30 Days of Television - Day Twenty Seven

[rosdrise]

Day 27 - Best pilot episode

LOST



Pilots are a tricky business as most shows are still feeling their way. They aren't fully developed concepts and the writers as well as the actors haven't become entirely comfortable with the world they're working in. Take my two favorite new shows from last season:

Community had a pretty decent pilot with plenty of laughs and gave a glimpse of what the show had to offer. I recently rewatched it and was kind of amazed by how much everyone has grown into their characters. Later episodes just have such an ease to them compared to the pilot. But a lot of the time, the best shows can hope for is a "pretty decent" first run.

Then there is The Vampire Diaries whose first couple of episodes were so full of stilted, overwrought dialogue and boring that I nearly gave up on it. Luckily, I hung on and was able to watch the show blossom. Some shows never blossom, or they have a great first episode and wither away. It's always a shame when a genuinely good show has such an iffy start. It's dangerous also, because networks seem to have such a short fuse.

Then there is the Lost pilot, which I honestly think stands miles ahead of every pilot I can think of. It was like watching a movie. There was this grand scale to everything: the set, the characters, the story. Then, of course, there was the monster.

Guys... where are we?

Day 01 - A show that should have never been canceled
Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death