The pilot has grown on me over time. It is definitely one of the weaker episodes of the season and of the show, but it's not even my least favorite of the season. This episode isn't bad or forgettable though and they really show in this episode this show is gonna be different than any other sitcom before it and tackle some very controversial topics that most tv shows would never tackle at this time, this was the time sitcoms were still having mostly laugh tracks, friends was ending, and How I Met your mother was starting, That 70s show was late in its run, but another monumental show The office also aired this year also getting rid of the laugh track and going for the more mockumentary style. It did take a couple of episodes for me to get on board, the first time I finished this episode, I paused and thought does this work for me. There was moments when I snickered but I was thinking shouldn't I be laughing more in a sitcom, and it wasn't the shows fault it just took me a while to get on board with the shows humor and realizing it's satire and how the main cast of characters are suppose to be unlikable and terrible people and is now probably my favorite sitcom of all time. The show just works cause in most shows there's a time when the characters have finished growing and there's nothing else left to tell for sunny the characters have minor changes but never have they actually changed as people, but if they can keep thinking of great stories and interesting settings to plop our characters this show could go on forever
For a while this was my least favorite episode of the show, and it's still a weaker one for a few reasons none of the characters have hit their peak which is fine it's the pilot but they all change somewhat by the next season. Dee is more of the straight person and telling the gang they are being out of line, which I don't care for by because I'm so use to her being part of the schemes by season 2 she fully starts to be in the gangs hijinks and it's been like that for 14 seasons. Dee is almost unrecognizable from later seasons and just shows how talented of an actress Kaitlyn Olson is. Charlies being illiterate is no where to be seen. Dennis psychotic tendencies are also pretty absent besides Glenn's acting school shining through even in the first episode. Mac feels more like Charlie and him being in the closet really doesn't start to be brought in around season 2 or 3. I also think the execution isn't done great, especially when Sunny's executions for episodes are almost always flawless besides a few rough ones in my eyes. The main plot is funny in writing with Charlie trying prove they're not racist and has some funny moments like Mac and Charlie fighting over the wallet and Charlie fitting in pretty quickly. The bar turning into a gay bar is fine has a couple of funny moments like dennis as the bartender and his spin. Also the scene when Dee is introducing Terrell is pretty good well acted by the main three. Also the introduction to the longest running returning side character the waitress Charlie Day's wife in real life Mary Ellis Elizabeth, who is one of the best side charcters. Charlies obsession with the Waitress is one of the best recurring gags of the show. Overall I think they did fine job for the budget they had back then, but it's a pilot and it's a little rough and you can tell by watching it. Not one I normally throw on just to watch but never skip it on rewatch.
For a while this was my least favorite episode of the show, and it's still a weaker one for a few reasons none of the characters have hit their peak which is fine it's the pilot but they all change somewhat by the next season. Dee is more of the straight person and telling the gang they are being out of line, which I don't care for by because I'm so use to her being part of the schemes by season 2 she fully starts to be in the gangs hijinks and it's been like that for 14 seasons. Dee is almost unrecognizable from later seasons and just shows how talented of an actress Kaitlyn Olson is. Charlies being illiterate is no where to be seen. Dennis psychotic tendencies are also pretty absent besides Glenn's acting school shining through even in the first episode. Mac feels more like Charlie and him being in the closet really doesn't start to be brought in around season 2 or 3. I also think the execution isn't done great, especially when Sunny's executions for episodes are almost always flawless besides a few rough ones in my eyes. The main plot is funny in writing with Charlie trying prove they're not racist and has some funny moments like Mac and Charlie fighting over the wallet and Charlie fitting in pretty quickly. The bar turning into a gay bar is fine has a couple of funny moments like dennis as the bartender and his spin. Also the scene when Dee is introducing Terrell is pretty good well acted by the main three. Also the introduction to the longest running returning side character the waitress Charlie Day's wife in real life Mary Ellis Elizabeth, who is one of the best side charcters. Charlies obsession with the Waitress is one of the best recurring gags of the show. Overall I think they did fine job for the budget they had back then, but it's a pilot and it's a little rough and you can tell by watching it. Not one I normally throw on just to watch but never skip it on rewatch.