Summary

telly shows that are founded upon countlessgreat makeweight episodesprove the fount for short - term plots make a comeback . Filler episodes are in general referred to with disdain , as the downtime of a TV show where nothing of consequence happen . The consultation endures them , patiently waiting for the writer to get back to the main plot . However , these installment are notwithstanding vital to the story .

Filler episode most unremarkably contribute to the overall taradiddle by focusing on character developmentand explore fresh configurations . They may also introduce a ostensibly inconsequent detail that will become very important in a season close , or whenever a sure storyline comes to a last . However , filler episode can also just be fun . While look on a darker show , an instalment that does not introduce anything fresh and simply depicts the main characters having a biz night can be a rest to an emotionally shaped audience .

10Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

Filler episodes give the Star Wars characters individual adventures.

Cast

Star Wars : The Clone Wars is an renovate serial that explore the intense struggle between the Republic and the Separatists . Featuring a mix of allegiance fault and alliances , it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases polar second for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda .

Star Wars : The Clone Warsis structure as a kind of anthology seriesdepicting the various brusk - term and long - terminal figure missions theJedi and the Clone Armyundertake during the Clone Wars . This allows the show to research reference within the context of use of short adventures . Anakin and Ahsokabenefit from further maturation in the setting of filler episode , even though the audience is already very familiar with them .

On the other hired hand , Clone Wars’structure allows for single - episode bow that give characters like the individual Clones real personalities . These sequence can also be used to showcase fresh location in theStar Warsuniverse . Overall , Clone Warscontributes to the overall traditional knowledge of the franchise with brief storylines .

Star Wars The Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker Ahsoka Tano

Despite being considered a distraction from the master account of the show , Star Wars : The Clone Wars ' makeweight episodes were immensely important .

9Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)

Once Upon a Time’s filler episodes depict different fairy tales.

Once Upon a Time is an escapade fantasy - dramatic event series created for ABC that feature fagot fib characters and their Disney incarnations in a modern setting . When Emma Swan and her son Henry accidentally drive into the town of Storybrooke , they shortly discover the inhabitants are those from fagot tales , and they have no noesis of the modern creation inhabited by Emma and Henry . Robbed of their pasts and give raw identicalness by the Evil Queen known as Regina , the hope of the town ’s residents lie solely in the hands of Emma , who has stronger connections to the town than she knows .

There are a caboodle ofthings aboutOnce Upon a Timeseason 1 that did n’t age well . However , this season is the strongest in terminus of how it uses makeweight episode and flashbacks . While the residents of Storybrooke are still damn to not retrieve their faggot tale personas , the show mostly comprises one - instalment arcsthat introduce a character and show their backstory in the Enchanted Forest . In this way , the show is like a storybook itself , with each episode focusing on a dissimilar fairy taradiddle . Throughout these filler episodes , Once Upon a Timeslowly build its overall plot line .

8Lost (2004-2010)

Lost uses flashbacks to push character development.

Lost is a mystery story drama series make for television that survey a radical of survivor of a plane crash and narrate its fib between the past , present , and future via flashbacks . When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crash and res publica on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean , the shipwreck survivor find their raw impermanent place may have a mind of its own , as foreign supernatural events keep them locked to the island . From an unnamed black smoke creature to dangerous island-dweller , the passengers must play together to exist the island ’s seemingly mortal aim .

Lostis created by the squad behindOnce Upon a Timeand has a notably standardised structure of individual episodes that focus on individual charactersand bring out specific incidents from their past . This is unsurprisingly but effectively used to facilitate fiber development and create striking irony , since the audience is aware of thing about the type that the other survivor on the island are not . Many ofLost’sbest makeweight episodesare criticize by fans who find them pointless . However , they still bring home the bacon substantial information about the character , demonstrate the integral catch-22 circumstances often affecting makeweight episode .

7Parks And Recreation (2009-2015)

Parks & Rec’s filler episodes have many funny and sweet moments.

This political situation comedy full of humour and heart follows the adventures of Leslie Knope , lieutenant director of the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee , Indiana . Every week halt a new crisis of small - town politics , but Leslie and her friends work tirelessly to make Pawnee — and the world — a better position .

Almost all sitcom can be seen as grounds that filler episode work , showing a young uproarious place every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in the type ' life sentence . Like with many other shows , guides appear online for whichParks and Recreationepisodes new viewers can pass over . Due toParks & Rec’sstatus as agreat goggle box show with a bad first season , some will ineluctably reason for skipping the first time of year in all . However , those who do hop the filler episodes will be missing bonding moments between the characters that contribute to their development , even if in minor ways .

6Gravity Falls (2012-2016)

Filler episodes show the wackiest creatures in Gravity Falls.

When Dipper and Mabel Pines are neglect off to pass the summertime with their uncle in Gravity Falls , they discover that all is not as it seems in this small townsfolk . When Dipper discovers a strange daybook in the forest , the Twin team up to solve the town ’s mysteries .

Gravity Fallsis also a show that pop out mostly as filler episode before focus more on an overarching plot in its 2d and net season . These makeweight episodes are uproarious , develop the kinship among the main characters , and highlight the outlandishness of Gravity Fallsby bound around between dangerous undertaking involving one strange creature or another . All the while , the writers masterfully train the underlying mystery of who wrote the journals and what Stan is hiding . WhileGravity Falls’filler episode are pleasurable , they also make the big reveals that much more satisfying when they do finally come .

5Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Buffy’s adventures took place when filler episodes were more standard.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a telly series create by Joss Whedon , focusing on Buffy Summers , portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar , a young woman opt to struggle against vampire , demons , and other supernatural power while pilot the complexities of teenage lifespan .

fiend - of - the - week installment are essential toBuffy the Vampire Slayer , show up howBuffy ’s responsibilities as a Slayerare already draw her in a thousand unlike direction before the master plot of land even take off . read entirely structured around filler episode were also more common at the time of Buffy ’s first appearance . However , most ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer’sbest filler episodesare used to depict some darker storylines that are significant in the characters ' personal arc . Filler episodes seasons apart admit Buffy face her mother ’s abusive beau , becoming her babe ’s guardian , and recover after being resurrected .

Sophomore slumps are a vulgar job that many television receiver shows case , but these 12 series somehow managed to avoid their sophomore economic crisis altogether .

Fleabag, The Bear, and The Sopranos

4Euphoria (2019-Present)

There is an argument that Euphoria needs more filler episodes.

Euphoria is a teen dramatic event created by Sam Levinson and star Zendaya , Maude Apatow , and Angus Cloud . The serial publication deals with the dark reality of a drug - addicted teen on her route to recovery as she face a multitude of challenges and emergence .

critic who highlight " fuss Do n’t Last Always " as one of the show ’s best installment either implicitly or instantly contend thatEuphoriaactually take more episodes like this . This go to show how worthful filler episodes can be to a serial . They offer an outlet for contemplative downtime among the characters without inundating the audience with one calamity after another .

3The X-Files (1993-2018)

The X-Files is a supernatural procedural.

The X - file takes the police adjective chemical formula and applies it to sci - fi enigma . Conspiracy theorist Fox Mulder and skeptic Dana Scully team up to solve cases surrounding exotic invasions and other unexplained , paranormal phenomena .

The ex - Filesis fundamentally a police procedural , another show format that is almost entirely makeweight episodes , in which a squad of law enforcers or investigator of some form is kick in a fresh case to untangle each sequence . instalment whereMulder and Scullysolve a enigma that concludes with that sequence are among lover dearie . However , a TV show that is entirely filler also has its risks . Since the writers are make out up with a raw threat in each episode , it create a hit - or - miss situation where that threat will come across as fascinating or flashy .

2Supernatural (2005-2020)

Supernatural’s filler episodes show some of the Winchesters' funniest moments.

create by Eric Kripke , Supernatural is a fancy / drama series that premier in 2005 . The serial publication succeed the escapade of Dean and Sam Winchester - two world wronged by supernatural beings as children who now spend their days investigating and hunt down demons , shade , and monsters across the United States .

While the first match of season are mostly monster - of - the - week episode , some ofSupernatural’sbest makeweight episodesappear later in the series . Supernaturalis a long - execute show with seasons of 20 or more episodes , and the writers would be hard - pressed to fill every instalment with bigger picture - relevant plot . The filler episodes provide ample opportunities to test out the unearthly theme of adventures forSam and Dean . Supernaturalfans delight the iconic , hilarious , and even heartfelt moments that take post in these episodeswhere allegedly nothing of note happens .

In 15 years , Supernatural explored legion unique and unexpected ideas in episodes , but there are a few planned and pitched ideas that did n’t pass .

Dean And Sam In Supernatural Season 9 Episode 4

1Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

Avatar is famous for its beloved filler episodes.

The first time of year ofAvatar : The Last Airbenderis dominated byAang , Katara , and Sokka embarking on many adventure - of - the - calendar week type scenarios as they slowly make their way of life toward the Northern Water Tribe . As the show go on , it becomes more game - orient . However , even episodes such as " The Southern Raiders " might be considered filler found on being a contained escapade .

The acme ofAvatar’sfiller contentedness comes in " The Ember Island Players . “Sokka even stimulate a meta - comment on the fact that there have not been as many makeweight episodes since season 1 : He tell the mathematical group that going to see a play about themselves is the"kind of wacky prison term - wasting nonsense [ he ’s ] been missing . “The episode brilliantly serve as a flaccid recap of the series and a last bout of humor before the in high spirits - stake finale . HopefullyNetflix ’s live - actionAvatar : The Last Airbenderand other future shows will also make use of makeweight episodes in constructive slipway .

Sawyer from LOST, characters from Gravity Falls, and Emma Swan from Once Upon a Time

Cast Placeholder Image

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.

Headshot Of Matt Lanter In The 2018 NBC Fall Press Junket

Headshot Of James Arnold Taylor

Headshot Of Dee Bradley Baker In The Stars walk the red carpet

Regina Mills picking apples in Once Upon A Time.

Headshot Of Ginnifer Goodwin

Once Upon a Time is an adventure fantasy-drama series created for ABC that features fairy tale characters and their Disney incarnations in a modern setting. When Emma Swan and her son Henry accidentally drive into the town of Storybrooke, they soon discover the inhabitants are those from fairy tales, and they have no knowledge of the modern world inhabited by Emma and Henry. Robbed of their pasts and given new identities by the Evil Queen known as Regina, the hope of the town’s residents lie solely in the hands of Emma, who has stronger connections to the town than she knows.

Headshot Of Lana Parrilla

Headshot Of Robert Carlyle

Headshot Of Evangeline Lilly In The UK Gala Screening of

Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.

Headshot Of Naveen Andrews In The 12th Annual SAG Awards

Headshot Of Henry Ian Cusick

Headshot Of Daniel Dae Kim In The 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala at the Beverly Hilton.

Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman as Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson preparing to explode a mine in Parks and Recreation

Headshot Of Amy Poehler In The 2024 CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards

This political sitcom full of humor and heart follows the adventures of Leslie Knope, deputy director of the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Every week holds a new crisis of small-town politics, but Leslie and her friends work tirelessly to make Pawnee — and the world — a better place.

Headshot Of Nick Offerman

Headshot Of ​Chris Pratt2

Headshot Of Aubrey Plaza In The 77th Cannes Film Festival

Headshot Of Jason Ritter

When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.

Headshot Of Kristen Schaal

Headshot Of Linda Cardellini In The Step Up’s Annual Inspiration Awards 2023

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 3 cast looking down at the camera

Headshot Of Sarah Michelle Gellar IN The Los Angeles Premiere Of ‘The Girl In The Pool’ At The ALO HQ Screening Room

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.

Headshot Of Nicholas Brendon

Headshot Of Alyson Hannigan

Zendaya with her eyes closed as Rue in a diner booth in Euphoria

Headshot Of Storm Reid

Euphoria is a teen drama created by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya, Maude Apatow, and Angus Cloud. The series deals with the dark reality of a drug-addicted teen on her road to recovery as she faces a multitude of challenges and issues.

Headshot Of Jacob Elordi

Headshot Of Maude Apatow

Headshot Of Hunter Schafer

Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) looking curious in The X-Files

Headshot Of Gillian Anderson In The ‘Scoop’ World Premiere

The X-files takes the police procedural formula and applies it to sci-fi mysteries. Conspiracy theorist Fox Mulder and skeptic Dana Scully team up to solve cases surrounding alien invasions and other unexplained, paranormal phenomena.

Headshot Of David Duchovny

Headshot Of Robert Patrick In The Los Angeles-CA 12th Annual SAG Awards

Headshot Of Annabeth Gish

Dean screaming in Supernatural

Headshot Of Jensen Ackles In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Disney+ Original Movie ‘Zombies 3’

Created by Eric Kripke, Supernatural is a fantasy/drama series that premiered in 2005. The series follows the adventures of Dean and Sam Winchester - two men wronged by supernatural beings as children who now spend their days investigating and hunting demons, ghosts, and monsters across the United States.

Headshot Of Misha Collins IN The 2019 CW Upfront

Headshot Of Jim Beaver In The Paleyfest 2011 event

Headshot Of Jared Padalecki IN the 2019 CW Upfront