20 TV Show Pilots That Are Totally Flawless
4. Winter Is Coming - Game Of Thrones
Though it came to a seriously underwhelming end in 2019, Game of Thrones spent much of its run being rightly lauded as one of the best things on TV, a trend that was started with its epic, awe-inspiring pilot, Winter is Coming, as directed by TV legend Tim Van Patten.
Instantly leaning into the sweeping fantasy lore of its source material, the episode follows Sean Bean's weathered and apprehensive lord Ned Stark as he attempts to find his footing in Westeros' rapidly changing political landscape whilst balancing his commitment to his family.
Introducing countless prominent characters and giving everyone a chance to shine, Winter is Coming sets the grim tone for the wars to come, countering Ned's tale with the Targaryen family's thirst for vengeance and the Lannister's horrifying secrets. It's tense, beautiful and harsh, and it starts the series on a high it rarely surpassed.