Past Perfect?

[Unregistered]

That was the first time I had seen a lion. or That was the first time I saw a lion.
Which one is correct? If both, does it make a difference?

[rewboss]

That was the first time I had seen a lion. I had never seen one before that time.

That was the first time I saw a lion. The second time I saw a lion was two years later...

Does this help you?

[henryh]

Yes, it does help. Thanks for being so quick.

[2006]

That was the first time I had seen a lion. or That was the first time I saw a lion.
Which one is correct? If both, does it make a difference?

They both mean I had never seen a lion before that time.