Best Pilot You've Seen?
09-02-07, 08:43 PM
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Best Pilot You've Seen?
I was going through my TV-on-DVDs today and I was looking through all the series and I started to think about the first episodes of the series. Some shows have truly amazing pilots, while others had rather horrible ones and it took several episodes to get the show going. And I was just wondering what pilots people find truly amazing and what pilots people find a little lackluster...
Amazing Pilots - "Everwood" (I can watch the pilot a hundred times and it still gets to me and gives me goose bumps), "Roswell" (another series where the pilot got everything from the acting, script, music completely right), and "Alias"
Lackluster - "Six Feet Under" (Many might disagree, but I personally find the pilot boring and without much pizzaz, or maybe it just doesn't hold up to repeated viewings), "The X-Files," and "Gilmore girls"
Amazing Pilots - "Everwood" (I can watch the pilot a hundred times and it still gets to me and gives me goose bumps), "Roswell" (another series where the pilot got everything from the acting, script, music completely right), and "Alias"
Lackluster - "Six Feet Under" (Many might disagree, but I personally find the pilot boring and without much pizzaz, or maybe it just doesn't hold up to repeated viewings), "The X-Files," and "Gilmore girls"
09-02-07, 08:46 PM
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Gordo Cooper!
Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Oh, wait. Nevermind.
09-02-07, 08:56 PM
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Everwood as well. The scene with Ephram and Andy on the front lawn is classic.
Lost. One of TV's finest premieres. I was at the edge of my seat and completely immersed in the story.
Dawson's Creek is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but the first episode has become an iconic image of teen angst.
Smallville premiere was one of a very few cinematic shows and it captured the story with both excitement and genuine respect.
Lost. One of TV's finest premieres. I was at the edge of my seat and completely immersed in the story.
Dawson's Creek is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but the first episode has become an iconic image of teen angst.
Smallville premiere was one of a very few cinematic shows and it captured the story with both excitement and genuine respect.
Last edited by Ayre; 09-03-07 at 06:13 AM.
09-02-07, 09:07 PM
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The Shield. I still remember how shocked I was with the final minute of that show.
09-02-07, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Ayre
Dawson's Creek is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but the first episode has become an iconic image of teen angst.
09-02-07, 09:59 PM
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Looking over my collection I'd say Sports Night, Titus, Nowhere Man and Brisco County Jr. all had pretty strong pilots.
Edited to add: The pilot of Boomtown was very good too, probably my favorite episode of the series.
Edited to add: The pilot of Boomtown was very good too, probably my favorite episode of the series.
Last edited by WallyOPD; 09-02-07 at 10:06 PM.
09-02-07, 10:04 PM
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The O.C.
Bought it on DVD, watched the pilot...and then watched the other 24 or so episode straight. I literally stayed awake 24 hours and watched the entire first season.
Bought it on DVD, watched the pilot...and then watched the other 24 or so episode straight. I literally stayed awake 24 hours and watched the entire first season.
09-02-07, 10:24 PM
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top five best:
#1 - Firefly (once it finally aired!)
The Shield
Twin Peaks
Veronica Mars
does the Battlestar Galactica miniseries count as a pilot? (it's kinda presented like that now on the DVD box set)
Most of the other shows I like only started out okay, but got much better as they went along.
Not a big fan of the 'Gilmore Girls' pilot. And 'The Wire' takes a while before its greatness becomes apparant.
#1 - Firefly (once it finally aired!)
The Shield
Twin Peaks
Veronica Mars
does the Battlestar Galactica miniseries count as a pilot? (it's kinda presented like that now on the DVD box set)
Most of the other shows I like only started out okay, but got much better as they went along.
Not a big fan of the 'Gilmore Girls' pilot. And 'The Wire' takes a while before its greatness becomes apparant.
09-02-07, 10:26 PM
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I remember the pilot for ER was on opposite Monday Night Football in 1993. The Cowboys were playing and I love the Cowboys. But I kept forgetting to go back to ABC for the game as I was just enthralled with ER.
I felt the same way about Lost a few years ago too.
I felt the same way about Lost a few years ago too.
09-03-07, 12:24 AM
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I agree with the inclusion of the Veronica Mars pilot. It just packed so much information into one episode.
And while I'm not sure if one would call it a pilot, the first episode of The Prisoner is, to me, one of the finest episodes of television ever.
And the other one I would mention is Arrested Development. Not only did it perfectly set up the premise of the show, but it was so funny to boot, but the kind of funny where you must watch it many times to pick up on all the jokes.
And while I'm not sure if one would call it a pilot, the first episode of The Prisoner is, to me, one of the finest episodes of television ever.
And the other one I would mention is Arrested Development. Not only did it perfectly set up the premise of the show, but it was so funny to boot, but the kind of funny where you must watch it many times to pick up on all the jokes.
09-03-07, 08:41 AM
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I can't agree with Everwood and Roswell enough. All of the reasons for Everwood have already been expressed, but I'll reiterate the lawn scene. Speaking of which, where are my S2-4 dvds. 
Another vote for Roswell. I was HOOKED from the teaser part prior to credits rolling.
I'm glad the OC sucked somebody else in.
I thought it was dumb and then gave it a chance after my co-worked wouldn't shut up about it. However, as much as I enjoyed it, I wouldn't put it up there with Everwood and Roswell.
I'll have to rewatch Smallville. Given the inconsistency of the show though I have a feeling it will be a strech for me to put it in this category.
Another vote for Roswell. I was HOOKED from the teaser part prior to credits rolling.
I'm glad the OC sucked somebody else in.
I thought it was dumb and then gave it a chance after my co-worked wouldn't shut up about it. However, as much as I enjoyed it, I wouldn't put it up there with Everwood and Roswell.I'll have to rewatch Smallville. Given the inconsistency of the show though I have a feeling it will be a strech for me to put it in this category.
09-03-07, 08:43 AM
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Desperate Housewives. It only took that first episode, and I was hooked.
Same thing with Six Feet Under. I absolutely couldn't stop thinking about it, until the next episode. It was unlike anything I'd seen on television.
Same thing with Six Feet Under. I absolutely couldn't stop thinking about it, until the next episode. It was unlike anything I'd seen on television.
09-03-07, 09:18 AM
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Lost - but what was weird about it, at least for me, was that I didn't know WTF the show was even about when it started, and obviously didn't know a whole lot after the pilot - but it definitely sucked me in more than any show has before or since.