You’ll know quickly:
Fans of these shows think that a new viewer will get hooked (or hate it) within the first 1-5 episodes.
| TV Show | When it Gets Good |
| Adventure Time | New viewers will know within the first few episodes if the comedy and writing in this show is for you |
| Archer | You’ll know in 2-3 episodes if this is a show for you |
| Boardwalk Empire | A slow burn but consistent quality from the first few episodes on |
| Breaking Bad | Breaking Bad hits a quick stride in the first couple of episodes |
| Bridgerton | A fantastic first season, a decent second season, and a return to fantastic for the third season |
| Emily In Paris | It won’t take more than 2-3 episodes to figure out if this is a show for you |
| Fargo | Most fans say Fargo will immediately capture potential fans early |
| Game of Thrones | GoT hits an early stride but falls off toward the final two seasons |
| Gilmore Girls | The first few episodes will tell you whether or not you’re going to want to continue |
| Grey’s Anatomy | A solid early run leads to a mediocre later run of seasons |
| Mad Men | Style and substance will grab new fans within the first couple of episodes |
| Oz | Oz will be a hit or miss within the first few episodes for new viewers |
| Rick and Morty | You’ll know within a few episodes if this is a show for you |
| Scrubs | After the first few episodes, you’ll get the vibe. Skip season nine though |
| Sherlock | The first few episodes will capture the attention quickly for new fans |
| Slow Horses | Fans say the style of the show will captivate a new fan within the first few episodes |
| Stranger Things | You’ll know within the first 2-3 episodes if Stranger |
| Succession | Succession’s first few episodes capture most fans of the show |
| Ted Lasso | Ted Lasso hits a strong stride in the first episodes, but loses some fans in the third and final season |
| The Mandalorian | Mando viewers will know within a few episodes if this is a show for them |
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Immediate payoff with a small decline in quality in later seasons |
| The Sopranos | The Sopranos starts strong with occasional lulls throughout its six season run |
| The West Wing | A solid first four seasons, with some falloff in later seasons |
| This Is Us | If you like the first few episodes, keep going. If not? This show isn’t for you |
| True Detective | An incredible first season with the remaining seasons being a mixed bag |
Give it at least a season:
Fans of these shows believe a new viewer should give the series at least the first season before deciding whether or not to continue watching.
| TV Show | When it Gets Good |
| 30 Rock | A show that ages well, the more you watch, the more you’ll love it |
| Bob’s Burgers | Fans say give this one through the first season before making a final call |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Fans say first season takes a bit to get it’s footing, give it a bit to get going |
| Downton Abbey | Give the show the first season to win you over, if not, probably not worth continuing |
| Hacks | A good first few episodes are followed by a strong first two seasons |
| Outlander | The first season will give you enough of the style of the show to know if you should continue |
| Schitt’s Creek | Fans say this series takes about a season to get to know the characters |
| Sons of Anarchy | Most fans say giving SOA’s first season a fair shake will tell you all you need to know |
| The Crown | Fans say the show takes most of the first season to get fully into but is worth the investment |
| The Good Place | Fans say The Good Place has one of the best first seasons of any comedy series |
| The Office | The Office finds its own comedic voice in season two and runs strong through season seven |
| The Wire | The Wire can start slow for some, but hooks most people in throughout the first season |
Rewarding slow-burns:
Fans of these shows argue that while the show might start out a little slower, the overall pacing of the show pays off over the complete series.
| TV Show | When it Gets Good |
| Better Call Saul | Better Call Saul’s slow first season pays off with a solid second season and beyond |
| Community | A decent first season pays off with excellent second and third seasons |
| Friday Night Lights | Good enough first two seasons, but the final three seasons reward patient viewers |
| Parks and Rec | Skip the first season and get into the good stuff between seasons 2-5 |
| Ray Donovan | A slow burn with a rewarding run in the middle of the series |
| The Americans | The Americans is a rewarding slow burn for fans with patience for in-depth storytelling |
| The Expanse | A decent early run, but the best stuff comes around season three and beyond |
| Veep | A show that starts good but gets great |
| Yellowstone | Yellowstone rewards patient viewers with a phenomenal third season |