Summary

Despite these popularTV showsdelivering some awing episode week after week , it ’s inevitable that a forged episode will eventually seem and disappoint fans . Even the most beloved and critically acclaimed series sometimes stumble in maintain the qualities that draw devoted viewership over multiple seasons . The tightrope balance of sticking to a successful formula , while also innovate to deflect staleness carries danger . Experiments with pacing , look shift , raw character dynamics , or the dreaded clip show may think to tot up something new to the show , but sometimes escape the marking , despite well faith efforts .

While even some of TV ’s most popular appearance have poorly rate episodes , such asThe Sopranosepisode " Christopher,“these failed risks exit fans confused and frustrated when dependable structures and predictable plot line go away . While heavy television earn patience , episodic miss test that solitaire when viewers palpate split from comfy universes . After airing , post - viewing give-and-take then take stock every odd determination that was made . With audience ferociously attached to their favorite series , mistakes can trigger intense backlash , chair to occasional disappointments in even the most beloved show .

12“The Lost Sister” (Season 2, Episode 7)

Stranger Things

Cast

The Netflix seriesStranger Thingsfollows the supernatural events in a small Indiana town and a group of teens investigate them . In season 2,the worst rated installment " The Lost Sister"shows character Eleven , played by Millie Bobby Brown leaves her friends and teams up with Kali , another test subject with powers . The side risky venture presented in this episode drastically shifts the quality of the show , break up the main storyline ’s momentum . The episode feel otiose because it did n’t logically set at that moment . MostStranger Thingsepisodes symmetry mystery and 80 ’s nostalgia with the core relationships . Diverging into a disjointed tale with violent novel characters broke that formula , supply the episode puzzling .

Stranger Things is full of terrifying monsters from the Upside Down , which differ by how scary their designing , powers , and overall control are .

11“Frank’s Brother” (Season 7, Episode 5)

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

While innovation is important in a protracted serial likeIt ’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , season 7 stumbled with an episode entirely about Frank ’s underdeveloped kinship with his crony Gino . distinguish via flashback to the 1970s , the episode completely sidelined all the otherIt ’s Always Sunnymain character . to boot , the hand lack the mood the show normally overflowed with . This offbeat episode felt like a filler piece rather than indispensable progression . While risk - pickings plot line sometimes pay off , detaching from cardinal player and the conversant comedic element backfire here . Without the aroused investment in Frank and Gino or joke , the sequence drag , and counterpoint negatively against tighter , funnier episodes .

10“Teso Dos Bichos” (Season 3, Episode 18)

The X Files

The X - Files is one of the best sci - fi show about UFOsthat follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate extrasensory case . In the poorly get season three episode “ Teso Dos Bichos ” , the agent face off against a stash of feral cats while probing strange deaths . In the bookThe Truth is Out There : The Official Guide to the X - Filesby Brian Lowry , managing director of the instalment , Kim Manners called the episode “ a catastrophe ” and printed apologies on crowd tonne - shirt . The episode was panned for its nonsensical plotand failure to measure up to the show ’s lineament criterion . Typically , The cristal - Filesepisodes shine a electron lens on the unknown , seamlessly blend secret and drama .

9“The Puerto Rican Day Parade” (Season 9, Episode 20)

Seinfeld

While there were manygreatSeinfeldepisodes , the 2nd - to - last episode provoke intense backlash . In the insensitive episode , the independent characters struggle through a bloodcurdling Puerto Rican Day parade dealings jamming and have offence with nationalistic jokes . Both unamusing and culturally violative , the episode dismay viewers ( viaThe New York Times).Seinfeldbuilt its brilliance on regain sense of humor in piffling view of everyday life , not belittling marginalized group . With its tired stereotype and want of trademark witty observational comedy about human quirk , the uncharacteristically dull instalment ruin the show ’s starring reputationright before the finale .

While the ego - describe show about nothing holds up on the whole , the harsh realness of watch Seinfeld now are nothing to yada yada yada about .

8“Remember the Monsters?” (Season 8, Episode 12)

Dexter

The offence dramaDexterfocuses on Miami forensics expert Dexter Morgan , who chair a secret life as a vigilante serial killer . For eight season , viewer expect whether Dexter ’s homicidal alter self would be publically debunk . However , arguably consider one ofthe bad series finis in tv set account , “ recall the Monster ? ” stupefied fans whenDexter inexplicably vacate Miami for an isolated feller living in Oregon .

This random life history modification shock those who call a meet culmination to Dexter ’s complex morality balancing act . episode typically highlighted internal moral dilemmas around Dexter ’s campaign for both killing and established happiness that vibrate through psychological dramatic play . However , the finis hastily sideline Dexter ’s defining fundamental conflict and character reference for the lumber industry .

7“Fly” (Season 3, Episode 10)

Breaking Bad

While most episodes of the crime dramaBreaking Badfeature tense drama , the data-based time of year three episode " Fly"polarized by focalise only on White and better half Jesse Pinkman give chase a fly in their meth science laboratory . devote 45 minutes to the mundane pest search , the episode omits the show ’s signature cartel difference of opinion . or else , the fly front prompts worked up conversation as the span bond over cancer and dying revelations . However , sidelining explosive action to mill about on a hemipteron was a strong test of patience . This departure from the show ’s gamy momentum wasa frustrating regard experiencethat did n’t bode well with viewers .

6“Breaker of Chains” (Season 4, Episode 3)

Game of Thrones

In this troubling episode ofGame of Thrones , one vista in time of year 4 generated intense repercussion . Occurring next to gone King Joffrey ’s trunk , Jaime Lannister drive himself onto his sister Cersei , diverge from the original source materia . Critics condemned the incomprehensible assault fit as exploitativeand reference - betraying ( viaLA Times).Game of Thronesearned plaudit for build intricate fictional world and dynamic characters elongate across moral spectrums . However , this panorama shattered that good will by reduce dear protagonists to traumatic narrative equipment for sheer sensationalism . With its reliance on shock economic value over coherent story progression , the stumble signal an artistic lapse in judgment .

Game of Thrones eclipse a inclination of the most hated television characters of all time by take five of the top fifteen spots on the inclination .

5“The One With The Invitation” (Season 4, Episode 21)

Friends

The beloved sitcomFriendschronicled the animation of six New Yorkers , centering intemperately on the turbulent love affair between Ross and Rachel . However , the clip show episode " The One with the Invitation " is considered one of the big installments of the serial . Triggered by Ross mail his wedding invite to Rachel , the installment cut between current reflections and flashback of their family relationship . While the on - again , off - againRoss and Rachel relationshipserved as the aroused core that drove many iconic scene over the seasons , this recycling of preceding scenes to stretch filler subject matter frustrated viewers(viaInsider ) . Relying entirely on reminiscing rather than advancement failed to equal the show ’s storytelling criterion .

4"Bedtime Stories” (Season 9, Episode 11)

How I Met Your Mother

The sitcomHow I Met Your Motherfollows a simple structure that chronicles agonist Ted ’s long quest to find his spouse , as framed to his children years afterward . While experimenting often reinvigorate moth-eaten formulas , the gimmicky time of year nine instalment “ Bedtime Stories ” missed the mark . The installment adopted a bedtime fib esthetic , with characters speak in endless verse . This formatting departure guide away from the show ’s enduringness of relatable humorand love affair drama for an unfunny pouf tale apparatus . Where most episodes blend naturalistic emotion with gag - out - loud one - liners , this offering paralyzed itself by rigidly adhering to a limited fabric , severely stalling the comedy and authenticity .

3"The Banker" (Season 6, Episode 14)

The Office

InThe Officeseason 6 clip show episode “ The Banker , ” was a major dashing hopes after a long waiting for new narratives after a mid - season hiatus . The sparse premise of an investment banker assessing the branch only serves to determine up a monotonous parade of preceding scenes . Where most episodes derive hilarious awkwardness from casual part politics , this rehash provides no comedic additions or advancement of the staff ’s ever - evolving resonance . The show made its mark with pernicious long - form character development , not reiterating highlighting devoid of context . As time episodes inherently lack the fresh jokes and insights , this uninventive makeweight sequence elicited a letdownafter waiting for projected storylines to resume .

Collage of the demogorgon from season 1, Vecna from season 4, and the Demobat from season 4 in Stranger Things

Seinfeld collage featuring Jerry, George and Kramer

Joffrey wearing a crown next to his mother Cersei in Game of Thrones

Collage image of Eleven and Kali from Stranger Things

Kali and Eleven using their powers in Stranger Things

Headshot Of Finn Wolfhard In The Photocall for the cast of ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ at Claridges

Headshot Of Joe Keery In The Celebrities at the Rome premiere of ‘Finally L’Alba’

Headshot Of Jamie Campbell Bower

Headshot Of Brett Gelman In The New York premiere of ‘Boy Kills World’

Headshot Of Charlie Day

Headshot Of Rob McElhenney

Headshot Of Kaitlin Olson In The New York Premiere of Focus Features of ‘Champions’.

Headshot Of Glenn Howerton

Characters from Teso Dos Bichos episode of The X-Files

Headshot Of Gillian Anderson In The ‘Scoop’ World Premiere

Headshot Of David Duchovny

Headshot Of Robert Patrick In The Los Angeles-CA 12th Annual SAG Awards

Headshot Of Annabeth Gish

Headshot Of Jerry Seinfeld In The 2024 Met Gala

Headshot Of Julia Louis-Dreyfus In The 28th Annual Webby Awards

Headshot Of Jason Alexander In The Project Angel Food Lead with Love Five Year Anniversary Special

Cast Placeholder Image

Dexter with a beard in the series finale of Dexter

Headshot Of Michael C. Hall

Headshot Of Jennifer Carpenter In The NBC`s Midseason Press Photocall

Headshot Of David Zayas In The Pure Nightclub on Valentine’s Day

Headshot Of James Remar In The premiere of

Headshot Of Betsy Brandt In The ‘Run Sweetheart Run’ film screening, Screamfest Closing Night

Cersei looking at Joffrey’s body in Game of Thrones

Headshot Of Kit Harington In The Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall

Headshot Of Isaac Hempstead Wright

Headshot Of Iain Glen In The London screening of new Amazon Prime thriller ‘The Rig’

Headshot Of Peter Dinklage In The Los Angeles premiere of ‘Unfrosted’

Rachel and Ross holding onto one another at the airport in the Friends series finale

Headshot Of Jennifer Aniston In The Emmy FYC Event for Apple TV+’s ‘The Morning Show’

Headshot Of Courteney Cox In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Warner Bros. Television’s ‘Shining Vale’

Headshot Of Lisa Kudrow In The NBC’s ‘Carol Burnett: 90 Years Of Laughter + Love’ Birthday Special

Headshot Of Matt LeBlanc In The Showtimes Eposodes Viewing Party

Lily reading a story to a baby in How I Met Your Mother

Headshot Of Josh Radnor In The NBC Universal Winter TCA

Headshot Of Neil Patrick Harris In The 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Headshot Of Jason Segel

Headshot Of Alyson Hannigan

The banker from The Office

Headshot Of Steve Carell In The premiere of Illumination’s ‘Despicable Me 4’

Headshot Of Rainn Wilson In The Homeboy Industries' 2024 Lo Maximo Awards

Headshot Of John Krasinski In The Premiere of ‘If’ at the SVA Theatre

Headshot Of Jenna Fischer