9 Years Later, This NBC Pilot Is Still the Greatest Episode of Drama TV Ever

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When people talk about the greatest TV dramas ever made, shows like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and Deadwood always come up. These series were incredibly popular, won many awards, and really changed how we watch dramatic television, becoming benchmarks for everything that followed. Beyond these well-known hits, one show on NBC deserves more attention: it’s a critically acclaimed drama that many viewers haven’t discovered yet.

As a big drama fan, I’ve noticed a lot of people think that family-focused show gets too much credit – they say it doesn’t have enough of those big, shocking twists we expect from a really gripping drama. But honestly, I think that’s where it succeeds. It feels so real, which is something a lot of shows sacrifice when they’re constantly trying to create unbelievable plotlines. And even nine years later, I still think the very first episode of the show is one of the best pilots I’ve ever seen – it just pulls you in immediately.

The Pilot of This Is Us Was Incredibly Moving

The first episode of This Is Us instantly captivated audiences with a unique and engaging twist, even for those who guessed the surprise ending or had seen spoilers. Before becoming known as one of the most emotionally resonant family dramas of recent years, the show hooked viewers with a single, compelling 42-minute sequence. Even people who don’t typically watch dramas found themselves immediately drawn into the storylines This Is Us had to offer.

The first episode of This Is Us, titled “Pilot,” introduces four characters who all share the same birthday, initially leading viewers to believe it’s simply a coincidence. The episode follows Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and his pregnant wife, Rebecca (Mandy Moore), on Jack’s birthday as they prepare for the arrival of their triplets. Simultaneously, Kevin (Justin Hartley), a TV star, questions his life choices and career. Jack’s sister, Kate (Chrissy Metz), battles with her weight and tries to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Lastly, Randall (Sterling K. Brown), a successful family man, comes face-to-face with his biological father, William Hill (Ron Cephas Jones), to discuss being abandoned as a baby at a fire station.

The big surprise in this drama series comes at the end of the first episode: the story jumps between the past, showing Jack and Rebecca’s life, and the present, where Kevin, Kate, and Randall are their grown-up children. Both timelines are compelling on their own, yet they’re connected. We learn Jack and Rebecca tragically lost one of their triplets, and made the difficult decision to adopt Randall, who was brought to the hospital on the same day as Kevin and Kate. Though Randall had a loving upbringing, he decides to connect with his biological father, sensing his regret over giving him up. Meanwhile, Kate bravely joins a weight loss support group, and Kevin has a breakdown at work, frustrated by the superficiality of his TV show.

The first episode of This Is Us skillfully introduces a complex and interwoven story. Despite its ambitious structure, the pilot was surprisingly effective, establishing four compelling storylines and hinting at how they’ll develop. Viewers immediately understood the Pearson family was central to the show, but also that it offered more than a standard family drama. While the series is now known for its heartwarming story, this initial episode wasn’t just a preview – it was a remarkably innovative and well-crafted piece of television.

There’s No Other Show That Perfectly Encompasses the Nuances of Life

While it hasn’t reached the same critical acclaim as shows like The Sopranos and Succession, this series built a loyal following by realistically portraying the complexities of everyday life through the story of the Pearson family. Although valid criticisms exist – particularly regarding the limited portrayal of financial hardship – these didn’t overshadow the show’s central message, effectively told over six seasons. The title itself hints at the show’s purpose: to reflect the experiences of ordinary people.

At the heart of the show This Is Us are the complex bonds between family members – parents, children, and siblings. While the Pearsons are a loving and close family, they often have trouble truly understanding each other, particularly when it comes to the unique experiences of Kevin, Kate, and Randall as children. This is immediately apparent in the pilot episode. For example, twins Kevin and Kate share a strong, supportive adult relationship. However, Randall’s story contrasts sharply, as he confronts the father who abandoned him, highlighting the challenges he faced growing up as a Black child adopted into a white family during the 1980s and 90s.

A key reason many viewers connect with This Is Us is its exploration of how past events, particularly tragedy and loss, shape who we become. The show consistently demonstrates this through the Pearson family, especially how Jack’s sudden death impacted Rebecca and their three children during their teenage years. Each of the ‘Big Three’ dealt with grief and survivor’s guilt in their own way. This theme is actually introduced right away in the first episode, showing not only the heartbreaking loss of the Pearsons’ third triplet, but also Randall’s lifelong mourning for the biological parents he never had the chance to know.

Beyond its central themes of family and relationships, the show delves into important issues like mental health, addiction, and the lasting effects of trauma. It also explores adoption – particularly interracial adoption – and the challenges it presents for everyone involved. While the pilot episode doesn’t cover all of these topics in depth, it effectively introduces them and grabs the viewer’s attention, laying the foundation for a deeper look throughout the series.

Few Drama TV Shows Are This Relatable

The show has received a lot of positive attention for its ability to connect with viewers on an emotional level, thanks to characters and situations that feel incredibly real. Whether it’s everyday issues like dealing with a difficult colleague or larger historical events like the Vietnam War, the show draws on familiar and significant themes to reflect the lives of many people. While the first episode only hinted at the range of topics the show would cover over its six seasons, it established the unique storytelling style – jumping between different time periods – which allowed it to tell a multi-generational story that feels authentic and relatable.

As a fan, I think it was so important that the very first episode really showed everyone what this show was going to be about – it wasn’t just focusing on one thing, like work or family, but all the different parts of life, including the good and the bad, love and loss. That first episode brilliantly set up the way the whole series would unfold, jumping around in time, and it also laid the groundwork for all the big themes we’d see throughout. It really established what the show was going to be at its core.

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2025-10-29 20:43