A hypothesis: Season 2 is either the best or worst season on many beloved shows

Vulture

"Some shows burst out of the gate strong, only to fall flat in season two," says Nate Jones. "(Just like in the music business, you have your whole life to plan your show’s first season, and a few months to plan its second.) Other shows, maybe having slightly underperformed in the ratings, overcorrect based on network notes. Sometimes they manage to get back on track, sometimes they just keep getting worse, but either way, season two is where the trouble started." Jones tests his theory on a variety of shows, from The Office to Friday Night Lights, The Wire and Grey's Anatomy.