Friday OT #1 - The Hook Brings You Back

[Angie]

Thanks to my boy @cyrocksmypants for this idea! He explained it better than I can:

If you were to pick one episode of one tv series to get someone hooked, what would it be? Doesn’t have to be the first episode of the show, but has to be able to stand alone enough that you don’t need to know all of the backstories.

I usually don't feel great things about the first episode of any show, but I just loved the very first episode of Freaks & Geeks way back when it very first aired. And I think maybe the "ABQ" episode of Breaking Bad.

What have you got? Maybe try and use the "spoiler" tag liberally if you are going too deep on details.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

My all-time favorite show is The Office. If I had to choose one I would go with the Office Olympics episode.

Because
1) It's a really good episode anyway
2) It's early in the series and will avoid spoilers
3) You really get a big feel for personalities of main characters (esp. Jim and his horsing around/interactions with Pam)
4) The Michael/Dwight relationship as Michael has Dwight come along to help him close on his condo

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Great thread title, btw

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I would think the last episode of season one of Game Of Thrones would make people want to see more.

 

[Angie]

Great thread title, btw

Aw, thanks! It just sort of had to happen.

I also liked The Dundies episode! Both are awesome standalone.

 

[dahliaclone]

'Home' in The X-Files

'The Contest' on Seinfeld

'Lil Sebastian' on Parks and Rec

'San Junipero' on Black Mirror

'Forget Me Now' on Arrested Development

'Ham Radio' on Frasier

 

[Clonefan32]

My all-time favorite show is The Office. If I had to choose one I would go with the Office Olympics episode.

Because
1) It's a really good episode anyway
2) It's early in the series and will avoid spoilers
3) You really get a big feel for personalities of main characters (esp. Jim and his horsing around/interactions with Pam)
4) The Michael/Dwight relationship as Michael has Dwight come along to help him close on his condo

I was thinking The Office as well. I was going to use "The Convict". First off, it's hilarious. Second, if you can't stand the awkward humor of this episode, you wont last with the Office. It also does a good job showing Jim and Pam's relationship.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

My first one is automatically the first episode of the first season of Lost. Forget how downhill the series went after season 3, that episode had me on the edge of my seat and nervous for the full 60 minutes.

Also, “The Pineapple Incident” from How I Met Your Mother was an all around excellent crafted episode that helped defined what the series was at the time.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Aw, thanks! It just sort of had to happen.

I also liked The Dundies episode! Both are awesome standalone.

Ah great call on that one!

So much Michael cringe

 

[BoxsterCy]

Jurassic Bark episode of Futurama.

"Fry discovers the intact fossilized remains of his pet dog from his old life. The Professor reveals he can clone the animal."

Would probably get this kinda reaction from someone that never watched this show "WTF, Boxster, you said this was a funny show and that made me cry. You bastard!"

Okay, maybe that won't hook anyone, probably better to go with something funny with "I am Lrrr, ruler of the Planet Omicron Persei 8."

 

[EnhancedFujita]

Futurama - Jurassic Bark

 

[jdcyclone19]

Season 3 episode 13, NS, of sons of anarchy. *Spoiler*

This is when they go to jail and think JAX is a rat but it was planned all along and Stahl bites the bullet.

 

[EnhancedFujita]

Jurassic Bark episode of Futurama.

"Fry discovers the intact fossilized remains of his pet dog from his old life. The Professor reveals he can clone the animal."

Would probably get this kinda reaction from someone that never watched this show "WTF, Boxster, you said this was a funny show and that made me cry. You bastard!"

Okay, maybe that won't hook anyone, probably better to go with something funny with "I am Lrrr, ruler of the Planet Omicron Persei 8."

I think Jurassic Bark would be a good first episode because it shows that the show isn't just a dumb cartoon but can be smart and emotional as well.

 

[jcyclonee]

Thanks to my boy @cyrocksmypants for this idea! He explained it better than I can:

If you were to pick one episode of one tv series to get someone hooked, what would it be? Doesn’t have to be the first episode of the show, but has to be able to stand alone enough that you don’t need to know all of the backstories.

I usually don't feel great things about the first episode of any show, but I just loved the very first episode of Freaks & Geeks way back when it very first aired. And I think maybe the "ABQ" episode of Breaking Bad.

What have you got? Maybe try and use the "spoiler" tag liberally if you are going too deep on details.

ABQ is a good choice. Here's a couple others:

X Files - Jose Chung's from Outer Space

The Simpsons - Marge vs. the Monorail

 

[Angie]

ABQ is a good choice. Here's a couple others:

X Files - Jose Chung's from Outer Space

The Simpsons - Marge vs. the Monorail

Marge vs the Monorail also has one of the best Simpsons songs of the series!

 

[3GenClone]

"Key Decisions" - Arrested Development

Sets up some of the recurring gags throughout the series:
First time GOB says "I've made a huge mistake"
First use of the Stair Car - "you're gonna get hop-ons"
Introduces Lucille Austero & Marta

 

[SCyclone]

Breaking Bad was one of the best written series of all time. Either the first episode, or the one where Gus goes to visit Hector in the nursing home and gets half his head blown off.

I still remember watching that initial episode - Walter comes blasting out of the Winnebago, out in the middle of nowhere, wearing an apron and a full head breather and his tighty whities. Pulls out a Dirty Harry-type revolver and starts blasting at a car driving toward him at high speed. I was thinking, "I don't know what this is, but I'm hooked already".

Also - the episode where Danny Trejo's head comes by on the back of a turtle.

 

[jdcyclone19]

The flash season 3, episode 22, "Infantino Street"

With 24 hours left before Iris dies, Team Flash learns that there is only one energy source that can power the "Speed Force Bazooka" in the form of a salvaged Dominator technology held at an A.R.G.U.S. facility. Barry and Cisco ask Lyla for it, but she refuses because of her mistrust of Barry due to his creation of Flashpoint. Barry then visits Snart in 1892, when he was travelling with the Legends, and recruits him to help Barry break into A.R.G.U.S. and steal the device. In the process, A.R.G.U.S. agents eventually capture Barry and Snart, but Lyla, seeing the kindness in Barry's actions, allows Barry to take the device. Snart advises Barry to use the goodness in him to defeat Savitar. Tracy decides to join the team. Cisco vibes about his battle with Killer Frost and leaves to fight her. Joe tries to hide Iris from Savitar on Earth-2 with Harry but future Barry tricks H.R. into revealing up her location by pretending to be his younger self, breaks Wally's leg and kidnaps Iris in front of a horrified Joe. Flash uses the "Speed Force Bazooka" on Savitar, but it fails when Savitar counteracts it with the Philosopher's Stone, which is made out of calcified speed force energy. Savitar then stabs Iris in the back in front of Flash seemingly killing her as he escapes.

 

[EnhancedFujita]

I hadn't seen Rick & Morty until last year when someone showed me the Mr. Meeseeks episode, which got me hooked.

 

[Angie]

"Key Decisions" - Arrested Development

Sets up some of the recurring gags throughout the series:
First time GOB says "I've made a huge mistake"
First use of the Stair Car - "you're gonna get hop-ons"
Introduces Lucille Austero & Marta

I did enjoy second Marta better than first Marta, though!

I want to get a Matchbox car of the Bluth stair car for my son, but can't find one!