October Road

Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired 3/15/07

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Episode Summary

Ten years after leaving his hometown, Nick Garrett returns to Knights Ridge, to teach a one-day course at Dufresne College, which he believes is a great way to find out what changes since he was gone. After hurting the ones he loved by writing a book, a best-selling novel, and discovering their secrets, Nick will have to find a way to confront past demons and move on with his life.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Jay Paulson

Phillip 'Physical Phil' Farmer
Warren Christie

Ray 'Big Cat' Cataldo
Tom Berenger

Bob 'The Commander' Garrett

Fan Episode Reviews (28)

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Pilot episode.

8.5

"Great"

By Canogaparkcindy, Dec 12, 2010 Report Abuse

A great introduction to a show that was canceled before it's time. This pilot episode just shows how much potential this show had. We've got an original story, interesting characters, and just a great drama in general.

Nick & Hannah's chemistry is undeniable, and you can really see that in the first episode of the series. There were some things about this episode that were a bit too cliche for my liking such as the bar fight or that guy sleeping with his best friend's wife, but other than that, this episode was for the most part enjoyable. Nick & Hannah scenes were the most interesting but I loved the final scene with Nick's ex-best friend, Eddie. Saying they can never be friends again. I also liked the camera work that went in to this, not to mention the fast paced cuts while Nick was in New York, with an enjoyable soundtrack, and you've got yourself a great pilot episode. The peanut allergy ending was just a great tie in, and it will definitely entice you to tune in the following week. Can't wait for the next episode.moreless

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Nick returns home to October Road to discover exactly how much things have changed.

9.5

"Superb"

By luckydagangsta, Jun 07, 2008 Report Abuse

I think that this episode was an excellent pilot episode. It introduced all of the characters flawlessly. And it did a nice job in showing how much they have changed in the pass 10 years, how different their lives and personalities are now that those years have passed.

The pace is nice and steady. Not too slow that it gets boring and not too fast taht it's difficult to understand what's happening. The episode shows enough to let you understand what's going to going to be in store for future episodes.

Quite possibly one of the best pilot episodes I've ever seen. You should definitely check this episode out because whether or not you like this episode will determine if this is the show for you.moreless

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Nick returns home after 10 years. He has written a bestseller where he depicts his hometown in a not so good light. His ex-girlfriend has a son who is almost 10, is he the father?moreless

9.8

"Superb"

By oramp, May 16, 2008 Report Abuse

I thought the show looked very interesting from the advertisements. I thought the concept of the show was intriguing and I was not let down. I had never known who Bryan Greenberg was, but he has my attention now and from here on out. He is just one of the amazing actors on this show. I love the looks in this episode, they are just great. The look the Commander gives his son after he opens the door, not realizing Nick was coming home, was priceless. The look he and Hannah give eachother in the sub shop after seeing eachother for 10 years was great as well, the love is still there folks. The last look was the death look Eddie gave Nick at the bar, that look said everything, and even though I love the character of Nick, I can definitely understand Eddie's feelings at that point. Great television!moreless

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Great intro!

9.5

"Superb"

By VGFreak8, Nov 24, 2007 Report Abuse

Nick Garrett has been away from his hometown for 10 years. He left behind his friends and his girlfriend. Nick needs to realize that things have changed after he goes back to teach at a college about his bestseller book, "Turtle on a Snare Drum." His book features characters that modelpeople from his hometown such as Eddie, his former best friend and Hannah, his ex-girlfriend. He finds out that Hannah has a son that might be his own and that Eddie doesn't think they will ever be friends. His other friends, Owen, Physical Phil, and Ikey, have all taken him back. Hannah and Eddie, however, aren't persuaded to be kind to him.

This was a great episode! A good storyline and great characters! I like Bryan Greenberg in One Tree Hill, so it was cool seeing him in this show! Also, Lee Norris guest stars! This episode gets a 9.5!moreless

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I can't wait to see more episodes form this new show.

8.5

"Great"

By vonkie_1991, Nov 15, 2007 Report Abuse

So here in the Netherlands the pilot was just a few days ago. When I first saw the commercial, I right away thought this show was something for me. So I of course looked it up here and I liked the reviews, so I decided to watch the show. And I can honest say that I was not disappointment. This was exactly how a pilot should be. It really made me curious to find out more. I hope that we learn later that Sam is Nick's son.And I hope that someday Nick and Hannah will get to getter again. Well I just have to wait and see. I hope this show continues to go this way, then it will defiantly be a new favorite of mine.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- TRIVIA: This episode features the first and only appearance of Bill Nunn as Dean Leslie Etwood. He will be replaced by a female actress in the next episode. Edit
- TRIVIA: October Road is filmed in Atlanta Georgia, but the show is placed in Knights Ridge, Massachusetts. Edit
- TRIVIA: First episode to feature recurring actors Jonathan Murphy (Ronnie Garrett), Rebecca Field (Janet Meadows), Bo Mitchell (Doodie) and Elizabeth Bogush (Alison Rowan). Edit
Notes
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- This episode was nominated for a 2008 Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Television: Short Form – Music. Edit
- Featured Music: "Don't Look Back" by Boston "The World I Know" by Collective Soul "Weather With You" by Crowded House "Homesick" by The Vines "Shambala" by Three Dog Night "Lost Horizons" by Gin Blossoms "You're All I Want" by Devin Powers "Take It On the Run" by REO Speedwagon "Glass, Concrete & Stone" by David Byrne "Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy "This Old Life" by Dan Zweben Edit
- Lee Norris, a guest star in this episode, previously worked with Bryan Greenberg on WB/CW's teen drama series "One Tree Hill." Edit
Quotes
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- (Sam talking to Nick about his mothers boyfriend) Sam: He makes my lunches which is nice I suppose, but he forgets. (Looks in his bag and checks out his sandwich) Yep, he did it again. Nick: What did he do? Sam: He made me a peanut butter, jelly sandwich, only I got this peanut allergy. One bite out of this puppy and I'm a goner. Edit
- Puertorican Woman: It is the fool who fails to return to the place of his last happiness. Edit
- Sam: That house is haunted. You ever seen to Kill A Mockingbird? You know that guy Boo Radley, in that house is Boo Radley Senior & Boo Radley Junior. Nick: I know. I grew up there. Sam: What do you mean? Nick: (smiles) I mean Boo Radley Senior is my father and Boo Radley Junior is my brother. Sam: Oh. Sorry? Edit
Allusions
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- Eddie: You seem to have forgotten which side of October Road you belong on. An allusion to the show title, and a possible clue to why the show was titled October Road. Is it a road in Knights Ridge or some book allusion? Edit
- Sam: He's Lennie to my George. Doodie: It wasn't George, you dope, it was Squiggy. Sam alludes to characters in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Lennie was a large, mentally slow man while George was a smaller man of normal intelligence. Doodie alludes to the characters Lenny and Squiggy of the 70s sitcom "Laverne & Shirley." Edit
- Editor: G. Gordon Liddy was afraid of rats, so he cooked one up and ate it. G. Gordon Liddy was the chief operative for President Richard Nixon's White House Plumbers unit. He was known for having irrational fears, one of them being the fear of rats. Liddy caught, cooked and ate the rate to get over his fear. Edit