‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ Your most gripping episodes of TV ever
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003
This installment starts with the MI5 agents restricted during a training exercise relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The suspense builds as incoming communications show a disaster happening externally, and escalates as the boss appears to be infected, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to decide between shooting them or permitting their exit and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. This being Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.
The 1984 production Threads
Threads was low budget but arguably the most terrifying series I have ever watched owing to its grim authenticity and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub from the programme 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 first season finale of Severance ranks highly among intense episodes. I spent the entire episode quite literally on the edge of my seat, pushing alongside Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while yelling at the Innies to reveal their realities. The concluding高潮 – “she survives!” – felt like an explosion.
Industry – White Mischief (2024)
The fifth episode of Industry’s third season made my pulse quicken. I had to pause and get up and exit the space repeatedly owing to the vast degree of the wanton self-destruction I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit at work and home – up to his eyeballs in debt from unscrupulous lenders because of his compulsive gambling, 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, gets beaten to a pulp. Whenever you assume things cannot decline more, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation by the episode’s conclusion yet he wastes the chance, leading to terrible outcomes in the season finale. Absolutely had to relax following that!
Peep Show – Holiday from 2007
The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. But the episode Holiday includes such amounts of embarrassment that it can cause you to stand for the full show, riddled with anxiety. The situation intensifies when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they accidentally run over and later efforts to get rid of it. You then spend the rest of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it turns out to be!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)
Nothing I have seen has been as tense compared to my initial viewing 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 private assistant and builds to a peak with a situation in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to run for another term. Excellent TV. Never bettered.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The opening of the British series Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train with his young son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and realizes something is amiss. The bomb diffuser experts are called, board the train, and attempt to convince the woman to remove her explosive vest. Tension escalates to a practically unendurable point, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body from 2001
Buffy arrives at her residence to find her mum has passed away of natural causes, which is the least common kind of passing in this paranormal series. The show features no musical score, a somber mood, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering 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 the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all vanquished. Doesn’t this resemble the season one conclusion? “Recall the minor details.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The family sit in a restaurant. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela problems are brewing with yet another of his crew cooperating with the officials. Meadow parks. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. 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 raises his gaze. Continue. It halts. My heart sank roughly 20 minutes after.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was so intense after the buildup of bad guy Negan locating the survivors, savagely teasing his prey then not knowing who he killed (finished with an unresolved situation). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muted audio – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
