As a TV show fan, I’ve noticed the best episodes are the ones you remember. They give you good stories, characters you can’t forget, and moments that wow you.
I’ve picked some top episodes that pull me in and stick with me. These shows make you feel like you’re with them, sharing in all the ups and downs, from big laughs to real tears.
1. Ozymandias – Breaking Bad (Season 5, Episode 14)
In the “Ozymandias” episode from “Breaking Bad,” everything goes wrong for Walter White when his brother-in-law dies, and his wife learns about his hidden criminal life. With the police on his tail and his partners turning against him, Walter is forced to hide. This throws his family into a mess. It’s a key moment that starts the collapse of everything Walter built.
2. The Suitcase – Mad Men (Season 4, Episode 7)
In “The Suitcase” from the “Mad Men” episode, Don Draper and Peggy Olson work all night on an ad campaign, missing a big boxing match. As the night goes on, they talk about their lives and jobs, share secrets, and get closer. The episode ends with Peggy finding Don sad about the death of a friend.
3. Battle of the Bastards – Game of Thrones (Season 6, Episode 9)
In “Battle of the Bastards” from “Game of Thrones,” Jon Snow commands his troops in a massive clash against Ramsay Bolton to reclaim Winterfell. Despite facing overwhelming odds, Jon’s fortunes turn when the Knights of the Vale arrive.
4. The Constant – Lost (Season 4, Episode 5)
In “The Constant,” “Lost” episode, Desmond Hume experiences sudden time jumps between 2004 and 1996. To halt the erratic shifts, he urgently seeks out his constant, Penny, across different periods. By connecting with her in the past, Desmond ensures his present survival and strengthens their bond, emphasizing the episode’s themes of love and resilience across time.
5. San Junipero – Black Mirror (Season 3, Episode 4)
In the episode San Junipero of the hit series “Black Mirror,” two women meet and become close in a computer-made world called San Junipero. They travel through different times in this digital afterlife and talk about love, who they are, and what makes them happy. This episode is unique because it shows technology in a good way and talks about how people feel in the virtual world.
6. Pine Barrens – The Sopranos (Season 3, Episode 11)
In “Pine Barrens” from the “The Sopranos” series, Christopher and Paulie make a mistake during a job and find themselves lost in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. They face challenges like cold weather and hunger while attempting to navigate their way back, resulting in humorous and tense moments.
7. The Body – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 5, Episode 16)
In “The Body” episode from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Buffy finds her mother’s body at home, coming to terms with the fact that she passed of natural causes. The episode focuses on Buffy and her friends as they navigate the immediate aftermath of her death, showcasing their different responses and ways of coping.
8. Hardhome – Game of Thrones (Season 5, Episode 8)
In season 5, episode 8 of “Game of Thrones” called “Hardhome,” Jon Snow and Tormund visit Hardhome to persuade the Wildlings to join their war against the White Walkers. However, they face an unexpected attack by the undead, leading to a massive battle.
9. Felina – Breaking Bad (Season 5, Episode 16)
In the “Felina” episode from “Breaking Bad,” Walter White returns to Albuquerque to settle the score and provide for his family. He sets up a machine weapon to take out his old associates. The show ends with Walter dying in a meth lab, having sought revenge for his troubles.
10. Free Churro – BoJack Horseman (Season 5, Episode 6)
In “Free Churro” from “BoJack Horseman,” BoJack gives a speech at his mother’s funeral, reflecting on their tangled bond. During his speech, he shares memories from his childhood, his feelings, and his parents’ influence on him.
11. The Rains of Castamere – Game of Thrones (Season 3, Episode 9)
In “The Rains of Castamere” season 3, episode 9 of “Game of Thrones,” the Stark family gets tricked at the Red Wedding by Walder Frey. Many Stark soldiers are killed, changing the war and showing how political deals can turn out.
12. Thanksgiving – Master of None (Season 2, Episode 8)
In “Thanksgiving” from “Master of None” episode, the episode covers several years of Denise’s Thanksgiving gatherings, where she reveals she’s gay to her family. We see how her family’s reactions change, showing acceptance and how relationships evolve.
13. This Is Not for Tears – Succession (Season 2, Episode 10)
In “This Is Not for Tears” of the “Succession” episode, the Roy family faces a crisis when they must figure out who to blame for a company scandal. The episode takes a turn when Kendall Roy debates if he should betray his father during a press conference.
14. Out of Gas – Firefly (Season 1, Episode 8)
In “Out of Gas” from “Firefly” episode, Captain Mal Reynolds and his crew face a bad situation when their ship, Serenity, malfunctions and leaves them stranded in space. Flashbacks reveal how Mal first encountered each member of his diverse crew. Despite the danger, Mal remains on the failing Serenity to signal distress.
15. Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead – Doctor Who (Season 4, Episodes 8-9)
In “Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead” of “Doctor Who” episode, the Doctor and his friend Donna Noble check out an empty library covering a whole planet. However, they soon find out it’s not really as empty as they thought. Instead, it’s filled with tiny creatures called Vashta Nerada.
These little shadowy things can eat a person’s whole body in a flash. One of the key parts of these episodes is River Song, who knows the Doctor but has a mysterious connection to his future that hasn’t been explained yet.
16. You’re the Worst – The Americans (Season 6, Episode 9)
In “The Americans” of “You’re the Worst” episode, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings deal with the aftermath of their spying activities. Things come to a head with a mission that tests their loyalty to their family and country. The episode shows how much their secret lives take a toll on them personally.
17. The Getaway – Dexter (Season 4, Episode 12)
After hunting down the Trinity culprit, Dexter Morgan confronts Arthur Mitchell with the intent to oust him. However, during their confrontation, Dexter discovers that Arthur has kidnapped his sister, Debra.
In a dramatic turn of events, Dexter manages to rescue Debra, but Arthur escapes. Arthur then vowed to catch Dexter and do whatever he can to end Dexter’s reign of terror.
18. Remedial Chaos Theory – Community (Season 3, Episode 4)
In “Remedial Chaos Theory” from the “Community” episode, the gang gathers for a housewarming bash. When Jeff rolls a dice to decide who goes for the pizza, it triggers six different scenarios. Each scenario shows how the group dynamic shifts based on who’s absent, giving insight into their bonds and personalities.
11 TV Shows That Lost Audiences in Record Time
With an ever-expanding selection of TV shows, it can be tough to sift through the ones that aren’t worth our time. Recently, I discovered an online thread where fellow TV watchers shared honest opinions about disappointing shows.
I found the conversation really intriguing and compiled the top-voted inputs in this article.
SEO Writer at Radical Fire, Blogger with expertise in SEO writing. She graduated from St. Paul College Foundation Inc. and has taken courses in freelancing and writing at FVA. She has over 100 articles across the web. Carina is passionate about reading nonfiction books, writing, and watching various documentaries about travel and economics. She has also written for an MSN publication.