24 TV Shows That Gripped People From the Jump

Not to name names — cough, Shmarks and Shmecration, cough — but some TV shows just take a while to find their footing. It’s the nature of serial narrative, relying on momentum that has to be built up. Of course, for every show that’s terrible the whole time, there’s an idiot out there telling people, “Stick with it, I promise it gets good,” so naturally, people are wary of shows that don’t immediately grab onto them.

Fortunately, they do exist. Whether it’s an engrossing premise, a show-stopping first scene or just plain old-fashioned artistic competence, there are series that let you know right at the outset that you’re going to have a good time. Reddit listed them after user CondomLeavesARice asked r/AskReddit, “What show had you hooked after 1 episode?”