Part 8/13:
Another major factor is how modern television is produced. Television writers now craft entire seasons before the audience ever sees a single episode, often with little input from viewers. This contrasts with the older model, where shows evolved dynamically, sometimes shifting storylines based on audience reactions or character popularity.
An example of this is Arrow's Felicity Smoke, who started as a minor character but gradually became a main love interest as her popularity grew—a process that allowed the show to evolve organically. Today’s shows, however, tend to be predetermined, with fewer chances for characters or stories to adapt based on audience feedback, further contributing to the lack of long-term relational depth and comfort.