movies/tv Most impressive first episode

[Hat988 108]

I am interested in reading which TV shows are memorable for the first episode (or episodes if multi-parter) alone. Which shows had the strongest start?

I have to say the miniseries and first episode of Battlestar Galactica were the best of the entire five seasons. There were so many characters to introduce but it never felt rushed or slow.

[Shanks 10,816]

I would have to say Megas XLR was the show that really where the very first episode really had me wanting more. Giant robots, senseless over the top destruction, hilarious jokes with plenty of 80's and 90's cartoon and pop culture references and did mention giant robots?

[Standard User 2,127]

Well, I know of a series that is great for it's LAST two episodes...hooray Cowboy Bebop.

But if you haven't seen it, the first couple of episodes of Pokemon are still some of my favorites. It doesn't help that, while watching it, you know that Ash is going on an insanely epic quest. Also, Pikachu is a jerk.

[Riken 27]

I have to say the miniseries and first episode of Battlestar Galactica were the best of the entire five seasons. There were so many characters to introduce but it never felt rushed or slow.

 

I have to agree with you the Battlestar Galactica miniseries is the best first episode I've ever seen it makes you want to keep watching.

 

Another show with a good first episode is Superman the Animated series it's a 3 part episode but it does a good job of covering the basics of the Superman lore.

[Concord 1,982]

Not many may be aware, but i found the first episodes of spartacus quite interesting and fun to watch. (Not for little kids).

Futurama had a great start, and the first potter film still remains my favourite.

[Doctor-Whooves 288]

Well, Doctor Who really doesn't belong in this topic, does it? It kind of gradually gathered fame, and the original pilot is pretty much stone age, now. The 2005 reboot's pilot was pretty good, but nothing above the average episode.

[Discordian 6,018]

This Ugly Yet Beautiful World had an amazing first episode but it quickly declined. I've heard it said (half-jokingly) that Gainax has a tendency to write good concepts but give up or stop caring halfway through the production of the series so they just kinda throw it to the wind. 

 

If nothing else you can see that this is the case with Ugly/Beautiful.

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

Star Wars Episode IV was the best pilot ever.

 

Too bad they ruined it in Season 2. It had a lot going for it. Maybe Season 3 will be better...

[Dusty Soul 2,613]

I think the show 3rd rock from the sun had a great first episode, and in all honesty I don't think it declined.  If it did it just did by a bit.  Aliens disguising themselves as humans, funny stuff.

[An Old Head 4,816]

If it's not limited to cartoons or even just kids' shows, then I'd have to go with The Inbetweeners (the UK one, not the disastrous US version). Straight from the beginning the main four characters are defined, and hilarious situations arise from the get-go without appearing rushed. The humour might be hard to understand for people outside the UK though... but we Brits love(d) it <3

[iselin 2]

I really love the first episode of Lexx. Its a long one, more like a movie and after watching that you HAVE to see the rest. Its totally awesome!

[Lupus 127]

Definitely agree with the new Battlestar Galactica dual-length pilot. I had no real expectations but it was done so well, I became a fan

 

Recently, both Arrow and Elementary snared me because their first episodes were WAY better than I had been expecting.

[01000111 01101111 01 18]

Definitely the first episode of Gravity Falls. It was a cartoon, on Disney Channel. I've been disinclined to that channel for a while now, so when I heard that this cartoon was arguably one of the best the channel ever had, I was biased obviously skeptical. I got around to watching the first episode some time after it first premiered, and I haven't looked back since. I was pleasantly surprised. Disney Channel may redeem itself and bring back some quality cartoons. If only Gravity Falls finished its hiatus, though... 

[Crystal Skull 53]

Well ain't this obvious. Arrested Development I love that show its the funniest thing. I liked getting to know the characters in the show.

[Radiance64 7,054]

Invader ZIM- the first episode was pretty epic, and most of the rest of the episodes do as well since there's so few of them.

Futurama- what a funny and hilarious way to introduce a series, and they certainly don't let you forget it throughout the series since the first episode is constantly, constantly referenced, constantly.

That 70's Show- it was different than the rest of the series, and probably took the most liberties with surreal 70's references than the rest of the first season after the show streamlined itself a bit. The characters were all introduced well to boot, and don't change a bit in episodes afterwards since they are all very much themselves.