Copyright Screen Rant
These TV shows have incredible first seasons that make you want to keep watching. Every once in a while, we're treated to an amazing first batch of episodes that excite us, make us feel heightened emotions, and ensure we're fully immersed in this new world. At the beginning of 2025, this happened with the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt's first season, which is a beautiful, intense, and realistic look at working at a Pittsburgh hospital. Of course, some series have a great pilot and then a lackluster first season, but that's not the case with these dramas and thrillers. If you're looking for a satisfying binge-watch and want to know that every episode of season 1 is perfect, these are the best shows. The Leftovers (2014-2017) The Leftovers has three strong seasons, but season 1 has a particularly poetic, moving, and haunting quality that sticks with you. 10 beautiful episodes tell the story of the people still living in Mapleton after several people disappear during the "Sudden Departure," and the mystery deepens. The HBO show's first season makes us feel the sense of loss the main characters face and focuses on mother and wife Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), who misses her family and is scared about the future. One of the best shows of the 2010s, it all starts with this emotional opening. The Last Of Us (2023-Present) Although many were disappointed by The Last of Us season 2, and the third season's quality remains to be seen, we can't ignore the popularity or the excellence of season 1. The highly anticipated HBO adaptation of the massively popular video game starts strong with great performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, big emotions, action scenes, and a tense post-apocalyptic setting. However, we can't forget episode 3, "Long, Long Time," which is one of the most beautifully crafted episodes of any TV show. The end of Frank (Murray Barlett) and Bill's (Nick Offerman) incredible love story is must-see TV. Six Feet Under (2001-2005) We still can't stop talking about the Six Feet Under finale, but season 1 is special, too. We see the Fisher family's grief over the shocking death of their husband and father, Nathaniel Fisher (Richard Jenkins), and know they're going to be healing for a long time. From David (Michael C. Hall) and Nate's (Peter Krause) love lives to Claire's (Lauren Ambrose) rebellious teenage behavior, season 1's storylines allow us to get to know this smart and unique family. Of course, since they run a funeral home, death is always on their minds, which allows the show to explore this significant topic. All of Six Feet Under season 1's plotlines dive into important subjects, too. This includes Brenda Chenowith's (Rachel Griffiths) brother, who has mental health struggles, and David's coming out. Mad Men (2007-2015) The first season of Mad Men introduces the fast-paced and creative advertising world of 1960s New York City. It's also a study in contrasts and has a lot to say about the experience of being a woman during this time period. As we learn about ruthless and ambitious Don Draper's (Jon Hamm) terrible childhood and infidelities, we get to know his wife, Betty (January Jones), and new secretary Peggy Olsen (Elizabeth Moss). Betty's life as a housewife has left her depressed, and Peggy dreams of having a meaningful career and doesn't realize that she's pregnant. It's exciting watching Don craft an ad campaign, but the thrill of watching Mad Men season 1 is seeing these strong female characters carve out a place for themselves. These episodes set the stage for Peggy's complex character arc. ER (1994-2009) ER season 1 gives us a real taste of what's to come. Even though every season of the medical drama is great, the first is still impressive. These 25 episodes paint a picture of life at County General Hospital, from doctors who don't get enough sleep to patients who have to think about the inevitable but tricky topic of death. These episodes introduce us to Carol Hathaway (Juliana Margulies) and Doug Ross's (George Clooney) beloved romance, along with iconic characters like young doctor John Carter (Noah Wyle). We also can't forget about season 1, episode 19, "Love's Labor Lost," which remains one of the most powerful TV episodes about pregnancy and tragedy. Westworld (2016-2022) While we know future seasons are lackluster, season 1 of Westworld is amazing. You can't beat the first episode of the HBO sci-fi series, which features the terrifying and intense theme park world featuring robots/Hosts Maeve Millay (Thandiwe Newton) and Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood). As soon as we meet Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins), who runs the park, we can tell something is up, and that tension nicely builds throughout these 10 episodes. Westworld season 1 is a masterclass in plot twists and has plenty to say about consciousness, agency, and control. True Detective (2014-Present) Although seasons 3 and 4 of True Detective are solid, season 2 was a disappointment. However, it's hard to say that any season of the HBO anthology series has come close to the quality storytelling of the first season. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey's raw, gritty performances as Marty Hart and Rust Cohle are some of the best in the crime drama genre. These eight episodes perfectly introduce the show's concept of smart detectives investigating a murder with no easy answers or obvious clues. Since the story jumps back and forth in time, we realize Marty and Rust have a complicated dynamic and know their personal lives feature a lot of pain and struggle. From the intriguing beginning to the unexpected end, it's an amazing feat. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) Gilmore Girls season 1 has some of the mother-daughter drama's most beloved episodes, including a strong pilot, "The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton," and "Rory's Birthday Parties." These heartfelt and funny 21 episodes feature plenty of light-hearted moments that let us get to know welcoming Stars Hollow and its incredible residents. The first season of the beloved show also explores the painful relationship between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and her parents right in the pilot. It's amazing to think how much is packed into one season, from Rory's determination to survive at intimidating Chilton to Lorelai's flirtation with Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) and complicated feelings for Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe). Season 1 also sets the tone for the rest of the series, proving there will be plenty of romance, family drama, and career and school problems. It's fun seeing Rory fall in love for the first time with Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki), which sets up the complications to come in future seasons. Breaking Bad (2008-2013) Breaking Bad is a rare show that is excellent the whole time, and some would even say improves with each subsequent season since Walter White's (Bryan Cranston) story gets more intense and layered. Still, we can't ignore the high quality of season 1's seven episodes. So much happens that it's easy to forget how short this season was. Once Walt's fatal cancer is revealed and his crystal meth partnership with Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) begins, these episodes contain dark moments and shocking violence. In episode 2, the characters have to hide dead bodies, which is a hint at the trouble they'll face the whole time. Walt's illness and struggling relationship with Skyler (Anna Gunn), who is pregnant, adds an important layer of conflict to the already captivating story. Breaking Bad's excellent first season also has great character development and a real sense of danger. The Walking Dead (2010-2022) From the pilot "Days Gone By" that feels like a terrifying zombie movie to the bodies that pile up as the episodes go on, The Walking Dead has a perfect six-episode first season. We meet the likable Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and some of the characters who will become important, including Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Season 1 shows us the high stakes of this world, the pain and fear everyone is dealing with, and the various groups that are starting to form. These episodes let us know what we're in for: a balance of emotional moments between characters and action-packed, violent scenes that change everything. We may agree that several seasons of The Walking Dead are better than others, and it's not a flawless show without poor episodes. However, it has a strong start, and any post-apocalyptic story can be compared to TWD season 1.
