I think the most engaged I've ever been with the first episode of a tv show was the interview intro to The Newsroom. The writing on that show was incredible...but I still need to watch the final season.
Out of curiosity, how did you both feel about Alan Ball’s last show Here and Now (2018)— I was surprised it kind of came and went without any accolades. It only lasted one season before hbo cancelled it I believe.
Twin Peaks was pretty incredible. Something that paved the way for a lot of future “prestige TV.” Just enough suspense and mystery to captivate an entire country. “Who killed Laura Palmer?” I mean it roped you right it and just threw you into the wild ass mind of David Lynch. So damn good.
Recency bias says The Last of Us might end up in the conversation too. Just a phenomenal pilot and overall season of TV.
Last of Us will definitely be remembered. Insane introduction. Crazy that every episode has such a depth of emotions. I had friends waiting to watch till the whole season is out and I’ve been warning them that the emotional toll of each episode would be too rough for a binge.
Dang, second comment here and already jealous of Shane's choice of Heroes (which is a damn good pilot).
I gotta say that while the Lost pilot is also fantastic, my vote has to go to Twin Peaks...especially considering the era when it came out. Great and daring TV is almost too easy to find now, but thirty plus years ago...wow.
Galavant - I answered this to a previous question about cancelled shows but the pilot is so so funny, it hooks you in front the intro, giving you all you need to know to set the scene and let the hilarity unfold.
Because I have to cheat, I have to give it up to two of my fav shows. The pilot for Patriot had me hooked in the first few min. I knew I needed all of the answers to what was happening & all of the weird characters & where they were headed.
For COMEDY, the pilot to Titus is absolutely stellar. You know EVERY character in the 20 min & it tells you exactly the wild show it would be. That show truly pushed what a sitcom could do. Helped so much in teenage years to see humor through family trauma.
This was my answer too!! Absolutely starts off with a blast. It feels rather smooth and fun and does a great job of introduction the characters and world.
Yep, exactly! Most early animated shows don’t tend to set up a grand, over arching plot, but rather, just throw you into the fray and have you learn the characters for yourself. We get to learn about the world with Fry, which is compelling for sure!
The OC. It does everything a great pilot needs to do, plus it gave us one of the most memorable lines in television history: "Welcome to the OC, bitch."
The 2003 HBO premiere of Carnival. A special boy gets picked up by a traveling carnival during the dust bowl and has to prepare for an epic good vs evil battle with a evangelical preacher. Creative world building filled with magic and mystery supported by an outstanding cast of the best characters that no one really got to see because canceled it after season 2. Stupid HBO. Making dumb programming decisions for 20 years.
Sorry I was yelling but it's also the my favorite episode of TV and the one I have watched the most times (although The Contest from Seinfeld and Last Exit to Springfield from The Simpsons come in a close second). Also the pilot for Lost is up there. I like pilots that set up lots and lots of engaging characters trying to solve weird mysteries that may or may not have satisfying conclusions (see also Dark, Game of Thrones, Sopranos, 24).
Hey, Morgan! Yeah, we get asked about that all the time. No plans at present, but maybe closer to the end of the series' run...?
You're sitting on a goldmine Brian! 🤣
#1 TV Pilot of ALL TIME: Heroes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813715/
I think the most engaged I've ever been with the first episode of a tv show was the interview intro to The Newsroom. The writing on that show was incredible...but I still need to watch the final season.
Six Feet Under. Which also nailed its final episode better than the vast majority of other shows.
Honestly, when you are bookended by perfection it’s hard not to remember that show fondly. I’ll always love Six Feet Under.
Out of curiosity, how did you both feel about Alan Ball’s last show Here and Now (2018)— I was surprised it kind of came and went without any accolades. It only lasted one season before hbo cancelled it I believe.
I did not know about this show! I'll have to see if I can find it.
Me too. It will always be one of my favourites.
Twin Peaks was pretty incredible. Something that paved the way for a lot of future “prestige TV.” Just enough suspense and mystery to captivate an entire country. “Who killed Laura Palmer?” I mean it roped you right it and just threw you into the wild ass mind of David Lynch. So damn good.
Recency bias says The Last of Us might end up in the conversation too. Just a phenomenal pilot and overall season of TV.
Agreed on both of those choices, Steven!
I see a lot of Twin Peaks on here, guess I'll have to give it a watch.
Same here. Totally missed the boat on that one, but it's always sounded right up my alley.
Last of Us will definitely be remembered. Insane introduction. Crazy that every episode has such a depth of emotions. I had friends waiting to watch till the whole season is out and I’ve been warning them that the emotional toll of each episode would be too rough for a binge.
Another vote here for Twin Peaks, with honorable mention to Arrested Development!
Almost picked Arrested Development. So good.
Dang, second comment here and already jealous of Shane's choice of Heroes (which is a damn good pilot).
I gotta say that while the Lost pilot is also fantastic, my vote has to go to Twin Peaks...especially considering the era when it came out. Great and daring TV is almost too easy to find now, but thirty plus years ago...wow.
sci fi show: Travelers (on Netflix) opens with a bunch of questions and fuckery
Aww, I really wanted to see that guy get shot. Always next week.
And the pilot to Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Encounter at Farpoint", love it.
Galavant - I answered this to a previous question about cancelled shows but the pilot is so so funny, it hooks you in front the intro, giving you all you need to know to set the scene and let the hilarity unfold.
I too enjoyed Galavant.
Yeah it was a great show
Because I have to cheat, I have to give it up to two of my fav shows. The pilot for Patriot had me hooked in the first few min. I knew I needed all of the answers to what was happening & all of the weird characters & where they were headed.
For COMEDY, the pilot to Titus is absolutely stellar. You know EVERY character in the 20 min & it tells you exactly the wild show it would be. That show truly pushed what a sitcom could do. Helped so much in teenage years to see humor through family trauma.
Patriot is so painfully underrated. What a great show that should have seen more seasons
Ami first to mention Breaking Bad?
Brian Cranston understood the assignment day one.
It’s still an enthralling pilot episode to rewatch
Futurama was always a classic for me. It set the tone for the show, while having an engaging plot, characters, and setting.
This was my answer too!! Absolutely starts off with a blast. It feels rather smooth and fun and does a great job of introduction the characters and world.
Yep, exactly! Most early animated shows don’t tend to set up a grand, over arching plot, but rather, just throw you into the fray and have you learn the characters for yourself. We get to learn about the world with Fry, which is compelling for sure!
The OC. It does everything a great pilot needs to do, plus it gave us one of the most memorable lines in television history: "Welcome to the OC, bitch."
“Caallllliiiiifffffoooooorrrnnnniaaaaaaaa, here we come”
Great choice, but now I have the theme song stuck in my head! Lol
I don't see the problem here!
The 2003 HBO premiere of Carnival. A special boy gets picked up by a traveling carnival during the dust bowl and has to prepare for an epic good vs evil battle with a evangelical preacher. Creative world building filled with magic and mystery supported by an outstanding cast of the best characters that no one really got to see because canceled it after season 2. Stupid HBO. Making dumb programming decisions for 20 years.
I thought about this one too. It was a good show. Gone too soon.
Yes! Such a great show and a damn shame we never saw the rest of the story.
TWIN PEAKS!!!!
Sorry I was yelling but it's also the my favorite episode of TV and the one I have watched the most times (although The Contest from Seinfeld and Last Exit to Springfield from The Simpsons come in a close second). Also the pilot for Lost is up there. I like pilots that set up lots and lots of engaging characters trying to solve weird mysteries that may or may not have satisfying conclusions (see also Dark, Game of Thrones, Sopranos, 24).