I remember being really close to giving up while watching The Wire. The first four episodes seemed very average. Then it draws you in and, to me, is the high water mark of television.

I've watched it again since and the beginning of the first season seems fine now. There were just so many characters and the set up plunges you straight in; there's no hand-holding.

Is it less about the episodes not being very good, and more about us not being invested in the ideas?

Oh, and the first TWO SEASONS of Star Trek TNG are bad. That takes serious patience.