Saved by the Bell Season 1 Episode 1 Pilot
- November 25, 2020
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6.3 (212)
Zack Morris, the charming and witty leader of Bayside High, is ready to conquer his high school years with his best friend, goofball Samuel "Screech" Powers, by his side. In the series' first episode, entitled "Pilot," the audience is introduced to the main cast of characters, including Kelly Kapowski, A.C. Slater, Lisa Turtle, and Jessie Spano.
The episode begins with Zack Morris breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience, which became a staple of the show throughout its entire run. Zack is eagerly anticipating the start of his sophomore year of high school, but quickly realizes that he is facing a big problem. His summer fling, a girl named Stacey Carosi, is the daughter of the new owner of the Malibu Sands Beach Club where Zack and his friends worked over the summer. Stacey has transferred to Bayside High, and Zack is not sure how to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, A.C. Slater, the school's star athlete, has transferred from another school in the district. He immediately catches the eye of Kelly Kapowski, one of the most popular girls in school. Lisa Turtle, who is known for her fashion sense, is sporting a new look that is catching everyone's attention. Jessie Spano, the school's overachiever, is worried about her upcoming Chemistry test and her social life taking a backseat to her studies.
As the school year begins, Zack, Screech, and Slater compete for Kelly's attention in a variety of ways, including a dance-off in the school hallway. The group learns that Mr. Belding, the principal of Bayside, is eager to enforce a new dress code policy, much to the dismay of Lisa, who feels it is limiting her fashion choices.
In an attempt to impress Stacey, Zack manipulates the seating chart in his History class so that he can sit next to her. However, this plan backfires when he is paired with Jessie instead, who is not impressed with Zack's scheming ways. Zack tries to make it up to Jessie by offering to tutor her for her upcoming Chemistry test.
At the same time, Slater tries to get Kelly to notice him by showing off his athletic abilities during gym class. Kelly and Slater do end up hitting it off, but not in the way that Slater had hoped. The two bond over their mutual love of wrestling, and even put on a show for their classmates.
Throughout the episode, various subplots develop, including Screech's search for "the perfect girl," a love interest for Lisa, and Jessie's struggles with balancing her academic and social life. As the first episode of a new series, "Saved by the Bell" does a great job of introducing the main cast of characters and setting up the dynamics that will drive the storylines throughout the season.
Overall, the "Pilot" episode of "Saved by the Bell" is a fun and lighthearted introduction to the world of Bayside High. It is full of the zany antics and relatable teen drama that made the series a hit with audiences during its initial run in the early 90s. Whether you are a nostalgic fan or a new viewer, this episode is a great starting point for anyone looking to get into the world of "Saved by the Bell."