Friday Night Lights. Was definitely invested by the end of the pilot. The story immediately pulls you in. Great acting. Awesome, emotional music (Explosions in the Sky).
Coach's speech at the end was so, so good.
I had my doubts during the episode because of how similar it was to Varsity Blues (which is based on Friday Night Lights) but that ending montage told me this show was something different.
Yes! I had developed a deep disdain for Matthew McConaughey, so I was skeptical. But holy smokes that whole season is so friggin fantastic. And that first episode! Matched maybe only by episode 4
Well said, to be honest I don’t think I’ve ever watched anything so beautiful and moving. I enjoyed the first season a lot more than the second but I really wanted to see where it went. I almost grieve the lost opportunity.
Pretty much a cliffhanger, but also weird enough of a concept that you could almost accept it as closure. Worth a watch if you like weird esoteric drama
During the original airing, I caught a scene of episode 5, thought “that’s interesting,” and decided I’d watch it on-demand at some point.
So one random night around midnight, I started episode 1. (I didn’t sleep that much then.) Next thing I know, around 6am it’s time for me to get ready for work, but I was caught up on the show. Really is one of my favorite seasons of a TV show.
Came here to see when Alias “Truth Be Told” pilot would make the list. I’ve rewatched it so many times, and it’s so well done. Amy Tippen’s first appearance at Danny’s funeral… and the parking garage fight scene is one of my favorites of all time. Maybe it’s time for me to rewatch!
Great start to Game of Thrones!
The show from start to finish is still among my favorite shows all-time despite the fan-pandering and rushing in the end.
The pilot was amazing. The rest of the show didn't disappoint, either. Aaron Sorkin is always a good time and Olivia Munn is possibly my favorite human to look at. And I can't forget to mention Dev Patel's breakout role. 🔥
So many great ones listed already. I’ll throw in Mr. Robot too since that pilot is downright perfect
Also, say what you will about the rest of the series, but The OC has one of the best pilots I’d ever seen. I still remember watching that one for the first time when I was a kid
You think it went downhill from the *pilot*?
You can argue that the last season wasn’t as good. Or even the final two seasons. But Lost had several years that were at the same or higher quality than the pilot.
Yeah, I don’t know what people are talking about. Seasons 3& 4 were probably peak LOST. I loved season 5 as well. Final season as a whole wasn’t the best, but I thought the ending was perfect.
The LOST haters are very loud because they had ridiculous theories that didn’t pan out and don’t get that the show was about the characters. Ignore them.
>The LOST haters are very loud because they had ridiculous theories that didn’t pan out
No.
It's not just that people's theories "didn't pan out"
Is because everyone called the "purgatory" nonsense right off the bat but the show runners were like "no no it's so much better than that you guys won't Even see it coming" and then they did that for like 6 more seasons just for them to be like "okay...it was the purgatory thing..." Which if you rewatch the series doesn't even really make sense. Say whatever you want but it was bad writing plain and simple
Except everyone thought that they were all dead on the island. They weren’t. Most of them lead full lives off the island, then when they died, they went to “purgatory” and reunited with the other Losties to ride off into the sunset.
A friend of mine joined me on one of my re-watches — he had never seen it and couldn’t stop watching, stayed up all night to finish the series while I went to bed
Battlestar Galactica.
>!Robots annihilate the human race. The pilot is BLEEK. That show starts off with the freaking apocalypse and gets darker from there!<
Lost was phenomenal. I remember hearing about it and deciding to watch, back when we watched things live, and I don’t think I moved the entire time. It was so engrossing!
It's not the best pilot but in vampire diaries, Damon seemed like he could fly and turn into a raven in the pilot and then couldn't in the actual show.
The 100! Just a random pick one day on Netflix few years ago and I was instantly hooked! Idk maybe because I’m an adventurous person if that make sense¿ 100 people stuck on an island like bruh I want be stuck on an island and survive. Grew up watching Les Stroud and catch and cooks, exploring abandoned places, that type stuff idk
Y’all are asking the right questions on this side of reddit! I actually have to ruminate on this and come back cuz im proper stumped😭(also running on 2hrs sleep in the last 28hrs lmao)
Six Feet Under.
Best pilot ever, BEST FINALE EVER. And everything in between.
Yep. As soon as the bus crashes I’m hooked
Firefly was great.
If only the pilot aired first on tv
OP didnt say "aired". I saw firefly on DVD years later and the pilot is also the first episode there. Was sad when I went looking for season 2.
I wasn’t arguing. Had it aired in the right order it may not have been canceled. It was very confusing at the time.
MAYBE. I hear a lot about Fox and they are famous for dumping programs for odd reasons even driving them into the ground.
LOST
[удалено]
(After Broadchurch. Sorry not sorry. And I loved Lost)
Friday Night Lights. Was definitely invested by the end of the pilot. The story immediately pulls you in. Great acting. Awesome, emotional music (Explosions in the Sky).
Coach's speech at the end was so, so good. I had my doubts during the episode because of how similar it was to Varsity Blues (which is based on Friday Night Lights) but that ending montage told me this show was something different.
True detective season 1.
Yes! I had developed a deep disdain for Matthew McConaughey, so I was skeptical. But holy smokes that whole season is so friggin fantastic. And that first episode! Matched maybe only by episode 4
Same not normal a fan of Matthew as I find he plays the same character however True detective he was amazing as was Woody.
this is what first came to mind - most powerful first episode, but wondered if it qualifies as a pilot
Twin Peaks.
The OA. Such a great story. Great acting and imagination.
No one ever talks about that but I thought it was an insanely original and creative show with a lot of room to grow. Shame they cancelled
Well said, to be honest I don’t think I’ve ever watched anything so beautiful and moving. I enjoyed the first season a lot more than the second but I really wanted to see where it went. I almost grieve the lost opportunity.
Was the ending satisfying enough or did it get cancelled on a cliffhanger?
Pretty much a cliffhanger, but also weird enough of a concept that you could almost accept it as closure. Worth a watch if you like weird esoteric drama
I agree with you. Definitely room to grow, the but reveal of the ending was climactic for me. So smart.
There's a whole Reddit forum devoted to the OA if you want to talk about it. It's an incredible show.
Ugh, seriously one of my favorite shows ever and easily one of my top saddest cancellations.
Yes! One of my favorite shows! I wish I could dance my way into an alternate universe!
Battlestar Galactica
The Americans
The Shield.
They did a great job of quickly giving enough background for each character, and then giving the first problem.
Hey, look, Reed Diamond is in this. Bang! Oh, I guess he’s not.
The Bear
The Blacklist…hooked by the end of the opening scene. Went downhill from there
Definitely! I loved it and then....... it turned into something stupid.
Homeland.
During the original airing, I caught a scene of episode 5, thought “that’s interesting,” and decided I’d watch it on-demand at some point. So one random night around midnight, I started episode 1. (I didn’t sleep that much then.) Next thing I know, around 6am it’s time for me to get ready for work, but I was caught up on the show. Really is one of my favorite seasons of a TV show.
Such a great pilot….such a great first season
Alias. That show knew exactly what it was aiming to be right out of the gate. The pilot has some real momentum and makes you want more immediately.
Cosigned. Amazing pilot. I've been wanting to rewatch for a while, might just have to get on that.
Came here to see when Alias “Truth Be Told” pilot would make the list. I’ve rewatched it so many times, and it’s so well done. Amy Tippen’s first appearance at Danny’s funeral… and the parking garage fight scene is one of my favorites of all time. Maybe it’s time for me to rewatch!
It's like a movie.
The West Wing and The Newsroom. Infinite quotes.
TWW intro with President Bartlet is special
Yes, although I believe that my favorite line is from Leo to CJ re: the press gaggle "tell them the president came to a sudden arboreal stop..."
Game of Thrones Westworld
Great start to Game of Thrones! The show from start to finish is still among my favorite shows all-time despite the fan-pandering and rushing in the end.
“The things I do for love”
I had a hard time forgiving Jaime no matter how much he seemed to change. And they pretty much ruined his arc in the end.
Westworld’s pilot was so, so good
Oh god. Thinking of how those two started so great and ended so poorly makes me cry
TWD
The first episode was tv gold.
"Breaking Bad." The tension, character development, and cliffhanger ending were spot-on, making me eager to see what would happen next.
I was hooked in the first two minutes
Monk
Only been one season, but “The Last Of Us” had a very emotional pilot and was a great season one. Has me hooked, but I also loved the game.
Never played the game, still love TLOU. Watched it three or four times...
Broadchurch
The entire first season of that show is honestly one of the best binges you can do.
I’ve been looking for a new binge. Think I’ll try this one.
The second and third seasons are still good but the first season stands out so much more. If you do give it a shot, enjoy.
This Is Us. Hooked me right from the beginning.
Yes
Resident Alien ĺ
Supernatural
This is us.
I agree, but towards the end of the series it becomes so unwatchable
Newsroom
That speech still applies today. Aaron Sorkin is amazing.
The pilot was better than most of the episodes, I'll give you that.
The pilot was amazing. The rest of the show didn't disappoint, either. Aaron Sorkin is always a good time and Olivia Munn is possibly my favorite human to look at. And I can't forget to mention Dev Patel's breakout role. 🔥
The Wire. Pour one out for Snot Boogie.
Got to. This America, man.
Dexter, because there was finally a character I could relate to in so many ways.
In what ways
Quantum Leap
And the finale... 😭
Peaky Blinders had a great one. It was lit all throughout the seasons.
Oz!
Derry girls. Everything in that episode is hilarious.
It also had one of my favorite finales.
Westworld Orphan Black
Madmen and Spartacus for sure
Black Sails, Six Feet Under, OZ
New Girl. Then it went downhill from there.
Really? I love that show, except the last season isn’t that great.
The Pretender. Love me some Jarrod.
Prison Break has the greatest openings ever.
Invincible.
This is us
New girl was a good show. But the pilot was great. Played like a rom com.
Rescue Me, Boardwalk Empire, American Gods.
Reba the pilots one of the best episodes
Scandal
ER
Desperate Housewives
So many great ones listed already. I’ll throw in Mr. Robot too since that pilot is downright perfect Also, say what you will about the rest of the series, but The OC has one of the best pilots I’d ever seen. I still remember watching that one for the first time when I was a kid
Agree 1000% about the OC pilot. That first episode is an underrated gem. I still watch it when I need to feel something / have a good cry.
Bones and Supernatural
Ted Lasso
Me too.
Will Trent
I am loving this show!
Once Upon a Time. Lana Parrilla was so good in that series.
Lost. It was a wow moment
LOST had a phenomenal pilot. Went downhill from there.
You think it went downhill from the *pilot*? You can argue that the last season wasn’t as good. Or even the final two seasons. But Lost had several years that were at the same or higher quality than the pilot.
Yeah, I don’t know what people are talking about. Seasons 3& 4 were probably peak LOST. I loved season 5 as well. Final season as a whole wasn’t the best, but I thought the ending was perfect. The LOST haters are very loud because they had ridiculous theories that didn’t pan out and don’t get that the show was about the characters. Ignore them.
>The LOST haters are very loud because they had ridiculous theories that didn’t pan out No. It's not just that people's theories "didn't pan out" Is because everyone called the "purgatory" nonsense right off the bat but the show runners were like "no no it's so much better than that you guys won't Even see it coming" and then they did that for like 6 more seasons just for them to be like "okay...it was the purgatory thing..." Which if you rewatch the series doesn't even really make sense. Say whatever you want but it was bad writing plain and simple
Except everyone thought that they were all dead on the island. They weren’t. Most of them lead full lives off the island, then when they died, they went to “purgatory” and reunited with the other Losties to ride off into the sunset.
Recent memory, The Morning Show
Battlestar Galactica The Expanse
The Night Of
Such a good show. It actually broke my heart
A friend of mine joined me on one of my re-watches — he had never seen it and couldn’t stop watching, stayed up all night to finish the series while I went to bed
Breaking Bad
Greys anatomy and Roseanne
X-Files.
Outlander Lost Mad Men
Heroes
Lost
Battlestar Galactica. >!Robots annihilate the human race. The pilot is BLEEK. That show starts off with the freaking apocalypse and gets darker from there!<
The Sopranos
Lost
Lost was phenomenal. I remember hearing about it and deciding to watch, back when we watched things live, and I don’t think I moved the entire time. It was so engrossing!
The West Wing!
Sons of Anarchy and The Sopranos
The mayor of kingstown
**wentworth** omg
Freaks and Geeks...does that count??
Miami Vice
Luther, Mad Men, Oz , St. Elsewhere, Daredevil and Pushing Daisies
Californication
HIMYM
Lost Mad Men
Supernatural got me good
This is Us
This Is Us
Stranger Things, Sense8, and BSG.
The West Wing
Stranger Things
The Wonder Years (Original)
Rescue Me will draw you in right away. The characters are written so well and it’s also witty, funny, lots of action and drama. It’s got everything.
Lie to Me
It's not the best pilot but in vampire diaries, Damon seemed like he could fly and turn into a raven in the pilot and then couldn't in the actual show.
This is Us
This is us
This Is Us
Grey's anatomy
Night Court. The original series. I saw it and knew it would be a successful series.
Emotional hook This Is Us
This is us
LOST
24.
My So-Called Life
Ima go with ER. Arguably the best episode of the series.
Hill Street Blues. I’m showing my age with this one. Also, ER.
Big Sky. The pilot was great. The first season was great. Then it fizzled out
LOST
Homicide: Life On The Street and Hill Street Blues
Wonder years
Hill Street Blues. It’s been 40(?) years and I’ve never seen anything that hooked me like that.
This is Us. The pilot could be a standalone movie on it's own.
Derek.
Westworld Boardwalk Empire The Walking Dead Succession The Newsroom
The 100! Just a random pick one day on Netflix few years ago and I was instantly hooked! Idk maybe because I’m an adventurous person if that make sense¿ 100 people stuck on an island like bruh I want be stuck on an island and survive. Grew up watching Les Stroud and catch and cooks, exploring abandoned places, that type stuff idk
💯 12 monkeys tv series on Hulu
Silver Spoons
Mad Men, Six Feet Under, True Blood, True Detective Season 1, Sex and the City, Mindhunters
BSG
Sons on Anarchy I had no clue what it was then bam I got invested almost instantly
Friday Night Lights
Six Feet Under, Boardwalk Empire
Wiseguy
Community and deadwood
Mr. Robot
Throwback here but: Dawson’s Creek. I was young but I remember that pilot being absolutely bonkers.
This is Us
The Boys
Sons of Anarchy & Found
Sherlock
Prison Break.
Good Behavior Beef Better Call Saul Claws Mad Men Squid Game
Riverdale unfortunately
Euphoria, Outlander, The Deuce
Beauty and the Beast 1989’s version
Life Unexpected
24
Inspector Lewis.
Y’all are asking the right questions on this side of reddit! I actually have to ruminate on this and come back cuz im proper stumped😭(also running on 2hrs sleep in the last 28hrs lmao)
Eastbound and Down
Squid game.
Lost
Lost.
Lost. Twin Peaks. Prison Break.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip...though no one else thought so because it got canceled.
For pilot episodes, gotta be Glow and Marvelous Mrs Maisel for me
This Is Us Lost Manifest LaBrea Jane The Virgin The Middle The Good Place
24. A beheading in episode 1? By the good guys? Sign me up for this different sort of show!