1)Mindfuckery & an increasing amount of mysteries people want solved.
2)Getting as much shit past the censors as they can, meaning that the writers do not wish to insult the intelligence of their audience with wholesome water-down milktoast; a sign of respect.
3)The perfect amount of continuity; not so much that the series has to follow a single coherent story, but enough to not have to worry too much about gaping plotholes that can't be filled in.
