10 Amazing Comeback Seasons That Saved Dying TV Shows

"Dying" may be too strong a word for what was happening to Sons of Anarchy. The biker crime drama had a solid outing with its first two seasons, but Season Three tried a touch too hard to mix up the tropes of the show and shift gears, and it suffered because of it.

Season Two ends with Jax Teller's son, Abel, being kidnapped by the True IRA, setting up epic things for the next installment. Though the Season Three opener, "SO" was strong, dealing with the aftermath of the kidnapping, the rest of the season moves away from Charming to Belfast. The Belfast arc is long and plodding, with little engagement with the mystery of Abel, and as a whole this drags the show down.

Also, Titus Welliver's Jimmy O'Phelan makes for a weak villain and one of TV's worst ever accents.

When Season Four came along, fans were looking forward to a return to form; a return to Charming and SAMCRO's inner turmoil. And that's exactly what it brought. Season Four introduces audiences to a new lawmen, Eli Roosevelt, and explores the true evil intentions - and checkered past - of Clay Morrow.

It's riveting stuff, held up by a constant intensity and some fantastic performances, and proves that some shows don't need a shake up to be effective - they're fine just the way they are.