20 TV Show Pilots That Are Totally Flawless

The initial set-up is simple: In the not-so-distant future, Ted Mosby sits his kids down and prepares to tell them the winding, hilarious, and seemingly never-ending story of how he met their mother. The first episode makes it clear this is going to be a long story, but one with heaps of potential and emotional payoffs.

In the pilot, the structure of Ted's ramblings is set, and in just twenty remarkably tight minutes it introduces us to his hopeless romanticism, the playboy antics of constant scene-stealer Barney Stinson, and the wonderfully gooey relationship of high school sweethearts Marshall and Lily.

In terms of character, the How I Met Your Mother pilot is inspired. The core gang's personalities and quirky traits are there from the get-go, but the very best part of the episode comes from how it manages to make Ted such a likeable protagonist, in spite of his mountainous flaws. It's funny, sweet, and promises big things to come.