I think around season 3-4 the writing on the show got high on its own supply, as it were. The dramatic, maudlin moments that felt like the writers really thinking it was the peak of writing were just so overwrought to me. The show has gotten away from that, and by season 6 and 7 all the interpersonal drama and depressing tendencies of the main cast are pretty much gone. The show still has dark premises and lots of over the top moments, but it has stopped lingering on “deep” moments. I think it is much better for it. There is a new main cast character which works for the better, and the rest of the family integrates into the adventures more.
I think around season 3-4 the writing on the show got high on its own supply, as it were. The dramatic, maudlin moments that felt like the writers really thinking it was the peak of writing were just so overwrought to me. The show has gotten away from that, and by season 6 and 7 all the interpersonal drama and depressing tendencies of the main cast are pretty much gone. The show still has dark premises and lots of over the top moments, but it has stopped lingering on “deep” moments. I think it is much better for it. There is a new main cast character which works for the better, and the rest of the family integrates into the adventures more.