Let Them Cook: Can We Give TV Spinoffs a Break?

Trust me, I understand the skepticism that comes with the announcement of a new spinoff.

Like many industries, television can also become a victim of greed as executives and creatives combine their laziness to deliver something really atrocious. We’ve seen it before with shows like The Blacklist: Redemption, and are wary that it might happen again.

Nowadays, the default position many viewers hold regarding spinoffs is blanket dislike. Every new spinoff is met with a lethal side-eye as fans try to nitpick everything, and in one episode or more, the spinoff is written off.

However, there is some wisdom in allowing spinoffs to mature and execute their vision, rather than comparing them to their predecessors and cheering their downfall.

I’ve been guilty of this before, where I will try to find anything “wrong” about a show just because. In most instances, wrong means different, and not always is different a bad thing.

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And really, what else should we expect? A spinoff should be different, as it is distinct in many ways. From the cast to writing teams, location, and even time period, the best spin-offs establish themselves.

They might borrow a thing or two from the flagship series, but they should be able to create their own magic.

NCIS: Origins and a Different Time

A good example is NCIS: Origins, which might be the saving grace of this television season. It builds on what made it good during its debut season while shedding some of the less appealing aspects.

Of course, NCIS: Origins will not be like the original NCIS.

Gibbs is at a different time in his life; the agency is in its infancy, and technology is quite different from what it is today, or even from 20 years ago, when NCIS premiered.

The spinoff builds on the established canon rather than detracting from it and complements the flagship series.

It was not always like this. The first season had some glaring issues, especially with Gibbs. The series was tonally different, leaning into the darkness of the cases instead of the thrills NCIS is known for.

However, in just one short season, the show has carved its own path and is now being used to complement the flagship, particularly in one of the best crossovers on television.

That couldn’t have happened if CBS had given up on it after the first season.

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Sheriff Country and a Different Perspective

Take Sheriff Country, for example.

It has all the good things about Fire Country, but with a different voice because law enforcement is a different avenue from firefighting and rescues.

The small-town element that fosters family and conflict remains, but not through Bode’s lens. This makes all the difference as we get weekly cases unique to small towns, without having to sit through Bode’s behavior.

A spinoff can address a fundamental issue, making it more enjoyable for people to experience.

This extends beyond the narrative, reaching into the real world. As society evolves, some things become outdated, and the only way to address them is through a fresh perspective.

It’s a win-win: it attracts a new audience while keeping those core themes.

Sometimes, a spinoff isn’t just a creative experiment — it’s a necessary reset.

Boston Blue and a Fresh Take

I have never seen an episode of Blue Bloods because the name screams police propaganda, but I am giving Boston Blue a chance.

The spinoff promises a fresh perspective using a new city, younger characters, and a different production team.

The complicity that develops in long-running cop shows is almost nonexistent in Boston Blue because it’s establishing new dynamics.

It would have been impossible to achieve this in Blue Bloods without fundamentally changing the show.

Let’s not forget that the spinoff saved this franchise because it was either this or nothing. Sometimes, a spinoff is the savior of a doomed series.

We should all stop judging spinoffs for what they aren’t and start looking at them for what they are — a fresh start, rejuvenation, repair, and a savior.

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But we’ll never know if we keep trashing them after a few episodes for qualities out of their control.

9-1-1: Nashville and a New Tone

I was very unimpressed with the new 9-1-1 spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville.

I felt embarrassed for all these actors who have to re-enact some pretty bad scenes straight out of a 1900s soap opera.

The pilot episode was a masterclass in ridiculousness. It was a multi-episode opening emergency in a city we didn’t know and characters we weren’t familiar with; it felt like torture.

If I had to sit through Ryan whining for one more episode, I was going to pull my eyes out.

But alas, as the show settled into its tone, everything is working now. I love the drama, the emergencies, and even Ryan.

It feels like 9-1-1: Nashville has found its own voice, especially with the long-running family conflict, Cami’s identity as a dispatcher, and Blue as the messed-up eye candy.

Now all we need is for the show to stop telling us about other characters and show us who they are.

There is no guarantee that a spinoff will be good, but no show has ever had this guarantee. It’s not an exact science.

I’m interested in hearing what you have to say now that the season has taken a midseason break and you’ve had a chance to get a feel for the new spin-offs.

Which one is your favorite? Chime in on the comments section.

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