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In the glitz and glamour of television, while some shows last for many seasons, others fizzle out quickly. ForNo Ordinary Familyas well, it premiered in 2010 with very high expectations blending family drama with superhero storytelling. But since it could not live up to its promises, the show was canceled after just one season, leaving fans disappointed.
The show followed the lives of the Powell family, whose ordinary lives took a drastic turn after they mysteriously survived a plane crash that granted them superpowers. While this premise was not something completely out of the box, the humorous elements surely made it a lot more interesting. Based on this it also had a very strong start with viewers really appreciating the show and its engaging storyline.
However, it failed to maintain this momentum and was canceled after the first season itself. In this article let’s take a closer look at the reasons whyNo Ordinary FamilySeason 2 didn’t happen.
No Ordinary FamilyHad a Promising Start
Just like any other family, even the Powells were introduced as relatable people dealing with the everyday challenges of life. Jim Powell played byMichael Chikliswas a caring father but felt stuck in his life. His wife Stephanie played by Julie Benz worked as a scientist while also juggling her motherly duties.
They also had two kids Daphne (Kay Panabaker) and JJ (Jimmy Bennett), who were typical teenagers facing their own school and social struggles. But their lives take a completely different turn when they survive a plane crash with each of them gaining a special superpower.
Jim became super strong, and his wife Stephanie got super speed, finishing her tasks in the blink of an eye. Daphne got the power of telepathy, and her brother JJ gained incredible intelligence. While their powers were definitely interesting, the show focused more on how they were adjusting to their new lives.
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With powers, they also faced several issues in balancing their abilities with their everyday lives. These struggles were the pivotal elements that made the Powell family real and relatable to viewers. The show’s fun tone and focus on family also earned it comparisons toThe Incredibles,setting it completely apart from the darker superhero shows popular at the time.
The Show Then Shifted to a Complicated Storyline
Everything was fine till the show was showcasing what family struggles looked like, but things started to change as soon as it shifted towards heavier sci-fi storylines. This disappointed many viewers who had loved the show’s original concept. The introduction of Mrs. X, played by Lucy Lawless was a big change in the show, as she led a secret organization that was trying to create an army of super-powered criminals by copying the Powells’ abilities.
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While this idea was definitely ambitious, the narrative of the show became too complicated for the viewers to follow. The makers also added over-the-top sci-fi elements such as Amnesia, Time Travel, shapeshifting villains, and a serum that could bring people back to life. This also heavily reminded the viewers ofHeroesin its later seasons, especially the third season which was criticized for abandoning its original ideas in favor of overly complex plots.
The Reasons That Led to ABC CancelingNo Ordinary Family
No Ordinary Familystarted out with good ratings in 2010, but as the episodes went on the numbers began to drop. The audience as well, who were first attracted to the family-focused tone of the drama lost interest as the premise started to shift. In response to this, ABC reduced the episode count from 22 to 20, indirectly adding to the problems behind the scenes.
Things escalated when the lead actor Michael Chiklis signed upfor another showVince Uncensored,while filmingNo Ordinary Family.This move obviously suggested that even the cast was not sure about the show’s future. Putting all the media scrutiny to rest, ABC officially canceled the show in 2011, just a month after the season finale aired.
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This also left many storylines out in the open, including a major cliffhanger where 80 supervillains escaped into the world. The season finale hinted at the narratives that the second season would tackle. In the last moments, the Powell family stopped Mrs. X from crashing a plane full of supervillain criminals. But as they thought their mission was over, the NSA gave them a new mission which was to now capture the escaped villains.
You can buyNo Ordinary Familyon Apple TV.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1436
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
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Michael Chiklis
