‘I truly required a break after that!’ The most gripping TV episodes of all time

The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse

The episode begins with the Spooks team locked down as part of a simulation concerning a fictional terrorist event, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and intensifies as the boss appears to be infected, with the two officials trying to exit, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or permitting their exit and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. This being Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.

Threads from 1984

Threads was low budget but arguably the most terrifying series I have ever watched owing to its grim authenticity and dismal official figures. Viewed it recently after seeing the first airing; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield featured in the show which emphasised the reality 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 in terms of gripping installments. 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 screaming at the Innies to reveal their realities. The final climactic moment – “she’s alive!” – resembled a outburst.

The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief

The fifth episode of Industry’s third season caused my heart to pound. I was compelled to halt and rise and leave the room several times owing to the vast degree of the deliberate ruin I saw. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble at work and home – buried in financial obligations from unscrupulous lenders because of his compulsive gambling, taking such risks with a gamble on the pound which may result in huge losses for his employer. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, 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 deteriorates. Redemption seems possible by the episode’s conclusion but he squanders the opportunity, with horrifying consequences in the season finale. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!

The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday

The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. But the episode Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it’ll have you standing up the whole episode, riddled with anxiety. The situation intensifies once Jeremy and Mark find themselves being compelled to falsify about the canine they unintentionally hit and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode questioning whether it truly can be worse than incineration, and it is possible!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense as when I first saw the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The episode starts with the aftermath of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s personal secretary and escalates to a高潮 with a crisis in Haiti, and the fallout from the non-disclosure about the president’s MS condition, with confirmation of his intention to seek re-election. Superb programming. Never bettered.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train accompanied by his small son, is personally a top tense installment. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and realizes something is amiss. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, get on the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds 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 realize her mom has deceased due to natural factors, which is the most unusual type of death in this supernatural show. The show features no musical score, a sullen tone, and we see the episode through the experience of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007

The final scene of the final episode of the series was extremely nerve-wracking. And if you watched it when it originally aired, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, were all vanquished. This seems similar to the first season’s finale, right? “Think about the small elements.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow parks. Tony gloomily informs Carmela there’s trouble afoot with another member of his team cooperating with the officials. Meadow secures a parking space. Strange people enter the restaurant. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony glances upward. Continue. It stops. My spirit fell roughly 20 minutes after.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016

I stayed up to watch this episode during the night. It was so intense after the buildup of bad guy Negan locating the survivors, mercilessly mocking his targets and then leaving the victim unknown (ended on a cliffhanger). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muffled sounds – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season