10 Best TV Pilots Ever

3. Breaking Bad - Pilot

Breaking Bad Pilot
AMC

The dad from Malcolm in the Middle manically drives an RV through the desert, wearing nothing but his tighty-whities and a gas mask.

Plunging us straight into the middle of the action, as it would so many times over the series, Breaking Bad makes an indelible first impression, before beginning a riveting story of a high school chemistry teacher who develops cancer and needs to make some money.

Back then there was no way of knowing where things would be headed, or just how dark Walter White's fall would be, but the pilot episode ensures you'll stick around to find out, while serving as a gripping, unique, and suspenseful hour of TV.

With some stunning direction, a tightly written script from creator Vince Gilligan, and a surprising, mesmerising performance from Bryan Cranston, a TV phenomenon was born, even if most of the world wouldn't discover it for a few years yet.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.