Hahaha! Yep!
I missed the first three seasons but tried to watch them on DVD. Each time I enjoyed the first half, but roughly 1/2-way through there is usually a big turn in the plot that requires a bit on emotional reinvestment in the show. I always bail at that point. Just can't get into it.
I've seen the first half of every season to the point of the big plot turn, and they usually leave me cold. The show should be called '12' or '14.' Would have fewer holes that way, too! ;-)
The last 2.5 years are much better than the earlier ones. I bailed in the middle of the 1st year and came back years later. Now I roll with the punches. It's the poor man's Clancy novels (with commercials).