The 20 best pilot episodes in TV history

Freaks and Geeks had an identity as a show from the very first episode. Every character was firm in their personality, and the show's tone was clear. It was a master class of a show that, unfortunately, didn’t get enough time to shine. 

The Sopranos got off to a great start. Audiences knew exactly what to expect from the series: The unexpected. The characters were sussed out, the dynamics were already strong, and the tone was set. 

If you weren’t instantly hooked on Breaking Bad, then the series just wasn’t for you. And that’s okay, but if you’re one such person, at least recognize that the pilot episode was a better episode of television than many series finales. 

Most series don’t even try to pull off a plot twist in the pilot episode, but This Is Us was rare in that way. The episode surprised audiences at every turn, proving that the series was going to be one of the most unique and compelling in recent memory. 

Game of Thrones almost had one of the worst pilot episodes of all time. The original pilot was hated upon its first screening, so much so that the feedback was to “change everything.” The showrunners did just that, and the pilot episode that aired was a complete 180. 

When Lost premiered, a significant number of Americans were watching. Literally millions. The pilot episode was dizzying and left audiences with far more questions than answers, all of which compelled them to keep watching. 

The Good Place was about as tight as a show can be throughout its entire run, but its pilot was special. The series began by introducing a totally new world, one where characters weren’t allowed to curse, and everyone understood each other no matter the language spoken. With good writing and great performances, we were instantly enveloped in that world. 

Mad Men is another drama series that will either hook you from the beginning or not at all. For most viewers, it’s the former. The pilot episode puts audiences right inside the world of Don Draper and company, setting them up for a wild and worthwhile ride. 

Schitt’s Creek started off about as funny as any sitcom pilot could. Eugene Levy, one of the creators of the show, told his son, Dan Levy, another creator, that they needed to know exactly who each character was from the beginning, and they did just that. 

The Modern Family pilot has one of the best scenes in TV history, pilot episode or otherwise. Cam holding Lily up as “Circle of Life” plays in the background is pure comedy. 

So much of House hinges on Hugh Laurie’s excellent performance, and he transformed into the eponymous doctor right from the start. Just thinking about House’s pilot episode is enough to make any fan want to restart the series. 

It can be challenging for sitcoms to start well, but The Mary Tyler Moore Show proved that it can most certainly be done. The pilot episode made it clear what the series would be, and it only continued to deliver. 

Not only was Glee’s pilot a good episode of television that set up the series perfectly, but it also provided the soundtrack with some of its best covers. The series became instantly iconic thanks to the cast’s cover of “Don’t Stop Believin'."

When rewatching Twin Peaks, the pilot episode is looked to as one of the best in TV history creatively. Not only was it good, but it encouraged others in the TV business to take more risks on their series. 

Anyone who couldn’t tell by the name of the series what The Walking Dead was about learned very quickly by watching the pilot. This series’ first episode did exactly what it was supposed to do: Set up the plot and get viewers intrigued to watch another episode. 

Gilmore Girls’ pilot episode told fans exactly what they were in for in watching the series. It introduced the lovely Stars Hollow and its quirky, lovable residents. It established Lorelai and Rory’s dynamic, and it showcased the friction between Lorelai and her parents. A+. 

Fans were not prepared for the pilot episode of The O.C. While some of the characters drastically changed from the pilot (here’s looking at you, Summer Roberts), fans were locked into the series from the start. 

Orphan Black doesn’t get enough credit for its pilot episode, but it had the power to convert even those with zero interest in sci-fi to die-hard fans of the show. It was instantly intriguing. 

It may seem like Frasier was at an advantage with its pilot episode since it was a spin-off, but that also presented it with some unique challenges, like setting its tone and putting a beloved character in a new environment. But the cast and crew did a spectacular job on this one. 

Fargo was also a spin-off of sorts, taking inspiration from the Coen Brothers film of the same name. The anthology series proved with its pilot that TV can co-exist with movie universes splendidly.