‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ The most gripping episodes of TV ever
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)
The episode begins with the MI5 agents restricted while undergoing a drill relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, overseen by two Home Office officials. As things progress, it appears that there really has been an attack with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as incoming communications show a disaster happening externally, and escalates as the boss appears to be infected, with the two officials trying to exit, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to decide between shooting them or allowing them to leave and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.
Threads from 1984
The production was inexpensive but arguably the most terrifying series I have ever watched owing to its grim authenticity and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago having watched the original; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub featured in the show which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Still absolutely terrifying 35 years later.
Severance – The We We Are (2022)
The first season finale of Severance has to be right up there among intense episodes. I was throughout the episode literally perched nervously, exerting with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while yelling at the Innies to reveal their realities. The concluding高潮 – “she is living!” – felt like an explosion.
Industry – White Mischief from 2024
Installment five in Industry’s third series made my pulse quicken. I was compelled to halt and rise and exit the space repeatedly because of the sheer scale of the wanton self-destruction I saw. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors because of his compulsive gambling, engaging in dangerous ventures on a wager involving sterling which could lose his company millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, does tons of drugs and drink and experiences wins and losses, is severely assaulted. Whenever you assume it can’t get any worse, it deteriorates. Redemption seems possible at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, with horrifying consequences in the concluding part of the season. Absolutely had to relax following that!
Peep Show – Holiday (2007)
Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. But the episode Holiday includes such amounts of embarrassment that it will make you rise throughout the entire episode, riddled with anxiety. It all ramps up as Jeremy and Mark discover having to lie about the dog they by chance collide with and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it can be!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)
No other viewing has been as gripping as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The show opens with the fallout of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s personal secretary and builds to a peak with a crisis in Haiti, and the effects of the withheld information about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to run for another term. Wonderful television. Never bettered.
Bodyguard – episode one from 2018
The opening of the British series Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train with his young son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He notices a Muslim female entering the restroom and senses something is wrong. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, enter the train, and try to persuade the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds to an almost unbearable degree, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body from 2001
Buffy enters her house to realize her mom has deceased due to natural factors, which is the least common kind of passing in this paranormal series. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a somber mood, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007
The final scene of the final episode of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And if you watched it when it originally aired, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s enemies, real and imagined, had all been defeated. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Remember the little things.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family sit in a restaurant. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela problems are brewing with another member of his team working with the government. Meadow parks the vehicle. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The door chimes, a person comes in. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony glances upward. Keep going. It halts. My heart dropped from my mouth roughly 20 minutes after.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016
I remained awake to view this installment during the night. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan locating the survivors, mercilessly mocking his targets then not knowing who he killed (finished with an unresolved situation). The victim’s POV shot and the muffled sounds – argh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
