The Best Pilot Episodes you Can read for free right now!
What makes a great first episode? Or, a “pilot”, if you will…
Honestly, it depends on the larger story you’re trying to tell. Even anthology series tend to have a thematic arc. Who are the key players? What are the stakes? What’s the “question” you’re asking your audience that will keep them coming back week after week?
For absolutely no reason in particular, I’ve put together a list of my absolute favourite pilots, and where I can I’ve linked to the scripts so you too can enjoy the majesty of a truly great opener!
SHERLOCK - A Study in Pink
One of the most lauded shows of the 21st century, Sherlock simply couldn’t have reached the heights it did without a strong pilot episode. As the credits rolled, audiences knew what would be awaiting them in the following two episodes of the series:
A ‘case of the week’ crime to solve
Insight into the relationship between Sherlock and his brother, Mycroft
Closing of the bond between Sherlock and John Watson
Reveals of the mysterious “Moriarty” and his anti-Sherlock campaign
But aside from the things it sets up plot-wise, it also tells its own satisfying and complete story. Admittedly, this may be in part due to the ‘case of the week’ model, but this should be true of any episode of any TV drama. The balance of satisfying conclusion and intriguing hook is a tricky one to find and, let’s be honest, whatever your view of Moffat and Gatiss, they’re the masters of that craft element.
HAPPY VALLEY - Episode 01
Anyone who has even a remote interest in scriptwriting or TV drama knows how Happy Valley opens. With a fire extinguisher, pair of sunglasses, and an exceptionally witty monologue, Sally Wainwright does more than just introduce the world and tone of her story, she captures the imagination of her audience.
In all complete honesty, I have absolutely no recollection of how that episode ends, and I don’t care. With such a confident opener, I’m coming back next week to see more of this northern mafia and the renegade detective investigating them. Because that’s where Wainwrights strength is. Nobody does captivating character and dialogue like her.
ANDOR - Kassa
(Okay, you can’t read this first episode but you CAN read ‘Welcome to the Rebellion which is the epitome of everything discussed below)
I can’t in good conscience write a list of great pilot episodes and not include Andor’s first episode. The show nobody asked for about a character nobody cared about in a spin-off film that is, while great, famous for its production issues. It should have sucked. And the time it came out? Star Wars fatigue was real.
And yet the Gilroy’s were able to capture something about Star Wars that had been missing since Lucas sold the property. Tone and politics. Sure, the Force is fun, but the notion that the franchise is about the Force is laughable. It’s a story about guerrilla warfare, sacrifice, and facing impossible odds against a powerful autocratic system.
While it’s unlikely any writer will experience what the Gilroy’s were able to do with Andor’s first episode, it deserves to be here for its absolute confidence of tone and ability to capture something in the zeitgeist with complete perfection.
Who gives a fuck about Cassian Andor? It turns out, everyone.
YEARS AND YEARS - Episode 01
When Russell T Davies was born, the higher powers of the universe gave him eyes to see, and he’s been capitalising on that strength ever since. Nobody captures the so-called ‘real world’ quite like him, and never better than in Years and Years. Every script on this list has brought something new to what makes a great pilot. A good hook, great characters, and tone. What Davies brings to all his scripts is concept.
Years and Years is not an imaginative world. On its surface it’s a compilation of the worst and most prolific headlines of our time. The rise of fascism, the climate crisis, AI and human reliance on tech. What Years and Years does with those topics though is filter them through some interesting and imaginative concepts. Through the lens of the central family, the show takes each family member, assigns them a concept, and lets the series follow them to their natural conclusions.
What keeps audiences coming back each week? Will Russell Tovey find love with that boy from Mr Bean’s Holiday? How far will Lydia West push her devotion to tech? And, of course, will we as humanity survive?
Do you have a favourite pilot episode? What do you love about it? Where can you read it? I’d love to know! Drop a comment or DM on instagram @Tongueincheekwriter
And don’t forget that if you’ve written a pilot script and you feel it could use some support or fine tuning you can head over to Fiverr for literally everything you could ever need from a 5* script report!
