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Top 10 TV Drama Pilot Episodes

Top 10 TV Drama Pilot Episodes
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Gabriel Foley. These shows started out on the right foot. For this list, we're excluding mini-series and focusing on shows that were popular, successful, and well received by critics. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 pilots in the history of TV drama. Special thanks to our users Juhana Linnavirta, Philip Folta, sarahjessicaparkerth, movielover459, Andrew A. Dennison, Nichelle Phoenix Perez, Ravnbone, Emily JoAnn Warden, Briangorecki1982, Chris Ashton, Mattyhull1, Zak Neilson, movielover459, Emily Turner, JackAttack, cg126videos, William Cale Murdock, Nathaniel Jordon, Alex Wong, Jared Smith, Pedro Wichtendal Villar, Luke McGowan and leoncatterall for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest

Script written by Gabriel Foley.

These shows started out on the right foot. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 pilots in the history of TV drama.

For this list, we’re excluding mini-series and focusing on shows that were popular, successful, and well received by critics.

#10: “The X-Files”
Original air date: September 10, 1993

How many other shows do you know that had a cult following before they hit the mainstream? Well, “The X-Files” did just that. In the sci-fi series’ pilot, Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are assigned to their first case together. Right off the bat, it’s not hard to see that Mulder believes in the paranormal. The episode doesn’t only showcase the partners’ chemistry but also introduces us to important characters and left us wanting to find out if the truth really was out there.

#9: “24”
Original air date: November 6, 2001

“24” had our hearts racing from the first tick of the clock. Beginning at the stroke of midnight, the series’ first episode throws us into the action with Jack Bauer as he’s called to protect presidential candidate David Palmer from assassination. Meanwhile, his daughter’s disappearance prompts a citywide search and divides Jack’s focus. Realistic and viscerally thrilling, the pilot was actually pre-empted due to the events of 9/11; but even so, Jack Bauer quickly became one of TV’s favorite flawed heroes and captivated fans for multiple seasons.

#8: “Mad Men”
Original air date: July 19, 2007

Thanks to intelligent writing and a retro tone, “Mad Men”’s pilot had critics raving and audiences mixing themselves some Tom Collins. Set in 1960s America, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” follows ad exec Don Draper as he attempts to keep Lucky Strike cigarettes as a client. While the ins-and-outs of the industry are what reel us in, it’s the twists and turns of the characters’ personal lives that keep us glued to the show.

#7: “Prison Break”
Original air date: August 29, 2005

What do you get when you unite a prisoner wrongly accused of murder with his brother who’s willing to go to jail to save him? An intriguing series hook that puts any other example of brotherly love to shame. With Lincoln Burrows’ life on the line, Michael Scofield devises a plan to get himself arrested and save his older bro. In addition to their relationship, “Prison Break”’s pilot offered pulse-pounding action and thrilling suspense that carried over into the second episode and beyond.

#6: “The Walking Dead”
Original air date: October 31, 2010

If you want to stand out, make sure your show about the zombie apocalypse has a great first episode. In “Days Gone By,” we quickly see that Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Grimes has quite a few problems. First, he’s just awoken from a coma, second he’s alone, third his wife and son have disappeared. Then, there’s the little issue of walkers having taken over the planet. While his shocking shooting of a little girl-zombie immediately shocks us, it’s the pilot’s cliffhanger ending that puts us on edge the most.

#5: “Game Of Thrones”
Original air date: April 17, 2011

Because of the popularity of the novels, the first episode of this TV drama was highly anticipated. Fortunately, “Winter Is Coming” wasn’t only faithful to its source material; it also delivered strong performances, stunning visuals and epic fantasy elements of the highest order. Mainly focusing on Lord Eddard Stark’s immersion in court politics, the pilot also follows Prince Viserys Targaryen’s plans to marry off his sister in exchange for an army. It achieved so much critical acclaim, it was renewed for a second season within a few days.

#4: “The Sopranos”
Original air date: January 10, 1999

TV changed forever thanks to this pilot. After collapsing from a panic attack, series lead Tony Soprano seeks psychiatric help. He’s not about to tell the doc the whole truth about his violent and illegal “family business,” but Tony does open up about his personal life, which involves managing his rebellious teenage daughter, stubborn aging mother and more. It’s how these so-called normal problems intersect with his life as a mobster, combined with the excellent writing, acting and directing, that made this one of the show’s best episodes.

#3: “Twin Peaks”
Original air date: April 8, 1990

Despite only lasting two seasons, this series has an extremely devoted cult following. The pilot certainly had a hand in this, as critics and fans cited its effective creation of mystery, it complementary music and its disturbing storylines. In addition to several notable characters, we also meet series protagonist Dale Cooper in the pilot. With his unique personality traits and unconventional investigative techniques, the Special Agent helped the serial drama earn that TV season’s highest ratings.

#2: “Breaking Bad”
Original air date: January 20, 2008

Chemistry teachers everywhere gained a bit of street cred after this pilot aired. Opening with more questions than answers, “Breaking Bad”’s pilot immediately pulls us into the complicated world of Walter White. The 50-year-old doesn’t only have a pregnant wife and a son with cerebral palsy; he’s dealing with terminal lung cancer as well. Naturally, the way he chooses to deal with this is to become a meth cook and drug kingpin. And the rest is, as they say, history.

Before we get to the number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Firefly” (2002) Original air date: December 20, 2002
- “Dexter” (2006) Original air date: October 1, 2006
- “House of Cards” (2013) Original release date: February 1, 2013
- “The West Wing” (1999) Original air date: September 22, 1999
- “Friday Night Lights” (2006) Original air date: October 3, 2006
- “Jericho” (2006) Original air date: September 20, 2006

#1: “Lost”
Original air date: September 22, 2004

Divided into two parts, the first episode of this serial drama is considered one of the finest TV pilots ever. With the help of an over-$10-million budget and with director J.J. Abrams at the helm, we find ourselves “lost” on an unknown island with multiple survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. Thanks to its special effects, outstanding cast and writing that piles mystery upon mystery, “Parts 1 and 2” kept us entranced throughout and launched the series to critical and popular success.

Do you agree with our list? Which first episode got you hooked? For more entertaining top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Comments
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What about "Alias"?
ER deserves at least an honorable mention
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