Not TV, but I've told people to skip the first two books in the Discworld series, Sir Terry doesn't really get into his stride till a little later, but book three is where his talent starts to shine.
this post was submitted on 27 May 2026
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Yeah, though even then there's a lot of growth. Comparing The Theif of Time, Thud, or I Shall Wear Midnight to Sourcery just feels unfair to the latter.
Or start with Small Gods, everyone who likes discworld likes Small Gods. It stands alone, it's clever, but has some of the early book style, and it's regularly referenced by the fans.
Bob's Burgers, Season 3.
Seasons 1 and 2 the seeds were there, but on the other hand they were trying to be yet another Adult-Swim style "edgy" show in the wake of Family Guy. Once that phase passed, the show found a real heart while the humor and storytelling grew up a bit. Now, it's been one of the most genuinely special things on television for a long time.
Farscape Season 1, Episode 19, the one which introduces Scorpius. That said, you really do need to watch most of the preceding episodes or else nothing is going to make any frelling sense and you'll think you've gone fahrbot.
Now I'm imagining someone tuning in to Farscape for the first time on a Harvey episode, and trying to make any sense at all out of anything they were watching.
The Good Place gets good in the season 1 finale
It starts out pretty good. It's not like TNG or something where you'd say "No, start at season 3, and just don't watch Code Of Honor." The Good Place starts out watchable and fun, and then the season 1 finale has an "Oh SHIT!" moment and then you've gotta finish it.
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First season on Parks and Rec is not good. Redid the concept and one character season 2 and was awesome season 3 onwards
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My go-to example for this is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Season one is overall quite rough, however s01e19 "Duet" (second-to-last episode of the season) is IMO the first episode that shows true glimmers of promise. In season two the series starts to find its footing, by season three it's proven itself to be Star Trek gold, and then the series manages to maintain its quality through to its seventh and final season.
Season 1 of DS9 was rough? Cries in TNG… 🤣
It is rough compared to the later stuff but, man, it got off to a WAY better start than TNG did… I mean, Riker had to grow a beard for the show to get good!
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Parks & Recs season one was pretty different from the rest of the show - not necessarly bad, just different, e.g. several popular characters didn't exist yet. TBH I don't remember when exactly they introduced substantial changes, but I think it was the start of season two.
The Venezuela sister city episode season 2 episode 5 is where it showed its true potential.
The humor lands, the characters have some consistency, and the vibe is consistent with the rest of the show. Yes, it was firing on all cylinders with Ben and Chris, but this episode is where it showed its stuff.
If you disagree, right to jail. Right away. No trial, no nothing. I have the best opinion… because of jail.
Disagree? Straight to jail.
Agree, but so strongly it seems rehearsed? Surprisingly, also jail.
We have the best agreements in the world, because of jail.
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I forgot the exact episode, but I felt The Expanse was pretty mediocre until one of the last episodes of S1. I stuck with it because I was told prior to starting that it takes a while to get going. I'm glad I stuck with it, as it's my favorite sci-fi show.
For me its' the opposite, it started strong (complex politics, realistic space travel) and by the end it turned into just another space opera about hardy space ship crew fighting space battles.
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Expanse is a slow burn start. I personally think it was great from the start but will tell anyone to watch at least until E3 or 4 (episode called CQB). At that point if you don't want to keep watching it's likely not a good fit.
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BoJack Horseman. I don't have an exact episode for you, but the first few seem to be mostly world building and introducing a few themes that will come back later. Later half of s1 is where it starts to get good, and with s2 the show "properly" starts.
Episode 8, The Telescope.
I can narrow it down to one line, too. When Herb tells BoJack, "I don't forgive you." It flouted the usual sitcom formula, and marked a turn to more complex characters and darker themes.
Years ago i saw someone do a breakdown of what you're talking about and if memory serves it's the Herb episode that changes the vibe of the show. Until that point bojack feels like every other crude comedy on air but from that point on it breaks the traditional format. Its the first time on screen, and possibly in bojacks whole life(outside of family issues), that he faces consequences for his actions that have a serious negative impact on him and the fix is out of his control. In the face of this truth he spirals into a world of indulgence and avoidance and we the viewer begin to see the impact that has on those around him.
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Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Starts like the average random magical girl anime until episode 3, then suddenly deconstructs everything giving you an amazing whiplash. I had to beg a friend of mine to watch until ep3 because he absolutely could not stomach the first episode. He thanked me later
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The Good Place really takes off at the end of the first season.
No way. Episode one was a banger.
Personally I consider The Good Place one of the rare shows that is solid all the way through without a single bad or weak episode, however the end of season one is certainly where it goes from great to fantastic.
For me, the twist at the end of season one retroactively makes the rest of season one better
Most of Babylon 5's first season really feels like discount store-brand Star Trek substitute. The show really starts to get its feet under itself somewhere around A Voice in the Wilderness and the Season 1 finale Chrysalis is the episode for which the term "wham episode" was coined.
B5 has the unique problem that it's crap season 1 is kind of necessary homework for the rest of the show; it's one continuous story, but on first watch the first season doesn't feel like that because it's a bunch of stuff that happens that comes into play later. So unlike TNG you can't tell someone "just start at season 2." You have to sit through the first season.
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Every one I have forced to sit through the first 3 episodes of Red Dwarf has gone on to watch every episode and now incorporates quotes from the show in normal conversation.
Idk they had me from episode 1. Best episode though imo is tikka to ride
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If it doesn't happen by the third or fourth episode I'm out.
Better Call Saul, but I can't really pinpoint a specific episode. The show starts of so slow and boring but it keeps building and building and before you realize it, you're hooked. I didn't survive the first season the first time around, but I'm glad I gave it a second chance just in time for the final* season to unfold in real-time.
American Dad is a fantastically funny show, but season 1 is basically unwatchable. Season 2 is a mixed bag. I'd recommend people just start watching from season 3 onward and only check out the earlier episodes as a curiosity.
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Season 1 of the wire is definitely this. I tried to get a friend to watch it and we started with the pilot and I could tell he was like “this is so boring”. It’s definitely a slower show but when shit pops off it pops hard.
I remember putting on Kevin can fuck himself, and being super bored and not sure wth was going on. What was I supposed to be watching here. I turned it off. Wasn't until I heard someone describing it's message, and I dived back in. Man that was a ride! Pure brilliance. I love that it ties up, too. It was never made to be a long run, they don't do that tired thing of teasing new concepts, to never answer them, because they were beating a dead horse. It's just bam, all in, all tied up. But so delicious.
After the first season: The Office
Late first season: Breaking bad maybe
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