‘I definitely needed a lie-down after that!’ The most gripping television episodes ever
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)
The episode begins with the Spooks team restricted as part of a simulation relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack with a chemical weapon released. The tension ratchets up as messages indicate a catastrophe taking place outside, and intensifies as the superior shows signs of exposure, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or allowing them to leave and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.
The 1984 production Threads
The production was inexpensive but arguably the most terrifying series I have ever watched due to its harsh realism and bleak government data. Viewed it recently having watched the original; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub shown in the series which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details that were transmitted. Still absolutely terrifying 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 remained for the whole show actually sitting tensely, exerting with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that allowed the Innies to remain active, while shouting to the Innies to reveal their realities. The ultimate peak – “she survives!” – resembled a outburst.
The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief
Episode five of the third series of Industry had my heart racing. I had to pause and get up and leave the room several times owing to the vast degree of the reckless self-harm I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty at work and home – buried in financial obligations from unscrupulous lenders due to his addictive betting, assuming hazardous chances with a bet on sterling which could lose his company millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, uses copious drugs and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, gets beaten to a pulp. Whenever you assume things cannot decline more, it worsens. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode but he misses the opening, with horrifying consequences during the season’s final episode. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!
The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday
Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. However, the Holiday episode contains such levels of cringe that it’ll have you standing up for the full show, riddled with anxiety. It all ramps up once Jeremy and Mark find themselves needing to deceive regarding the dog they unintentionally hit 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 can be!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001
Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense than the first time I watched the second season finale of The West Wing. 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 fallout from the non-disclosure about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to pursue re-election. Superb programming. Never bettered.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train alongside his juvenile boy, is personally a top tense installment. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and senses something is wrong. The bomb diffuser experts are called, board the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to remove her explosive vest. Suspense rises to an almost unbearable degree, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body from 2001
Buffy comes into her home to discover her mother has died from natural reasons, which is the least common kind of passing in this paranormal series. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a sullen tone, and we see the episode through the experience of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering her mother.
The 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America
The concluding moment of the last installment of the program was incredibly anxious. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all vanquished. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Recall the minor details.” Yet the atmosphere is strangely foreboding. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow stops the car. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela difficulties are arising with another member of his team collaborating with the authorities. Meadow parks the vehicle. Strange people enter the restaurant. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks her car. The bell sounds, an individual enters. It isn’t Meadow, she remains parking. Tony looks up. Keep going. It halts. My spirit fell around 20 minutes subsequently.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I stayed up to watch this episode in the early morning. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan locating the survivors, cruelly taunting his victims and then keeping the death a mystery (ended on a cliffhanger). The first-person perspective of the victim and the muted audio – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
