There aren’t many TV shows that could be considered true masterpieces, but many series that earn the title signal their quality from the first moments of the show. FromTV shows with opening lines that hooked usto series that strike the viewer with their visual style and atmosphere,these projects had a clear understanding of what they wereand the purpose they served from day one.
This helps to draw audiences in, as there’s nothing more compelling than being immersed in a fully realized world. These are allTV shows with pilot episodes that hookedthe viewer not just with the story, but with the characters, who feel like natural extensions of the narrative and are worth learning more about. Though these shows are fantastic from the start,they only get more compelling.
Everything from the animation style to the characters invites you to invest inInvincibleand stick with the series through thick and thin. Though the true darkness that the show’s narrative would grapple with doesn’t become obvious until later in the season,Invinciblelets the audience know that this isn’t your typical superhero story in the first moments of the show.
The goriest fight sequences and most shocking reveals are sprinkled throughout the show’s seasons, but looking back on the series' debut installment makes the audience realize just how much is foreshadowed from the start. While it’s instantly compelling for first-time watchers,Invincibleonly gets better in retrospect, unveiling new, thrilling layers of the story.
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Mark Grayson,voiced by Steven Yeun, isn’t a typical chosen one character,as his powers and history are clouded by his complex feelings about his father and the desire to be a true hero. It’s easy to enjoyInvincible, even for audiences who don’t typically like superhero narratives, because it consistently subverts expectations from the first moments of the show.
The darkly comic tone and revolutionary storytelling ofFleabagare what audiences usually highlight as the reasons why the show is considered such a must-watch series.Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge,Fleabagwas adapted from her one-woman play of the same name, but the series instantly justifies its place on our screens from the first episode.
ThoughFleabagseason 2 is considered an even stronger season of television by some viewers and critics, it ultimately serves a different purpose than the premiere season.Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag has gone through the worst of her development by the time we catch up with her in season 2, and she’s ready to have a new experience that will help her grow even more.
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While there are plenty of twists throughoutFleabagseason 1, it’s not about the reveal of what Fleabag has done or what secrets she’s hiding that keep the viewer invested in the series.We know from the first moments of the series that this woman isn’t showing all her cards,even though she seems so open on paper, and this is what makes the show such a compelling watch.
Created by and starring Quinta Brunson,Abbott Elementaryis nearly single-handedly reviving the network sitcom, proving that this niche of the genre will always be one of the best.ThoughAbbott Elementaryengages with some of the classic tropes of the workplace sitcom, the series is entirely fresh and original, as seen in the pilot episode.
Abbott Elementaryput out one of thebest TV episodes of the 2020sand has been exceeding audience expectations since it premiered in 2021. While Brunson’s Janine is as heartfelt as she is hilarious, it’s the entire ensemble that makes the audience fall in love withAbbott Elementary, asthe characters care deeply about their jobs and the school, even when it’s a headache.
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Abbott Elementary’s pilot sets the baseline for the series' tone and premise while simultaneously showing the audience why this isn’t the same as every other day at the school. This is how a pilot should function when it’s at its best, and it paved the way forAbbott Elementaryto be recognized asone of the funniest series on TV right now.
It’s hard to believe thatDerry Girlsonly ran for three seasons, as the brilliant twist on the classic sitcom was hilarious enough to run for years.While it’s disappointing that we won’t get moreDerry Girlsin the future, the good news is that each season of the series is funny, touching, and brilliantly crafted, making the show impossible to forget.
One of the reasons thatDerry Girlsis so successful from the beginning is that it’s about such a specific and unique time and place in history, drawing upon Lisa McGee’s lived experience, as she wrote and created the show. Set in Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s,Derry Girlsfollows a group of teens and their everyday dramas,with the intense political upheaval of The Troubles coloring their lives.
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Though the premise ofDerry Girlsis singular, it has no trouble connecting with audiences of all kinds,as the experiences of being a teenager trying to establish your individuality are universal.Immediately diving into the slapstick sense of humor and over-the-top characters,Derry Girlstells you exactly what the show is from the start.
The surreal German TV seriesDarkis one of the best takes on the time travel genre to come out in recent years, quickly transfixing audiences, though its story is initially a little difficult to follow. However, the appeal ofDarkis that it tackles the mystery box genre so flawlessly. It gives the viewer just enough information to keep them hooked.
Intertwining the crime genre and exploring the effects of generational trauma,Darkputs its characters through a lot, living up to its name.ThoughDarkonly becomes more layered as the series progresses, it still sets the stage for a gripping drama in episode one, digging into the characters and leaning into the sense of unease that becomes pervasive throughout the series.
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It’s unsurprising thatDarkis so popular with fans who have discovered the magic of the show. It’s satisfying thatDarkdoesn’t mislead viewers with an unforgettable mystery that quickly loses steam as the series progresses. Instead,Darktakes its amazing initial narrative as a challenge,only finding additional new ways to shock us.
Barry Jenkins' acclaimed miniseries,The Underground Railroad,fuses historical drama with magical realism to craft an otherworldly narrative anchored by emotionally resonant performances. Starring Thuso Mbedu as Cora, a young woman fleeing enslavement in the American South,The Underground Railroadimagines the titular network as an actual rail line.
As Cora makes her way to Canada, she encounters many different people and places, all heightened by the story’s world, but no less thematically real and interrogative.Mbedu is the heart and soul of the narrative,making it impossible to turn away from Cora’s journey until it comes to an end, as the stakes and tension are set high from the beginning.
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Based on the novel by Colson Whitehead,The Underground Railroadstays true to its literary roots while expanding the story and translating it to the screen with a vivid visual language.Juxtaposing the violence and horror of the narrative with Jenkins' gorgeous style of filmmaking,The Underground Railroadhas no trouble sucking audiences in.
Apple TV Plus’s sci-fi showshave been hailed as ground-breaking additions to the genre since the streamer started releasing this incredible original series, includingSeverance. The critical and audience reception of the show makes it clear thatviewers are instantly swept away by the series.However, everyone should dive into the show for themselves.
When it comes to a high-concept series likeSeverance, it can be difficult to communicate the rules of the world without confusing the viewer or alienating them. However,Severanceavoids this at every turn, giving the audience a window into the emotional and relational dynamics through vivid characters likeMark, who we get to see as both his Innie and Outie.
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The series isn’t afraid to get surreal from the beginningand give the audience plenty of questions to pursue throughout season 1 and the show as a whole. Additionally, the design of the world and its corporate desperation immerse the audience into the darkly comic world ofSeverance, making us feel as if we’re working alongside Mark.
In some ways, the pilot episode ofMad Menis vastly different from the rest of the series, from how it’s shot to the fact that January Jones' Betty doesn’t appear until the last few minutes of the episode. However, the style, tone, and Don’s characterization come through from the first few seconds of the show,setting the stage for the odyssey the series would take us on.
While the iconic ensemble of characters is a large part of what makesMad Menso captivating, Matthew Weiner’s all-encompassing vision for the series is what allowedMad Mento stand apart so quickly.By opening with the explanation of the term “Mad Men,” the viewer never questions the rules of the story.
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Pilot episodes are tricky, butMad Mendrops the audience into the world and delivers exposition so naturally, it feels as if we’ve always been watching these characters exist in their world. It speaks toMad Men’s longevity that the show only got better and isconsidered one of the greatest series of all time to this day.
