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Best first TV episode ever (ie s01e01)

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by heypartner, Nov 10, 2012.

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  1. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    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.
     
    #1 heypartner, Nov 10, 2012
  2. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    Oh, and Star Trek's first episode must have been groundbreaking at very low ratings. And Firefly blew me away.
     
    #2 heypartner, Nov 10, 2012
  3. Dairy Ashford

    Dairy Ashford Member

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    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!").
     
    #3 Dairy Ashford, Nov 10, 2012
  4. delishman

    delishman Member

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    LOST and Newsroom

    (Newsroom pretty weak overall though)
     
    #4 delishman, Nov 10, 2012
  5. New Jack

    New Jack Member

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    Doesn't get any better than the first episode of Arrested Development.
     
    #5 New Jack, Nov 10, 2012
  6. RocketsRed14

    RocketsRed14 Member

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    American horror story had a good first episode. Don't know about G.O.A.T. though
     
    #6 RocketsRed14, Nov 10, 2012
  7. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    Do short series count? Sherlock? Roots?
     
    #7 heypartner, Nov 10, 2012
  8. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Contributing Member

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    <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>

    :eek:
     
    #8 SwoLy-D, Nov 10, 2012
  9. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    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

    <img src="http://pjensi.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/madeline-zima-collage.jpg" width=800>
     
    #9 heypartner, Nov 10, 2012
  10. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    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.
     
    #10 J Sizzle, Nov 10, 2012
  11. FranchiseBlade

    FranchiseBlade Contributing Member
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    Monty Python's Flying Circus.
     
    #11 FranchiseBlade, Nov 10, 2012
  12. ktbballplaya

    ktbballplaya Member

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    Friday night lights
     
    #12 ktbballplaya, Nov 10, 2012
  13. TheresTheDagger

    TheresTheDagger Member

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    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.
     
    #13 TheresTheDagger, Nov 10, 2012
  14. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Contributing Member

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    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
     
    #14 The_Yoyo, Nov 10, 2012
  15. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    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.
     
    #15 J Sizzle, Nov 10, 2012
  16. BetterThanI

    BetterThanI Contributing Member

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    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!"
     
    #16 BetterThanI, Nov 10, 2012
  17. Master Baiter

    Master Baiter Contributing Member

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    I have to agree with LOST. It was freaking amazing.
     
    #17 Master Baiter, Nov 10, 2012
  18. vinsensual

    vinsensual Member

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    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.
     
    #18 vinsensual, Nov 10, 2012
  19. DreamShook

    DreamShook Member

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    Battle Star Galactica had a really good first episode.
     
    #19 DreamShook, Nov 10, 2012
  20. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    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.
     
    #20 heypartner, Nov 10, 2012
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