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Growing the Beard: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
[[File:
▲[[File:William_Riker_Growing_The_Beard_4.jpg|link=Star Trek the Next Generation|right|''Much'' better.]]
{{quote|"''Okay, since when did this show become AMAZING?! ''"|'''Yugi'''
The opposite of [[Jumping the Shark]], [[Growing
▲{{quote|"''Okay, since when did this show become AMAZING?! ''"|'''Yugi''', ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Abridged Series (Web Video)|Yu-Gi-Oh the Abridged Series]]'', Episode 52}}
▲The opposite of [[Jumping the Shark]], Growing The Beard is the definitive moment when a television series begins to become noticeably better in quality. This often involves a new writer or other creative person coming on board, the happy discovery of a [[Ensemble Darkhorse|popular character]], or the exit of a [[Executive Meddling|meddling executive]]. In general, this is where the franchise starts to find its voice. Getting someone new into a series with an '''abysmal''' beginning can be difficult, as they only have one's word that "it gets a lot better, really." Can occasionally accompany a downplay or removal of [[The Scrappy|less popular characters]].
If it is a comedic series then this is usually when it deviates from an overall lighthearted tone and reaches an impressive emotional depth. If it is a drama (or something in between), this would be when the character dynamic is spelled out clearly and starts to resonate with the storyline.
The key to this trope is seeing a dramatic "before and after" difference along the life of a series. The element can sometimes be attributed to a single, outstanding episode that defines the show. Other times it is just a general improvement, like the [[Trope Namer]]: ''[[
It's almost worthwhile to call this ''Finding'' the Beard, because nearly every serial media that persists has some degree of change from its initial variation. [[Continuity Creep]], [[Win the Crowd]], [[Story Arc]] and [[Myth Arc]] are all strong reasons why this can happen, helping the audience grow more interested in this new show. See also [[Surprisingly Improved Sequel]].
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Take note that this is not a requirement with every series. They may have just [[Too Good to Last|fallen away unnoticed]]. Maybe it started at a high quality and there is no dramatic difference in quality as mentioned, unless it only [[Jumped the Shark|went downhill from there]].
In general, this happens only once during a series run. But there are times where long after [[Growing the Beard]] a show starts to hit a low point like a [[Dork Age]] or [[Strictly Formula]]. A [[Win Back the Crowd|second Growing the Beard can occur with a refreshing of ideas and hitting a new high]]. We might well call this trope "Greying the Beard".
Also note that just because a series eventually grows a beard doesn't mean it was actually bad to start with. Being [[So Okay It's Average]] is sometimes the worst offense a show can have before it evolves, or it takes a season or two of being just "good" before it develops the [[Myth Arc]] it became famous for. ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]'' may have needed some time to develop into a truly great piece of work, but it was still an excellent and clever strip from the very beginning.
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Also note that fans can be [[Broken Base|starkly divided]] [[They Changed It, Now It Sucks|as to whether a change is]] Growing a Beard or [[Jumping the Shark]].
{{noreallife|There's a time and a place for everything and [[South Park|it's called college]].}}Seriously though, truth is stranger than fiction, not better written.
{{examples on subpages}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Home Page/YMMV]]▼
[[Category:Series Tropes]]
[[Category:YMMV Trope]]
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