Top 10 TV Shows That Got WAY Too Complicated

Summary

This WatchMojo video counts down TV shows that started with intriguing premises but became overly convoluted as they progressed. The video highlights series like 'Outer Range,' 'Pretty Little Liars,' 'Fringe,' and 'Westworld,' where complex storylines, time travel, alternate universes, and plot contradictions caused confusion among viewers. Shows like 'Doctor Who,' 'Lost,' and 'Dark' also struggled with maintaining consistency, despite having devoted fan bases. The video emphasizes how these convoluted plots made it difficult for casual viewers to follow, leaving some questions unanswered by the series' end.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Many TV shows start with intriguing plots but become overly convoluted as they progress.
• 🌌 Outer Range mixes Western and sci-fi genres but becomes confusing with its time travel elements, and was eventually canceled without a resolution.
• 👩‍🎤 Pretty Little Liars started strong but later contradicted its own plot twists, leading to increasing inconsistencies.
• 🔬 Fringe is praised for its character development and sci-fi storytelling, but its focus on parallel universes and time travel made it difficult for casual viewers to follow.
• ⚔️ The Witcher, based on popular books and video games, has a complex narrative structure with multiple time periods and increasingly intricate subplots.
• 🌀 Doctor Who, known for its time travel adventures, sometimes struggles with over-complication, particularly when delving into its deep lore.
• 🌠 Riverdale started as a murder mystery but expanded into supernatural and sci-fi themes, making it difficult to keep up with the storyline.
• 🤖 Westworld is admired for its philosophical themes, but its presentation, with multiple timelines and simulations, often confuses viewers.
• 🌴 Lost became famous for its mystery and twists but overwhelmed many viewers with its flashbacks, flash-forwards, and alternate timelines.
• 🌀 Dark, a German Netflix series, is incredibly complex with multiple timelines and characters, making it hard to track relationships and plotlines.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The video counts down TV shows that started off with intriguing premises but became overly convoluted as their plots progressed.

Why was 'Outer Range' mentioned in the video?

'Outer Range' was included because while it started as a unique sci-fi Western, its time travel rules became confusing and contradictory over time, which contributed to its cancellation without a satisfying conclusion.

What issue did 'Pretty Little Liars' face with its storyline?

'Pretty Little Liars' became overly convoluted with reveals that contradicted previous plot points, creating frequent plot holes and confusing viewers over time.

How did 'Fringe' become more difficult for casual viewers to follow?

'Fringe' started as a procedural show but became increasingly serialized with complex elements like parallel universes, time travel, and dystopian futures, making it hard for casual viewers to keep up.

Why did 'The Witcher' make the list of convoluted shows?

'The Witcher' was considered complicated due to its narrative, which splits into different timelines in the first season. As the show progressed, it introduced multiple subplots and political intrigue that further diluted the clarity of the story.

What makes 'Doctor Who' difficult to follow at times?

'Doctor Who' is challenging because of its extensive lore, time travel elements, and the way the show often dives into obscure parts of its mythology. Its long history and interconnected plots make it hard for some viewers to track all the details.

How did 'Riverdale' evolve into a convoluted series?

'Riverdale' started as a murder mystery but expanded into time travel and supernatural elements. Its frequent plot changes and contradictions led to confusion, making it hard for viewers to keep track of its evolving storylines.

What specific complexities did 'Westworld' introduce as the series progressed?

'Westworld' became increasingly complex by incorporating multiple timelines, simulations within simulations, and philosophical themes about artificial intelligence. This made the show difficult to follow, especially with the confusion over who was a host and who was human.

What narrative techniques in 'Lost' made it difficult to follow?

'Lost' used flashbacks, flashforwards, time travel, and alternate timelines, making the narrative challenging to follow. Many mysteries were introduced, some of which were never resolved, leading to viewer frustration.

Why is 'Dark' considered one of the most complex shows?

'Dark' is regarded as extremely complex because it involves time travel across multiple time periods and timelines, with numerous characters portrayed by different actors. Keeping track of the intricate relationships and plotlines was a challenge for both viewers and the characters themselves.