This program was just as good as many series that had long runs. Ratings are a fickle. Many good series had poor ratings starting out. Hill Street Blues was nearly canceled early on but the network had the sense to recognize that it was ground breaking television and gave it a chance. They axed this show after only 20 episodes. Barely enough time for any program to get off the ground.
shareSeason 1 was great. Season 2 sucked. They changed the dynamic and killed the show.
shareI agree that season 2 was not as good. My point is that many of the best long lasting series took some time to hit their stride. I didn't think Frasier was much good till most of the way through season 2. Dark Blue only had 20 episodes. They could have gotten it back on track but as soon as any show has a ratings drop the powers that be panic and get out the ax. The ratings systems they use has been called into question many times and often shown to be unreliable yet they still take it as gospel. How many times they have announced a cancellation and gotten such a massive protest response that they changed their minds? A miniscule fraction of 1% of the population is deciding what we watch. In the past the networks have sometimes recognized quality and potential over ratings. If it was like today M*A*S*H would have been canceled after one season.
shareSeason 2 was not as good as the flawless first season, but nevertheless, this was a superb crime show, not deserving to be cancelled.
Boycott movies that involve real animal violence! (and their directors too)