‘I definitely needed a lie-down after that!’ The most gripping TV episodes of all time
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003
The episode begins with the Spooks team confined while undergoing a drill relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The anxiety increases as messages indicate a catastrophe taking place outside, and gets worse as the superior shows signs of exposure, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to decide between shooting them or allowing them to leave and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. Given it’s Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.
The 1984 production Threads
Threads had minimal funding but arguably the most terrifying series I have viewed because of the stark reality and dismal official figures. Watched it about a month ago having watched the original; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield featured in the show which underscored the actuality and the glib matter-of-fact official information that were transmitted. Remaining completely frightening 35 years later.
Severance – The We We Are from 2022
The concluding episode of Severance’s debut season deserves a top spot among intense episodes. I was throughout the episode literally perched nervously, exerting with Dylan to hold the switches that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while yelling at the Innies to get their truths out there. The concluding高潮 – “she’s alive!” – felt like an explosion.
Industry – White Mischief from 2024
The fifth episode of Industry’s third season caused my heart to pound. I had to pause and get up and exit the space repeatedly because of the sheer scale of the deliberate ruin I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty at work and home – buried in financial obligations to loan sharks owing to his uncontrollable gaming, engaging in dangerous ventures with a gamble on the pound which could lose his company millions. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, gets beaten to a pulp. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it worsens. There is a chance for salvation as the installment closes but he squanders the opportunity, with horrifying consequences in the concluding part of the season. Certainly required a rest afterward!
The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday
Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. Yet the installment Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it can cause you to stand throughout the entire episode, riddled with anxiety. The situation intensifies as Jeremy and Mark discover being compelled to falsify about the canine they unintentionally hit and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then spend the rest of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it is possible!
The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals
Nothing I have seen has been as tense than the first time I watched the second season finale of The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and escalates to a高潮 with a crisis in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy of the president’s MS diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to run for another term. Superb programming. Unsurpassed.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The beginning of the UK show Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train with his young son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He notices a Muslim female heading to the toilet and senses something is wrong. The bomb squad is alerted, board the train, and try to persuade the woman to remove her explosive vest. Tension escalates to a practically unendurable point, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body from 2001
Buffy comes into her home to find her mum has passed away due to natural factors, which is the most unusual type of death in this mystical program. The show features no musical score, a somber mood, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007
The concluding moment of the last installment of the series was extremely nerve-wracking. And if you watched it when it originally aired, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all vanquished. Doesn’t this resemble the season one conclusion? “Recall the minor details.” Yet the atmosphere is strangely foreboding. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony gloomily informs Carmela there’s trouble afoot with an additional associate cooperating with the officials. Meadow parks. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Look at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony looks up. Don’t stop. It stops. My heart dropped from my mouth roughly 20 minutes after.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I stayed up to watch this episode at 2am. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan finding the group, cruelly taunting his victims and then leaving the victim unknown (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The victim’s POV shot and the muted audio – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season