Rewatching-spoilers
So, I really enjoyed watching the first 4 seasons, the heart of the series imo. But Season 5 started to change things, but the show was still OK.
Season 4, last episodes with Rondo, Caillin, Lydia, Casey, and Frank Sr. and technically Frost.
Season 5, last episodes with Sean and Paddy
Season 5 enter Nina (Frost's obvious replacement)
Season 6, enter annoying Kent (kill off Susie)
Rizzoli & Isles got a new showrunner (Jan Nash) in Season 5 and cleaned house. People call the later seasons the Rizzoli and Family show...but hate to break it to those people, but the Rizzoli and Family has always been a thing since Season 1. As Tommy and Frank Sr. were no longer on. Tommy does return for another episode or two later. But I do agree that Maura's storylines were set aside, let go, written off. But during season 5 and now 6 I begin to ask. Whatever happened to Maura's mom Constance? Cailin is forever gone I guess? I think Hope returns again, but why did they put aside Maura's family storylines? Weren't Hope and Maura suppose to start over? I don't get it. In Season 5 she gets a love interest, Jack, which was good, but it was a typical one and done. Then they kill off Susie and I felt little emotion in it.
Then there's Angela...after she quit the Division One Cafe, I didn't really see a point for her to have these side subplots and it was always the same, "what will Angela do with her life" story.
Korsack never really got major storylines, unless it had to do with a dog or a blast from the past. I think it was a little silly for him to buy the bar, the main hangout...and hire Angela.
The show sure did start to lose it's glory and forgetfulness, like how long Maura worked there, about 5 years? Really? Or not acknowledging the Computer room's upgrade and how only Nina worked in there now. As the first 5 seasons always had others working in there (?) Changing things, sure, but acting like it was always like that...why? It also feels like Jane no longer has her apartment because she's always at Maura's.
There's also less police work/mystery in some episodes and a lot of subplots and coupling happening....and it's going to grow. Less and less care about the show I guess huh Jan Nash?