Pilots

This time it’s about the pilot episodes. These are the first episode of a show. They are generally named ‘pilot’ but can be named anything, the makers find suitable. These are the episodes first screened to the channel people on which the makers are planning the show to be aired and they approve the show for airing based on the pilot.

Now I can recall almost all the pilots I’ve seen in the recent times or maybe of every show I’ve ever watched. If I had to choose my favourite one then it would be difficult to describe.  There are so many good which started out even better or worse. But if it had come to it then I guess I’d place the pilot of House of cards and Fargo at the top. Of course suits, Breaking bad, True Detective, Game of thrones, House MD and Sherlock too had top of the line pilot episodes but then as I said if I had to choose something.

This idea about pilots came to my mind when I recently started watching suits. Must admit, the pilot had me impressed. It showed all what show was offering- style, clever writing, witty references, likable characters and top notch story telling at swift pace.

There are pilots which never really make it to the tv screens, generally because the network drops them after the show getting picked up or the makers feel that they can do better and change the first episode even after completely making one.

Some very popular examples are the pilots of game of thrones, Sherlock and firefly.

Yes, yes we’ve all seen the first episodes, but hey interesting fact- game of thrones first episode actually contained the back story of Starks and Robert’s rebellion but the makers thought of getting rid of the entire back story sequence. They even changed some actors from the pilot to the series. But no complains as the one they did show was also as spectacular as it could be. Bit confusing but enough material to keep fans hooked and eventually develop the biggest fan following than any other show on the planet.

As for Sherlock, they made two episodes on the same story but with just a few events taking place a bit differently. Search for Sherlock’s unaired pilot and you’ll know what I mean. It can be called as a dummy episode for the real pilot but with just few improvements. If they hadn’t thought of perfecting it, then also it would’ve worked just fine.

The story with Firefly is a bit different. It was a show which received undeserving hatred by the fox network on which it aired. They showed the episodes in random sequence rather than in which they were made. But firefly being a unique show with each episode having different themes had little effect of this incoherence. So basically the first episode was intended to be watched sometime later, but anyway we love that show. Fan’s (including me) are still angry over the network for cancelling such a brilliant show so early.

House’s pilot showed what it’s each upcoming episode offered us. House’s mind, tension, and thrill with just overflowing emotions. Fargo’s pilot set the tone for the dark, quirky, and frozen world created by the Coen brothers and very faithfully succeeded by creator Noah Hawley. As for House of Cards, Frank was let down and clearly showed his intentions for the elaborate plan he’d now set in place to acquire his position of power with his perfectly equally conniving wife. And turned out to be a really enjoyable anti-hero.

The pilot which almost ruined it for me was Hannibal. It almost made me not watch the show so greatly focused around the curiosity of Hannibal Lector.

Breaking Bad’s pilot showed equal promise as any other drama show but carefully hiding the fact that its almost nothing as compared to what we’re about to experience as one of the best shows ever made. After the pilot, as the show came up to speed, it got better and better with every passing season. Finally creating history with its last season which undoubtedly will remain the best last season of any series till maybe Game of Thrones come to its conclusion.

True detective’s pilot was very vague and mysterious, just as the show itself which took its time to unfold but in a commendable manner.

Very recent pilot I watched was of Gotham. As the series just premiered, I can’t say it’ll be good or bad but honestly I’m on it just because of batman (which isn’t even there). All in all, it only felt like a mediocre show to me. Nothing much extraordinary there, so I’m a little sceptic about its faith.

Pilot episodes carry a significant amount of responsibility. Finale’s are also important but you’d only watch a show to its season’s end if only you liked the pilot.

 Then there are all so many left- Mad men, Homeland, Dexter and many more. And I haven’t yet started on anime.

So when next time you are intrigued by a show, don’t just make up your mind after the pilot, try watching few more episodes. I know, then you’ll be obliged to watch it whole considering how far you’ve already come so whatever you decide. I’ll give some key things to look for in the pilot- Performances of each actor, method in which they’re introduced, are they being too mysterious or too smart or obvious for the character and after all how they ended the first episode. The impression it leaves on you should be lasting. Making you hungry for more. 

In the day, the writer only thinks of informational stuff. At night, he's too lazy to get up from bed when inspiration strikes.