002. Pilot (Lost)

"Guys, where are we?"

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 22nd/29th September 2004
EPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 1
WRITTEN BY: J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof

You can expect Lost to show up a lot on this list. It's pretty much been my favorite show since the minute the first episode aired, and the Pilot had a lot to do with that. Six seasons and 120 episodes later, and the show still never quite topped the magic of its two-part opener for me.

It's rare for a Pilot to be anything other than just a passable episode of a show. Usually shows take a while to find their feet. But Lost gets going right from the very first scene - intense, frantic, dramatic no matter how many times you see it. It's a perfect introduction to all our characters, especially Jack - he's the hero, who wants to help and save everyone. There's plenty more action to come with a mysterious encounter in the night and an exploration of the cockpit. All of it is directed like a big-screen production. If this is J.J. Abrams' only contribution to the show, then it's a worthy one.

The small character moments are also present. Who can forget charming interactions like Jin's attempt to give Hurley and Claire some sea urchin? It's a large ensemble but every character gets something going for them, and putting several bodies on the one final trek uphill to get the transceiver working allowed us to get to know more people. It introduces several mysteries off the bat – polar bears, unseen monster, French signal. Even the one episode-long prisoner mystery is exciting, and a big shock once revealed.

The Pilot is a brilliant seminal episode that represents everything that is good about the show.

001. The Last Temptation Of Homer (The Simpsons)

"I won't bore you with the details of our miraculous escape, but we desperately need a REAL emergency exit."

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 9th December 1993
EPISODE NUMBER: Season 5, Episode 9
WRITTEN BY: Frank Mula

It's the first entry on the list, so I might as well address a few things. First of all, this list is not in order. I'm not claiming this is the best episode ever. That would be silly. Shame on you for even thinking there's an answer to that. This isn't necessarily my favorite episode, nor do I think it's the most deserving of making the list. I chose this to be the first one featured mainly due to nostalgia. This was one of the first episodes of real television I ever watched. Therefore, I feel it is as good a place as any to start.

The Last Temptation Of Homer is an episode with a lot of heart, and one of the first stories to test the strength of Homer and Marge's marriage (I'm aware that Colonel Homer came first, but this one is better). Michelle Pfeiffer is a great guest star. Mindy is a worthy object of desire, basically the female version of Homer. It becomes a dilemma for Homer - Mindy seems pretty perfect, plus his family is starting to look unattractive. Being a good guy at heart, Homer tries to do the right thing and distance himself from Mindy, but in true sitcom style, circumstances keep forcing them closer and closer together.

But it's not short on laughs either, oh no. The Simpsons has such a high gag rate, I will only go through the highlights - Burns employing a duck, Joey Jo-Jo, the giant hand guy, the Wizard Of Oz monkeys, the fortune cookies. The subplot of Bart becoming a nerd is also surprising funny too.

Tying it all together is the sweet ending where Homer makes his choice and sticks with his wife. A classic episode from one of the show's golden years.