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

6. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 - 2003)

For its first three seasons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer just got better and better: season one was a strong start, of course, but as the actors became more and more familiar with their characters, the plots got richer and the writing became sharper. By mid-way through season two, Buffy - as both a heroine and as a network TV show - was officially kicking ass.

As season three came to a close, culminating on an explosive graduation episode (and Angel departing to helm his own spin-off series), Buffy felt like the best show on TV.

Then season four landed, Buffy had moved from high school to college, and everything went to hell. With Angel gone, the introduction of a new, bland boyfriend, Riley, didn't go down all that well with fans, whilst the weekly plotlines lacked the surprises of those in prior seasons - not to mention the whole "Initiative" thing didn't ever go anywhere interesting.

Things looked a bit bleak for Buffy at this point: could it find its way back to greatness? Luckily for fans of the show, season five was a breath of fresh air, and is arguably the best season of the entire show. Great writing, compelling plots, and interesting new directions for the characters - Buffy has a sister?! - ensured this as a high point. Also: one of Buffy's best episodes ever, The Body, was part of this phenomenal season.

If the remaining two seasons didn't quite match the heights of season five, they were a vast improvement over the lackluster season four and helped to render Buffy as a classic.