When the show started, Blanche wasn't a "slut", Rose wasn't a "simpleton". Dorothy was the same throughout the show, but Sophia got almost ridiculously unbelieveable towards the end.

I like the earlier shows because the characters were more believeable and it wasn't as over the top. Its as if they made them over the top for ratings purposes. But the last few Seasons were not very enjoyable to me.

Anyone else feel this way?

Personally I found Sophia more rude than funny in the early seasons, her character became more enjoyable as the seasons progressed.

Over all though the characters didn't seem to change much through out the series, that was one of the unique things about the show, the first season isn't that much different from the last season.

I would have to agree on the fact that the characters were less over the top in the beginning, though what I found so enjoyable was the things they would get up to! I found it more enjoyable, I felt like the show got stronger as it progressed. I also feel like Sophia got a lot more witty in the later episodes, I like Dorothy's humour in the later seasons as well, since I was born in 1990 I don't understand some of the references she makes from the 1980's.

Blanche is my favourite character so I've always loved her stories and the way she always gets so hot and flustered when she talks about some guy staring at her or admiring her, she's so funny!

One thing I didn't like about the later seasons is that I feel like they made Rose really stupid where as in the earlier seasons she was just naive. Some of the things she would say would bother me because they made her seem dumb, when I don't think she was dumb she was just naive.

For me, the first three seasons are unbeatable; season 4 was pretty good, too. The Dorothy character calmed down some starting with season 5 (getting a little hyper again later on, but she didn't have those sarcastic lines she had in the past- new writers for ya). And the change in Sophia was very evident starting with the sixth season (but that may have had to do with Estelle Getty's health- not sure).

The jokes in the sixth and seventh seasons were very predictable and not as creative as the early seasons. There were some good shows in there, but I'd definitely watch the first few seasons over the last few.

A little late, but I have to totally agree with this 101%. I've been watching the last season on Hallmark and never really realized how bad the last season was in comparison to the first. I REALLY didn't care for what happened to the Sophia character in the last couple of seasons. Not a fan of the lines they gave her...too childish and annoying. She came off as much more realistic in the first seasons. Yes, blunt, but realistic. It wasn't just her delivery, but it was also her lines. One of the most over the top scenes I remember is the "Mr. Gordon" episode when Dorothy is out on the lanai with the teacher and Sophia keeps going on about "goofy pictures." Borderline annoying. Not a fan of the 2-part episodes in the last season....the hurricane, men-only party, etc.

There are a few good S7 episodes, but I think the show was ready to end at S6.

knew by the end that the show wasn't as clever or as great as it once was.

The writers who came on later definitely were not up to par with the original writing team.

I can watch seasons 1-3 over and over and over again- not so much for the later seasons.

The first few episodes of the series, like all shows, differ in quality but that is because the actresses and the creative team were learning and developing the characters. By the time the guy died in Rose's bed through in the first season until the episode where President Bush visits the show was really solid with maybe 1 or 2 clinkers in the mix, but I stress maybe. Then from the episode where Bush visits to the end of the series it seems to be a mixed bag. The Presidential visit is when, in my opinion, the series jumped the shark.

Season 6 and on ... some really good episodes, but the stuff about the Cheeseman? Over the top and silly. Dorothy and Stan wanting to remarry? How can a character spend 6 years sharing what a loser he is to want to return to him? On the other hand the episode from the 7th season that really highlights Bea Arthur when she sings "What'll I Do" in the bar is a series highlight.

I went through and looked at an episode list, and something I noticed was from about the episode in the 1st season mentioned above about the guy dying in Rose's bed and up to the end of the 5th season Terry Hughes, minus a few exceptions, was the primary director of the series. What was the first episode when he was no longer directing the series? The episode where President Bush comes to visit.

Sorry, but I prefer the last two seasons over the earlier ones. I didn't like all the 'visiting relative' episodes from the early years. And I loved the over-the-top name calling they did in those later seasons--so catty and nasty. The later ones seemed more lively and fast-paced too with lots of zingers.

weren't very funny, though and they were more predictable than the sharp, clever writing from the earlier years. It's noteworthy that a new headwriter took over starting with season five, because that's when the show lost some of its overall magic. We saw a big change in both the writing and the characters, especially Sophia and Dorothy, who lost a lot of her sarcastic charm.

Seasons five-seven still were better than a number of other sitcoms, but the show set such a benchmark in those first several years, that that kind of quality was bound to decline some.

As I watched them in syndication and now on DVD I have to say that I disagree with some of the original poster's insights. Blanche wasn't a complete slut, but you did get the idea early on that she dated alot. Rose WAS a simpleton/idiot/moron/intellectually deficient and you knew that in Season 1. She was also at times the funniest character as is evidenced by the Great Herring War story. Dorothy I agree never really changed, and Sophia after the first episode was toned down a bit and made more into a 'she doesn't know what she's saying/doing' stroke patient as opposed to the mean old lady type stroke patient she portrayed in the first episode.

I would also add that Season 4 is my favorite because it has more of my favorite episodes than any other season; i.e. Bob Hope episode, Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo, Sophia getting conked on the head at the Dodgers game etc.

You could definitely tell when the new writers came in. The characters started saying things that weren't true to their nature. They went for more "jokes". I definitely agree. I watched it when it originally aired and felt that as I was watching it. They were still funny but it started slipping.

I too agree with the majority that the earlier seasons were better. In the later seasons the writers began sacrificing character truth for cheap jokes, and that just did not ring true (Rose being stupid, Blanche striving to be "the biggest slut", Sophia acting like a sideshow, etc.). They were much more realistic during the first seasons, and no, Rose was not an idiot/moron in the earlier seasons. She was, as Betty White has always said, "totally naive", not stupid. It is because of several reasons mentioned in this thread that I have not purchased seasons 5, 6, or 7. I will watch them on cable, but I personally only consider the first 4 seasons "canon".

I thought Stan, Dorothy's ex, was in too many of the early episodes. I was glad when they moved beyond having him in the show. Not that he was a bad actor or anything like that. It just seemed the writers had the story of their failed marriage in the episodes to often.

Well, actually some of my favorite episodes of all were during the last 3 seasons. "Sick and Tired" where Dorothy was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. It featured Richard Mulligan, who I just love. And it was the episode with Blanche discovering Rose's "little balls of sunshine" on the kitchen island, and couldn't figure them out because she was sleep deprived. :lol:

I also loved the Henny Penny episode. :cool:

But I so agree about there being too much Stanley throughout. I thought Herb Edelman did a great job playing him, I just didn't like the character at all. And as much as she hated him, it just didn't make sense that she would suddenly soften her heart and fall back in love with him. I was so glad when they didn't actually remarry. :p

The end of season six did give us Henny Penny, one of my favorites, because it was unique. The case of the Libertine Belle was a great later one also.

My earlier favorites? The Operation, where Blanche and Rose tap dance together. And "The Flu". Just very funny dialogue throughout.

Every episode for the first 5 seasons was top notch, while seasons 6 and 7 were great...there were a few clunkers.

The whole series was good. But I definitely like certain episodes more than others throughout the series.

"I definitely like certain episodes more than others throughout the series."

I agree mets82

For instance, I really didn't like the story arcs when Dorothy slept with Stan, and later almost remarried him. I get that she had unresolved feelings, but really? After all he did? And all the bad things she said about him, she suddenly softened toward him that much? :rolleyes:

Sorry, but I prefer the last two seasons over the earlier ones. I didn't like all the 'visiting relative' episodes from the early years. And I loved the over-the-top name calling they did in those later seasons--so catty and nasty. The later ones seemed more lively and fast-paced too with lots of zingers.
I'm with you all the way. I loved the last few seasons. They are my favorite seasons as well. Very enjoyable to me.

I liked all of the Stan episodes and thought he was on just enough. His presence represented some extra continuity in a series that was all too lacking in that area (one of the few things in which Golden Girls lacked).
As for the original topic, the first two seasons are my favorite of the show. I think those are the best and most relatable episodes, definitely the least outlandish. All of the seasons have great episodes, but the fourth season was probably my least favorite overall. The last season was decent with a few exceptions.

I definitely agree that the later seasons were not quite as strong and that yes, you can definitely tell that the writers were different.

The first three seasons are great and the 4th is great too.

The 5th is fairly strong, although is not as good as the first 4.

Season 6 is the one where things get ridiculous- Miles being in the witness protection program was idiotic and a big misstep. Snap Out Of It was just too much. Once In St. Olaf (Rose meeting her monk father) was a bit too much too, but it was handled quite well by the actors. Stand By Your Man was a waste of an episode. Ebbtide's Revenge offered an amazing moment for Estelle Getty and was overall a strong episode, but the inconsistencies with the episode and previous ones were irritating. Sophia had gone to visit Phil twice, the first time for a graduation which ended up not happening and the second time when her granddaughter got married, so Angela stating that she "wouldn't set foot in my house" just didn't make any sense to me.

The episodes I like the most from that season are Melodrama, Ebbtide's Revenge, Blanche Delivers, Sister Of The Bride, Mrs. George Devereaux, Feelings, Zborn Again, If At Last You Do Succeed, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Sophia, There Goes The Bride 1/2, Older And Wiser, and Love For Sale.

Season 7 is a mixed bag for the most part, but has some great stuff in there too. It's just a little sad that it's the last season and you can tell that the actors are aware of that.

I liked all of the Stan episodes and thought he was on just enough. His presence represented some extra continuity in a series that was all too lacking in that area (one of the few things in which Golden Girls lacked).
As for the original topic, the first two seasons are my favorite of the show. I think those are the best and most relatable episodes, definitely the least outlandish. All of the seasons have great episodes, but the fourth season was probably my least favorite overall. The last season was decent with a few exceptions.

Agree, I always have a soft spot for Stan just like Dorothy did on the show. Why was Season 4 your least favorite overall?

Largely because the second half of that season contains most of my least favorite episodes (including my absolute least favorite, "You Gotta Have Hope"). The first half of Season 4 is pretty good, but from "Valentine's Day" on, I like only 1-2 episodes the rest of that season.
I want to say that's around the time the new writing crew took over.

Every episode for the first 5 seasons was top notch, while seasons 6 and 7 were great...there were a few clunkers.

Didn't Betty White once say that by Season 6 (where the show argabuly lost much of its energy and vitality), Bea Arthur was really didn't want to really do the show anymore, and it really shows in her performance?

I'm not sure, but I personally feel that you get that impression in Season 5.

My favorite is season 2 but all seasons are fun.

Agree. Earlier seasons were more concrete and handled better topics. Even though the characters all 4 became more sharp with their lines and timing I do enjoy the newer episodes just as much. The only episode I really cant stand Is Empty Nest. It was way off and just plain boring