We need to make TV great again by implementing the following:
- At least one clip show episode per season
- Heavy-handed anti-drug plots and messages, preferrably featuring gangs that look like they’re from The Warriors selling crack
- “Very Special Episodes” about topical real-world issues like acid rain or stranger danger, ending with segments with the actors talking to the audience and making some kind of call to action
- Episodes that are built entirely around stock footage from recycled old films that the studio or production company owns
- Related to the last point, episodes that are built entirely around existing sets from the studio’s other productions, such as generic Western towns
Okay but unironically this shit slaps. That and bottle episodes are usually surprisingly good considering they're meant to be budget friendly. Hell, some of the best Stargate episodes are "wander around BC wilderness with the first 7 props we pulled from the cancelled medieval show we did".
If you basically dont have anything but writing to carry an episode, as long as the writers are competent you can generally get interesting characterization out of it.