For me:
-The Expanse - The beginning was confusing AF and the politics didn’t make sense and seemed boring, so I quit. But then eventually after like a year or two, went to reddit and it was recommended again, so I just read some light spoilers and that helped me got through the first season. And then it has been an intriguing and thrilling journey.
Firefly. I watched the very first bit of the first episode, saw the sci-fi infantry scene, decided that the whole thing was low-budget action, and didn’t look at it again for years.
I really think that it’s a good idea to make the first bit of media be more-reflective of the thing as a whole.
Hehe I like the pilot more than all the episodes… I mean I like them too but I loved that action sequence.