‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ Your most gripping TV episodes you’ve seen

Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

The episode begins with the intelligence unit confined while undergoing a drill concerning a fictional terrorist event, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical agent deployed. The suspense builds as reports reveal a catastrophe taking place outside, and escalates as the boss appears to be infected, and the government agents endeavor to depart, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to decide between shooting them or allowing them to leave and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. This being Spooks, his decision is predictable.

Threads from 1984

The production was inexpensive but arguably the most terrifying series I have viewed due to its harsh realism and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme which underscored the actuality and the glib matter-of-fact official information that aired. Continuing to be utterly horrifying 35 years later.

The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are

The season one finale of Severance ranks highly among intense episodes. I was throughout the episode literally perched nervously, straining every sinew with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that kept the Innies on overtime, while screaming at the Innies to reveal their realities. The final climactic moment – “she is living!” – was like an eruption.

Industry – White Mischief from 2024

Episode five of the third series of Industry made my pulse quicken. I needed to stop and stand and leave the room several times owing to the vast degree of the reckless self-harm I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt from unscrupulous lenders due to his addictive betting, engaging in dangerous ventures with a gamble on the pound which may result in huge losses for his employer. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, is brutally attacked. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode but he squanders the opportunity, with horrifying consequences during the season’s final episode. Absolutely had to relax following that!

Peep Show – Holiday from 2007

Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. But the episode Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it can cause you to stand throughout the entire episode, permeated with worry. 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 subsequently use the rest of the installment doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it turns out to be!

The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals

Nothing I have seen has been as tense as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s personal secretary and escalates to a高潮 with a situation in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy of the president’s MS diagnosis, coupled with verification of his aim to run for another term. Excellent TV. Unsurpassed.

Bodyguard – episode one (2018)

The beginning of the UK show Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train alongside his juvenile boy, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and realizes something is amiss. The bomb squad is alerted, get on the train, and attempt to convince the woman to remove her explosive vest. Anxiety builds to a nearly intolerable level, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy comes into her home to discover her mother has died from natural reasons, which is the rarest form of demise in this supernatural show. The show features no musical score, a somber mood, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007

The final scene of the final episode of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And if you viewed it when it first premiered, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, were all overcome. This seems similar to the first season’s finale, right? “Recall the minor details.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony gloomily informs Carmela difficulties are arising with yet another of his crew working with the government. Meadow parks. Strange people enter the restaurant. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony looks up. Continue. It halts. My heart sank about 20 minutes later.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016

I stayed up to watch this episode in the early morning. It was extremely gripping after the buildup of bad guy Negan locating the survivors, mercilessly mocking his targets and then keeping the death a mystery (ended on a cliffhanger). 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