‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ Your most gripping TV episodes of all time
The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse
The episode begins with the Spooks team restricted as part of a simulation about a potential terror incident, supervised by two Home Office agents. As things progress, it appears that there really has been an attack with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as messages indicate a disaster happening externally, and escalates as the boss appears to be infected, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, forcing Matthew Macfadyen’s character to decide between shooting them or permitting their exit and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. This being Spooks, the outcome is expected.
The 1984 production Threads
Threads had minimal funding but one of the most frightening programmes I have ever watched due to its harsh realism and grim official statistics. Viewed it recently having watched the original; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub featured in the show that highlighted the truth and the offhand factual official statements which was broadcast. Continuing to be utterly horrifying decades on.
Severance – The We We Are from 2022
The first season finale of Severance has to be right up there among intense episodes. I remained for the whole show quite literally on the edge of my seat, exerting with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while shouting to the Innies to get their truths out there. The concluding高潮 – “she survives!” – felt like an explosion.
Industry – White Mischief (2024)
Episode five of the third series of Industry caused my heart to pound. I needed to stop and stand and exit the space repeatedly because of the sheer scale of the wanton self-destruction I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty professionally and personally – overwhelmed by debt from unscrupulous lenders because of his compulsive gambling, engaging in dangerous ventures with a bet on sterling which could lose his company millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, uses copious drugs and alcohol and alternates between success and failure, gets beaten to a pulp. Every time you think things cannot decline more, it worsens. There is a chance for salvation by the episode’s conclusion but he squanders the opportunity, with horrifying consequences during the season’s final episode. Certainly required a rest afterward!
The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday
Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. Yet the installment Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it will make you rise for the full show, riddled with anxiety. It all ramps up when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they accidentally run over and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it is possible!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001
No other viewing has been as gripping as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s confidential aide and reaches a crescendo with a crisis in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy of the president’s MS diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to pursue re-election. Superb programming. Unsurpassed.
The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode
The start of the British program Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train with his young son, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and senses something is wrong. The bomb squad is alerted, board the train, and attempt to convince the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Suspense rises to an almost unbearable degree, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)
Buffy enters her house to discover her mother has died of natural causes, which is the rarest form of demise in this supernatural show. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a somber mood, and we see the episode through the experience 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 for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, had all been defeated. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Recall the minor details.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow stops the car. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela difficulties are arising with an additional associate working with the government. Meadow parks the vehicle. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow finds a spot. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Don’t stop. It stops. My spirit fell around 20 minutes subsequently.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016
I stayed up to watch this episode at 2am. It was so intense after the buildup of bad guy Negan discovering the characters, cruelly taunting his victims then not knowing who he killed (ended on a cliffhanger). The first-person perspective of the victim and the muffled sounds – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
