Watch full episode of My So-Called Life season 1 episode 1, read episode recap, view photos and more. Why do they call it a pilot episode? It appeared many times on Cartoon Network RSEE (Russia & Southeastern Europe) and it was the first episode of the series in these countries. I know full well what it means (the "pilot" episode determines whether the show will continue or not), but I just hate seeing the first episode of a show being called "Pilot." The first episode of many TV series is called "Pilot" because the episode functions as a pilot for the series, just as a "pilot" is a person who operates a "plane", in comparison, a pilot episode therefore is the "take off" episode of a TV series. "Pilot" is the first episode of the American television show Numb3rs. For a newer, updated version of the pilot called "First Day", click here.Regular Show, otherwise known as The Pilot, is the pilot episode for Regular Show that aired on Cartoonstitute (a scrapped-planned animated showcase on Cartoon Network).. Was searching for other similar shows (The 100 is in the top 15 on IMDB :D) and realised the first episode of a few series I came across were called "Pilot"; The 100 included. . Why is the first episode of many shows named "Pilot"? I've always wondered this as well! If not the series is binned and no further episodes … So, the first episode of many TV series is called "Pilot" because the episode functions as a pilot for the series, and the writers aren't creative enough to think up a real title. Usually if the pilot episode is a success then it will lead to a series. The following is the wikipedia entry for the parallel term relating to vehicles: While every TV series has a pilot episode, every pilot episode of a TV series does not necessarily bear the title, “Pilot”. Based on a real-life serial rape case, "Pilot" features two brothers, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a mathematics professor at a Southern California university, using their individual skills to capture a serial rapist who has begun to kill his victims. The first episode of a series is called a pilot because it leads what is to follow, and establishes its tone and pace. A pilot episode is essentially a way of testing the waters before a full series is made. Doctor Who has "An Unearthly Child" as it's first episode. Now that's how you do it.