While not every TV show’s first episode will be the one that makes you invest in it, these titles have perfect pilots that will hook you from the start. There are several TV shows go downhill after an amazing pilot, and so audiences are less inclined to keep following the story.

Generally, although not exclusively, TV pilots that lie about the show’s premise tend to flop because viewers lose interest or get confused. A good pilot episode typically contains qualities such as an intriguing narrative with a number of possible outcomes, at least one engaging character whose story piques audiences’ interest, or an overarching mystery that leaves the episode on a cliffhanger. Ultimately, these TV show pilots aren’t just good, they’re perfect, and hook viewers before they even realize it.

10 "Human Flesh"

Bob's Burgers (2011-)

Bob’s Burgers’ pilot is a fantastic introduction to the animated comedy series. “Human Flesh” suggests there is a Bob’s Burgers’ cannibal plan, but it thankfully doesn’t delve far into this, although the implication of it alone is hilarious enough. The first episode perfectly introduces the Belcher family with their respective unique and quirky personalities, and it sets up some future storylines, too. It explains the dynamic between Linda and Bob, as well as Linda’s past with health inspector Ron, for example.

Bob’s Burgers is one of the best animated sitcoms of all time, and this first episode proves why. It works brilliantly as a standalone episode, but it also offers a sense of an overarching story, too, which is rather refreshing for a title that technically uses a floating timeline. While you don’t need to see “Human Flesh” to understand any other episode of Bob’s Burgers, it’s recommended you watch it anyway, just because it’s a hilarious and enjoyable installment of the show.

9 “Pilot”

30 Rock (2006-2013)

30 Rock’s first episode is a pilot done right. The opening episode of Tina Fey’s iconic sitcom does an amazing job of establishing who the existing characters are. Liz Lemon is constantly fighting fires and trying to make sure her show airs successfully each week, Jenna Maroney is a stereotypical blonde bombshell diva who thrives on drama (yet this doesn’t make Jane Krakowski an unlikeable character), and their new boss, Jack Donaghy, comes in to mix things up for the better, or perhaps the worse.

The norms of the 30 Rock cast’s day-to-day completely changes, but the first episode still establishes what to expect going forward in a way that isn’t jarring or confusing.

The introduction of Tracy Morgan is also a spanner in the works, but this makes 30 Rock’s pilot hook you in quickly. The norms of the 30 Rock cast’s day-to-day completely changes, but the first episode still establishes what to expect going forward in a way that isn’t jarring or confusing. 30 Rock is an underrated sitcom, and one I’d love to see make a comeback, but with Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan’s new NBC pilot currently underway, I think it’s unlikely we’ll get a Lemon and Jordan reunion anytime soon.

8 “Pilot”

Ted Lasso (2020-)

If you’ve never seen Apple TV+'s hilarious show about the fictional British team AFC Richmond, now is the time to check it out, especially with Ted Lasso season 4 on the way. Ted Lasso’s pilot (as in episode 1 of the Apple TV+ show, not Jason Sudeikis’ NBC skit) is nothing short of stellar. The first episode perfectly sets up the show’s overarching story, which is rather simple: Former US football Coaches Lasso and Beard fly across the pond to run a British soccer team. However, there’s so much more to it than just that.

Richmond’s owner, the newly divorced Rebecca Welton, wants revenge on her ex-husband, kit man Nate wants to prove himself worthy, model Keeley wants to be more than a pretty face, player Jamie Tartt wants everyone to know he’s the best, and team captain Roy Kent just wants to be left in peace. The Ted Lasso cast immediately draws viewers in with their respective stories, in a heartwarming and endearing pilot episode that will ensure you binge the show from start to finish as quickly as possible.

7 “Pilot”

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

The Breaking Bad pilot is one of the best pieces of writing for television of all time, and it’s often studied by writing students to teach them how to structure an enthralling first installment of a show. The first episode grips you from the second it begins, and Breaking Bad’s iconic underpants scene is enough to keep you interested by itself. “Pilot” packs in a huge amount of drama and intrigue in just under an hour by establishing the Whites’ financial struggles, even before Walter’s diagnosis, which gets even worse after they learn he has cancer while Skyler is pregnant.

Breaking Bad's "Pilot" was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards in 2008, and won two: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Bryan Cranston's performance as Walter White, and Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series for the episode's editor, Lynne Willingham.

The shift in character development in Breaking Bad’s first episode is fascinating. Even though we’ve just met him, it’s still easy to understand where the story is going when Walter makes the decision to start selling meth to help pay for his treatment. While the progression of the narrative seems obvious at first, the fact that Walter’s fate has endless possibilities makes you want to keep watching. “Pilot” features several defining moments in Breaking Bad, and as first episodes go, it’s one of the very best.

6 "Sugarwood"

Ozark (2017-2022)

Ozark’s first episode, “Sugarwood,” is praised for its intelligent writing and for enthralling viewers straight away. Jason Bateman’s introduction as Marty Byrde, a meek financial advisor who loses control of his life when he gets caught up laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel, immediately intrigues viewers. His relationship with his wife, Wendy, is fascinating, too, especially as she later drags Marty further into this dangerous world. In order to save their lives, Marty decides to move them to the Lake of the Ozarks to continue their scheme and launder a further $500 million over five years.

This concept is simple, but Ozark’s pilot does a great job of setting up the events of the show. Audiences know what to expect, but are also aware that anything can happen in this situation, especially as Marty narrowly avoids death before things truly kick off. Many are still hoping for Ozark season 5, despite the season 4 finale wrapping things up well, but considering how viewers are typically very invested after watching the pilot, it’s no surprise the show is still so popular.

5 “Pilot”

Arrested Development (2003-2019)

Arrested Development’s Bluth family is some of the most messed-up characters on TV, and the show’s pilot episode fantastically establishes their respective personalities in the first episode. While Arrested Development has several multi-season arcs, the pilot sets up the most important one: The arrest and imprisonment of George Bluth Sr. With middle child Michael left to pick up the pieces of his erratic parents and siblings, while attempting to keep the Bluth family company afloat, Arrested Development’s first episode is as wild as can be.

Arrested Development’s pilot also sets up multiple recurring gags that crop up throughout the show, and it explains to audiences the type of humor they should expect. The show’s mockumentary (yet not completely) format is an unusual one, and because pretty much every character has rather particular quirks, you’ll be desperate to see what happens to them after the first episode. Even though there is a decline in quality in Arrested Development’s later seasons, there’s no doubt the pilot will hook you.

4 "Eps1.0_hellofriend.mov"

Mr. Robot (2015-2019)

Mr. Robot is one of the best-written sci-fi TV series of all time, and while the show has its peaks and valleys, the first episode, “eps1.0_hellofriend.mov” is a stellar beginning. Rami Malek’s portrayal of Elliot Alderson, a socially anxious cybersecurity engineer and computer hacker living in New York, is truly astounding. Throughout the episode, we see a paranoid Elliot be followed around by a group of strange men in suits, learn more about his mental health through interactions with his therapist and others in his life, and the fact that he may be too good at his job.

In 2016, Rami Malek won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot's “eps1.0_hellofriend.mov.”

Mr. Robot’s pilot is considered one of the best in recent years, and many viewers have voiced that the first episode is the reason they persevered with it. While there are some confusing moments, especially as Mr. Robot has several major plot twists, the payoff of the events set up in the pilot makes it worth it. By the end of “eps1.0_hellofriend.mov,” Elliot has been recruited by the enigmatic titular character and is mysteriously led away from a bustling Times Square, leaving audiences pondering over what the character could possibly face next.

3 "Kimmy Goes Outside!"

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2020)

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt theme song tells you everything you need to know about the story ahead: “Unbreakable, they alive, dammit. It’s a miracle!” Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows the titular character, a former Mole Woman, who, after escaping the capture of Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Durnsville's worst wedding DJ) after 15 years, tries to adjust to her new life as an adult in New York. The first episode delves into the Mole Women’s rescue, Kimmy realizing she has missed out on her formative years, and those who become the lead character’s trusted circle.

There’s a lot of information packed into “Kimmy Goes Outside!” other than the titular character herself. The pilot also introduces weird landlady Lillian, Kimmy’s eccentric wannabe actor roommate Titus, and Kimmy’s new boss, the appearance-obsessed socialite Jaqueline. “Kimmy Goes Outside!” spends a good amount of time establishing Kimmy’s origins, but it doesn’t dwell on them for too long, and quickly jumps into the action. By the end of the episode, Kimmy’s path forward is bright, but considering she hasn’t been a part of society since a teenager, it’s apparent that chaos will ensue.

2 "Episode 1"

Fleabag (2016-2019)

Fleabag’s first episode, simply referred to as “Episode 1,” is one of the best TV pilots of the last decade. The episode is an amazing start to the TV adaptation of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman play, which follows the titular character’s grief journey. Fleabag is beautifully poetic yet hilarious, but the shift in tone doesn’t distract from the story at hand. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag character is a mess, but that’s what makes her so endearing and worth rooting for.

The main character isn’t perfect, but Fleabag wouldn’t be as interesting if she was

The pilot demonstrates this perfectly. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag character attempts to run her guinea pig cafe, keep up with her romantic relationships, form better ones with her family, and grieve the death of her best friend, all at the same time. The main character isn’t perfect, but Fleabag wouldn’t be as interesting if she was, and after finishing the first episode, you’ll have no clue what to expect from her next. In fact, there are so many elements of her life that you’ll want more context on, that it’ll be hard to not play “Episode 2” straight away.

1 "Pilot"

Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)

Desperate Housewives’ first episode is a TV show pilot that perfectly sets up the series. “Pilot” is a gripping episode of TV, which begins with Mary Alice’s suicide, an event that rocks Wisteria Lane massively. Desperate Housewives’ first episode delves into the lives of Mary Alice’s friends and neighbors, and while her death is the most interesting part of the story, the fact that the other main characters are harboring their own secrets makes it even more intriguing.

Desperate Housewives’ main characters band together in the wake of Mary Alice’s suicide, but when Susan, Lynette, Bree, and Gaby sort through her possessions at her husband’s request, they shockingly discover a blackmail note, delivered on the day of their friend’s death. This sets up the events of Desperate Housewives as a whole, and between trying to understand why Mary Alice killed herself and the secrets of the other characters, there’s no doubt you’ll be bingeing the show after the credits roll on “Pilot.”

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