This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Even the best TV shows of all time can face hurdles and disappointing moments. From cast members leaving to sudden cancelations, television often faces various barriers that bring the TV show’s quality down. However, the biggest problem that a TV show can face is having a story or moment that completely breaks the immersion. While even some of thegreatest TV showshave at least one terrible storyline at some point during their run, some poorly written storylines are so boring, bizarre, or problematic in hindsight that they’re truly hard to watch.
Disastrous storylines can ruin a TV show, from uninteresting story arcs that drag on for too long to character decisions that erase years of character growth and progress. Certain storylines are hard to get through during the first watch and only get harder to watch after every subsequent rewatch. Ranging fromcouples that are doomed to failbeing introduced to add drama to characters making inexplicably bad decisions, there is a wide array of storylines that are impossible to watch.
10Jim And Pam’s Marital Problems
The Office (2005-2013)
The Office’smost notable and beloved couple Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) had an incredible dynamic that was beautifully built over the seasons. But every relationship faces hurdles, including Jim and Pam’s. After Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, leftThe Office,the iconic sitcom saw a steady decline in writing. The final season ofThe Officesaw Jim and Pam facing sudden marital issues that were poorly introduced and seemed unrealistic.
The Office Season 9’s Brian Twist Failed (But Not Because Of Jim & Pam)
The Office’s Brian Wittle plot is arguably the sitcom’s most hated storyline, but despite what fans might think, this is not because of Jim and Pam.
Jim and Pam’s relationshipproblems appear out of nowhere and the introduction of Brian Wittle (Chris Diamantopoulos), the documentary crew’s boom operator for the sake of adding tension between the couple fell flat.The Officethrived at cringe comedy and many scenes in the sitcom force audiences to avert their eye. However, the storyline of Jim and Pam’s marital problems, which also included Jim almost cheating on Pam, is always tough to watch.
9Ross Dates A Student
Friends (1994-2004)
Aptly titled “The One Where Ross Dates a Student”,Friendsseason 6, episode 17, introduces one ofRoss Geller’s (David Schwimmer) worst love interests, his student. Ross has always had terrible luck when it came to romance, but his decision to date one of his students is undeniably unprofessional and inappropriate. Ross and Elizabeth Stevens' (Alexandra Holden) weak relationship lasts till the season 6 finale, dragging out the relationship for far too long.
Ross and Elizabeth decide to start a relationship, despite it being against the university’s rules. With university rules, ethical issues, and a significant age gap already causing hurdles in their relationship, the fact that Ross gets jealous and paranoid over Elizabeth’s trip to Miami and decides to join her doesn’t bode well for their relationship. While Elizabeth’s dad Paul’s (Bruce Willis) dislike of Ross makes for comedic moments, it isn’t enough to save the storyline.
8The Introductions Of The Boys
The Wilds (2020-2022)
The Wildsgarnered a dedicated fanbase with its thrilling premise, compelling female characters, and realistic character dynamics. The female-centric show follows a group of eight teenage girls after an orchestrated plane crash leaves them stranded on an island.The Wildsseason 1 ended on a cliffhanger that the girls weren’t the only test subjects of an unethical social experiment and that a group of boys were also stranded on an island. InThe Wildsseason 2, the main cast of characters doubles from eight to 16 with the introduction of the teenage boys.
Despite the interesting storylines and solid acting by the additional cast, the expansion of the ensemble meant that the beloved characters did not get the screen time they deserved. The introduction of the boys to the show meant that long-awaited relationship progressions and character arcs of the original characters were sidelined, and it was harder to form the same attachment to the boys when they only featured for half a season. This decision changed the show for the worse.
7Alex Leaves Jo For Lizze
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) had tremendous character growth throughout the seasons ofGrey’s Anatomy.Initially introduced as a gruff and dismissive intern with a rough exterior, Alex grew more empathetic and cemented himself as a beloved character. Following Alex and Izzie’s (Katherine Hiegl) tumultuous relationship ending and Heigl exiting the show, reconciliation seemed impossible for the couple.
Justin Chambers' Karev Return Comments Are Good For Jo’s Grey’s Anatomy’s Season 21 Story
Karev left Seattle abruptly in season 16, making his potential return difficult. Thankfully, Chambers' comments about it hint at good news for Jo.
Alex and Jo Wilson’s (Camilla Luddington) relationship also faces major hurdles and setbacks, but the couple sticks by each other through the tough times. After Chambers exited the show, Alex had to be written off the show. Unfortunately, the way he was written off the show destroyed his character and therelationship between Alex and Jo. In the episode “Leave a Light On”, it’s revealed that Alex decided to rekindle his relationship with Izzie after learning that they have two children together, abandoning Jo and only leaving a note to explain his absence.
6Ted Hunts Down Robin’s Locket
How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
The on-and-off and will-they-won’t-they relationship betweenTed Mosby (Josh Radnor) and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders)inHow I Met Your Motherseemingly came to a definitive end after Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) proposed to Robin and the couple got engaged. DespiteHow I Met Your Motherseason 9 focusing on Robin and Barney’s upcoming wedding, the relationship between Ted and Robin got its fair share of attention.
Ted’s mission to hunt down Robin’s old locket and give it to her as a gift, against the advice of his friends, is a truly frustrating storyline to witness. Ted’s inability to let Robin go years after their failed relationship isn’t endearing, it’s just tiring. While the storyline has a satisfactory conclusion, as Ted makes amends with Barney, is honest with Robin and lets her go, the series finale erases the growth and makes the entire storyline useless.
5Five And Lila Have An Affair
The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024)
The Umbrella Academyis a superhero drama series filled with dysfunctional relationships and bizarre situations. Despite the romance between Luther (Tom Hopper) and Allison Hargreeves (Emmy Raver-Lampman) being incestuous, the relationship between Five (Aidan Gallagher) and Lila Pitt (Ritu Arya) somehow manages to be grosser and weirder. There is no shortage of reasons why the relationship can’t work, Lila is married to and has a family with Five’s brother Diego (David Castañeda), Five murdered Lila’s parents, Five is a 64-year-old man in the body of an 18-year-old.
The repercussions ofFive and Lila’s affair and its impact on Diegoare barely explored and the trio never get the chance to resolve their issues. While the Hargreeves family is notoriously dysfunctional and is willing to draw blood when they fight, they care deeply about each other, making Five and Lila’s decision to betray Diego even more uncharacteristic and sudden.
4Michael’s Resurrection
Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)
The romantic comedyJane the Virginchose the most bizarre way to resolve a love triangle, by suddenly killing off Michael Cordero Jr. (Brett Dier) after he and the titular character Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) get married. Years after the tragic death, Jane is able to find love again and rebuild her life and is in a happy relationship with Rafael (Rafael Solano). Then, in true telenovela fashion, Michael is revealed to be alive and has amnesia.
While Michael’s resurrection and the loss of his memories is a shocking development, the return of the beloved character without his memories ruined the character. Michael returned with a brand new name and a brand new personality. The resurrection was clearly added so that Jane could choose Rafael over Michael and reiterate that she was meant to be with Rafael. The storyline ruins the impact of Michael’s death for cheap shock value.
3Daenerys Targaryen’s Descent Into Madness
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
The downfall ofGame of Thronesand the controversialcharacter progression of Daenerys Targaryen(Emilia Clarke) cemented the finale episode as one of the worst series finales in television history. The destruction of Daenerys' character development for the sake of a shocking ending effectively ruined the critically acclaimed show, and Daenerys' descent into madness is still hard to watch years later. Daenerys went from being a liberator and strong leader to a destructive and reckless person who murdered innocent people for no reason.
The storyline not only ruined the character of Daenerys, but it also ruinedGame of Thronesas a whole. Daenerys' heel turn from beloved hero to remorseless murderer makes no sense and prioritizes shock plot twists over telling a satisfactory story. The story arc of Daenerys suddenly attacking King’s Landing ruined eight seasons of the beloved show.
2Ezra Isn’t “A” And Was Just Writing A Book
Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)
After the initial seasons,Pretty Little Liarswas filled with unimportant storylines that never got resolved or were red herrings. One of the most thrilling red herring storylines was the arc where it seemed like Ezra Fitz (Ian Harding) was the formidable and omnipresent “A” that was terrorizing the teenage girls. Considering that Ezra was an adult man who began dating a 16-year-old girl who is also his student, his being a villainous manipulator would not be far-fetched, and would’ve been better than portraying him as a romantic lovable character.
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School Just Destroyed Ezra With 1 Line
Ezra has always been a controversial character in Pretty Little Liars, but Summer School uses his problematic demeanor for a big Imogen twist.
Unfortunately,Pretty Little Liarsrefused to let the romance between Ezra and Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale), and insisted on turning him into a hero, even when it didn’t make sense. Ezra’s creepy stalkerish behavior was justified because he was writing a book about Alison DiLaurentis' (Sasha Pieterse) disappearance. The storyline revealed that Ezra knew that Aria was underage when they met and pursued her anyway, making the already problematic relationship even more unforgivable.Pretty Little Liarshad many flawsand problematic storylines, but the Ezra being “A” arc was disappointing regardless.
1Hughie Gets Blamed For Being Sexually Assaulted
The Boys (2019-Present)
The Boysis a satirical superhero drama series that isn’t afraid of getting dark, gritty, and gorey. The show is willing to get its hands dirty and explore dark and taboo topics. However, inThe Boysseason 4, the main character Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) is forced to end his father’s suffering and take his life. Unfortunately, things get worse after Hughie goes to a party undercover as Webweaver and is sexually assaulted and tortured by Tek Knight (Derek Wilson) and Ashley Barrett (Colby Minifie).
After Annie January/Starlight (Erin Moriarty) is replaced by a shapeshifter who manipulates Hughie into having sex with her, the show ignores that Hughie was assaulted as Annie blames him for not realizing that it was a shapeshifter pretending to be her. The worst part of theshapeshifter storyline inThe Boysis that Hughie’s trauma and sexual assault are treated as a joke and not taken seriously, both on-screen and off-screen.
