TV

8 Worst TV Seasons That Ruined Your Favorite Shows

8 Worst TV Seasons That Ruined Your Favorite Shows
Image credit: HBO

They saw a chance to have their jump-the-shark moment, and they didn't miss it.

Whether it's a change in creative direction or an attempt to push a storyline past its limits, some TV seasons can leave even die-hard fans disappointed and disheartened.

Here are the 8 worst TV seasons that managed to ruin the reputations of once-beloved shows.

1. Supernatural — Season 6

Beloved by many, the story of the Winchester brothers' battle against supernatural creatures outlived its intended run of five seasons, resulting in a far-fetched narrative. The departure of the original showrunner led to 10 more seasons of repetitive storylines, with the brothers' endless deaths and resurrections feeling far-fetched.

As much as we love the show, let's face the truth — they should have stuck to the original plan.

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2. Riverdale — Season 3

The first two seasons of the teen drama were a promising breath of fresh air in the television industry, but the third season became the death of Riverdale. The Gryphon and Gargoyles storyline became convoluted, and the season's multiple storylines, including the creepy farm and Archie's controversial decisions, put an end to the show's success.

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3. Game of Thrones — Season 8

One of the most controversial examples of the last few years, the last season of Game of Thrones broke the hearts of fans all over the world. Pacing issues, character arcs that felt too rushed or too inconsistent, and an unsatisfying conclusion to a meticulously built story were all jaw-droppers for those who had been praising the show for years.

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4. Killing Eve — Season 4

Something that started out as a kickass story completely lost its way by the end. Die-hard fans of the British spy thriller were disappointed by the final season, criticizing the show for regressing on its central theme of uniting Eve and Villanelle.

The introduction of minor characters and a rushed resolution for The Twelve left viewers unsatisfied, and a completely spoiled happy ending for the main characters was something we would never forgive the showrunners for.

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5. The Vampire Diaries — Season 7

The drop in excitement for one of the most popular shows came with the departure of Nina Dobrev after Season 6, which caused Elena's storyline to take an unexpected turn. Season 7's lack of the main female lead made the show feel dull, and the addition of another strange pairing and the introduction of the Sirens made things even worse.

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6. Charmed — Season 6

The departure from the show's earlier tone began with Charmed Season 6, as Charmed took an unconventional direction with weird storylines and heartbreaks. With Piper and Leo's breakup, the kid from the future, and the Magic School plotline all at once, the show quickly lost its charm and sparkle.

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7. How I Met Your Mother — Season 9

Making the whole season about one event in one almost never-changing location was kind of torture for loyal fans. Why make the whole season about Barney and Robin getting married when you ended up breaking them up anyway?

In addition, the revelation of the mother's fate and Ted's ultimate relationship in the final episode left a lot of fans disappointed and led to a divisive end to the beloved series.

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8. American Horror Story — Season 5

American Horror Story: Hotel may have taken a unique turn by setting the story not in a haunted house but in a haunted hotel, mixing horror, dark drama, and luxury, but the stylish atmosphere of the season didn't prevent it from earning the title of worst AHS season.

The show's confusing storylines, excessive violence, and sometimes disjointed storytelling didn't resonate as strongly with viewers as the earlier installments of the series.

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