Slow and Steady Wins The Race.

I cannot remember the last time that I saw a TV show that had me hooked from the very first episode. I love TV series, I enjoy watching them more than movies currently, because I love seeing the way the characters develop. Which actually makes me think of a post for tomorrow. About writers being more like series than movies.

I love Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Fringe – ok I haven't seen this series from the first episode, but it still took me a while to get into it – House, CSI's and Law and Orders and even Gossip Girl (only the first season) and Gilmore Girls. I will admit to the last two proudly and happily, as I think they are well written, especially the latter of the two.

Yet none of these shows held me captive from the first scene. I didn't finish the first episode and sit there drooling for more. While others would sit and rave about the great new series I would always be the one sitting there thinking… mwah, it was alright.

It normally takes me three or four episodes to get into something. Carnivale took me about 6 or 7 before I finally got into the mood of it, and that is one of my favourite shows of recent years. I am still gutted that it got cut, as it was part of a multiple season story arc and so the ending will never be as fulfilling as you hope. Jericho being another perfect example of wasted potential. Flash Forward too. Now there is a show that had me hooked after episode 2!!

I now find myself in the same position with True Blood. I started it the other day, and watched the first three episodes back to back. (I know I'm behind in the times, but it still hasn't come to TV in Holland, so I finally got bored waiting and downloaded it.) At the moment I am totally indifferent to it. I cannot see what the hype is about. Now knowing myself as I do, this must mean that it is going to be a great show. I think that maybe I have Vampire Diaries in my mind, and keep making all manner of assumptions, when the very premise of the two shows (as far as I can gauge after just 3 episodes) couldn't be more different.

I am not concerned by this, and am willing to be as patient as ever… It has once taken me a whole series before I truly got hooked on a show.

What has been playing on my mind is why does it take me so long to get into shows. My wife is the sort of person who is either hooked on a show from the start, or she looses interest and watches just because I want to see it.

I think that being a writer doesn't help in my appreciation of series, in the same way that it eventually helps me love them even more. The complexity of character, the detail in their lives and the image of who they are just isn't visible in the beginning. Especially in the Pilot episode where everything is just thrown together to try to make the overall sale.

There is only one show that I have ever seen which hooked me from the start and that is the truly fantastic The Shield. I love this show more than anything, and yet oddly enough it is the only show I have not seen all the episodes of. It was stopped on TV mid way through the third season, and never came back. I know what I am now off to do.

What are your favourite shows, and how long did it take you to get hooked?