5 TV Shows That Should've Ended Sooner, but Dragged on for Too Long

The economics of television are straightforward. Generally, shows are produced and renewed as long as they maintain viewership. However, this doesn't necessarily contribute to the production quality of the shows in question. Instead, they often become drawn-out and far-fetched. While this is acceptable for light-hearted comedy shows and sitcoms, more emotionally complex dramas risk becoming stale.

Here are five drama shows that should have concluded much earlier than they did.

5. Russian Doll (2019, 2 seasons)

This Netflix series is a unique spin on the classic 1993 film Groundhog Day. Season 1 follows Nadia on the eve of her thirty-sixth birthday as she dies at the end of the day, only to find herself in a time loop, resurrecting on the morning of that same day. It's a captivating story about her search for answers about what is happening to her.

However, the second season, which also follows Nadia as she accidentally travels back in time and becomes trapped in her pregnant mother's body, has clearly taken the premise a bit too far.

4. You (2018, 4 seasons)

Originally produced and distributed by Lifetime, the first season of this series follows Joe Goldberg, who meets Guinevere, an aspiring writer, at his bookstore and develops an unhealthy obsession with her. He stalks her online and in real life, eventually reaching a point where he is willing to resort to anything, including murder, to be with her.

This intense thriller was expanded into more stories involving Joe by Netflix to the point where the character lost all his menacing charm.

3. The Killing (2011, 4 seasons)

Told from three perspectives, this murder mystery was brilliantly executed in its first season. Following the detectives, the family of the deceased, and the suspect, the first season offers a gripping plot and intense pacing. Unfortunately, the subsequent three seasons didn't live up to the high bar set by season one.

2. Dexter (2006, 8 seasons)

This classic vigilante story was entertaining and intriguing when it first aired on Showtime in 2006. Centered on the eponymous character who murders criminals and conceals his own crimes by working as a forensic analyst for the Miami police, the show lost its appeal and logical consistency past season 4, which many fans believe should have concluded the series.

1. Westworld (2016, 4 seasons)

This apocalyptic Western sci-fi series from HBO has an incredibly unique premise: robots employed in a Western-themed park rebel against the humans who mistreat them. Initially, it was quite entertaining. However, over the seasons, Westworld grew increasingly absurd and disjointed, leaving viewers to question how HBO had ever greenlit such a concept.