Top 20 Pilot Episodes of the Century (So Far)

#19: “Pilot”

Also in:

Top 10 Pilot Episodes That Defined Television

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-) When Brooklyn’s 99th police precinct gets a new, by-the-book captain, the detectives must learn to adapt. This is especially true for Jake Peralta, whose immaturity clashes immediately with Captain Raymond Holt. Although the main story focuses on their burgeoning mutual respect, the rest of the ensemble also get their time to shine. The pilot sketches out most of the main characters’ unique personalities well in a short runtime. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” also establishes that it’s a fun mix between a police procedural and a comedy full of rapid-fire humor and hilarious cutaway gags. Although it’s not as polished as the show’s later episodes, this pilot builds a solid foundation.

#18: “My First Day”

Also in:

Top 30 Best TV Shows of the Century (So Far)

“Scrubs” (2001-10) Medical dramas are a dime a dozen, but a medical comedy? That idea felt fresh. “My First Day” follows a group of interns on their first few days working in a real hospital, with particular focus given to Dr. John J.D. Dorian, who narrates the series. Given that the episode was shot in a different hospital than the one featured in most of the series, there is some disconnect between the pilot and later episodes. However, it still manages to lay the groundwork for the rest of the show. The defining relationships between its quirky characters immediately begin to take shape. We also get a taste of “Scrubs”’ particular mix of humor and surprisingly emotional moments.

#17: “Pilot”

Also in:

Top 10 Pilot Episodes of TV Sitcoms

“The Shield” (2002-08) Although anti-hero cops and police shows have both been around for decades, “The Shield”’s first hour still manages to surprise. The pilot shows us the lives of various members of a police precinct. We really get to know Vic Mackey, who serves as the main protagonist and a blatantly dirty cop. His ability to achieve results lets him run roughshod over everyone else, including his new captain. Although the episode sets up the idea that his new team member will take him down, “Training Day'' style, the pilot completely defies our expectations. With brisk pacing and themes that remain just as relevant now as they were when it first aired, this pilot kicks off “The Shield” with a bang.

#16: “Pilot”

Also in:

Top 10 TV Drama Pilot Episodes

“How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14) Friends in New York, yada yada sitcom, we’ve all seen it right? Well, this show’s a little different. In the “How I Met Your Mother” pilot we meet Ted and his friends in a flashback as he tells his kids the story of how he met their mother…or at least, in this episode, of how he met their “aunt” Robin. The narrative device of Ted telling the story allows for a lot of flexibility and opportunities for humor. Each member of the primary cast feels distinct and memorable. Although they’re all funny in their own right, Barney is easily an early standout. While it’s just the first chapter of a long story, it still stands as one of the finest episodes in the series.

“Heroes” (2006-10) In “Genesis,” a diverse group of people across the world discover they have superpowers. All of them react differently to this news. While some are excited, others are worried. The story also plants the seeds of future events too. Not only are there indications that an organization is hunting superpowered people, but we also see an apocalyptic prophetic drawing. The varied cast and multiple settings ensure that there’s never a dull moment. And the sense of mystery and wonder on display here are wonderful to watch. Say what you will about where “Heroes” went in future seasons, but its beginnings are absolute fire!

#14: “Uno”

Also in:

Top 20 Best X-Files Episodes

“Better Call Saul” (2015-) Spin-offs and prequels have a tough time making characters that we’re already familiar with feel fresh. But “Better Call Saul” does something ingenious with its pilot. We meet, not Saul Goodman, criminal lawyer to criminals, but instead Jimmy McGill, a hapless public defender struggling to care for his brother. The question of how Jimmy becomes Saul is instantly intriguing. While the setting and some of the characters feel similar to its parent show, which we may be discussing later, “Better Call Saul” still has its own unique style. Jimmy makes for a surprisingly charismatic lead. The supporting cast we’re introduced to also begin to show their promise. Add in some exciting callbacks/call-forwards and excellent cinematography, and we’re happy “it’s showtime, folks!” [note: do not SB this line immediately after]

“Watchmen” (2019) Based on the comic book of the same name, “Watchmen” probably wasn’t the sequel fans were expecting. It immediately stands out from its Cold War-era source material by spending its harrowing first moments depicting the Tulsa Massacre of 1921. Set in an alternate history where white supremacist violence has forced police to wear masks in the 21st century, the pilot does a great job at providing visual exposition without holding the audience’s hands. The action is intense and visceral, the camerawork is creative, and the mysteries raised are an excellent hook for the rest of the show. “Watchmen” may not be what some fans expected, but its first episode makes it clear that sometimes the unexpected can be better than what you think you wanted.

“Mr. Robot” (2015-19) Moody and captivating from start to finish, the pilot for “Mr. Robot” takes us into the mind and life of Elliot, a security specialist by day and a vigilante hacker by night. The episode does a wonderful job of portraying Elliot’s barely restrained anger at the world. And although he has awkward encounters with others, he still longs for connection. Elliot’s burgeoning contact with a mysterious hacker group named “fsociety” leads to his delusions of paranoia becoming very justified. Before he knows it, he finds himself caught up in their plans to take down a huge corporation. Led by a spellbinding performance from Rami Malek, “Mr. Robot”’s pilot presents timely themes while establishing a thrilling atmosphere with impressive confidence and plenty of style.

“Modern Family” (2009-20) Family sitcoms were pretty much considered old hat back in 2009. So, there weren’t a ton of people who thought the genre could be novel or innovative again. But that changed when “Modern Family”’s first episode arrived on the scene. The episode follows three very different families who are related to one another in three separate plots before they all dovetail into one. All the characters’ personalities are strongly defined right out of the gate and add to the hilarity. When it comes to comedies, “Modern Family” is easily one of the best pilots the century has to offer.

“The Leftovers” (2014-17) Three years after 2% of the world’s population disappeared without explanation, the enthralling story of “The Leftovers” begins. We’re introduced to the Garvey family as well as several other residents of their small town. Although the Garveys didn’t lose as much as other people did, the shattered state of their family showed that the event deeply impacted them. While the premise feels familiar, the execution here is spectacular. A general sense of repressed emotions pervades the performances and the writing. The world truly feels like it was turned upside down. By thoroughly examining the trauma this mass Departure would cause, the show builds up a fascinating premise that had us waiting to see what would happen next.

#9: “The Long Bright Dark”

Also in:

Top 20 Unexpectedly Dark Episodes in Kids Cartoons

“True Detective” (2014-) This ain’t your usual cop drama. “True Detective”’s pilot introduces two Louisiana detectives as they recount the details of a ritualistic murder case they both worked on together years earlier. New killings similar to the old ones prompt the two men to be interviewed. The constant switch between two time periods makes for an interesting format. As exciting as the central mystery is, the detectives themselves are just as fascinating, with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey delivering fantastic performances. The excellent acting, fantastic cinematography, and truly spectacular dialogue made “The Long Bright Dark” a bright beginning to “True Detective.”

“Six Feet Under” (2001-05) The patriarch of the Fisher family mortuary business dies on Christmas Eve. His ensuing wake and funeral are detailed in the show’s first episode. As the events play out, we get to know the Fishers through their varying reactions to grief and the way their lives are interrupted and changed by the losss. Oh, and did we mention how funny it gets? The pilot manages to be surprisingly hilarious by offering moments of levity and surrealism. Overall, the pilot does an excellent job of showcasing the show’s unique blend of humor, pathos, and family drama. There’s really nothing else like “Six Feet Under”.

“Mad Men” (2007-15) The opening hour of “Mad Men” is split between two main story threads. One plot follows secretary Peggy Olson on her first day in an ad agency. Another storyline focuses on the struggles of ad-man Don Draper, who’s trying to pitch a cigarette advertisement in the wake of recent research on their dangers. Like the pitch Don tries to make, there’s a lot going on underneath the surface here. Beyond the gorgeous costumes, great sets, and Don’s fascinating character, the casual bigotry and sexism make it clear that the show won’t be just a love letter to the time period. The pilot entices the consumer to buy into a layered experience, and ultimately succeeds in making us want to come back for more.

“Arrested Development” (2003-06, 2013-19) The best comedic pilot on our list has to be “Arrested Development”. This series opener introduces us to the hilariously dysfunctional Bluth family. The centerpiece of the episode is a boat party where the family patriarch is arrested for SEC violations. All of the characters are distinctive and hilarious. All the while, the narration provides exposition and additional opportunities for comedy. The joke per minute ratio is insane, with quick visual gags and one-liners flying fast and free throughout the pilot. Given how rewatchable this episode is, you’ll be sure to replay the episode to catch the jokes that you missed and to witness the Bluths at their best.

“Stranger Things” (2016-) If you want to talk about strong hooks, it doesn’t get much better than this! The disappearance of a young boy in a small Indiana town coincides with the appearance of a young girl with mysterious powers. Did we also mention there’s a monster lurking in the shadows? The captivating ideas presented in the first episode of “Stranger Things” make it extremely inviting. It also delivers a potent dose of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 1980s. Although the tone and some of the subject matter is similar to many movies from the era, “Stranger Things'' feels distinct. Its blend of new and old elements work so well together that viewers wanted to binge the rest of the first season immediately.

#4: “Winter Is Coming”

Also in:

Top 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19) When you’re tasked with bringing a fantasy novel series as dense as the “Game of Thrones” franchise is to the screen, where do you even start? “Winter Is Coming” handles its source material faithfully while introducing major players like the Stark Family with grace. The massive cast features no shortage of strong performances. Meanwhile, the detailed sets and fantastic effects bring the land of Westeros to life. Although this pilot wasn’t the first attempt at filming the start of the series, the second attempt proved to be the charm. Whether it’s the characters, the intrigue, or the world itself, there’s something about the episode that makes you want to play the “Game of Thrones.”

“The Walking Dead” (2010-) Most pilots are great because they take time to introduce who’s in the main cast and how they will interact with each other. But “The Walking Dead” takes a different approach. “Days Gone Bye” mainly focuses on Rick Grimes, a former sheriff deputy who awakens from a coma to discover he’s in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. After Rick journeys through this new world solo, Morgan and his son Duane help explain the situation to him. Andrew Lincoln delivers a great performance that carries the episode. The direction and makeup also make the pilot feel like it’s a zombie film in its own right. Unlike the walkers, this strong opening moves at a fast pace.

“Lost” (2004-10) “Lost” went big by creating one of the most expensive pilots ever produced. Fortunately, it paid off big time. In the aftermath of a plane crash, a diverse and large group of survivors get to know each other as they explore the mysterious island they’ve crashed on. Practically everything about this premise is appealing. We instantly have tons of questions about the mysteries the island holds. But we also want to know more about the intriguing cast of characters. While there’s plenty of spectacle, the smaller, human moments are also fantastic. Bottom line, if this premiere doesn’t get you hooked, you might be “lost” yourself. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Miniseries, “Battlestar Galactica” (2003-09) Can a Miniseries Be a Pilot? Sure, Just Look at This Awesome Beginning! “Pilot,” “The Americans” (2013-18) A Spy Thriller About Russian Agents During the ‘80s Is a Fantastic Premise “Pilot,” “Prison Break” (2005-09; 2017) A Guy Purposely Goes to Prison to Break His Innocent Brother Out? Sign Us Up! “The Target,” “The Wire” (2002-08) The Gripping Opening Chapter of This Epic Crime Drama “Pilot,” “30 Rock” (2006-13) Who Knew the Behind-the-Scenes Workings of a Late Night Comedy Could Be Just as Funny?

“Breaking Bad” (2008-13) We can tell you’re shocked [sarcasm]: one of the most acclaimed TV series of all time also has one of the finest pilots. In case you’ve been living in an RV in the desert for a couple of decades, the pilot introduces us to chemistry teacher Walter White. After discovering he has lung cancer, he decides to cook and sell meth with his former student Jesse Pinkman to fund treatment and provide for his family. The acting, directing, and writing are all top-notch from the start. There’s even some humor and foreshadowing you may not catch the first time around. “Breaking Bad”’s first episode broke our expectations of what a pilot can be. We’re still waiting for a show to eclipse it.