It’s a bit rough if you know it gets cancelled early with no resolution at all. Firefly and Terriers, both brilliant shows that died too soon, have each got a little bit of a satisfying conclusion, so I would have to recommend them.
I’m more apt to watch a show that I know has been cancelled or is over with, than to try and pick up a show that is either new and unproven, or hanging on by a thread.
It’s less annoying that way- I know it’s cancelled, and that I can just enjoy what’s there and be a little frustrated that they didn’t continue. I can watch it on DVD or stream it in a relatively short amount of time for most shows like that as well.
Watching the show crater in slow motion is the worst though. After the whole 4th/5th season business with Babylon 5, I sort of gave up on that kind of thing, in expectation that I’d watch any future series like this in syndication after it’s over and done with.
I came in specifically to mention ‘Firefly’ - I see it got covered. ‘Rome’ is another series that I just recently watched. I’m not sure how I missed it the first time around, but it’s fantastic.
I grew up watching syndicated re-runs in non-prime time spots, so that’s how I approach a lot of TV series. Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Twilight Zone, Get Smart, Gilligan’s Island, Adam 12 were all done by the time I saw them; it didn’t have any effect on my enjoyment of them.
Actually that makes me want to watch the show more. I hate shows that go on and on and on without any ending in sight.