10 Crime Dramas That Went from Rave to Ridiculous
These shows started with a bang and ended with a whimper. Yes, we’re still bitter about it, thanks for asking.
1. "Profiler" (1996-2000):
Long before "Criminal Minds " there was another show that asked the same question: what if you could get inside the mind of a serial killer? "Profiler" took that premise and ran with it, casting Ally Walker as Dr. Sam Waters, a forensic psychologist working for the FBI.
The first couple of seasons were riveting as Waters used her unique skill set to track down a variety of killers. But when the show took a left turn into soap opera territory and Walker left the series, "Profiler" quickly transformed from a tight, thoughtful crime drama into a jumbled mess of interpersonal relationships and convenient plot twists.
Interestingly, the series had a crossover episode with "The Pretender", another series that somewhat lost its way.
2. "Murder One" (1995-1997):
Here's a little trivia for you: "Murder One" was the first TV series to present a single legal case across an entire season.
Its first year was a critical success, telling a compelling, slow-burn story of a high-profile murder trial. But then, in the second season, the showrunners decided enough was enough and chose to tackle three separate cases, resulting in a confusing mishmash of subplots and characters.
Plus, the loss of lead actor Daniel Benzali, replaced by Anthony LaPaglia, didn't help matters. Its Rotten Tomatoes rating plummeted from a respectable 93% in Season 1 to a dismal 58% in Season 2.
3. "Wiseguy" (1987-1990):
Before "The Sopranos " made organized crime cool, there was "Wiseguy." The series starred Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova, an undercover agent infiltrating the Mob.
Its serialized storytelling and character-driven plots earned it rave reviews. But when Wahl departed the series, the storylines became increasingly outlandish. At one point, Terranova's replacement, Michael Santana (played by Steven Bauer), found himself battling a crazed arms dealer who was selling nuclear weapons to Saddam Hussein.
Just… there's nothing else to say here, yeah.
4. "Twin Peaks " (1990-1991):
Now here's a crime drama that went from rave to ridiculous faster than you can say, "Damn good coffee!" David Lynch's cult classic started as a surreal but engrossing investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee).
But as the series progressed, the plot veered into odd territory involving supernatural elements and dream sequences. Some might argue it was always a bit weird, but once the central mystery was solved halfway through season 2, the narrative kind of spun out of control.
The show's third season, which aired over two decades later, has a polarizing reception—fans either love or hate its even stranger direction. But hey, at least we're still talking about it all these years later, so there's that.
5. "Sea of Souls" (2004-2007):
"Sea of Souls" started as a thrilling British series focusing on a fictional parapsychology unit at a university. While it's not a crime drama in the traditional sense, it did involve the team solving supernatural "crimes".
Its first few seasons were widely praised for their chilling atmosphere and clever writing. But as the series wore on, the plotlines became more bizarre and disconnected from the show's original concept. It ended with a two-part episode involving reincarnation, a long-deceased warrior, and a woman possessed by an ancient spirit—not exactly a standard fare for a crime drama.
6. "The Killing" (2011-2014):
Originally a lauded adaptation of a Danish series, "The Killing" began with the gripping investigation into the murder of Seattle teenager Rosie Larsen. Detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) pursued leads and grappled with their personal demons, earning the series critical acclaim in its first season.
But the decision to stretch the Larsen case into season two frustrated viewers. By the third and fourth seasons, the show introduced a complex web of conspiracy involving the military and death row inmates. Despite a compelling start, "The Killing" ended its run drowning in a sea of over-complicated plotlines and character arcs that veered into melodrama.
Sometimes it's just better to quit while you're ahead, but "The Killing" didn't manage that.
7. "Snoops" (1999):
Created by David E. Kelley, the mastermind behind "The Practice" and "Ally McBeal," "Snoops" initially promised to blend the grit of a crime drama with Kelley's trademark quirky humor.
Gina Gershon and Paula Marshall starred as private detectives solving unusual cases in Los Angeles, but the show quickly lost its footing. The wackiness escalated with each episode, from a storyline about a dog accused of killing its owner to a case revolving around a psychic's vision of her own death.
Despite an ensemble cast and a high-profile creator, the show was cancelled after a single season due to low ratings.
8. "Harsh Realm" (1999-2000):
Created by Chris Carter of "The X-Files" fame, "Harsh Realm" started as a dystopian thriller about a virtual reality military simulator that had spun out of control. The protagonist, Tom Hobbes (Scott Bairstow), is tasked with taking down a rogue general who's established a dictatorship inside the simulation.
While the initial plot provided plenty of intrigue, the storyline started spiralling into absurdity with the introduction of fantastical elements like prophetic nuns and a mystical character known as "Inga Fossa." The series was abruptly cancelled after just nine episodes.
9. "EZ Streets" (1996-1997):
"EZ Streets" began as a stylish, atmospheric crime drama focusing on the interconnected lives of detective Cameron Quinn (Ken Olin), criminal Jimmy Murtha (Joe Pantoliano), and ex-con Danny Rooney (Jason Gedrick).
Early episodes delivered a dark, moody narrative that explored themes of corruption, redemption, and moral ambiguity. However, the plot took a wild turn when it introduced a secret society known as "The Hand," pushing the series into conspiracy thriller territory. Nobody liked it, surprise.
10. "Killer Instinct" (2005-2006):
"Killer Instinct" had a promising premise—follow detective Jack Hale (Johnny Messner) of the San Francisco Police Department as he investigates the most gruesome and unusual murders in the city. However, the series quickly became a weekly parade of sensationalized and outlandish crimes.
One memorable episode had Hale and his partner Ava Lyford (Marguerite Moreau) hunting a killer who used… genetically modified insects to murder his victims.