The pilot's science-fiction plot elements were appreciated by "New York" magazine, which wrote favorably about the "millenarianism" of the show, including Brisco's use of a rocket to travel on railroad tracks. While Rod Dreher of the "Washington Times" liked the "nifty" Orb subplot, some critics responded negatively to the Orb. The "Washington Post"s Shales called the Orb "hokey supernatural bunk". Other reviewers complained generally about the broad mix of genres and number of subplots in the pilot. While "TV Guide"s Jeff Jarvis roundly praised the quality of the pilot and called "Brisco" his favorite Fox show of 1993, he criticized the pilot for being "padded with outlaws and mysterious orbs". Diane Werts of "Newsday" similarly said that "Brisco" "just about hits the bulls eye" with its "sharp wit" and "thrill a minute" action, although she noted that the pilot was over-packed with characters and subplots. Writing in "The New York Times", Goodman said, "The writers try everything, including some business involving raiders of a lost orb, without much of a payoff."