Is it possible to watch a show from the beginning and love it all the way through?

[morganlucas41]

Written for month_of_meta's Meta Month of March challenge.

I came to most of my fandoms pretty late in the game - either after they were over completely, or after they’d been on for a few seasons. The few shows I try to watch from the beginning either get cancelled, or I end up abandoning for various reasons. Moreover, I’ve seen a pretty near-universal disdain

Comments

[jlvsclrk]

Excellent question! I have noticed in my fandom of choice (Smallville), particularly with my ship of choice (Clex), that many if not most of the early fans detest the later seasons, and some have even come to detest Clark because of the rift that developed between him and Lex. I've always had trouble understanding the divergence between the way we see various character interactions but now it makes a wee bit more sense. I came into the series as a hybrid viewer (not to mention a Superman fan from way back) so I always had an idea of the end game. And like you said, I tended to be more forgiving of the shows episode to episode hiccups because I had some faith that matters would be resolved satisfactory (a faith shattered in the hideous S8 finale and redeemed in the S9 finale). So like you, I tend to think the hybrid approach works best!

I do know a few Smallville fans who loved the show from day one to the end though, and I've envied them that experience. They got to experience the early explosive phase of the fandom, while still retaining enough perspective to be able to enjoy the evolution of the show. Not sure if I'm capable of that kind of mental flexibility though. As you say, most shows I pick up early usually end too soon or start to bore me.

[morganlucas41]

Thanks! I've heard a lot of good things about Smallville and it's definitely on my list of shows to eventually watch...though the ten seasons are daunting, lol. It's interesting that that show does have fans that loved it all the way through. I still think that would be a GREAT experience that I'm hoping to have at some point.

They got to experience the early explosive phase of the fandom, while still retaining enough perspective to be able to enjoy the evolution of the show. Not sure if I'm capable of that kind of mental flexibility though.

Yeah - that is what I wonder, how you retain that perspective throughout watching a show. I envy the lucky fans that have found it ;)