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Perfect pilot episodes of great TV shows set the precedent and make it easier for viewers to decide whether to follow the series and its multiple seasons to the end or if it is skippable.
Numerous shows became superhits over time due to their impactful pilot episodes that kept the audience hooked. Shows such as Ozark, Mr. Robot, and Stranger Things, among others, captured the attention of viewers from the very first episodes, immersing them in their mysterious or supernatural storylines so that people would follow these narratives and characters until the end of their journeys.
In this article, we have listed 10 TV shows that had unforgettable pilot episodes, ensuring that their audience was hooked from the very beginning.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
10) The Walking Dead
One of the best zombie-apocalypse shows, The Walking Dead, perfectly showed viewers what the story is about by featuring a zombie scene in the very first episode.
It also incorporates intense action and drama by having Rick Grimes wake up from a coma after being injured, only to find the world overrun by zombies. In one of the best pilot episodes, titled Days Gone Bye, the audience starts to discover this new apocalyptic world through Rick’s eyes, gradually accommodating the strangeness of it little by little.
9) Mindhunter
The psychological thriller Mindhunter keeps its audience hooked from the very first episode.
We get to notice the developing camaraderie between FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), as Tench slowly assumes the role of counseling the young and passionate agent Ford.
The episode takes us back to 1977 and shows how much effort Holden puts into understanding criminals and, later, his curiosity regarding criminal psychology. The episode also marks the beginning of new techniques used by the FBI to understand criminals and catch them quickly, making it one of the best pilot episodes.
8) The Good Place
The Good Place, starring Kristen Bell, is one of the best fantasy comedy shows that depicted an outstanding storyline and characters from start to finish.
The first episode of the show, titled Everything Is Fine, follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who mistakenly ends up in the "Good Place" after her death. Later, it is revealed that she is the wrong Eleanor and might not deserve to be in this place. However, she vows to become a better person who deserves to live in The Good Place.
The characters and the fresh plot, along with the talented ensemble cast, make the episode one of the best pilot episodes.
7) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
The anime TV series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba won many hearts and received appreciation through its dramatic storytelling about demons and demon slayers.
In the first episode of the anime series, we follow Tanjiro Kamado, whose simple life is shattered after his whole family dies due to a demon attack, leaving one of his younger sisters, Nezuko, transformed into a demon.
In one of the best pilot episodes, we see Tanjiro protecting her and, eventually, going on a journey to find a cure that can transform his little sister back into a human.
6) Orphan Black
The sci-fi thriller Orphan Black successfully keeps the audience hooked with the mystery of the story and Tatiana Maslany’s acting.
The episode titled Natural Selection follows Sarah as she encounters a distressed woman on the platform. Just before she commits s**cide, Sarah and the woman, named Elizabeth, face each other, discovering that they both look alike. The woman then jumps to her death.
Sarah later tries to steal from Elizabeth when she is encountered by another woman who looks like her and gets killed in front of her, adding more interesting and mysterious details to the already intriguing plot, making it another one of the best pilot episodes.
5) Dark
The sci-fi thriller Dark perfectly lays out the story, important elements, and characters in the premiere episode of the multi-season series. From Michael Kahnwald’s s**cide to Mikkel Nielsen’s disappearance and the introduction of the mysterious cave and the bunker where Erik is strapped down, the revealed major details are important in the storyline further.
Adding to its dramatic and mysterious elements, the episode titled Secrets deserves to be on the list of the best pilot episodes.
4) The Bear
The Bear’s premiere episode, titled System, gives us a glimpse of the tension and drama that will unfold as Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) returns to Chicago to take over and save his family’s restaurant, The Beef.
Making it one of the best pilot episodes, The Bear, in its 27-minute runtime, reveals glimpses of Carmen’s past, introduces more characters, and tells a little bit about Carmen’s older brother, who had passed away, leaving the viewers with more questions. This ensures the audience keeps coming back to get all the answers and understand the gritty environment of the restaurant business more.
3) Severance
Next on the list of best pilot episodes of shows is the premiere episode of Severance, titled Good News About Hell.
The first episode keeps the audience intrigued with the revelation of inner and outer versions created by Lumon Industries. Introducing the viewers to something refreshing and mysteriously detailed, the premiere episode of the sci-fi psychological thriller ensures that the audience keeps coming back to discover more about the process and the biotech company.
2) The White Lotus
The black comedy anthology series was a global hit that topped all viewing charts and won numerous accolades since its premiere.
The premiere episode, titled Arrivals, perfectly sets the stage as the guests arrive at the White Lotus hotel in Hawaii.
One of the best pilot episodes, it introduces the audience to the chaos of the hotel, where new guests have arrived, each bringing their own set of problems and drama. In the first episode itself, the show gives the audience a glimpse of its comedic yet mysterious vibes. The show immediately sets up underlying tensions and social satire.
1) Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad’s premiere episode, titled Pilot, follows the story of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White, an unsatisfied high school chemistry teacher.
Although the show is a masterpiece from start to finish, the first episode is one of the best pilot episodes because it lays the groundwork for Walter receiving the news that he has terminal lung cancer and a limited time of two years to live. He then embarks on this epic journey of his downfall by beginning to cook crystal meth with one of his former students, Jesse.
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