The Lost Art of The Pilot Episode

[@thethriftytypewriter]

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[@wombat7961]

Ohh pilot episode... Will there be boobs?

[@beans2222]

The chills you get when you hear Glenn speaking for the first time when Rick is in the tank is a thrill I'll forever seek again

[@zskrubz]

Hey you, yeah you, dumbass in the tank!

[@Exel3nce]

why exactly tho?

[@beans2222]

@Exel3nce you don't expect it, it changes the expected outcome, it introduces a new character in a unique and fun way, it's a high stress situation, it's high production, etc.

[@Piccadally]

"Rose" from the 2005 reboot of Doctor Who is one of my all-time favourite pilot episodes. It introduced the viewer well to who the Doctor is and what they do and does it all from the companion's perspective. It's honestly really well done. It's also a great show, so if aliens, history and time travel are your kinda thing, give it a shot!

[@Espritlumiere]

Absolutely agree, it's on my top list of fave pilots and shows too!

[@illesthomes9577]

I liked Billie Piper

[@Comicbroe405]

Definitely agreed. Some eps like Eleventh Hour work as good intros too but this is the true beginning for the revival.

[@Exel3nce]

is it the best doctor who show?

[@Comicbroe405]

@@Exel3nce That's subjective but it's the most accessible.

[@davidci]

I think the current streaming model of 'bingewatching' has more or less stifled the concept of pilot episodes. Pilot episodes usually are just singular episodes meant to hook the audience and pitch the show's idea to garner attention and financial support. Nowadays, a whole season is just released at the same time and show writers have to worry more on making the entire season consistently good instead of putting it all into the very first episode. Netflix cancelling shows after the reception of a first season, no matter how good the first episode may be, is also another reason.

[@Skullspidey]

I would even add to this and say that it seems like we are instead getting "pilot seasons" now. With the unfortunate downside being cliffhangers that never get resolved due to early cancellation.

[@mkwsoxfan]

The best example of this IMO is the walking dead, quality of show aside it came out before streaming services, and very clearly switched to the "every episode is a cliff hanger until the season finale" model of story telling. I say this because as a TWD fan and someone who still watched week to week until the end, it nearly feels like a different (better) show binged in the later seasons, while watching the episodes on their week to week release was PAINFUL

[@thehermitman822]

Great summary. Having to sell the pilot to the distributor to then be able to sell an audience I think was vital to most compelling pilots and now just isn't focused on since whole seasons will clear anyways.

[@reaver1414]

Don't dead open inside

[@greenkoopa]

Open inside, dead don't

[@carolomella]

Dead open, don’t inside

[@polybius8571]

Inside open, Don’t Dead

[@jamesbacon1776]

That is technically right. ​@@carolomella

[@SuperAdamBoyd]

Coralll!

[@DylanDuncan-u3s]

would ya ever cover the whole series of lost?

[@JJforYoutube]

PLEASE^

[@littleskeleton2899]

that would be dope

[@JabariCrews-u3d]

I second this

[@umm-o2b]

no god no we dont want another billiam with this

[@JakeTheMan784]

PLEASE

[@KyloSZN]

The Bear is a recent example of how a great pilot conveys their message and story in a matter of moments that keep you engaged. Fell in love with the show because of it

[@Exel3nce]

cant even remember the pilot episode. need to rewatch it again

[@BobMcBurger1]

Can't wait for the second season of Severance. I still remember the day I watched the first episode when it came out. At first I kept my expectations low but after the first few minutes I was hooked.

[@jojithehomie7809]

I think it might actually be the most perfect show I’ve ever watched

[@L_Lawliet1907]

@KC-2049 A lot of the plot points were set up for season 2. I think the show would be much better for you if you wait until it finished all seasons first and then you watch it, you'll end up appreciating the setup and foreshadowing at the start of the show

[@burnedmozzarella]

who are you?

[@luke1397]

The Penguin just had an amazing pilot episode

[@reaver1414]

I totally agree. I have only watched the pilot and I'm waiting for my dad to get back in town in 2 weeks so we can watch the rest of the episodes and I can't wait.

[@Theultimateginger]

@@reaver1414enjoy it only gets better

[@unreloaded4264]

​@reaver1414 every episode is better than the last, actual peak fiction

[@JoePizzeria007]

​@reaver1414 a couple times u will think "hmm I wish the show explained that abit better" but other than that the show is fantastic and so far the years best show so enjoy

[@themadtitan7603]

I came here to mention it! It's fantastic & refreshing to see a comic-book show on this level of pedigree & right from the get-go too. And I agree it's only gotten better imo.

[@willemvanzeilen5057]

Invincible, has one of the best pilot episodes I’ve ever seen.

[@Atlas_Tyr]

I’ve convinced multiple people of watching invincible by just showing them the first episode. Most captivating first episode I think I’ve seen along with breaking bad

[@Tollkirschenkind]

I was going in completely blind, and the first 3/4 were...fine. Then the title card came and I thought "yeah, it's not groundbreaking, but I could watch some more episodes". And then... I was completely shocked, speechless and left with my mouth open. I don't think I'll ever experience something like this again.

[@AugustRx]

​@@Atlas_TyrThat's just coz of the "twist"

[@raymondsims7042]

@@Atlas_Tyrimo the two best pilots go to lost and yellowstone but invincible pilot is phenomenal. Breaking bad has just a good pilot imo.

[@gorlithia]

Watched it only just recently because of the meme (you know what I'm talking about) and my god, it's an incredible show.

[@laurademander4365]

Also Prison Break has an Amazing Pilot.

[@Mackmicheals]

24 as well

[@tpw7250]

​@@MackmichealsYes to both

[@theoneandonly2000]

For real

[@zStC1]

I couldn't get through the first few episodes so I stopped trying to watch it 😂

[@KS-xk2so]

Prison Break sure shit itself to death eh?

[@maybebutwhatever]

Mr Robot pilot is also just incredible. It's feels almost like a movie.

[@sukhbirsinghsodhi762]

The best show I've ever seen !!

[@RealScotticus]

X-Files. Excellent pilot episode, sets up the characters, dynamics, tone and intent very clearly. Also, seeing The Cigarette Smoking man in an background role with no dialogue is pretty astonishing! Very, very strong first season as well; confidently plotted, doesn't drag, isn't rushed and it's smart, well-made and distinctive right off the bat.

[@Cavemanner]

Same can be said for the first 3 seasons, really! It felt like they kinda ran outta steam after the first movie, and the following seasons had too much fluff, but I felt like they hit their stride again in the last season, unfortunately. Doggett was done dirty as a character by the network, as they were doing some excellent character development with him right at the end. Damn, just typing out that little bit got me hankering. Whelp, seems like it's time for another rewatch of the show!

[@Luciry123]

That's all the Cigarette Smoking Man was meant to be originally just a background Extra. For better they decided to have him return

[@RealScotticus]

@Luciry123 Yep. The actor was gutted, he was sure the other guy would stay on, he had the dialogue and everything. Instead CBD Spender became one of the most iconic characters in sci-fi villainy! The story of how Giancarlo Esposoto made the 'one-line' role of 'The Chicken man' into legendary kingpin Gus Fring is a similarly incredible tale!

[@antonionemec5981]

Twin Peaks Is A Masterclass in pilot episodes.

[@rayallensjumper]

Was looking for this comment, Dale Coopers introduction is one of the best ever

[@gryotharian]

Twin peaks pilot is very good but it’s a got a weird tone that isn’t really followed with the rest of the show

[@MyNameIsKayser]

The first episode of Fargo (Season 1) is, to me, pitch perfect writing. It introduces the main character Lester with a lot of humanity, setting him up as this loser that gets beating down by life - but it also knows how to interlink different sub-plots. The antagonist is introduced in the first scene, perfectly summing up what to expect thorough the story: it's surreal, brutal, but oddly funny.

[@Ihavetheraygun]

"Into the Ring" is the perfect pilot to the show Daredevil. Just the first episode shows how well it balances everything, Matt Murdock as a character and his faith, his job as a lawyer, and his persona as a masked vigilante. All while also showing at least a little bit how his powers work. I would say some other shows that are super good, like 24, Better Call Saul, or the Clone Wars, but the pilot's arent as good as some of the later episodes.

[@Robin-be1zm]

@@Ihavetheraygun not a pilot

[@Ihavetheraygun]

​@Robin-be1zm I respectfully disagree. It fulfills what a pilot is supposed to do even if it was released with a binge watch model on Netflix

[@sculptureofsound2]

Interview with the vampire probably has one of the best pilot episode I've ever seen

[@Comicbroe405]

Daredevil's pilot was so good it got me hooked onto the whole series.

[@ShiroyashaVince]

This im so glad someone has the same opinion as me crazy how 1 ep of the dd pilot hooked me imo

[@Comicbroe405]

​​@@ShiroyashaVince Glad to see. That ep was literally structured like a movie.

[@mikeymfb4689]

"I'm not seeking penance for what i've done father, i'm asking forgiveness... for what im about to do"

[@matildecouto4377]

I was so emotionally invested after just one episode, besides hooked, it was fenomenal

[@cozyburrito686]

This was so cool!!! I'm glad Heroes got on the list! I would potentially add Supernatural to that list of pilots, although maybe not as gripping as newer media...it definitely holds up from the Kripke Era.

[@umm-o2b]

i think dexter should've made the list it was the best pilot i watched in a while it got me hooked to the series.(and if sitcoms could've made the list brooklyn nine-nine would be the best pick, it had the best pilot episode in all of the sitcoms i've watched)

[@RedAnimal100]

Dexters intro was such a grabber, I had to click the next episode. Such a great show

[@raymondsims7042]

⁠@@RedAnimal100his opening monologue is absolutely legendary.

[@duckproductions7596]

I’m still waiting on SUPERNATURAL retrospectives 😢 Also love that u put omitb it’s such a great series

[@big-fish1199]

I've seen 60+ TV shows in my time and I would say my absolute favorite Pilot episode would be for the show Silo on Apple TV. It plays almost like a short film and sets up an amazing mystery and twists, along with introducing the fascinating setting for the story. Cannot recommend it enough!

[@Robin-be1zm]

@@big-fish1199 great show, not a pilot episode though

[@Dinosaur_-qq7di]

Absolutely

[@big-fish1199]

@@Robin-be1zm Exact semantics don't matter, best first episode of a show that I've seen

[@Robin-be1zm]

@@big-fish1199 fair, the video was supposed to be about pilot episodes but is also just about first episodes

[@big-fish1199]

@ Yeah, there's streaming shows in the video so I followed his example. At this point in life pilot episode doesn't mean the same thing that it used to

[@skullknight1465]

How to get away with murder. The pilot 🔥🔥🔥 Also, I’m glad you included OMITB

[@Anynom]

To me, The Shield is the best pilot episode. You see Vic going around, thinking typical rulebending cop and he and Reed Diamond a battle of wits...and then the final shot (literally) changes everything and makes you realize this is not a typical cop show.

[@raymondsims7042]

The shield is absolutely legendary no episodes wasted at all. The first episode is important to the last episode. It’s one of the ten best shows I’ve ever watched.

[@Bradchacha]

I remember the pilot episode of your channel - well, in my view it was..and ever since then, I've enjoyed coming back here

[@ps3gamertagc021297]

When i was a kid i sat down with my parents to watch a movie we were clicking through channels. We landed on amc and watched the walking dead premiere, we thought it was a movie and were shocked when it ended. It definitely hooked us in

[@missmulaney]

i’ll never forget watching the pilot of lost… no other introduction of a show has made me feel so immediately immersed

[@Cavemanner]

I feel like the Sci-Fi series Eureka had a pretty good pilot, myself. The show as a whole gets rightfully clowned on a lot, as the whole show is basically "Jump the Shark: The Series", but that pilot was a ton of fun and a great setup! Also, I might be biased as I loved watching it as it released as a kid, but I feel like Psych had a pretty strong pilot and first season. They did a hella good job setting up up all the main characters' motivations and backstories, and had a lot of fun doing it!

[@Cam_DePasquali]

THANK YOU. All 6 seasons of Lost are AMAZING, even when I first watched/rewatched it I found it very hard to even rank the seasons cause they werw all so closely great.

[@Exel3nce]

thats wrong and everyone knows it

[@tinycanlid5]

I'm so glad you mentioned Heroes, I grew up with it but I never hear anyone talking about it

[@Chris-tc3oh]

Dead Like Me had an amazing pilot, just a genius introduction to all the characters and the situation.

[@pickleioi9058]

To me, Mr. Robot had a fantastic pilot episode and easily the best one I've seen. Hooked me on the entire show, it perfectly set the stage for the story and introduced each character in a captivating way.

[@miekgg]

the surface level tv watchers have no idea about mr robot & it’s sad

[@Ethan-pd1ju]

Sad to see nobody mention "The Shield". One of my favorite pilot episodes I've ever seen. Got me hooked instantly.

[@jonnykilroy9762]

Never really see 24 on these types of list but based on the listed criteria it absolutely belongs in the category. I'm at least 3 for 3 at showing someone the pilot and they either immediately want to watch ep 2 or continue when they go home

[@meloshea8991]

2:33 I love it when they call it pilot and it actually is about flying or a pilot

[@AnalogOcean]

i absolutely agree severance is the best thing since lost. i hope we get 4 or 5 seasons of this...hopefully the third season comes quicker this time since they had a writers strike after season 1 aired.

[@jeffpotvin741]

The first episode of invincible really work for me

[@renanfluture7280]

TWD has the best pilot episode ever. I’ll die on this hill

[@QuimbyFletcher69]

type shi

[@enriquealvarado9938]

The Futurama pilot is one of my personal favorites

[@SylvesterAshcroft88]

Wayward Pines, and Eureka had great pilots from what i remember, as well as Fringe, but LOST is definitely my favourite, and one of the earliest serialised drama's i remember watching growing up.

[@omars1369]

I would add prison break and Dexter . Some of the best pilot episodes although LOST was on a league of its own

[@AgentNevets]

I’m still binging through your vids, so I don’t know if you’ve covered it yet, but “argue with a wall” or however you said it, made me lol for real. Also, if you haven’t, I’d love a season by season series on Lost from you! I have a feeling you actually understand the ending (they weren’t always dead!). It drives me insane as how many don’t get it.

[@WordsinTime]

Some pilots that impressed me were: - The Shield - Damages - Cobra Kai - Prison Break - Arrested Development

[@minxxoxo]

From has an amazing pilot episode! I have t seen anything like it in a long time. Pulled me in immediately and made me excited to hit next episode. Also from the creators of lost, so a mystery box type show!

[@kuhpunkt]

It's not from the creators of Lost. It's by John Griffin, who never worked on Lost.

[@minxxoxo]

@ A quick google search would show that two of Lost's executive producers, Jack Bender and Jeff Pinkner, are also involved with From.

[@kuhpunkt]

@@minxxoxo Neither of them are the creators of Lost. That just gives the wrong impression. Jack Bender was a director on Lost. He's a good director, but TV isn't a director driven medium. Jeff Pinkner also didn't have that much to do with Lost.

[@minxxoxo]

@@kuhpunkt understood

[@vodka8812]

I would add The Mentalist pilot, its not out of the ordinary and its pretty simple, but it sets up the Red John mistery PERFECTLY. The characters feel real and you can feel how their bond isnt stroung yet but they trust each other. The ending is also amazing leaving Jane staring at the ceiling in the room his family was killed. It sold the show to me inmediately and i think it matches the criteria down to a T.

[@Exel3nce]

was the resolution to Red J. any good?

[@Robin-be1zm]

A pilot episode isn't just a 'first episode' a pilot is a test for the studio to get a feel for the show and see if they want to continue with the show beyond the one episode. Some shows don't have pilot's, they just start shooting the whole show from day 1 if the idea is really good or most streaming shows for example

[@thatmomentwhenriley9472]

Welp, I started watching this video 3 days ago, got to the part where you mention Severance, and was so intrigued after the first few sentences that I watched the entire thing in 3 days. I'm so excited for season 2, it's unreal

[@friendlyneighborhoodasianm912]

I agree with you about Dark's pilot. It's strange to think about early season 1's slow building momentum compared to the lightning fast pace of S3. When I saw the pilot for the first time I didn't watch any further; only Friendly Space Ninja's recommendation got me to give it another go. Sadly that's the same fate suffered by the showrunner's other Netflix project, 1899, which got canned after one season. Apparently everyone (myself included) turned it off before finishing the season, which goes to show that their biggest flaw is just hooking viewers.

[@Exel3nce]

its weird that 1899 got instantly canceled despite dark being one of netlixs poster shows. even tho it was quite meh, with an ending that was awful, it is still weird for netflix to do that. anyway, dark s3 ruined everything

[@peterpetrelli2529]

Heroes had the potential to be the best TV SHOW about superheroes and villains. It could've be like a combination betwen classic heroes and parodies like the boys

[@DaRealTawk]

I’m sooo happy you put Heroes on the list.

[@tyrannozilla]

I don't think the pilot episode is a completely lost art, even with the "bingewatching" model. There are still shows made that while, yes, they focus on the overall quality of the season (which isn't a bad thing), they still realize that the first episode has to, at least, get the viewer interested enough in coming back. The first season of Daredevil was a good example of this. If the first episode failed, imo, the first season would've been the only one. Another good example would be the current series, "Silo." The first episode had enough mystery and creativity that I wanted to keep going. I'm glad I ended up doing so, cause I'm now looking forward to season 2.

[@Arcanelake98]

I think Lost has the greatest Pilot episode of all time. I would also mention The Americans pilot episode. Not enough people talk about that show anymore, it’s truly one of the goats.

[@ottothiele8333]

Yellowstone and prison break both had really captivating pilots. Great video

[@rampelotti521]

Finally I see someone talking about heroes, it really is great, I love it

[@phoebeyates5699]

ER's pilot had me hooked. Shows the characters well, has a great twist part way through and really gets you attached to people, especially to Mark and Carter

[@andy-pq5ro]

I got curious about what the heck Dexter is, I watched the first episode and realized that im hooked. I felt the same about Monk, and very rarely does a network TV series hook me this hard.

[@davidmylchreest3306]

The X-Files has the best pilot episode of the 90's. Spooky cold open. Introduces the world and concepts through the eyes of a newcomer. Tells an emotionally satisfying complete story. Leaves a bit of mystery at the end (who is the smoking man and what is the big storage facility under the pentagon?) Perfectly calibrated pilot episde.

[@nicktroisi6347]

One of my favourite pilot episode and openings that isn’t on this list, is The Blacklist. From the start when Reddington walks into The FBI Headquarters as the most wanted fugitive and surrenders himself to them and then starts listing things he wants, even gives the FBI another most wanted a dead man who’s alive, he was in so much control. I’d never seen anything like that and I thought that was absolutely brilliant

[@Horltum]

The Pilot episode of Legion is also incredible. It works pretty much perfectly as a film in its own right, but it becomes clearer and clearer as the episode goes on that there are larger forces beyond Clockworks and David. I really wish I could say anything more without spoiling it.

[@empty_melodies]

Great video. And I love that everyone’s commenting other great pilot episodes for other shows. Got bunch of shows to check out now.

[@keaganterry6916]

Avatar: The Last Airbender has a great pilot that masterfully brings you into the world without confusing you

[@ragnarlothbrok5100]

I had totally forgotten about heroes. Man I remember my father and I watched it together and we where indeed hooked. Awesome show

[@sydneyhammond8091]

Yellowjackets is my fave pilot episode of a TV show. It hooked me right from the get go. Can't wait for season 3 ❤

[@EnglishPlays]

The shield has a great pilot and it’s brought up a lot throughout the rest of the series.

[@AGingerHomosapien]

I know alot of people don't like the show for a multitude of reasons but i genuinely think the first episode of Glee is great. It sets up all the initial characters really well

[@GreenFalcon926]

LOST still to this day, has the greatest pilot episode ever. There really isn't a series that comes close. It's kinda irritating that people have either forgotten about it, or never seen it, considering it was THE series back when it was released. Before GoT and Breaking Bad, LOST dominated everything.

[@radhiadeedou8286]

Of course people don't want to watch it, we all know how frustrating the ending was

[@thomasmora5390]

@@radhiadeedou8286and how was the ending frustrating?

[@Arcanelake98]

Speaking truths out here. Lost is elite television.

[@raymondsims7042]

@@Arcanelake98imo it was elite television in season 1 and then the rest of it was extremely inconsistent imo.

[@jodynelson2055]

The finale is in my top 3. I love it.

[@druchance]

Before the pilot of Lost, I considered the Pilot episode of ALIAS to be the absolute best

[@t3amtomahawk]

Babylon 5 - S1E1 (Midnight on the Firing Line) sets up seasonal stories, series arcs, and so much in an efficient story. You hardly realize how much is seeded and foreshadowed until you finish the show.

[@Lothar-Wolfsbane]

BSG episode 1 season 1 just hooks you perfectly. You just feel how screwed they are and how they can't win straight up brawls.

[@GG_ab]

now this is a kdrama, so it might not interest everyone watching this particular episode, but when I think of a great pilot episode, I think of While You Were Sleeping. That first episode absolutely blew me away. I miss really good pilot episodes, it's sad that it is so much less of a thing now, with streaming and all.

[@JurassicRod]

It really amazes me how many new shows now don't seem to put any effort into making their first episodes exciting to grab the audience. Same with comic books actually. It's like they can't be bothered.

[@dawnmayflower4422]

It’s not super well known, but Pushing Daises has a great pilot episode - titled “Pie-lette” - that really sets up the tone of the show; introduces the characters and how they relate and interact with each other; some of the over arching themes and obstacles the will occur throughout the show; and leaves you wanting more. Right from the get go you know Ned the Pie Maker can bring dead things back to life and the series deals with death in a bright humorous way.

[@artfulsam]

It’s not a drama (mostly) or a prestige show, but I’d nominate “Space Pilot 3000” from Futurama. It perfectly sets the tone for the show, introduces the characters beautifully, starts showing the world off really well, and sets up a lot of the deeper themes and plot points. People talk about the continuity with the shadow in the cryogenic lab, but the episode sets up so much more, like Leela’s storyline about being abandoned and knowing nothing about her heritage or family, Fry actually genuinely missing his old life and trying to repress it, and even sets up smaller character details/dynamics like how needy and codependent Bender is going to be towards Fry by having Fry’s offer of friendship be the thing that stops Bender from committing suicide. There aren’t exactly any big twists or huge questions at the end of the episode, but it lays out a lot of the overarching themes and long-running storylines, and so perfectly nails the tone and the world, that I feel like it has to be a contender. It just sells the show so well. Also great to see Severance on this list, the whole show is amazing but that pilot is impeccable.

[@VillainIsLemony]

This is going to sound silly because its such a junk food show, but the first Bridgerton episode sets everything up pretty perfectly imo. We're introduced to the two main families, the society theyre in, the expectation on Daphne's shoulders, Lady Whistledown and her nagging influence on the queen, and Simon and Daphne strike their deal. If i had to wait a week between episodes like classic tv, I would've been just as fascinated for it.

[@peterhudson23]

I'd have to throw in Firefly pilot, Rescue Me and The Shield had great ones. Deadwood's was awesome too

[@reaver1414]

What you said about being the age of pilots and shows being canceled is totally true. Right after lost ended, many of the main characters got their own shows and almost every one of them didn't make it past the first season. And really made me wary about getting into new shows because I like so many of them and they all got canceled. The two best examples would be Sawyer and colony which made it to the third season and never got a final season and Juliet and v, which I believe got two seasons and never got an ending, both of which were amazing shows

[@CapPotato388]

Related to this topic (but not thaaat much) is the lost art of mashup commercials for movie channels, where they had to find a common thread between a couple of movies in order to be able to announce them together as a block

[@gdaymates431]

Dexter had a great pilot as well.

[@itsveryordinary5903]

An absolutely AMAZING show with an equally AMAZING pilot is Patriot on Amazon Prime. Criminally under the radar show that deserved so much more fanfare imo

[@Horltum]

I'm not sure if it fits these specific criteria, but I think the first episode of The Afterparty, "Aniq", works perfectly for introducing the show's concept. It immediately establishes the murder mystery element, before explaining the gimmick of the show through a couple lines of exposition and a really short flashback. Then the episode perfectly lays out only the first half of the night of the murder, before introducing the secondary problem that Aniq, the POV character for this episode, is the suspected killer.

[@mr.balloffur]

The first episode of Severance was AMAZING!

[@Bigjojo173]

The piolet to penguin is one of the best I've ever seen. Also got hooked on invincible first episode and breaking bad.

[@jelidaffs]

in my eyes nothing beats Mr. Robot's pilot.. so much is introduced in what feels like a feature film.. and yet the show keeps surprising you so much after that point

[@WasEFr]

0:42 tf is Kanye doing there

[@aidandiamond565]

Ik that's what I was thinking 😭😭

[@moxxy3565]

Let's just ignore OJ Simpson 😂

[@lucasjoe1979]

I always tell people to avoid the 1st episode of black mirror and go back later if you like it.

[@Maxwel_Rodrigues]

The Shield has one of the best pilot episodes of all time, in 45 minutes it manages to inform everything about the characters, the tone of the series, and at the same time manages to tell a closed story with a sensational ending.

[@megapeebs2631]

Sure Stranger Things kind of fell off but damn did it have a good pilot episode it set the atmosphere up greatly and felt unsettling in a way

[@VersieKilgannon]

Thank you for both mentioning how great Dark is but also acknowledging that the pilot did make it seem like a Stranger Things ripoff. I love Dark but couldn't get into Stranger Things 😅

[@thekage100]

I am actually a developer on a new game and this helped us alot! Even though its a different medium! Thx my dude ! 💪😎

[@angelsppp11]

I always love when Heroes gets talked about, it was such a good show (in the beginning at least) and it most definitely has one of the best single seasons in tv history. "Save the cheerleader, save the world". Another show that I think meets the criteria for having a pretty good pilot episode is How to Get Away with Murder. Before it got all repetitive, that first season and specifically that first episode really hooks you in by flipping back and forth between the future and the present so you meet all characters and are shown the problem the season is trying to tackle of who killed so-and-so character.

[@jenjacobs5499]

Love the boys and I'm sorry but homelander has 90's zach morris haircut from saved by the bell😂

[@plushstrawberryfrog]

hannibal’s pilot is masterfully done.

[@JeremysPointOfView]

Entire show is a masterpiece. Start to finish there’s not many shows that did it better. Especially the ending of season 2 into season 3, I love how the show morphs and becomes a different beast every season

[@raymondsims7042]

@@JeremysPointOfViewyeah mizumono is a top two episode I’ve ever watched in any tv show. Hannibal is a masterpiece I agree

[@Father_Daniel]

Great video! I've seen all but Heroes and Only Murders. Sooo hyped for Severance season 2.

[@RobPaulson88]

If argue that “The Bear” has an amazing Pilot episode, it sets up the characters decently, shows the motivations and issues for our protagonist, not to mention it captures the chaos the kitchen expertly.

[@momolongueuil]

This is Us has an amazing pilot too!

[@themadtitan7603]

I came here to say The Penguin's recent pilot is fantastic. Within Oz's second scene, we get a whole idea of his behavior, insecurities, goals & how he'll get there. Then, starting immediately after, we see how that manifests for the remainder of the hour.

[@mediamaniac898]

The pilot of 24 should be on this list. It might not be the best the series has to offer, but it does subvert expectations well, establish its main characters well, and leaves us on a great cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more!

[@RedAnimal100]

Great video! Another really great pilot episode is the 1st episode of Snowfall and The Penguin

[@AlexCorporations]

Mine definitely are as followed (not in any order): Hannibal, Supernatural, Walking Dead, Gravity Falls, Phineas & Ferb, Wizards of Waverly Place, Yellowstone, and Breaking Bad (with Better Call Saul as well). With Breaking Bad, Hannibal, and Gravity Falls objectively being the best pilots out of my list.

[@s815]

you gained a new follower just because your comments on Lost 🌟