‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ The most gripping episodes of TV of all time
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)
The show kicks off with the Spooks team confined as part of a simulation relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, overseen by two Home Office officials. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as reports reveal a catastrophe taking place outside, and gets worse when the leader seems contaminated, and the government agents endeavor to depart, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to decide between shooting them or letting them go and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. As this is Spooks, the outcome is expected.
Threads (1984)
The production was inexpensive yet among the scariest shows I’ve ever seen due to its harsh realism and bleak government data. Viewed it recently following the initial broadcast; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub from the programme which underscored the actuality and the offhand factual official statements that aired. Remaining completely frightening after three and a half decades.
The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are
The concluding episode of Severance’s debut season has to be right up there as a tense chapter. I was throughout the episode quite literally on the edge of my seat, straining every sinew with Dylan to hold the switches that allowed the Innies to remain active, while shouting to the Innies to reveal their realities. The ultimate peak – “she’s alive!” – resembled a outburst.
The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief
Episode five of the third series of Industry caused my heart to pound. I was compelled to halt and rise and depart the area multiple times due to the immense extent of the reckless self-harm I observed. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble in his job and domestic life – up to his eyeballs in debt to illegal creditors owing to his uncontrollable gaming, assuming hazardous chances on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, is severely assaulted. Whenever you assume the situation cannot deteriorate further, it deteriorates. Redemption seems possible as the installment closes but he squanders the opportunity, with horrifying consequences in the concluding part of the season. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!
Peep Show – Holiday from 2007
The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. But the episode Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it can cause you to stand for the full show, riddled with anxiety. It all ramps up once Jeremy and Mark find themselves being compelled to falsify about the canine they by chance collide with and later efforts to get rid of it. You then spend the rest of the episode doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it is possible!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001
Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense compared to my initial viewing the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The episode starts with the aftermath of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s personal secretary and reaches a crescendo with a crisis in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy about the president’s MS condition, coupled with verification of his aim to run for another term. Excellent TV. Unequaled.
The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode
The opening of the British series Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train alongside his juvenile boy, is personally a top tense installment. He observes a woman in Islamic attire going into the loo and senses something is wrong. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, board the train, and attempt to convince the woman to take off her suicide vest. Tension escalates to a practically unendurable point, until yes, the vest is diffused.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)
Buffy arrives at her residence to discover her mother has died of natural causes, which is the rarest form of demise in this paranormal series. The show features no musical score, a sullen tone, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)
The final scene of the final episode of the series was extremely nerve-wracking. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Think about the small elements.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony gloomily informs Carmela problems are brewing with another member of his team cooperating with the officials. Meadow parks. Strange people enter the restaurant. Look at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow parks her car. The door chimes, a person comes in. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony glances upward. Don’t stop. It ceases. My heart sank roughly 20 minutes after.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I kept late hours to see this show in the early morning. It was extremely gripping after the buildup of bad guy Negan discovering the characters, cruelly taunting his victims and then leaving the victim unknown (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The first-person perspective of the victim and the muted audio – argh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
