Cold opens aren’t always critical to a TV show’s overall story, but some sitcoms were changed forever by the opening moments of an episode. A cold open is a TV term for a scene that comes before the opening titles of a show, and it is a staple of some of the best sitcoms of all time. Usually, a cold open either sets up the events of a singular episode, or it’s simply a comical scene that isn’t related to the story at hand.

However, some cold opens do impact the overarching plot or a character arc. While these scenes aren’t typically moments that make much difference to what’s happening, it’s always unexpected when they do, or at least contribute to a big sitcom moment or plot twist. Although the events of a cold open are often quickly forgotten about, some were important enough to change their shows forever.

8 Michael Hitting Meredith With His Car

The Office Season 4, Episode 1 "Fun Run Part 1"

The episode “Fun Run Part 1” features one of The Office’s best cold opens, and while it seems like nothing can ever stop Meredith for long, Michael hitting her with his car is something that frequently pops up in the show long after the event. The season 4 opening sees Dunder Mifflin Scranton’s manager carelessly injure one of his employees, although Michael ensures to organize the rather unnecessary fun run to raise money for Meredith. Michael’s comments to the camera start as a reminder of season 3’s ending, but the abrupt appearance of Meredith on the car hood changes everything.

Later episodes of The Office remind audiences of this fact, and although Michael has several other run-ins with Dunder Mifflin’s higher-ups about his ridiculous behavior and actions, this moment is when they truly start to notice him. It’s also the first big thing Ryan has to deal with when he takes Jan’s job, too. Thankfully, Meredith forgives Michael for running her over, but the other employees are not quick to forget one of the worst incidents in The Office’s history.

7 Rosa Quits

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 8, Episode 1 "The Good Ones"

Rosa Diaz’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 8 career change is a massively unexpected moment, especially as it occurs mere moments into the long-awaited, post-COVID premiere episode. As Charles and Jake talk about ways they can interact safely, Rosa shifts the tone of the entire scene with her sudden announcement that she is quitting the force. While moments later on in the episode explain that her decision to do so is related to the death of George Floyd, it’s still incredibly jarring.

From this moment onwards, Brooklyn Nine-Nine directly addresses the real-life issues between society and the police, especially during COVID.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s best cold opens are typically comical moments and aren’t always related to an overarching story, and considering season 8 is the last installment of the show, it makes the opening of “The Good Ones” incredibly memorable. Although Rosa’s decision to become a private detective to help victims of police brutality is a great decision for her character, it is also a turning point for the show. From this moment onwards, Brooklyn Nine-Nine directly addresses the real-life issues between society and the police, especially during COVID, and the atmosphere is very different without Rosa’s presence.

6 Troy And Abed's New Apartment

Community Season 3, Episode 4 "Remedial Chaos Theory"

While the cold open of Community’s “Remedial Chaos Theory” doesn’t seem hugely impactful on the show, it is. This sequence establishes Troy and Abed are now living together, and while it is teased that the pair may get their own place before this, it isn’t confirmed until now. Before this, Troy was living with Pierce, so this is a major change for all characters involved. Annie and Britta’s tour around the apartment includes Troy and Abed showing off the Raiders of the Lost Ark display, which foreshadows the events of the episode.

In later seasons of Community, both Annie and Britta live in this apartment, too, so this is a rather central location that the show returns to frequently. The boulder foreshadowing leads to Community’s darkest timeline, something that becomes very significant to the show’s plot moving forward. Even though this cold open may not be as dramatic or action-packed as others, it’s fascinating to consider how many little details impact the rest of the show after this episode.

5 Pawnee And Eagleton's Governments Merge

Parks And Recreation Season 6, Episode 4 "Doppelgangers"

"Doppelgangers" marks the moment that Pawnee and Eagleton become one in Parks and Recreation, a plan crafted by Leslie to save the rival town from bankruptcy while also providing much-needed extra for her own home. The cold open goes exactly as anyone expects: the government workers of Pawnee and Eagleton immediately clash, and both sides are horrified that Leslie is allowing their communities to mix after generations of bitter comments and discrimination toward one another. Even though Leslie hates Eagleton, she loves Pawnee more.

It initially causes her impeachment, but despite this, it continues to influence several of her life decisions in the later seasons.

The Pawnee-Eagleton merger is a crucial moment in Leslie’s career. It initially causes her impeachment, but despite this, it continues to influence several of her life decisions in the later seasons. Leslie convinces the National Park Service to allow her to run a branch from Pawnee so that she can continue to oversee the merger, for example, which also allows her and Ben to raise their triplets there. The merger also boosts Pawnee’s economy, resulting in Gryzzl’s later prominence in the Indiana town and the success of Ron’s construction company, The Very Good Building & Development Co.

4 DeDe Dies

Modern Family Season 10, Episode 5 "Good Grief"

While the Pritchett/Tucker/Dunphy family’s cold opens are generally light-hearted, DeDe’s death in Modern Family truly shifts the tone of the show overall. Halloween is famously Claire’s favorite holiday, and the opening sequence of “Good Grief” seems like any other episode that focuses on the spooky day. However, in a rather abrupt moment, she receives a call and learns that her and Mitchell’s mother has ed away in her sleep while on vacation. Although Claire and DeDe’s relationship is strained throughout the show, viewers can feel the shock that runs through Claire when she hears the news.

DeDe’s death occurs quite late into Modern Family’s 11-season run, but it impacts every single character after this, and not just in this episode. Jay reflects on his past with DeDe and their later relationship after they are both remarried, for example. Claire and Mitchell’s stepfather, Jerry, also appears in a later episode that focuses on DeDe’s possessions. The loss of DeDe is so unexpected that it’s hard to know how to react to the cold open, especially as it could easily be setting up a Halloween-themed story in which she isn’t actually dead.

3 Ross And Rachel's Wedding

Friends Season 5, Episode 24 "The One In Vegas: Part 2"

The opening of Friends’ “The One in Vegas: Part 2” is a groundbreaking cold open. Considering how tumultuous Ross and Rachel’s relationship in Friends is, the two unexpectedly tying the knot is a big shock for many. During the events of this two-parter, the pair’s romance is going through a rather quiet moment, and there is more of a focus on Monica and Chandler possibly getting married instead. Ross’ wedding to Rachel marks his third marriage in the show, and the fallout of this is rather prominent in the episodes that come next.

All of Ross Gellar’s relationships in Friends are typically disastrous, but the way he handles trying to sneakily avoid telling Rachel that he hasn’t annulled their marriage is nothing short of horrific. It’s astounding how this cold open impacts his overall relationship with Rachel, let alone any remnants of a romantic connection, and it’s disrespectful that he cares more about being divorced a third time than he does about the legal and emotional implications this has on the love of his life. Although Rachel somewhat gets over it and they later have Emma, this cold open changes her life forever.

2 Frank Celebrates Barbara's Death

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 3, Episode 3 "Dennis And Dee's Mom Is Dead"

The cold open of the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode “Dennis and Dee’s Mom is Dead” is a brilliant callback to Frank Reynolds’ first episode. Both the characters and audiences immediately assume that Frank announcing his ex-wife is dead is a joke, but it’s actually the truth. The shock on the gang’s face as Frank celebrates and pops a bottle of champagne is hilarious, but it’s interesting to consider just how much these events influence future episodes of the show.

"The Gang Gets Extreme: Home Makeover Edition” and “The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis” only exist because of Barbara’s death. The woman leaves Dennis her mansion and loses it to Dee, who in turn loses it to the Juarez family. Then, Dennis and Dee’s biological father, Bruce, receives Barbara’s fortune (which is really Frank’s.) Next, Frank heartlessly tricks Dee and Dennis into digging Barbara’s body up in “Charlie's Mom Has Cancer” when he tells them she has faked her death. Although the twins care relatively little about their mother’s death, it has a massive impact on the show.

1 "Amy Goes Into Labour"

Superstore Season 4, Episode 5 “Delivery Day”

What’s so great about the opening of Superstore's “Delivery Day” is that it uses misdirection. As Glenn explains during a staff meeting he is taking Dina to the hospital so she can be induced, Amy’s waters coincidentally break all over the Cloud 9 floor. Dina and Amy’s due dates are close, but not close enough to expect this. The birth of Parker is a huge moment in the overall Superstore story. Amy and Jonah’s relationship in Superstore is still relatively new, and it’s a big pressure for them just as she gives birth to her ex-husband’s child.

Of course, it’s not just about Amy. Dina is a surrogate to Glenn and Jerusha, and she gives birth to their daughter, Rose, in this episode. After years of fostering many kids, they finally have a biological child of their own, and this influences Glenn’s later decision to step down as manager and the torch to Amy. Amy’s climb up the career ladder causes a lot of conflict in the later seasons, and it ultimately causes her breakup with Jonah, although she does return from California and reunites with him in Superstore’s finale.