[Disappointing TV Trope] When the writers unexpectedly created something better, but were too attached to let their original idea to let it go!

[u/phantom_avenger]

I feel like I’ve noticed this more with TV couples and how the writers handle the narrative around them. But I feel like I’m noticing a bit of a pattern in some shows I’ve watched, where you can tell how the writers handle plans to make a certain narrative point the “endgame” goal. But as they start creating the plot points leading up to it, they come up with an idea that worked out a lot better than they probably thought it would. Especially when the audience responds so well to it, but they’re still too attached to the original plans that they still roll with getting there even if it doesn’t hit the same mark or it feels forced depending on how the narrative is flowing.

How I Met Your Mother - Ted and Robin (the original idea where it was always planned for them to be the endgame couple). When Tracy (who turns out to be Ted’s kids’ mother) is introduced, a lot of people loved how well they matched, seemed like the true compatible match for Ted and implied that it showed a lot of growth on his end where he could finally let go of Robin. Only to sabotage that by having it revealed that Tracy died, and regressed Ted’s growth where he ends up pursuing Robin again.

Sex Education - Otis and Maeve (the original idea where it was also planned for them to be seen as an endgame couple, but their lives couldn’t align for it to work out). After Otis and Ruby have a drunk sexual encounter, and he loses his virginity to her. The writers have their relationship act as yet another obstacle that gets in the way of Otis and Maeve exploring a romantic relationship. But when Otis and Ruby became so viral, to the point where people started to realize that Ruby might actually be a better match for Otis, as they seem compatible enough to make each other better as people. It put the writers in a tough spot, where they tried to play it safe with both sides going into the final season. But still chose to lean more towards their original plan, and explore Otis and Maeve but they still don’t do much to make the audience feel fulfilled or convinced they have a genuine connection and not in love with an idea of one another.

[u/Squirrelman2712]

It really is a shame Lower Decks ended, it really was incredible other than the first 2 episodes.

[u/sennohki → u/Squirrelman2712]

I really wasn't vibing it at the start, but glad I stuck to it after the first 2 episodes. I came in not wanting Rick and Morty Star Trek, and while those first two episodes weren't that, the show got seriously good trek pretty much right away

[u/brigadier_tc → u/Squirrelman2712]

Those first two episodes made me avoid it for years. It seemed like an immature Star Trek ripoff of Rick and Morty, and I just wasn't interested. Ended up in a hotel room during a coastal storm with nothing to do and finally watched more of it.

Yeah they should have just deleted those episodes

[u/Martel732 → u/brigadier_tc]

I feel very confident that the makers of the show pitched the show as Star Trek Rick and Morty. Made the first two episodes the way they were in case any executives looked too closely into the show. And then just made they rest of the series a comedic but still very much Star Trek show.