While I was watching Steve Buscemi's first episode of Boardwalk Empire directed by Martin Scorsesi (they spent $10m on it, I was told), I got thinking about what is the best first episode of a TV series. I recall most of the best start off slow. Breaking Bad as an example. I also can't really even remember what The Wire or The Soprano's first episode was like. I did really like Mad Men's first episode, but many disagree. I'm going to say Newsroom, for lack of memory of others, and of course, Lost.
Oh, and Star Trek's first episode must have been groundbreaking at very low ratings. And Firefly blew me away.
I'll get a little hokey and say Cosby Show because I seem to remember Denise's boyfriend subplot an one of Cliff's Theo lectures pretty much just setting the table. Curb Your Enthusiasm set the tone just as well, whether you count the one-hour special (remember the cartoon head on the stand-up stage) or the wire episode pilot ("when you set appointments for things, you show up!").
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/5889641?badge=0" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/5889641">The Office U.S. S01E01 [Pilot]</a>
Maybe comedies need their own category. Which reminds me, Californication, starring Madeline Zima's breasts, might be my GOAT. I'm pretty sure you can find the scene here. nsfw Spoiler <img src="http://pjensi.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/madeline-zima-collage.jpg" width=800>
The show LOST will forever be terribly overrated as a whole series, but there is no denying that the pilot episode of that show was truly on another level. Such a good hook, such good special effects, and very good acting to top it off. That's probably the best pilot I've ever seen.
Friday Night Lights Also, "Boss" which nobody knows about but is pretty damn good. Its about a powerful Chicago mayor (Kelsey Grammer) who is ruthless in getting what he wants. If politics, double crosses, intrigue, betrayal, ruthlessness, etc is your thing....check it out.
These were the ones that come to mind that the moment I saw the first episode I know I would be hooked: The Wire LOST Haven't gotten around to watching Boardwalk Empire yet - hope to in the coming months
Dexter is also one that I would recommend. Definitely not the GOAT in terms of TV pilots...but the premise that was introduced for the show and the pure intrigue of it made it immediately awesome and a very big hook.
LOST had not only the best first episode I've ever seen, but the best cold open ever. By the time they went to commercial, you knew you were in for a wild ride. I remember my exact words when the first break came: "Holy F**K!"
I rewatched the pilot of Walking Dead recently with a friend and I forgot how much it draws you in. Maybe too much talking between rick and shane pre-Z. Just trying to find something that could even come close to the premiere of Lost. Luther's pilot was really good too.
I should have made this a poll: LOST Other (please explain) btw: why did they all-cap LOST...to make us debate a possible acronym, or just for all-cap emphasis.