Jumping the Shark
An explanation by Lori:
A reference to the Happy Days episode in which Fonzie water-skied up a ramp over a tank of sharks. That point at which a tv show stops being Fun and Original and becomes a series of sensationalistic attempts to regain falling ratings. It’s different things for different people. In Cornwell’s books, it’s often the point at which she killed off the love interest for the main character.
I believe Buffy jumped the shark when Riley parachuted in with wife in tow and Spike’s career as an arms smuggler was Suddenly and Dramatically Revealed. Armageddon may be a minor plot twist for BtVS, but some things…some things are still over the top.
Or is that “over the shark”?