When a TV show is on the air long enough, it's no surprise when certain stories come back multiple times throughout the series. This is different from a procedural show that follows the same formula in every episode, because the projects are digestible for a wide variety of audiences and allow viewers to jump into the action. However, there were many cases when A serialized show retreads the same dynamics and character arcs over the seasons. There is nothing worse than when a TV show abandons a major storyline, but seeing the same storyline over and over is also frustrating.
It makes sense that TV shows would want to keep the quality and tone consistent, and retreading past plot points is an easy way to do that.
It makes sense that TV shows would want to keep the quality and tone consistent, and retreading past plot points is an easy way to do that. While some TV shows include divisive storylines that split the fanbase in half, others reuse the same tried and true plot points so many times that Audiences take notice. See a character make the same mistakes many times or Making each season's central conflict revolve around a similar premise won't keep viewers engaged And could be detrimental to the reception of the show.
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Supernatural (2005-2020)
Sam and Dean do everything to save each other in every season
The dynamic between Sam and Dean in Supernatural was one of the most durable parts of the series, but the way the brothers interacted throughout the show rarely changed. Although the first few seasons saw the respect and trust between the siblings grow and the wounds of their family trauma begin to heal, Sam and Dean's actions are informed by the legacy of their parents. Their self-sacrificing tendencies would lead to one of the brothers going too far and the other to bring them back to reality.
Before too long, one of them will snap and turn to the dark side because of their personal demons or because they think they have to save the world.
How far Sam and Dean will go for each other is evident in certain plot lines. When Dean has the mark of Kane or Sam begins to drink demon blood, They both have to save the other. For a little while after that, everything is peaceful, and the couple are back on the same side, preventing the end of the world. But, before too long, one of them will snap and turn to the dark side because of their personal demons or because they think they have to save the world.
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The Walking Dead franchise
Characters constantly go missing or are kidnapped in The Walking Dead
Although the Walkers are framed as the villains in The Walking DeadIt is the other surviving humans that the characters have to watch out for. When the core group comes into contact with another rival faction, violence and bloodshed are sure to follow, as well as constant abduction. As a post-apocalyptic show, The Walking Dead is all about staying alive. however, The emotional bonds that the characters form lead them to act in the best interest of others, Not just myself. In each installment of the franchise, characters are abducted, and it's up to their friends to find them.
in Dead CityThe thrust of the show is about Maggie and Negan finding Herschel. In the other spinoffs, Daryl Dixon And Those who live, Carol tries to find Daryl while Michonne spends the story looking for Rick. The recurrences make it easy to guess what will happen next. on the contrary, The Walking Dead is a TV show that never recovers from a character's death, as Glenn's passing was a major misstep for the series. However, it was a shocking departure from the usual formula of the show, which created a strong reaction from critics and the audience.
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The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
While Elena is on the show, every moment is spent trying to cater to her
The love triangle between Elena, Damon and Stefan fuels the drama for most of the first half of The Vampire Diaries. This makes it easy for both beautiful vampire love interests to drop everything and ensure Elena's safety and comfort throughout the series. There is no question that Elena goes through a lot and loses her loved ones in devastating moments, however Her importance to the plot and everyone's desire to protect her grow repetitively. Every time a new villain enters the picture, their scheme revolves around Elena and her blood doppelganger.
Out of Elena's damsel in distress arcs, The Vampire Diaries Often used the plot lines of characters who are brought back from the dead.
Out of Elena's damsel in distress arcs, The Vampire Diaries Often used the plot lines of characters who are brought back from the dead. This happens early in the series with Jeremy and Alaric use the Gilbert Rings and later when Damon and Bonnie are trapped on the other side But find a way to return to the real world. The series even went so far as to create a cure for vampirism, so not only could Elena be saved but brought back from the dead in every sense.
7
Grey's Anatomy (2005 - present)
Characters keep monumental secrets and get involved with the wrong people on Grey's Anatomy
in the Gray's Anatomy In the Season 1 finale, Meredith discovers that Derek has had a secret wife the entire time she's been in love with him, but this is far from the last time a character keeps a past love interest a secret. Owen's previous relationship with Teddy gets in the way of his relationship with Christina, and Richard's clandestine affair with Alice Gray comes back to haunt him many times over. AdditionallyThe doctors in Gray's Anatomy have a terrible habit of falling in love with their patients, Like Alex, Izzy and Teddy all fall victim to this.
Many of the worst Gray's Anatomy Storylines that almost ruined the show were mistimed and poorly handled romantic relationships. however, There is also rampant illegal activity in the hospital every season. Although the doctors try to convince themselves that their actions are for the greater good, Izzy puts the hospital in jeopardy trying to save Danny. Or, in season 5, Lexi's intern class starts performing surgery on each other. Between this and the interdepartmental dating, it's a wonder the hospital stays in business.
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Glee (2009-2015)
Love triangles, betrayals and competition over solos are the tenets of Glee
Happiness is one of the more controversial teen dramedies of its time, but even at its most unbelievable, some aspects of the show have been retread many times. Romance is a huge part of the conflict and drama on HappinessAnd the characters are partnered up in seemingly every imaginable partnership. A budding love story on Happiness is almost always accompanied by a love triangle So that it is a consistent obstacle to keep people apart. More often than not, this coincides with who will get the solo in the final competition.
There are few seasons when the glee club isn't on the verge of being disbanded entirely, and the program's success is determined by how well the group performs at sectionals, regionals, or nationals.
There are few seasons when the glee club isn't on the verge of being disbanded entirely, and the program's success is determined by how well the group performs at sectionals, regionals, or nationals. This makes the fight between characters all the more fierce when They get into fight after fight about who will perform the solos at the events. Each character is a diva in their own way, and the show takes advantage of the fact that this means that no one will be happy, no matter who takes the main part.
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Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
Every Upper East Sider has fallen into familiar patterns throughout the run of Gossip Girl
Besides the fact that every episode of Gossip girl Seeing the anonymous website create chaos and division among its characters, there were many recurring dynamics and plot points throughout the teen drama. Gossip girl Followed the lives of a group of rich teenagers who later became young adults and would do outrageous, horrible things to each other. One of the most vindictive of the group is Blair Waldorf, however Gossip girl Let Blair feel the consequences of her actions.
throughout the show, Blair goes too far and dares not to correct those around her, only to have it blow up in her face. This happens when she applies to Yale but is rejected over her treatment of a teacher and when her marriage to Louis blows up because she lies about her feelings for Chuck. Each character has an equivalent to Blair's pattern, with Serena throwing her life away for the wrong person or Dan making destructive decisions so he can feel included in his classmates' lives.
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Suits (2011–2019)
Mike, Harvey and the gang come up with a last-second loophole that saves the day
Mike and Harvey are two sides of the same coin, and when Harvey takes Mike under his wing and turns him into a brilliant lawyer, their lives are never the same. Suits was an interesting show because some episodes were more episodic and followed a similar structure, while other seasons were completely dedicated to a serialized arc. Regardless, almost every conflict came down to Harvey and Mike team up to find a loophole that no one else spotted With Mike's incredible mind and Harvey's creativity.
Every season until the Season 5 finale sees Mike come within inches of his secret being exposed, only to be saved at the last minute.
moreover, The show's premise is always destined to come to a head, Like Mike can't live as a fraud forever, and his avoidance of the consequences can't last forever. Every season until the season 5 finale sees Mike come within inches of his secret being exposed, only to be saved at the last minute. It was almost a relief when Mike went on trial for his deception, and Suits is forced to change his story and Mike takes accountability.
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Shameless (2011–2021)
Each member of the Gallagher family faces similar issues and destructive tendencies
Although Frank starts out as the primary antagonist of ShameNo one in the Gallagher family fails to make a lot of the same mistakes their father did. Shame Always trying to push boundaries and comment on contemporary social and political issues through the lens of the imperfect but scrappy Gallaghers. One of the most consistent parts of the show is that As soon as something starts to go right for someone in the family, they find a way to ruin it. Fiona consistently cheats on almost every love interest, and Lip throws away every academic and career opportunity that comes his way.
The behavior carries down to the younger generations, but Fiona and Lip's plot shows rise to the top of the most repetitive. The consequences of The family's actions always bring them to the brink of Fiona losing custody of the kids, losing the house, or sent to prison. initially, Shame Spread the conflicts to give them a greater impact, but at the end of the show, it seemed that each character was on the verge of losing everything.
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Once Upon a Time (2011–2018)
Although the identity of the Savior may change, they always have a similar purpose
World-ending events are part of a day's work for the fairy tale characters in Once upon a timeMeaning life-threatening danger is a frequent occurrence. Most of the show revolves around Emma's desire to start a family and build a connection with her son, Henry, but the show always puts obstacles in the way. more often than not, Emma's character development hinges on sacrificing things for Henry Or being transported to another realm and trying to find your way back to it. These are the main conflicts in the first three seasons.
Saving Henry, finding Henry, or preventing Henry from getting hurt are the primary aims of almost everyone on the show.
The Once upon a time Family tree only gets more confusing throughout the show, but almost everyone is related to Henry in one way or another. Saving Henry, finding Henry, or preventing Henry from getting hurt are the primary aims of almost everyone on the show. Family is one of the most important topics in Once upon a timeAnd so being separated from family, only to find them again, happens practically every season.
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One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
Like any good teen soap opera, One Tree Hill used dramatic plot points
Although One Tree Hill Gaining recognition in the teen drama genre for its extraordinary storylines as the seasons progressed, it began similarly to its contemporaries. One defining factor of the early seasons of One Tree Hill was The never-ending love triangle between Brooke, Lucas and Peyton. Although it was obvious from the start that Lucas and Peyton were meant to be, the audience slowly warmed up to Brooke. It was starting to feel awful that she was constantly caught in the crossfire of the will-they-will-they dynamic between Lucas and Peyton.
However, the true common denominator was How many times this series has Lucas attempt to be with anyone other than Peyton, Only for him to realize that he was in love with her at the last second. This happens over and over with Brooke in high school and then with Lindsay, who he almost marries before he remembers that Peyton is his one true love. Additionally, Nathan and Haley have similar marital problems throughout the show, with many of their conflicts boiling down to the couple's differing ambitions taking them in separate directions.