Sod's Law of Fiction

Whenever you opt-in to a new series that everyone has been raving about, whether it was movie series, book series, tv-show, or ongoing comic book run, the first instalment you experience directly will always be the filler episode that no one really cares for.

Sub-clause:
Whenever a friend tries a series you recommend, they will also end up opting in on the filler episode too.

The first episode of Star Trek TNG I ever saw was that one with planet of the racist stereotypes where Tasha has to fight for her life in a racist and sexist game, for example.