Netflix fans praise ‘infinitely rewatchable’ TV series rescued by streamer before it ‘all went wrong’
The only thing more heart-breaking than your favorite TV show being canceled, is when a broadcaster saves it and the resulting seasons are, well, 'a dumpster fire'.
Netflix has the power to make or break TV shows, as we have all witnessed over the years. On the one hand, the streamer is a knight in shining armor - and Breaking Bad serves as the perfect example.
Netflix acquired the Sony-produced show after its third season in 2010 when it was teetering on cancelation and the streamer continued it on for another two seasons, boosting its popularity even further to cult classic status.
On the other hand, fans of prematurely-canceled TV series have gone on to boycott the streamer - Sense8, The Midnight Club and Shadow and Bone, anyone?
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While there's no pleasing everyone in life - or business, for that matter - Netflix appeared to annoy fans when it saved Fox's 'infinitely rewatchable' Arrested Development from the dark depths of obsoletion, only to bring it back and - as the fans have said - absolutely ruin it.
The sitcom stars Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth, the son of a formerly wealthy family who must adjust to a new way of living after their father goes to prison for white-collar crimes.
Set in Newport Beach, California, Michael is now head of the Bluth Company, his family's real estate business. His authority, however, is constantly undermined by his family.
He tries to juggle the wants and needs of his spoiled family members while being a good role model for his teenage son, George Michael (Michael Cera).
Its first three 'infinitely rewatchable' seasons ran on Fox between 2003 and 2006, while its debut run alone bagged five Emmy awards.
It wasn't until seven years later, in May 2013, that Netflix released its highly-anticipated fourth season.
This included season four's 'remix' which focused on a different character per episode - a device which proved unpopular with fans, particularly as the show's charm hinged on the chemistry between its beguiling ensemble cast.
Its fifth and final season dropped in two parts on May 2018 in March 2019.
Fans over on Rotten Tomatoes have aggressively praised Arrested Development's first three seasons, with one hailing them 'infinitely rewatchable'.
"The most intricately entertaining comedy ever aired on television," a second declared, as a third wrote: "This is one of my favorite comedies of all time.
"The writing is incredible and the show only gets better with repeated viewings."
The sentiments became less favorable concerning the final two, Netflix-handled seasons, however.
"Even though season four was very disappointing, it still had some great stuff here and there," one fan wrote, adding: "No such luck with season five. Unwatchable."
A second agreed: "A shell of its former self. The show should have ended at season 3 and kept it's amazing legacy untainted by this dumpster fire."
While a third simply concluded: "The later seasons were very uneven but that does not diminish the brilliance of the first few."
All seasons of Arrested Development are available to stream now on Netflix.
Topics: Netflix, Film and TV, Nostalgia, Social Media, Rotten Tomatoes, Hollywood
Ellie Kemp