When using the filter in table data view in base, when you apply filters which 
result in 0 items matching the criteria, the filter values are cleared, making 
you start over. 
As long as SOME data matches the filter criteria then you can click on the 
filter icon and modify your filter rules. Unless your filter rules result in 
nothing returned. Then the filter icon is greyed and the filter set can no 
longer be modified. It must be cleared and you have to start over again. Which 
is very frustrating when you've built a complex filter set and have to start 
from scratch when the results are empty. 

Example: 

fieldname foo = 45
And fieldname bar = "monkey"
Then click ok.

if this results in a match, you can click the filter icon again and modify the 
filter set and carry on. 

for example:

fieldname foo = 45
And fieldname bar = "monk%"
Then click ok.

but. if, for example, there's a typo or for whatever reason no data is returned 
such as from the following. 

fieldname foo = 45
And fieldname bar = "mynkey"
Then click okay

The filter icon is greyed, and the only way to carry on is to clear the filter 
and add your filters again.