With shows like Stranger Things and The Boys releasing continuously exceptional seasons, it's hard to focus on other shows sitting outside the spotlight.
There are plenty of TV shows that initially captivated audiences but later didn't live up to the initial excitement. While many of these shows still have strong fanbases, they never quite met the expectations laid out by their exceptional first seasons. From Netflix originals like 13 Reasons Why to Hulu hits like The Handmaid's Tale, Ranker has defined the best shows that had one good season.
The Handmaid's Tale
Stream on Hulu
Based on Margaret Atwood's bestselling novel, The Handmaid's Tale focuses on a dystopian society in which fertility problems have led to the enslavement of fertile women forced to have children for the wealthy members of society.
This show was an immediate success, making its way from critical acclaim to several Emmy awards. However, the showrunners struggled to turn the short novel into a series spanning dozens of episodes. While the first season was exceptional and focused, many believe the show began to diverge as it delved into different plotlines and character viewpoints.
Westworld
Stream on HBO Max
Based on the '70s movie by the same name and featuring an all-star cast, Westworld focuses on a futuristic park in which people can go and live out their wildest fantasies without consequences in real life.
Critics adored the first season of this series, praising it for its cast and unique twists that kept the story engaging. However, the seasons following the debut were far below par in comparison, leading to diminished viewers and positive reviews. While Westworld continues to have great characters, it has yet to meet the expectations set down by the first season.
House of Cards
Stream on Netflix
In the Netflix original House of Cards, a thrilling tale unfolds as a Congressman and his wife work to enact revenge against the people that betrayed him.
The first season of this series was the first streaming show to win major Emmy nominations and was praised for its exceptional adaption of the BBC miniseries by the same name that did far poorer in comparison. However, as the series continued it failed to meet initial expectations, making critics wonder if the great cast and production value carried the series to initial success.
Homeland
Stream on Hulu and Showtime
When a marine comes back home after being held captive for eight years in Homeland, a CIA agent is convinced he has been turned and is planning a terror attack on the U.S.
The debut season was wildly successful, earning an impressive six Emmy awards. However, despite having eight seasons, the awe-struck quality faded after the first installment. When the story began to delve too much into the story of one of the characters, both fans and critics alike were unsatisfied with the turn of events.
Prison Break
Stream on Hulu
In the thrilling drama Prison Break, a brother gets himself incarcerated in order to break his brother out of prison and prove his innocence. Once out, the story picks up the tension as the two evade capture and uncover secrets.
There were some unexpected twists in Prison Break, but it was clear the hype could only go on for so long. While the initial premise was entertaining and engaging for the audience, the show can only be carried out so long after the prison break before the storyline began to grow stale.
True Detective
Stream on HBO Max
True Detective explores the lives of police detectives as they use unconventional methods to solve cases, despite struggling with their own personal issues.
While True Detective has a shocking foreshadowing early in the series that surprises many viewers, it doesn't quite live up to its hype. The dark and exciting first season was quite successful, with people praising the plot and acting, especially Matthew McConaughey's performance. However, the second season was highly anticipated and then quickly disappointed fans, many claiming it was the worst TV show of the year due to a lackluster plot.
Glee
Stream on Hulu
In Ryan Murphy's Glee, a group of misfits tries to find solace from the struggles of high school by joining the glee club hosted by an impassioned Spanish teacher.
Despite the stigma behind the high school drama, the first season was unique, featuring a show that was both dramatic and full of catchy songs and interesting characters. However, the subsequent seasons failed to live up to the quality of the original, as the plotlines became more outlandish and the characters became even more like caricatures.
13 Reasons Why
Stream on Netflix
In 13 Reasons Why, a girl leaves behind tapes highlighting the thirteen reasons why she chose to take her own life, pushing the people who she felt influenced her decision to listen.
Though considered one of the best TV series about the teen experience, the show is a hard pill to swallow. Though it was subject to a lot of controversy, the first season was exceptionally successful. However, most fans would agree that the premise should not have been expanded beyond the first season. The initial season told the story it needed to, following the plot of Jay Asher's novel, leaving the following seasons feeling unnecessary.
Riverdale
Stream on Netflix
A young adult drama based on the Archie comics, Riverdale takes viewers into the lives of Archie and his friends, interweaving the dark mysteries of Riverdale with the struggles of everyday life.
Taking ideas from the beloved Archie Comics and Twin Peaks, season 1 was initially intriguing with a good amount of twists to keep viewers invested. However, the series has taken a confusing turn since the first season. There are so many inclusions, such as cults, bear attacks, and underground mysteries, that what began as a capturing story diverged into a mingling of disparate stories that are often full of glaring plotholes and cringeworthy moments.
Heroes
In the superhero series, aptly named Heroes, each episode of the first season took the audience on a journey into an exciting comic-book-based storyline, hooking fans from the start.
However, the show never seemed to live up to the first season. With such high stakes and exciting twists into the apocalyptic, it was hard to beat the thrill of the original episodes. The show spiraled down, receiving harsh critiques throughout the following seasons. Though it beat the hype of the superhero revival generation, making it all the more captivating, it was a hit and miss.