Had I seen it before: No. What IMDb says: New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life, which affects his mental state and ends up seeking professional psychiatric counseling. Why I picked it: The Sopranos has the distinction of being the oldest pilot on my list. While it’s not the first HBO original drama, it’s the first one … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: The Sopranos
Had I seen it before: Nope. What IMDb says: Follows Elliot, a young programmer working as a cyber-security engineer by day, and a vigilante hacker by night. Why I picked it: This is one of the more recent breakout hits that *gasp* isn’t on AMC. Not only did Rami Malek win an Emmy for this in its first season, Mr. Robot also won the Golden Globe for its … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Mr. Robot
Had I seen it before: Yes, I’ve seen the whole series. What IMDb says: When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back. Why I picked it: I picked it because the rest of ya’all seem to really like it. Like, really really like it. In addition, Stranger Things is pretty much the … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Stranger Things
Had I seen it before: Yes! I’ve seen all of Season 1 and the beginning of Season 2 but I never quite got to that breaking point where you can’t stop watching. Yes, that pun was intended AF. What IMDb says: A high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine in order to secure his family’s future. Why I picked … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Breaking Bad
Had I seen it before: Nope. What IMDb says: After a supernatural event at his church, a preacher enlists the help of a vampire to find God. What I say: … wait really? That’s what it’s about? Was I supposed to get that from the pilot? Why I picked it: I hadn’t even heard of this show until I started putting my list together. But when I … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Preacher
Had I seen it before: No. I’m pretty sure I’d seen Dexter’s Laboratory though. That’s sorta similar right? What IMDb says: By day, mild-mannered Dexter is a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police. But at night, he is a serial killer who only targets other murderers. Why I picked it: It was actually surprisingly difficult to find mega-successful premium cable shows that weren’t HBO, and Dexter certainly fits that bill. … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Dexter
Had I seen it before: No, but one of my besties is really into it so I’ve learned just enough to make sure I’m buying good merch for her. What IMDb says: Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma, to learn the world is in ruins, and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive. Why I picked it: The Walking Dead is not … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: The Walking Dead
Had I seen it before: No, but I did watch the episode of The Chew where Giovanni Ribisi was promoting it. What IMDb says: A con man on the run from a vicious gangster takes cover by assuming the identity of his prison cellmate, Pete, reuniting with his estranged family, that threatens to drag him into a world just as dangerous as the one he’s escaping. Why I picked … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Sneaky Pete
Had I seen it before: No.
What IMDb says: Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.
Why I picked it: This show was heavily referenced in Writing the Pilot: Creating the Series, the book that inspired this whole project. Not only was it immensely popular, but it was also created by a relatively inexperienced writer. Creator Nic Pizzolatto wrote a couple of episodes for The Killing but that was his only TV experience, although he had written a novel and some short stories.
I also thought it could be kinda fun to explore an anthology series since those are becoming an en vogue thing to do. Season 1 of True Detective was a success by all definitions of the word, but Season 2 seemed to let everybody down. Do pilots for these types of shows have to work differently than pilots for traditional tv shows? It’s a question for the ages.
Had I seen it before: No. What IMDb says: Matt Murdock, with his other senses superhumanly enhanced, fights crime as a blind lawyer by day, and vigilante by night. Why I picked it: So for like two years now I’ve had a lot of people tell me stuff like: “OMG, Daredevil is so good!” “you might like Daredevil, it’s not like the other superhero stuff you … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Daredevil
Butcher Thoughts 