19 TV Show Pilots That Are Absolutely Perfect — Like, We Literally Have No Notes

    "So much was happening, the characters were quickly introduced and the mystery started right away. You just thought, 'Oh this is gonna be a wild ride.'"

    Lauren Garafano
    by Lauren Garafano

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV pilots are absolutely perfect. Here's what they said:

    1. "Our Cup Runneth Over" from Schitt's Creek

    Pop TV

    "This show had an amazing way of introducing characters by thrusting them into unknown situations. You were forced to make assumptions about the characters, and felt like you were in the situations with them due to their chaos and humor!"

    —trishabobisha

    2. "Sweet Baby" from Scandal

    Danny Feld / ABC / Everett

    "I was HOOKED from the very beginning. Fast-talking witty lawyers negotiating deals with kidnappers on behalf of prime ministers? AND the reveal of the president’s affair? Girl, it gives me goosebumps every time I watch it."

    —laidedahunsi

    3. "Pilot" from Outer Banks

    Netflix

    "The Outer Banks pilot episode is BOMB!"

    —akhill36

    4. "Pilot" from Veronica Mars

    The WB / Everett

    "It draws you in during the first five minutes and doesn't let you go."

    —lindseyhyland15

    5. "Pilot" from Breaking Bad

    Doug Hyun / AMC / Everett

    "I know I'm a million years late, but I accidentally clicked on Breaking Bad on Netflix recently and now I'm OBSESSED. Within just a few minutes I was hooked. What a brilliant set up to Walter White's character. Bryan Cranston's acting is just incredible. What a great first episode."

    —ravenouslittlehoneybadger

    6. "Pilot" from Lost

    Abc / ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    "So much was happening, the characters were quickly introduced and the mystery started right away. You just thought, 'Oh this is gonna be a wild ride.'"

    —sockcucker

    7. "The Pants Tent" from Curb Your Enthusiasm

    HBO

    "The first episode just showed that Larry David will get into any type of awkward situation. The way he behaves just makes me laugh."

    —mollyredsull

    8. "Episode 1" from Derry Girls

    Netflix

    "The Derry Girls pilot was god-tier."

    —aegehring91

    "It introduced the characters so well. I never get tired of that first episode (or the whole show)."

    —kieranwilson824

    9. "Woo-oo!" from DuckTales

    Disney XD

    "It perfectly shows off the changes they've made for the reboot while honoring the original series, and gives a full characterization in the first episode. Plus, the first adventure is so entertaining. Woo-oo!"

    —esjm

    10. "Pilot" from Desperate Housewives

    ABC

    "Having a narration style for the show allowed the narrator to quickly and efficiently introduce all of the main characters. This was really beneficial for the pilot because they were able to quickly jump into the action of the show."

    —juvebuffon

    11. "Chapter One" from Jane the Virgin

    The CW

    "For most shows, I tell people to give it a few episodes before deciding if they like it. But I love watching the pilot of Jane the Virgin with people because, without fail, they are dying to watch the next episode by the end."

    —esmitty1231

    12. "When You're Lost in the Darkness" from The Last of Us

    HBO

    "I think about that episode all the time. I knew quite a bit about it, but was still on the edge of my seat the whole time."

    —kieranwilson824

    13. "Pilot" from This Is Us

    Nbc / Ron Batzdorff / NBC / Everett

    "The first episode of that show just blew me away — such perfect storytelling with a stunning twist."

    —alyssag46001af5b

    14. "Pilot" from Ted Lasso

    Apple TV+

    "I instantly knew this would be the show to see us through such a tough time (after it first aired in 2020). Three years later and it’s still as great as ever."

    —samacphe

    15. "Dead Man's Hand" from Poker Face

    Peacock

    "The first episode of Poker Face had me hooked. I love Natasha Lyonne and would watch her in anything, but this is so good!"

    —moncul

    16. "Everything Is Fine" from The Good Place

    NBC

    "It's an amazing show with a really great opening episode. I’ve seen that show at least 15 times at this point — never gets old."

    —kaismith

    17. "We Only See Each Other at Weddings and Funerals" from The Umbrella Academy

    Courtesy of Netflix

    "It perfectly introduces the characters, and the dance scene to 'I Think We're Alone Now' was iconic. I feel like it'll be on one of those lists of greatest TV scenes ever in a few years."

    —canunotmywaywardson

    18. "The Name of the Game" from The Boys

    Prime Video / Everett

    "I’m not a big superhero media consumer and the first episode hooked me in minutes."

    —serenafischer

    19. And finally, "Pilot" from The Sopranos

    HBO

    "The Sopranos pilot was a masterpiece. It was able to convey both the humor and gravitas of the series, make you interested in the characters, and make you wonder how this whole 'mobster has a panic attack and goes to a shrink' thing is going to play out."

    —axj66

    Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

    Now, we can't include 'em all, but tell us in the comments below: Which TV shows do you firmly believe have perfect first episodes?