of the four main young women, Aria, Hannah, Emily and Spencer, is damaged when Alison is revealed be alive and Pretty Little Liars elevates her to the main cast.

Alison may have been the leader of the group before the events of the show, but putting her back in high school and asking the audience to accept her as part of the main cast may not have worked. However, it turned out that this change was exactly what Pretty Little Liars necessary. Some of the most dramatic and action-packed episodes were released after Alison returned home. Furthermore, the original liars were forced to confront Alison and prove that they would no longer be controlled by her.

5

M*A*S*H (1972–1983)

MASH becoming a drama

MASH is one of the most important comedies in the history of television, and although it is difficult to choose just one episode that marks the turning point of MASHOver the seasons, the series has changed a lot. What began as a traditional comedy full of jinxes and occasional serious moments soon turned into a show that experimented with form and grappled directly with the cost of war. With episodes filmed entirely in black and white, from the point of view of a wounded soldier, or the boundary-breaking ending, it's difficult to describe how much MASH TV impacted.

Alan Alda was the enduring star of MASH as Hawkeye Pierce, the charming doctor who pulled many pranks but made up for it with pure talent and dedication. As the series progressed, Alda got behind the camera to contribute creatively to the direction that MASH was coming in. Although it maintained its episodic format, MASH saw its characters face death, devastation, and serious growth and development in ways no other television show would consider doing.

Season 1, Episode 23, 'Modern Warfare'

Around the first half of Community In the first season, the show was just a slightly more quirky sitcom that followed the traditional rules of the genre. While there are many episodes throughout the season that demonstrate the meta and referential direction the series was taking, “Modern Warfare”, commonly known as the paintball episode, cements a good deal of Communitylegacy. Adding an immersive tribute episode at the end of the season was a risk to the writers and creators, but this episode is now considered one of the best.

From here, Dan Harmon and the creative team behind Community dove head first into the strange, experimental and sometimes off-color elements of Community that fans know and love. While the writing was always good and the cast was funny, Community it was never going to stand out as a regular sitcom when there were already so many on the air. Instead of, Community stopped trying to be anything but himself, paving the way for many projects that tried to imitate him.

3

Fargo (2014–2024)

Making Season 2 a Prequel

The idea of ​​basing a TV series on an obscure and famous film like Fargo it was a potentially disastrous move. However, each season of Fargo showed that there is no shortage of concepts, crimes and characters to invent within the 1996 film canon. Fargo Season 1 is similar to the story created by the Coen brothers in the film, but in Season 2, creator Noah Hawley realized that the series needed to continue to differentiate itself.

Fargo Season 2 is widely considered the series' best, thanks to the performances of Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Jean Smart, and many other stellar actors. However, The best part of this season is the fact that it takes place before the events of Season 1. This opened the door for Fargo play around with different eras and place your story in any time period possible for the rest of the show. While this may have made longtime fans of the film uncomfortable, it ultimately helped elevate the series' legacy.

2

WandaVision (2021)

Trying out the form

There's a reason why WandaVision is remembered as one of the MCU's best original TV shows. It flips the script on every trope and formula viewers have come to expect from the franchise. While Marvel films and series have faced pain in the past, WandaVision was a story entirely about Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) learning to overcome her pain and the loss of Vision (Paul Bettany) was felt. However, this dramatic tone wasn't the only thing that set the series apart.

Instead of focusing on the superhero aspects of Wanda's life, which was what was expected, WandaVision was extremely metatextual, using sitcom styles and aesthetics throughout the ages to serve as a coping mechanism for the loss of Wanda's move into a traditional family unit. A high-concept script could have easily alienated viewers, but instead, WandaVision is a beloved MCU show that fans keep revisiting. Olsen and Bettany's performances as Wanda and Vision are beautifully tragic aspects of the project.

1

Fringe (2008–2013)

Final season time jump

Often compared with The X-Files, Fringe It could have been a crime series that touched on sci-fi and fantasy elements, but it was much clearer in its belief. The strange occurrences and impossible technologies in Fringe they were all real, and with each season, the mysteries surrounding them became more incredible. Although the introduction of parallel worlds was also a big change, the most divisive choice Fringe done was to use the time jump in season 5.

Great Sci-Fi TV Shows Like Fringe I bring up time travel all the time, but Fringe season 5 sees its central characters put themselves into a kind of stasis and wait for a period of the future when they can fight the Watchers. This essentially changes the entire premise and thrust of the Fringemaking him almost unrecognizable from season 1. However, it was an impressive and memorable note to end on and gave the characters the closure they deserved.