Top 10 Pilot Episodes That Defined Television
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First impressions are important! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best first episodes of various TV shows that set the scene for the rest of the show, and had us hooked right away. Our countdown includes shows “Mad Men”, “Modern Family”, “Game of Thrones” and more! Did one of these pilots leave its mark with you? Let us know which one in the comments!
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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.
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Did one of these pilots leave its mark with you? Let us know below, and be sure to also check out our video of the Top 20 Most Shocking TV Deaths Ever: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pn6uz9N6dKzWYKw.htmlsi=WX8JMd2WWdVWGy-V
@Nansanity
5 ай бұрын
I'll tell you what left its mark, referring to Mad Men as taking place in "the mid-1900s". On behalf of several generations, I'm going to need a verbal and written apology immediately!
@Champ-tt5id
5 ай бұрын
GOT! Lost! This Is Us! The Good lace got me for a few episodes only. This video made me want to try it again and try the Sopranos and mayyybe Breaking Bad. But you guys did forget the regular Walking Dead. And Abbot Elementary is top tier!
@Nansanity
5 ай бұрын
@@Champ-tt5idThey have The Walking Dead on here towards the end on the "honorable mention" portion of the video
@Champ-tt5id
5 ай бұрын
@@Nansanity its some other version of the show. Not the original.
@gevorg1989
3 ай бұрын
Make your lists spoiler-free by not mentioning the dying person when giving top's number and title. Leave the name for the narration
The Pilot of Glee had one of the biggest impacts ever - that cover of Dont Stop Believing blowing up and the show became massive... at least at the start
@madelinegarber7860
6 ай бұрын
Oh yeah I’ll never forget that. People lost their minds after that for months.
@madelinegarber7860
6 ай бұрын
My choir actually did our own cover in high school I think it was. That’s how iconic it got.
@zuzukris4952
5 ай бұрын
I agree!!
@benbaer4697
5 ай бұрын
Still the worst show ever.
@thepolloelectrico1117
Ай бұрын
I cannot stress enough how GOOD it is. I agree, it's so wrong they left it out.
I would say the Heroes pilot should have been on this list. the first season of Heroes was amazing. 'Save the Cheerleader, save the world.'
@Jonteponte71
6 ай бұрын
I still get goosebumps when hearing that phrase.
@rwwilson21
6 ай бұрын
@@Jonteponte71 yeah. that first season was epic. than it just went to shit.
@bifa5414
5 ай бұрын
@@rwwilson21 It's because of that writers strike
@rwwilson21
5 ай бұрын
@@bifa5414 yeah, but it still give the excuse that show went to shit. It would be like 'saying every show now will go shit but you know what since their was a writer's strike, it's okay." No they still have to their fuck jobs and not push, "THE MESSAGE" down our fucking throat.
LOST pilot was so good it kept people hanging on for seasons thinking they would get answers but all they got were more questions 😂😅
@8ojack
6 ай бұрын
Also, nestled in the pilot was an explanation of the entire plot hidden in form of Locke explaining backgammon to Walt. This wouldn’t be recognized as anything until season 5. What a truly well thought out show right from the get go. Also, if you still have questions about the mysteries about the show that haven’t been answered all these years later, search the internet for “Chronologically LOST” 😉
@gevorg1989
3 ай бұрын
It's not all we got. We got answers, maybe not all of them, but still. Check Lostpedia, read every epispde's article, maybe you'll get some of them. Also TVTropes is great site
I always thought The Nanny did a great job with their pilot. They set up the scene for all the characters, giving us a goodly amount of insight into who they were and the journey ahead
Orphan Black should at least be an honorable mention. Those first few minutes are insane!
The Pilot episode of The OC is one of my absolute favourite tv episodes ever, it just set the show up perfectly.
@jenplinguist
6 ай бұрын
Yes--my #3 pick after Pan Am and Bojack. Three's Company is definitely in my Top 5 as well!
@louisacoote2337
5 ай бұрын
Also Veronica Mars’ pilot episode is brilliant, it sets up the premise perfectly, introduces all the key characters and it’s just wonderful. That first season is just one of the best TV seasons ever, in my opinion
Outlander, West Wing, ER, The Good Wife
I also thought Buffy did really well with it's Pilot. Well, maybe not the original one pre-Allyson Hannigan, but the official one we actually got 😊
for me it was definitely "Smallville" and "Supernatural"....Clark in that corn field with an 'S' on him. And who could forget "Dad's on a hunting trip, and he hasn't been home in a few days"...iconic!!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer really brought you into a new world with Welcome to the Hellmouth. West Wing and ER had outstanding pilots.
I think ER and Friends were two shows with excellent pilots. ER was revolutionary in its use of long tracking shots with so much action and choreography of dialogue that were typically only used in movies at that time. And Friends was a seminal show with a perfectly balanced cast of characters who audiences instantly connected with.
@SailorsGirl1957
5 ай бұрын
And *I* just want a million dollars. Chandler Bing
@theseinstrumentals
5 ай бұрын
Out of curiosity I tried to watch the pilot of Friends months ago and couldn’t bear the first five minutes. I had seen other episodes before and I like Phoebe and Joey but overall it isn’t for me
I liked True Blood and was hooked from pilot. Mindhunter, Ozark, Shameless, The Santa Clarita Diet, so many
The X Files! That show had a huge impact on television and the pilot asked all of us, do you believe?
@MayfaireOquinn1210
5 ай бұрын
Agreed, should be in the top 5 at a minimum.
@jilljohnson1413
5 ай бұрын
It should be there in place of Lost. I just think without X Files then Lost might not have even ever bee made???
I agree with many of the comments. How is The West Wing not on this list? Also, ER should be there. But man, not having The West Wing on this list is a fail.
The West Wing and it’s walk and talk ! How does the West Wing not get mentioned ?
@donnaaussiedch8040
5 ай бұрын
That was the first show that came to me as well. And the Newsroom.
@wastedpotential1965
4 ай бұрын
The West Wing pilot also had one of the all time great character entrances when Martin Sheen as President Bartlett enters reciting the First Commandment, "I am the Lord, thy God...."
@eduardolpz386
4 ай бұрын
@@wastedpotential1965 best character introduction ever.
GoT pilot was revolutionary. The Cinematography, Dialogue and Pacing was absolutely incredible
@jodiecarlson6955
5 ай бұрын
And then there was the finale. LOL.
@Jaime.Lannister
5 ай бұрын
@@jodiecarlson6955 "The Pilot" nobody wants to give flying shits to what D&D created in the finale
The Nanny better be on this list. The pilot episode was one of the best intros to a show's premise, ever.
ER has the best pilot of television history
The West Wing was a huge miss on this list. Could easily have been a Top 20 video.
@KyrjaSigewif
5 ай бұрын
Agreed! Do you know where can I watch The West Wing nowadays?
@kkirw01
5 ай бұрын
HBO Max
What I like about Lost overall is that it showed how creative network TV can be. At the time cable was the biggest thing and everybody said regular network shows were dead. Then Lost came along and showed what you can do with " limitations". Constantly refreshing itself
‘Manifest’. Flight 828 goes missing for five and a half years, then comes back with no one aged! It’s a great pilot for sure
LOST should have been number one. As great as the Breaking Bad series was, the pilot of BB did not have the same impact that the pilot of LOST did.
@heatherharper0224
4 ай бұрын
I completely agree! I had just started high school & and the Lost pilot drew me in like no other show had at the time. It was appointment viewing from the jump. While Breaking Bad grew to be amazing, it took me about 3 tries to completely suck me in & that was after I bought the season DVDs & was able to binge the first 2 seasons during a particularly bad flu.
Saw the title and came on here to mention the best pilot ever made (IMHO), because I was sure it was would get overlooked. And lo and behold you ranked it #2!! People were so divided and disappointed by Lost as it went on, they forget how incredible it was when it started. And it wasn’t the first episode, I have never before or since seen a show have a better filmed, more action packed, bigger anxiety inducing first 5 MINUTES than Lost had!
One of pilots that absolutely got me hooked was “Return” for the show UnREAL. There was a breakdown of how they categorize contestants, introduces a mind-blowing level of manipulation, characters that are so despicable but you love them... It was the only pilot which had me going “If this happened in the 1st episode what the hell is gonna happen next?”
I definitely agree with these pics. Thank you, Sophia , and a happy monday (an new year) to you as well. Take care and God bless you, and greetings from Colombia.
For me Lost, Manifest, Smallville, Once Upon A Time, and The Flash have amazing pilot episodes. I was instantly hooked.
Twin Peaks: I say this all the time. From all the crime dramas that I’ve watched, the way that world stops over Laura MADE me want to continue to learn who she was and what happened. Andy crying sold me.
Outlander! A WWII nurse thrown 200 years back in time falling in love with the most handsome man of honor Highlander !
@jaclynsanture6643
5 ай бұрын
My mom loves Outlander!
I'd put The Shield on this list. On eo fthe original anit-hero shows. When Vic kills a cop at the end of the episode, it really sets the tone for the whole series.
Twin Peaks' and Mad Men's pilots are really fantastic.
@cocoaorange1
5 ай бұрын
I liked Mad Men!
The Shield on FX, if it weren't for this one, a lot of these others wouldn't have happened. It took chances long before it's time.
Once Upon a Time had a great first episode and Vikings
@ThePinkDragon
6 ай бұрын
The best Pilot I can remember
So glad Modern Family made the list- the pilot was hysterical. Such excellent writing. I do think The West Wing and Shameless could have made the list. Both were a great introduction to the series! Particularly Shameless with the opening monologue detailing each character and the tracking shot for the first kitchen scene that throws you right into the action. The choreography, acting and writing is just so good. Of course that could apply to The West Wing as well 😅.
No mention of The Golden Girls? One of the best pilots ever. And it was the first time older women were the all the lead in an ensemble cast.
I was instantly hooked into this is us from the very first episode that pilot was really good
Will & Grace! You know and understand exactly who everyone is from the very beginning.
The "Lost" pilot was amazing, like a movie, was perfect, they deserved #1
OMG the pilot of Manifest should have been on the list, in the upper 5. That one was amazing
Let's be honest, there are HUNDREDS of shows they could have added here. I'm kinda sad Suits didn't make the list. That was the groundbreaker for a great show XD
Personally, I feel that "Give Me a Ring Sometime," the 1982 pilot of the NBC sitcom "Cheers," is the best pilot I've ever seen. It was incredibly literate and the humor smart. It was very conversational, much like an old radio show. Everything you needed to know about the main characters, and the series as a whole, is all in the pilot.
Almost forgot about the leftovers. Even that clip gave me goosebumps
Thank For The Pilot Episode Top 10 Video 🤩💗🥰😁😃👌💐🌟🥇🏆
All the series and shows in this video are awesome, including their first episodes👍👍.
MURPHY BROWN is phenomenal. And Battlestar Galactica (2004).
When I first watch modern family I was so shocked when the connection some of the characters where related to shocked me not gonna lie
I love a food pilot and often go back to just watch that one episode ❤
Breaking Bad was the GOAT but TWD, Sons of Anarchy and Dexter had impeccable first episodes.
@Jonteponte71
6 ай бұрын
Dexter was amazing. Until they killed off Rita.
@nenesspirtualgirlbest9562
6 ай бұрын
Couldn't agree with you more 😊
i'm in my last few episodes of modern family and the pilot made me emotional
ER, Friends, Lost, the Mad Men pilot episode, No Ordinary Family, PanAm, the Gravity Falls pilot episode, Darkwing Duck, V For Vendetta, The Walking Dead, and other shows should've been on the list. 📺📺📺📺📺
I knew Breaking Bad would be at the top and GOT would be on here too. But I also agree with what others were saying about Glee being iconic too. One pilot that I’ve come to appreciate over time despite it not being around long enough to be truly iconic is the Mandalorian. Not only was this the first live action Star Wars show, but it introduced us to a whe host of neew characters that would quickly become favorites. If you’d seen the animated shows it expnded on a culture that had been explored during those shows. But if you hadn’t like me, it introduced a whole nee culture that’s as fascinating as it is unique. This ie from the perspective of someone who’d only seen the movies. Of course I’ve watched and caught up on everything since then.
No FRIENDS? Perfect intro to all characters. And Honeland's pilot is unbelievable as well
This explaination didn't do much to sell the brilliance of the pilot episode of 'This is Us'.
I cannot tell you how much I LOVE The Good Place, but that series outstanding contribution to TV is the finale, one of the best ever! GLEE's pilot should be taking its place, even if the series was not as consistent as its first episode, that pilot is one of the best, most breakthrough, incisive and well written and directed ever.
I refuse to believe that throughout the history of television, the top ten pilots, except two, that "defined television" happened after 2004.
@donnaaussiedch8040
5 ай бұрын
That's because the child who came up with this list doesn't think anything happened before their memory.
This is a brand new one, but, episode 1, The End from Fallout. My jaw dropped. Masterpiece!
When Breaking Bad premiered was also the day my grandpa first got sick, and I do mean *really* sick. Right after that day he was diagnosed with cancer, and I haven't had the stomach to watch the show. Too many bad memories
Speaking of pilots, one that jumps in my mind is the one from Flashforward. It was very impactful with very high production value.
mad men pilot episode tells us everything about who don draper is, a successful n charming marketing director who is effortlessly good at his job n also the alpha in his office, to the point that even his boss is below him. however, don is an alcoholic who always drinks, n a womanizer, n the episode ended with him coming home to a “perfect” little family, w a hot n feminine wife, which tells us that he has to play two characters bcs his real self is a fuckup, which we will discover along the way in the next episodes. its the most perfect mad men episode imo
@bridgethannah2933
6 ай бұрын
I gasped at the final scene.
@Jonteponte71
6 ай бұрын
The pilot is great but there are a number of amazing episodes down the line as well. "The Suitcase" in Season 4 is one of them.
Not sure if I lucked out discovering lost after it already wrapped up, or during it with all the waiting between seasons and episodes in between lol
@jessicapierce3027
6 ай бұрын
There was a trill in having to wait for the next episode as there were a lot of Easter eggs to try to unpack in between.
Modern family was so well written. Great jokes and messages.
Revenge on ABC had one of the most riveting pilots ever
The Good Wife, and I hope as a generation we don’t wipe out the significance of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, because from the pilot of how we’re introduced to the main characters and how they’d circle back to this particular era in later seasons for flashback episodes? This show stays heavily underrated in storytelling and intrigue!
The Sopranos, was the beat show ever and i do miss it and i miss James Gandolfini. So, so many talented people on one show.
Two words...West Wing.
I do remember watching the first episode of Game of Thrones, it was like 1am in the summer when I was in high school. After the first episode I remember thinking, welp I'm going to be up all night.
Isn't "Pilot" kind of being misused here? A pilot isn't just the first episode of a show. It is used to try out the concept and decide whether to proceed with the series or not, right? So I don't think the first episode of a limited series like Chernobyl should be here. Also, not sure about Game of Thrones since the original pilot didn't air. I think it was mostly redone for what was broadcast. I'd put Heroes in place of Chernobyl.
List should include Rescue Me and Sons of Anarchy.
Charmed got me hooked. Gossio Girl pilot was chef kiss, though the series went downhill. TWD was sooooo good too.
Happy New Year to all the Mojo family!.
@MsMojo
6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! Happy new year to you as well 🎉🎉
The pilot of Son's of Anarchy sets the tone perfectly
I agree with all of them!
Sherlock Holmes!
the shield was robbed. the end of the pilot has everyone hooked because of how shocking, unexpected and evil it was. that one moment set up the entire series.
Twd definitely deserves to be top 10
glee, pretty little liars, and friends have 10/10 pilots
What about the show with Kiefer Sutherland, 24? St least it deserved an honorable mention
I've seen GoT and LOST, seen 8 or 9 season of TWD, almost finished S5 of This Is Us❤
Fun!
A case could be made for a lot of shows on this list but 2 shows I haven't seen in the comments where the pilot needs some love are Newsroom and Smash. Smash brings about what I feel could be an interesting video.... best pilots for shows that lasted less than 2 seasons (or even 1 season if you don't include Smash and want to be extra picky).
Pose not being on the list is WILD
@darkstorm08
6 ай бұрын
The culture is consumed like it should Bruv. But agree #top5 beginnings....every second of that first episode is perfect ..FUCK IMABWATCH IT AGAIN
The Wonder Years deserves a mention because of the devastating news near the end.
How the hell is The Shield not on this list? Not even an honorable mention? If your jaw wasn't on the floor after that last "shot" and just itching for more then I don't know what to say..
GOT! Lost! This Is Us! GREAT SHOWS. The Good Place got me for a few episodes only. This video made me want to try it again and try the Sopranos and mayyybe Breaking Bad. But you guys did forget the regular Walking Dead. And Abbot Elementary is top tier!
24, SPN, Agents of SHIELD, Jessica Jones, Loki...
Supernatural 😊
@donnaaussiedch8040
5 ай бұрын
Dad's on a hunting trip and hasn't been home for a few days.
Some good choices, to be sure! 'Stranger Things', 'Lost' - yup! BUT . . . influential pilots that DON'T include 'NYPD Blue'?!?! That's just CRIMINAL!!! 😉
My personal favorite was the Pilot from Supernatural.
There have to be more series pilots that made an impact! I have not watched ANY of the series in this list (including the honorable mentions). For me, Bobes had a great pilot!! It had to be a good show to stay on for 12 seasons!!!
The marvelous Mrs Maisel should have made the list!
Big Bang Theory- our babies will be smart and beautiful
Odd that this list wasnt on the main channel.
For me, some of the best pilots not included: Friday Night Lights, Dark, Outlander, The Peaky Blinders, and True Detective.
Who's Dan Draper?! hahaha "My name is Don, Don Draper..."
Dark is my favorite pilot
I’ve tried 4 times to get into Breaking Bad and I have yet to get through the first episode
the fact that the shield never made it shows how out of touch you are
Battlestar Gallactica's pilot is a movie in itself. I never saw a person see it and not want to watch the hole serie.
Spoiler warning would be nice. You reveal many key moments of pilots that need to be a surprise to 1st-time watchers. E.g. who are This Is Us heroes or what did Jaime Lannister do at the end of the episode
And CSI (the original series) awesome!