Sometimes a weak first episode can lead to an incredible series, but these TV shows are as good as their memorable pilots. This is an even more amazing achievement when we think about how many shows have a good pilot and become worse later, whether the best characters leave or new storylines aren’t as fresh as the original ones.
Whether a beloved drama about a fast-talking mother and daughter in a small town or a stunning sci-fi series where the talented star plays multiple characters, these TV shows build on their great foundations, and they’ve become some of the most celebrated series in television history.
Friends (1994-2004)
The beauty of the Friends pilot is how it examines the nature of friendship and sums up the sitcom’s message (and the message of the memorable theme song, too): life is about the people who help you through tough times.
It’s sweet watching Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) become part of the beloved friend group and reconnecting with her old pal Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) when she flees her wedding. The moving moments in the pilot continue throughout all ten seasons. While it’s definitely a funny show, you keep rewatching because of the strong bonds between the characters, and that all starts here.
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
All the elements of the perfect Gilmore Girls pilot are present throughout the whole series, from Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Lorelai’s (Lauren Graham) regular routine at Luke’s diner to Lorelai’s tough dynamic with her parents.
Although the Netflix revival A Year in the Life has an unpopular Rory arc and season 7 isn’t much fun, the rest of the show has romance, jokes, smart storylines about family pressure and connection, and lots of coffee. Every season has something special, from Rory’s Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia) season 3 relationship to the season 4 Dragonfly Inn opening.
But the best part of Gilmore Girls is the enjoyable experience of watching Rory and Lorelai follow dreams and make hard decisions while also appreciating the little things in life, like the first snow of the year or a quirky Stars Hollow resident’s speech at a town hall meeting.
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
Even if you’re not a sports fan, the first episode of Friday Night Lights draws you in with its small-town Texas setting and the lovable characters chasing big dreams. You relate to the Taylor family as they move to Dillon and are shocked and saddened by Jason Street’s (Scott Porter) terrifying injury at the end of the pilot.
The next five seasons are a fantastic ride, too, and a lot of serious subjects are explored, from racism to financial anxiety and breaking cycles. And while football is the main subject, the show uses the ups and downs of playing for and coaching a high school team as a way to examine the exciting and low moments of life.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer pilot, “Welcome to the Hellmouth,” hits all the important notes a series premiere should: introducing Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), her new small town of Sunnydale, and the characters who will become her friends and partners in the fight against evil. The eerie reveal of Buffy season 1’s big villain also sets the tone.
While not every season is perfect, as many would rather rewatch the beginning than the bland fourth season set at college, most of Buffy is still as action-packed, intriguing, and funny as the first episode. The show succeeds at painting a full picture of Buffy’s journey to find her identity as she hopes to save Sunnydale.
Mad Men (2007-2015)
Mad Men’s pilot sets up Don Draper (Jon Hamm) as an anti-hero who is excelling in the intense world of 1960s New York City advertising, but the real star of the first episode is Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss).
As Peggy endures Pete Campbell’s (Vincent Kartheiser) insults about her appearance and a doctor’s disapproval of her being given birth control, she’ll slowly find her confidence and power when the men around her don’t want her to. Peggy’s amazing character only gets better as the show continues, as she moves up to copywriter from secretary and builds a pioneering career for herself.
Other parts of Mad Men are as solid as the pilot, as the show masterfully juggles many different storylines and a variety of likable and unlikable characters. While you don’t necessarily want many of Sterling Cooper’s employees to succeed, their desire for money and power keeps you watching, and more likable characters like Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) balance it out.
Orphan Black (2013-2017)
All five seasons of Orphan Black build on the excellent pilot rather than becoming more confusing or boring, which is unfortunately the case with some sci-fi series. Once Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) learns there is someone who looks just like her, you’re on a bold, intense, fun ride with her and curious about the various clones.
Watching Maslany portray 17 clones never gets old, as each one has their own personality. Clever scientist Cosima Niehouse stands out as she realizes that several clones keep getting sick, and she wants to solve the terrifying problem.
Besides Maslany’s performance, Orphan Black does a great job of sprinkling answers throughout every season while maintaining a crucial sense of terror and mystery. The show continually introduces new clones, which keeps it fresh, and the series finale is as satisfying and moving as you want it to be.
ER (1994-2009)
The ER pilot is so incredible because it sets up the frantic pace of life at County General Hospital and shares the passionate doctors who help people daily. The pilot also keeps the focus on these beloved characters rather than any big, flashy medical cases.
If you enjoy the first episode, you’ll love all 15 seasons of the medical drama. Besides episodes that feature big deaths or particularly harrowing patient storylines, much of the show is about the quiet moments between doctors and patients or characters.
Other seasons build on the character arcs that begin in the first episode, including Carol Hathaway (Juliana Margulies) and Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards). In the first episode, Carol struggles with her mental health, and Mark has trouble juggling his family and love for medicine, which sets up how ER never focuses on dramatic cases at the expense of character development.
Lost (2004-2010)
The Lost pilot is so fantastic, it would almost be okay if the rest of the show was terrible, as the Oceanic Flight 815 survivors crash on a strange island and grapple with their pasts as they figure out how to survive. Thankfully, that isn’t the case.
Despite some frustration with Lost’s mysteries that didn’t get solved and the continual debates about the series finale, much of the show offers a perfect balance of thrilling adventure and character arcs. The memorable flashbacks, reveal of The Others, and huge moments, like John Locke (Terry O’Quinn) no longer needing a wheelchair on the island, make it an iconic series.
While the first episode is strong, others match it in suspense and emotion, from “Through the Looking Glass,” which has a huge death, to season 1’s “Number,” where we find out how Hurley’s (Jorge Garcia) life changes after he becomes a lottery winner and seems to be cursed by certain numbers.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) unique life is shared at the start of The Sopranos as the mob boss is undoubtedly involved in dangerous activities, but he’s also a fairly sensitive, vulnerable soul who loves his family.
The two parts of Tony’s personality and his increasing anxiety are set up in the pilot, and all six seasons have impactful and emotional moments that balance out the action and violence. You always wonder how long Tony can keep up with his life and job, and that tension, along with the love you have for his wife and kids, keeps you watching.
The Sopranos series finale is also as fascinating as the pilot, and the groundbreaking, ambiguous final moments opened up the possibility of many other shows following that narrative structure. While we always hope to get closure on a major character and want all our questions answered, we always know it’s a possibility that things will be left more vague.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
After Breaking Bad’s compelling and memorable pilot, where Walter White (Bryan Cranston) records a video message for his family while standing outside his RV in the New Mexico desert, the show stops being intense.
The story of a high school science teacher turned drug dealer, and all the obstacles and pain he encounters, remains one of the most celebrated 2010s dramas. Season finales and regular episodes alike have big reveals and messy moments that make Breaking Bad a thrilling binge-watch that also makes you think about the challenging choices people make throughout life.