10 Great TV Shows That Went Downhill (And Then Redeemed Themselves)

9. The Wire (2002 - 2008)

Even when The Wire drifted a little, it was still a compelling show, but there was one season that suggested that the first season had been a one-hit wonder of sorts.

The Wire's first season, after all, was absolutely brilliant: it unfolded like a great novel, and grew on you with every episode. By the time it was over, David Simon's gritty world felt like a fully-realised place, filled with three-dimensional characters who refused to be painted in anything other than shades of grey. In short, it was a masterpiece.

Then came season two, which felt like a new show entirely - and still does, when viewed alongside The Wire's subsequent seasons. This was the controversial season that focused on the dock workers, and one which shifted the narrative away from most of the characters that audiences had grown to love. As a result, it was a lot harder to care about it all.

Whilst seasons three, four and five restored the show to its former glory (yes, even the underrated fifth season, which was only criticized because expectations had been so high), season two felt like a spin-off or a side project. It wasn't bad, and there were some fantastic moments and episodes, but it left a lot to be desired (not to mention lots of loose ends).