First impressions are like cheap cologne: initially overpowering, possibly deceptive, but occasionally, you find one that takes your nose hostage and doesn’t let go. A TV show pilot episode sort of works the same way.
Given the pivotal role a pilot plays in a show’s success, we’ve curated a list of the most compelling TV show pilot episodes — the ones that grabbed our attention and set the tone for the entire series.
We sifted through decades of television, evaluating each pilot on its originality, narrative strength, and the indelible mark it left on audiences. These are the standout moments, the pioneering episodes that turned us from skeptical viewers into dedicated fans.
Lost
It’s been years since Lost’s two-part pilot episode crashed through screens and into our hearts, and we’ve all endlessly searched for a way to re-experience that rush ever since.
Our first introduction to Jack, Kate, and all the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 remains one of the most riveting TV show pilot episode experiences in broadcast history. But even with such a grand entrance, nothing could have prepared us for the island’s mind-bending games that followed.
Breaking Bad
Walter White’s transformation from an oppressed high school chemistry teacher to a feared methamphetamine manufacturer captivated us all from its very first episode in January 2008. Breaking Bad’s pilot episode masterfully laid the groundwork for what would become one of television’s most epic tales of descent and moral ambiguity.
But Bryan Cranston’s performance was on another level. We were forced to dig deep into our psyches and rethink what truly makes a hero and what constitutes a villain. The show even spawned some morally questionable movie merch for the kids, but that’s a story for another day. Nevertheless, Breaking Bad made us wonder how far we would go for the ones we loved.
Dexter
Miami Dade’s most endearing blood-spatter analyst tapped into all our dark passengers when Dexter hit Showtime in October 2006. The pilot episode introduced us to Dexter and his first nemesis, the Ice Truck Killer.
It was an adversary who would later prove to test the very code that guides Dexter in his homicidal hobbies. Dexter’s serial killer persona made us all question our morality and thoughts on vigilante justice, but it never stopped us from rooting for him to get another victim on his table.
True Detective
There’s nothing that grabs our attention quite like ritualistic murder — and that’s exactly what detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart were up against during this TV show pilot episode in the sultry doldrums of Louisiana. The non-linear storyline between 1995 and 2012 kept us super engaged along the way.
We glimpse into the psychological depths of our detective friends; we learn about their personal demons and philosophical musings against the backdrop of a hauntingly atmospheric Southern Gothic mystery. Did we mention that it was a masterclass in storytelling? But really — that sense of dread we all felt each week lasted long after the final credits rolled.
The Walking Dead
The chilling opening of The Walking Dead in October 2010 immediately transported us to a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. We met Rick Grimes for the first time and began a journey into the survival of the human spirit, trying to make sense of new societal norms among the remnants of humanity.
The show went on to strike a balance between horror with the emotional depth and complex relationships of those who survived. We walked in their shoes, felt their emotions, and wondered what it would be like to be alive in a world where death quite literally lurks around every corner.
The Wire
The Wire’s TV show pilot episode whacked us over the head and dragged us into the gritty Baltimore projects. We met street-level drug dealers and masterminds and the law enforcement officers who pursued them.
The show gave us our first glance into the nuances of social and economic forces shaping the darker aspects of crime culture. Unlike the “safe-for-the-masses” crime dramas that Hollywood typically spits out, The Wire spirals us down into the unsightly complexities of urban survival and the generations that are groomed into its deadly lifestyle.
Prison Break
After Prison Break debuted in 2005, folks everywhere gained a new level of respect for breathing exercises. The series immediately sank its high-stakes hooks in us by setting a relentlessly fast pace and introducing one man’s unwavering determination. The show’s opener introduces us to Michael Scofield and his ingenious plan to prison break his wrongfully convicted brother sitting on death row.
Michael is so determined to succeed that he tattoos the escape plan on his body — as any good jailbreak enthusiast would obviously do. The series only escalates from its initial punch, expertly challenging our preconceived notions of loyalty, family, and justice.
The Sopranos
What do ducks, mobsters, therapy, and New Jersey all have in common? They’re prominently featured in The Sopranos TV show pilot episode. Did the world really need another mobster story? David Chase thought so, and we’re glad he did.
The show gets well-deserved credit for bringing us into a new era of television, and we’re thrust right into the thick of it from the start. The show’s character development, sharp wit, and ethical ambivalence consistently sway us into empathizing with characters who defy simple categorization.
The X-Files
The X-Files landed on Earth in 1993, quickly probing us into an endless catalog of unexplainable stories — not to mention an onscreen chemistry between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully that might as well have written the book on romantic tension.
The series launched with an unforgettable investigation into teen disappearances linked to alien abduction. It quickly set the tone and kept us returning to the sofa each week for our next fix of paranormal anomalies.
Parenthood
2010’s Parenthood brought us straight into the heartwarming yet chaotic world of the Braverman family — and the pilot episode grabbed us by the collar and never let go.
Showrunner Jason Katims found a way to make us instantly relate to the complexities of family, sibling rivalry, unexpected parenting challenges, and the pursuit of passion. We laughed; we cried; we chose sides, argued, and shot glaring glances at our significant others when a situation onscreen mirrored our own world.
Mad Men
Mad Men transported us back to the intoxicating allure of a 1960s Madison Avenue advertising world. This TV show pilot episode instantly seduced us with its slick aesthetics and complex characters, like the infamous Donald Draper.
Far from being a mere period piece, the show dissects the psyche of its characters — and perhaps all of us watching along. After each episode, we felt more ambitious. We held our favorite characters’ secrets and related to every desire simmering beneath their polished exteriors.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
If you thought Amy Sherman-Palladino peaked with Gilmore Girls, think again. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel brings us back to 1950s New York City, where we meet Midge Maisel and witness her unexpected rise into stand-up comedy. After watching her raw and unfiltered, off-the-cuff brand of humor unfold on stage in the series premiere, I literally stood alone in my living room in a standing ovation.
Comedy is just a vehicle for a show that hits its stride on so many different levels. We celebrated with Midge as she empowered women. We felt her pain when society put up unjust roadblocks and barriers. But maybe, most of all, we allowed ourselves to break conventional norms and forge our passion-driven path to success.
Californication
As a writer, my first impression of Californication’s Hank Moody was nothing less than relatable: arguing with the blank page, navigating relationships, and that nagging penchant for self-destruction. The show is more than just a nod to writers or folks carrying out blasphemous acts inside a church.
Hank makes such a troubled and tortured life seem glamorous and even somewhat enviable. We watched as a man unraveled, all the while professing his undying love for a woman he couldn’t ultimately have. He sure did have an entertaining way of showing it, though.
Suits
Would you believe us if we told you we knew someone who could recite law books verbatim? Probably not. But then there’s Mike Ross, the bike messenger college dropout who turned Manhattan corporate law on its head.
With Harvey Specter leading the charge and harboring Mike’s dirty secret, the unlikely law-bending duo was virtually unstoppable. From the very beginning, Suits delivered a case for television greatness no jury could vote against.
The Newsroom
Will McAvoy welcomes us to the high-octane, idealistic world of cable news, where ratings trump integrity and the pursuit of truth is nothing more than a fantastical quest. This TV show’s pilot episode kicks off with the jaded news anchor experiencing a public epiphany that sets him on a course to redefine the news.
His new mission: to inform the public in an era of sensationalism and partisan divides. Aaron Sorkin’s signature rapid-fire dialogue and complex characters give the series its true pulse.
Sons of Anarchy
My mother was an ER nurse and didn’t hold back from telling me all her horror stories resulting from motorcycle accidents. I vowed never to get on a motorcycle from an early age. Then I watched Sons of Anarchy and chalked those tales up to be the loosely based fabrications of an overly worried mother.
We first meet Jax Teller as he begins questioning SAMCRO’s illegal dealings and his own legacy after discovering a manifesto written by his late father. We watched intently as the pulse-pounding introspective narrative unfolded. It schooled us on loyalty and pushed our boundaries of morality — all through the eyes of our favorite outlaw motorcycle club.
This Is Us
What if there were an invisible thread linking us all together? That’s exactly what This Is Us explored when it unapologetically crashed our lives in 2016. The pilot episode introduces us to diverse characters about to turn 36 years old, each facing pivotal moments. Jack celebrates with his pregnant wife Rebecca, who is expecting triplets. Their festive mood shifts dramatically when her water suddenly breaks during a birthday dance.
We meet Kate and her refrigerator covered in Post-it notes, wrestling with feelings about her weight. Randall, the high-flying businessman, makes a life-altering decision to find his biological father. Kevin questions his superficial acting career on a TV sitcom as he faces an existential crisis, pondering his life’s purpose beyond the glitz of his celebrity status.
Bloodline
The Florida Keys is for sunshiny vacations and overly-dressed adult beverages — unless you’re a Rayburn. Bloodline drags us underneath the tropical surface and into the seductive saga of family loyalty–and even darker secrets.
The pilot episode introduces us to the deceptive calm of a Rayburn family reunion, which quickly becomes the catalyst for unraveling sins and simmering tensions. The show delivers a tale as murky and mysterious as the waters surrounding the Keys. It captures us in its net and reels us in with the inescapable pull of blood ties.
Shameless
Chicago. Home to the Cubs, deep dish pizza, the Willis Tower, and the Gallaghers. But what kind of debauchery does it really take to survive on Chicago’s southside? Shameless showed us the way. Frank Gallagher and his resilient offspring navigate life’s hurdles with a mix of humor and sheer will.
The show’s raw portrayal of their struggles against poverty, addiction, and systemic failures is as heart-wrenching as it is darkly comedic. But family is family — despite its flaws — and the Gallaghers showed us how to uphold that special brand of love and loyalty.
Succession
If you thought your last family gathering was messy, you’ve got nothing on the Roy family. Succession centers around the family-owned and operated Waystar Royco media empire — and the pilot episode sets the chessboard for a modern-day Shakespearean tragedy to unfold.
When a health scare sends shockwaves through the family hierarchy, family heirs jostle for position in preparation for a potential succession battle. It’s a hilarious combination of dark humor and high drama that perfectly captures the complexities of familial bonds strained by ambition — well, maybe strained by greed. But what family issues can’t be solved with a friendly softball game?
