Top 10 Cartoon Pilot Episodes

 Top 10 Cartoon Pilot Episodes

So here's how this works. My top 10s mainly consist of movies, tv, and pop culture as a whole. These list are mainly inspired by Canadian website 'WatchMojo', whose lists I frequently watch. The list are mainly decided by both my critical and personal opinions of its selections. I will also choose selections that I either don't like or barely watch/know, but are chosen based on their impact on culture. I do not know yet how frequently I will posts a list along with my other material. We'll see as time passes. These lists will also include a slideshow that comes along with them that is mainly accessed through google docs. Depending on when I work out the kinks, I will most likely add and regular PowerPoint as well

This list is a description of influential pilots of animated series. This is based on both my personal opinion and the impact on pop culture that these series or at least these pilots have.

#10: Rollercoaster- Phineas & Ferb

Phineas Flynn & Ferb Fletcher are local step brothers who make sure they enjoy every bit of their summer from start to finish. While most normal kids would probably start their summer with going to the beach, Phineas & Ferb start theirs with building a roller coaster in their backyard. That would sound awesome to anyone, except their sister Candace, who did almost everything she could to get her brothers in trouble but to no avail. Meanwhile, their secret agent pet platypus Perry attempts to stop his arch nemesis, Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz. A platypus as a secret agent would probably sound ridiculous on paper. But “Rollercoaster” pretty much proved that with brilliant writing, It can be awesome. This episode serves as a fantastic introduction to these characters that we would come to know and love. Letting us know that there would not be a dull moment in the series and showcasing the power of imagination.

#9: Mole Hunt- Archer

I personally see Sterling Archer as James Bond if he were American and on steroids. In the first episode of the popular FX series, Sterling is berated for abusing his work expense account. So he attempts to get access to the mainframe by tricking his fellow coworkers (including ex-girlfriend Lana) with a fake mole hunt, which fails. I don’t how they were able to mix office comedy with a spy story, but somehow it just works. And the fact that they made an unlikeable protagonist hard to hate is just amazing. Also the plot twist that the trainee guy is an actual Russian spy was absolute perfection. Dirty-minded but hilarious, this was one memorable first impression.

#8: Death Has A Shadow- Family Guy

When Peter Griffin drinks too much at a party, he causes trouble at work and loses his job as a result. So he signs up for welfare and things quickly go out of hand. It’s weird seeing a time when Peter was somewhat a loving husband and father, but that doesn’t mean the pilot wasn’t good. The best and most well written part of the series is Stewie’s plot line with Lois and his toy. Lois’ obliviousness to Stewie’s threats was hysterical. And the fact that Stewie was the one to save Peter from going to prison was just perfect. I might not be the best person to judge the series considering I've only ever seen 2 episodes (Life Of Brian being the other), but overall a very fun pilot.

#7: Tourist Trapped- Gravity Falls

California twins Dipper & Mabel are sent to a small town called Gravity Falls, Oregon to spend the summer with their strange but loving great uncle Stan. Dipper notices some odd things about the city  and is suspicious of his sister’s new boyfriend but everyone (except for Soos) believes he’s paranoid. However, he finds a mysterious book in the middle of the woods and Mabel’s boyfriend is revealed to be a bunch of gnomes, who also try to kidnap her and force her to marry them (the first of many Mabel love situations). Unlike Family Guy & Archer, I am very familiar with Gravity Falls and this is an incredibly well executed episode. The best part about it is the foreshadowing of future events of the series (including the gnomes). Also the dynamic between Dipper & Mabel is very well written & realistic (I have a sister). It’s full of wonder and It just keeps us longing for more.

#6: Pilot- Rick And Morty

There is something severely wrong with Rick. He pulls his grandson out of school for what is basically a drug raid. The only difference is this is in another dimension, and instead of drugs Morty has mega seeds up his butt. Meanwhile, Morty’s father Jerry complains that Rick is ruining their family’s lives and insists that he goes to a retirement home. However, his wife Beth firmly disagrees. This is the only RIck & Morty episode I have seen and overall it was a very fun action packed episode. Rick was definitely the stand out of the episode and probably the main reason to stay for the series. I would also like to point out that the animation is very well done, and kind of expressive. Shout out to the animators.

#5: Space Pilot 3000- Futurama

On New Year's Eve in 1999 (the year I was born), miserable delivery boy Philip J. Fry is chronologically frozen for a million years. By the time he’s defrosted, It is New Year’s Eve on 2999. When assignment officer Leela assigns him to be a delivery boy once more, Fry flees and meets Fender as a result. What I liked about this episode was that It surprisingly had some emotional commentary on it. From Fry and Leela’s loneliness to Bender’s suicidal tendencies. It was a very well balanced episode and surprisingly touching.

#4: Cartman Gets An Anal Probe- South Park

If there is one TV series that can both amuse you and make you feel uncomfortable, it’s South Park. In the very first episode, Cartman is abducted by aliens and receives a probe in his butt. The aliens come back later and take Kyle’s brother Ike. This episode was hilarious from start to finish, and perfectly represents everything that South Park is. Loud mouthed, raunchy and funny as hell. And probably the best thing about the episode is that we witness the birth of the immortal phrase “OMG They Killed Kenny!”  That to me pretty much defined the episode.

#3: Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire- The Simpsons

So the first Simpsons episode was a Christmas episode, lovely. Homer never gets his Christmas bonus, so he’s hoping that Marge will take care of all the shopping, only to find out that Marge spent all of hers in removing Bart’s tattoo. So Homer does everything he can to give his family the perfect Christmas. While this episode was funny, I like it even more for being heartwarming (of course being a Christmas episode, that’s not surprising). Homer maybe stupid, but it’s hard not to root for him, and you can’t help but root for him in this episode. A surprisingly mellow introduction to the family, but good.

#2: The Boy In The Iceberg- Avatar: The Last Airbender

Mark my words: Avatar Rules. In a world where there are three (originally four) nations defined by the elements, a duo of water tribe siblings find a boy and his bison frozen for 100 years in an iceberg. Meanwhile Zuko, prince of the fire nation (and my favorite character) has been on the hunt to find the avatar for years and finally finds some type of sign that he could still be alive. The world that the pilot introduces us to is just so compelling. It completely pulls us in and it doesn’t even have to try that hard (of course I might be saying that because, well it’s Avatar). This episode also keeps us wondering more about the characters, particularly Aang & Zuko. The episode just keeps us wanting more, this and the #1 is probably the perfect pilot.

Now before I reveal my top pick, here are a few honorable mentions........

-'On Leather Wing': Batman 

    There's nothing wrong with the pilot as a whole, it's just easily outshined by other episodes

-'Human Flesh': Bob's Burgers

    Pretty much the same as Batman, easily outshined by other episodes

-'Gem Glow': Steven Universe

    While this has a similar reason to the last 2, this episode is mainly outshined by the themes of the series

#1: Help Wanted- Spongebob Squarepants

One Word: ICONIC. On the very first episode of the seemingly immortal series, Spongebob applies for his dream job as a fry cook at the popular fast food restaurant, The Krusty Krab. Squidward (his neighbor and future co-worker) and Mr. Krabs (his future boss) initially laughs at him and tricks him. However, Mr. Krabs has a change of heart when Spongebob saves him and Squidward from a bunch of extremely hungry anchovies. Everything about this episode is just iconic. From its characters, to its comedic timing , to Tiny Tim’s  "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight". As mentioned for the previous entry, this is pretty much the perfect pilot and the obvious choice for #1.

And that's pretty much my first list. Feel free to comment on your opinion down below. There is a link access to a slideshow down below. Feel free to look and listen if you'd like. Thanks and enjoy.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dGFafmLevkv7GapJkmBAOQElLmd66fj7yYapzUWiQ80/edit#slide=id.p