Why the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Is Better Than You Think

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Currently, the standing of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy – consisting of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker – isn’t as stellar compared to previous installments. Here at ScreenCrush and on our YouTube channel, we’ve been vocal with our constructive feedback, particularly concerning the last film.

Now, these Star Wars trilogies are five years past, which means we have a unique advantage: The luxury of hindsight. With this perspective, we can discern that despite their imperfections, the Star Wars sequels carry significant strengths and messages that resonate with our current world.

In our most recent “Star Wars” video, we dissect each of the three films and explain why you might be underestimating them – yes, including “The Rise of Skywalker.” We also discuss how many aspects that are commonly considered ‘poor’ in that movie, as well as the entire sequel trilogy, can actually be understood and make perfect sense. To learn more about our perspective on these films, check out our complete defense of the Sequel Trilogy here: [link]

If you enjoyed that video analyzing why the Star Wars sequel trilogy exceeds your previous impressions, don’t miss out on more insightful content we have in store! For instance, delve into the dialogue that tarnished Star Wars, explore Daisy Ridley’s Star Wars journey and the current state of Star Wars cinema in 2024, and speculate on Darth Plagueis’ cameo in Star Wars: The Acolyte and why it could be the pivotal moment of the entire season. And there’s plenty more where that came from! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel at ScreenCrush to never miss an episode. Right now, the new Star Wars TV show, Skeleton Crew, is streaming on Disney+.

Sign up for Disney+ here.

10 TV Show Flops That Turned Out to Be Huge Hits

M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

One of the most well-known instances of a series that almost didn’t make it past its debut was the medical sitcom, “M*A*S*H,” set within a U.S. Army mobile surgical hospital during the Korean War. Although it’s now regarded as one of the greatest TV shows ever produced, providing weekly laughs and insightful social commentary, its initial success wasn’t guaranteed. The viewership for the first season was dismal, leading many cast members to believe they were bidding farewell at their wrap party. However, reruns revealed a dedicated fanbase, and viewers flocked to the show once CBS approved a second season. The story since then has become legendary.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

Fans, whether dedicated or casual, would agree that the first season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” had a rough start. The series hadn’t quite found its tone yet, and the dynamics among the crew members on the Enterprise-D felt stiff and hadn’t fully blossomed into the deep friendships they later developed. With such high expectations set by the conclusion of the original series, fans were left puzzled and underwhelmed by this new iteration. However, it wasn’t long before “TNG” earned its place among the most acclaimed “Star Trek” productions ever created.

Seinfeld (1989-1998)

As someone who cherishes “Seinfeld,” it’s challenging to fathom anyone not sharing the same affection. Surprisingly, before its premiere, the network only intended four episodes, contemplating its termination due to perceived strangeness and regional limitations. However, Ricky Ludwin, a NBC veteran of 32 years who oversaw late-night programming, fiercely advocated for the show, utilizing his specials budget to fund an additional four episodes for a complete first season. Grateful audiences continued to tune in, eventually leading NBC to commission a second season, and the show swiftly skyrocketed to success. Throughout his career, Ludwin has been instrumental in promoting other beloved shows such as “The Office” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

Although the series ‘Freaks and Geeks’ failed to gain popularity quickly enough to prevent its cancellation after a single season, the show’s termination may have ultimately proven beneficial. Despite an unpredictable broadcast schedule and creative disputes at its original network, only 12 of its intended 18 episodes were able to air before it was taken off the air. However, in the wake of its cancellation, the show’s cult following grew significantly due to positive word-of-mouth, earning it numerous accolades posthumously.

In retrospect, it’s astonishing to see how many of the show’s cast members – James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel, among others – have since achieved immense stardom. Remarkably, despite being set in the 1980s high school environment, ‘Freaks and Geeks’ still resonates profoundly with the contemporary American teen experience.

Firefly (2002)

In much the same way as Freaks and Geeks, it’s hard to determine if Firefly would have achieved its iconic status had it been given more seasons. However, Joss Whedon’s one-season masterpiece often graces “shows that ended too soon” lists. With Nathan Fillion in the lead, this unique blend of space piracy and western themes offered a powerful anti-war message and an innovative portrayal of a society in space that we hadn’t experienced before. Unfortunately, only 11 out of its 14 episodes were broadcast before it was canceled due to low ratings, possibly due to Fox airing the initial episodes out of sequence. Despite this, DVD sales were robust, and fan support has continued to flourish over the years. The series even gained enough popularity to inspire a sequel film, Serenity, which premiered in 2005.

Arrested Development (2003-2006, 2013-2019)

From the outset, “Arrested Development” received considerable critical acclaim and award recognition. However, despite this, Fox decided that its audience was too small after three seasons, leading to its cancellation. The series was a cult favorite during its broadcast, with a DVD box set becoming a symbol of refined taste. Regardless, this wasn’t sufficient to persuade its original network to renew it. Remarkably, Netflix, of all platforms, recognized that streaming was giving the show a new lease on life and commissioned two more seasons starting in 2013, allowing the Bluth family to continue their chaotic descent into comedic dysfunction.

The Office (2005-2013)

Similar to numerous other series on this list, it’s challenging to envision The Office as a flop, but its debut first season didn’t foreshadow the sitcom powerhouse that would follow. The show adhered too closely to the source material from the British version, and the characters seemed strange and one-dimensional, lacking entertainment value. Even today, many viewers consider Season 1 to be skippable. It wasn’t until Season 2 that the show began to distance itself from its predecessor more, paving the way for the antics and character growth that transformed an office comedy with a mockumentary style into must-see TV.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005- )

Initially, the TV series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” struggled during its first season, airing right after a poorly received sitcom about eating disorders, which failed to attract viewer interest instantly. However, a deal with Hulu for streaming and re-runs on Comedy Central, along with the last-minute addition of Danny DeVito as a series regular—a popular figure according to Rob McElhenney—helped boost its audience. The show then took off and is now in its 16th season, leaving us both amazed and appalled by the underhanded antics of its unapologetically reprehensible characters.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

In the beginning of their remarkable journey on “Breaking Bad,” Walter White and Jesse Pinkman weren’t exactly off to a flying start. The pilot episode of the first season aired late due to NFL playoffs overtime, and because of the 2007-2008 writers’ strike, they only managed to film seven out of nine episodes initially planned. Contrary to what usually happens with new shows, losing viewers after their debuts, “Breaking Bad” defied expectations, sparking even more intrigue as it progressed. Praise from critics and the increased accessibility through Netflix streaming further fueled its popularity. Eventually, “Breaking Bad” became a massive success, and by the final episode, it was hailed as one of the greatest TV shows ever made.

You (2018- )

Although characters in Joe Goldberg’s storylines seldom return from the dead, his show itself defied the fate of short-lived productions. Coined as “Saved by Netflix,” this phenomenon is common among shows that unexpectedly thrived on streaming platforms rather than cable television. However, no series experienced a more remarkable resurgence than You, an eccentric Lifetime murder mystery series. Initially, its first season didn’t gain much traction until it was released on Netflix towards the end of its original broadcast run on Lifetime. When Lifetime decided against renewing the show for a second season, Netflix acquired the rights, making it one of their most-watched and continuously running original series.

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2025-01-23 22:23