I think that usually the first season is the best or one of the best seasons of a show. It still feels fresh, it has a clear concept and very often they feel the need to change things around in the second season (and not always for the better). Sitcoms may be the exception, because comedy is a complicated thing.
But what are shows that significantly improved after the first season?
EDIT: I'm going with a random one. Matlock!
Blackadder. The budget was drastically cut yet with Ben Elton joining to co-write, Blackadder became much more wittier and memorable.
shareLike I said, sitcoms seem to be an exception. There are several I can think of that improved after the first season with characters removed/added or a different tone.
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Roseanne. Shie improved after she fired the bad writers.
Lost in Space (original) - Dr. Smith changed from a serious villain into a coward. Show became funnier.
Oh Good Lord..."Everybody Loves Raymond" bar none was a jaw dropping improvement. I don't even think they should stream or syndicate the first season at all.
shareBuffy
Season 1 isn't bad but it improved way more in Season 2 with Spike & Drusilla showing up and then of course introducing Oz and the great Angelus arc
I disagree. Indeed, the early seasons in high school are the ones I liked the most.
The big jump in quality in the series happened during season 6 and 7, when Whedon left the show. These last two seasons are very shitty ones.
I knew someone was going to mention Buffy! I totally disagree, though. I think season 1 and 2 are the best seasons, followed very closely by 3. Season 2 had a better story arc and the great charactes you mention. But the first season feels so fresh and has an appealing cheekiness compared to the more serious tone of the second season. The monster of the week episodes are also among the best.
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