‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ The most nerve-wracking television episodes you’ve seen
The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse
The episode begins with the Spooks team restricted as part of a simulation relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, overseen by two Home Office officials. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred with a chemical weapon released. The tension ratchets up as reports reveal a disaster happening externally, and gets worse as the boss appears to be infected, and the government agents endeavor to depart, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or permitting their exit and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.
The 1984 production Threads
Threads was low budget yet among the scariest shows I have ever watched owing to its grim authenticity and grim official statistics. Viewed it recently after seeing the first airing; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub shown in the series which underscored the actuality and the offhand factual official statements that aired. Still absolutely terrifying 35 years later.
Severance – The We We Are (2022)
The first season finale of Severance has to be right up there among intense episodes. I spent the entire episode quite literally on the edge of my seat, pushing alongside 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 final climactic moment – “she survives!” – was like an eruption.
Industry – White Mischief (2024)
Episode five of the third series of Industry caused my heart to pound. I had to pause and get up and depart the area multiple times due to the immense extent of the deliberate ruin I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit at work and home – up to his eyeballs in debt to loan sharks because of his compulsive gambling, engaging in dangerous ventures with a gamble on the pound that might cost his firm millions. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, does tons of drugs and drink and experiences wins and losses, is brutally attacked. Whenever you assume things cannot decline more, it deteriorates. There’s hope of redemption as the installment closes yet he wastes the chance, leading to terrible outcomes during the season’s final episode. Absolutely had to relax following that!
The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday
Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. Yet the installment Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it will make you rise throughout the entire episode, filled with nervousness. The situation intensifies when Jeremy and Mark realize needing to deceive regarding 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 West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001
No other viewing has been as gripping as when I first saw the season two finale to The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the death (in a traffic accident) of the president’s personal secretary and escalates to a高潮 involving a Haitian emergency, and the effects of the withheld information of the president’s MS diagnosis, along with affirmation of his plan to seek re-election. Excellent TV. Unsurpassed.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The opening of the British series Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train accompanied by his small son, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He notices a Muslim female heading to the toilet and realizes something is amiss. The bomb diffuser experts are called, enter the train, and try to persuade the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds to a nearly intolerable level, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)
Buffy enters her house to find her mum has passed away from natural reasons, which is the rarest form of demise in this supernatural show. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a somber mood, and we see the episode through the experience 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. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Recall the minor details.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow stops the car. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela problems are brewing with yet another of his crew working with the government. Meadow secures a parking space. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow parks. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony looks up. Continue. It ceases. My spirit fell about 20 minutes later.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I stayed up to watch this episode during the night. It was extremely gripping following the introduction of villain Negan discovering the characters, savagely teasing his prey and then leaving the victim unknown (finished with an unresolved situation). The victim’s POV shot and the muffled sounds – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season