Yesterday, one of my friends confessed to me that he had just started watching The West Wing for the first time, and that he was loving it. (Duh.) Rather than laugh at him for his pop culture blind spot — I mean, we all have that one show we’ve never seen that everyone else has — I was positively overcome with jealousy. What I wouldn’t give to go back and watch West Wing for the first time. It’s not that I don’t enjoy watching it over and over, or that once the mystery is dead the show is no fun, but…argh, that first time I saw "Two Cathedrals"? Untouchable.
For most shows I love, I tend to prefer the repeat viewings — I liked Gilmore Girls the first time through, but I effing loved it the second (through…let’s say seventh) go-round. I also enjoyed the repeat viewings of The Sopranos and Battlestar Galactica, which become different shows when you watch them over and over. But some shows, like West Wing, are just best that first time.
Am I alone on this, PopWatchers? Do you have a beloved show you wish you could see for the first time? And I’m not talking about shows that simply do not stand up to repeated viewings (once I watch an episode of Idol, that’s it; same for CSI and most procedurals). I’m talking about a the-first-cut-is-the-deepest kind of thing. What’s your favorite show that’s always good, but that first time is great?
‘Lost’ and ‘The Sopranos’
I think mine would be Veronica Mars. I got into it at the very end, but it was incredible. And is it too soon yet to say Glee?
The Wire. Without a doubt. Once I started season one, I marathon-ed the next four seasons.
It would have to be Six Feet Under. For sure.
Friday Night Lights. SO GOOD!!!
I totally agree with you about The West Wing and I would add himym to that. The first time I saw “slap Bet”… it totally blew my mind with hilarity.
BUFFY:THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
I wish I could watch the pilot for Desperate Housewives for this first time again. That was great. I didn’t start watching Lost until season 3 but still watched seasons 1&2 first and was completely blown away by the pilot. If I went older school I’d pick ER and Roseanne
Lost, for sure. And Weeds. (And…I’ll support you on that, Jane: Glee!)
You are so right. The first time I saw Martin Sheen in Two Cathedrals, my heart was racing. I’ve seen it about 10 times after that and nothing compares to that initial feeling. Another show that’s just better the first time around is 24. To me the initial drama and uncertainty and plot twists are better the first time around.
InuYasha
Lost’s first and second seasons have to lead the list. Every surprise and moment of tension felt 10x more intense than any other show I can recall. The other seasons obviously had surprises of their own, but other than the season 3 finale, most of that ability to truly surprise me wore off over time. “The Wire” would have to be a distant, but respectable second.
I’ve always said that I wish I had temporary amnesia so I could rewatch West Wing, Buffy, the OC and Veronica Mars again for the first time. I’m actually watching Gilmore Girls for the first time (I’m on Season 4) and will add that to the list once I’m done as it is fantastic.
The Wire! My girlfriend is about to start season 1 and I’m jealous that she gets to experience the whole series for the first time. I went through the same thing when I showed her Veronica Mars. Now if I can only get her to watch Buffy and BSG!
Based solely on the first episode:
LOST
Twin Peaks
Based on the entire series:
Buffy