Your Ten Essential TV Episodes

[4815162342]

I was inspired by the "Five Movies on a Desert Island" thread to make this one. The concept is simple: You are only allowed to watch 10 television episodes for the rest of your life. What 10 episodes would you pick as essential and why?There are two rules:- Double episodes or two-part episodes count as a single episode since they're two halves of one story. An example is the two-part pilot for LOST.- You can only pick one episode from each show. If you can't pick 10 with that limitation then you need to step up your game of watching good shows.

Edited August 4, 2012 by 4815162342

[iceroll]

1. Brothers and Sisters - "Troubled Waters, Part One and Two"

I liked some of the regular episodes better, but if we're allowed two-parters then why not? This episode had everything I love about the show, is pivotal to the plot and is longer.

2. Game of Thrones - "Fire and Blood"

I was considering S01E09 but the epic dragon reveal at the end was too good to pass up.

3. Friends - "The One with All the Poker"

I liked the early seasons of Friends a bit better and this was one of the most hilarious ones and really had all the characters in the same storyline.

4. Scrubs - "My Screw Up"

Scrubs is hilarious but the thing I like the most about it is the heart and smart writing. Boy did this episode have a lot of both, the Shyamalan twist at the end makes for great repeat viewing.

5. How I Met Your Mother - "Slap Bet"

The episode that started probably the best long running joke of any sitcom.

6. Community - "Remedial Chaos Theory"

Everyone who watches Community better have this on their list...

7. Arrested Development - "Motherboy XXX"

This episode highlights the crazy of the Bluth family very well and is just all around hilarious.

8. The Office - "Casino Night"

I miss the early days of The Office This episode was so awesome and finally seeing Jim and Pam together made me cry.

9. Glee - "Journey to the Regions"

Another show that I once loved and has gone downhill. This episode shows that Glee can really shine when the plot, music and performances are all great.

10. Sherlock - "The Reichenbach Fall"

I can't believe I forgot Sherlock, and the two hour long feature length counts as an episode too.

Honorable Mention:

The Walking Dead - "TS-19"

I was debating between this and the pilot but I think the deep philosophical character moments as they faced their deaths put this one more in favor.

Great thread BTW, I wish I could choose more.

Edited August 4, 2012 by Iceroll Rises

[4815162342]

Mine (in chronological order):

Poison is Queen – I, Claudius, Episode 5 (October 11, 1976)

The episode in which we see truly just how evil and determined Empress Livia is in securing power for her son Tiberius. No one is safe, all are expendable, even the man who she has loved for decades.

Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen – M*A*S*H, Season 11, Episode 16 (February 28, 1983)

There is a reason why this is the most watched television program ever outside of a couple Super Bowls: It's an amazingly emotional and touching conclusion to one of television's most iconic series. Heartfelt to the last second.

The Chinese Restaurant – Seinfeld, Season 2, Episode 6 (May 23, 1991)

The show about nothing proves it can play its A-game with an episode about four friends waiting for a table to open up at a Chinese restaurant and the comedic problems that ensue. Brilliant writing.

Two Cathedrals – The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 22 (May 23, 2001)

There are several episodes from this show that could compete for the spot here but it had to go to this one. As the main characters struggle to overcome political difficulties and a very recent tragedy, President Bartlett reminisces about his relationship with the show's moral center and her influence on his life. Plus he gets into an epic rant challenging God.

Scott Tenorman Must Die – South Park, Season 5, Episode 4 (July 11, 2001)

There was no other possible option from the show. This is the episode where we learn just how truly evil Cartman is, and just how hilarious it is to see how horrible the fat bastard can be. Chilling and full of laughs at the same time. South Park never struck both chords better than this.

Bastogne – Band of Brothers, Episode 6 (October 7, 2001)

A few episodes could compete with this spot, but in the end I had to choose the episode focusing on Easy Company's medic since it probably has the most character and personal development in it. It mixes action, drama, and character growth the best with an appropriately bitter conclusion.

6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. – 24, Season 3, Episode 18 (April 18, 2004)

24 has had tons of amazing episodes with the characters racing against the clock to avert a bad outcome, and it has had some amazing episodes where a character meets a tragic end. This episode has both elements, and it does the even bigger achievement of making you sad that an otherwise unlikeable character is offed in the final seconds. Those final few minutes as Jack Bauer realizes he's going to have to sacrifice a colleague...24 has never done drama better than those minutes.

Final Grades – The Wire, Season 4, Episode 13 (December 10, 2006)

Season 4 of The Wire is without a doubt it's best season and its most depressing one, focusing on inner-city kids whose lives are shaped by the illegal drug trade around them. This season finale is extra-depressing as most of the kids we follow in the season succumb to the effects of the drug trade, whether it be as victims of its violence or joining it wholeheartedly. The Wire in many ways is at it's best when it has a downer ending and this finale on almost all fronts has the good guys taking a beating.

Crossroads: Parts 1 & 2 – Battlestar Galactica, Season 3, Episodes 19 & 20 (March 18 & 25, 2007)

The one use of the two-part episode rule for me is the brilliant Season 3 finale to another of the aughts' most underrated shows (The Wire being the other on this list). Framed around the treason trial of Gaius Baltar, the episode is part courtroom drama, part political thriller as characters are divided over whether or not Baltar deserves to be convicted. As all this goes on, we see the groundwork slowly laid for the final several minutes of the finale, which unloads multiple major twists and bombshells on us that will leave us reeling.

The Constant – LOST, Season 4, Episode 5 (February 28, 2008)

I was very close to picking the 2-part pilot for Lost, because that is an amazing thrill ride like no other. Instead though I chose this Season 4 episode which in almost all respects is the best episode Lost has done. Featuring killer character development, time travel loopiness, and the most emotional moment in the show, this episode has it all. Desmond-focused episodes were always guaranteed to be good, but this one was truly great.

And an honorable mention:

Blackwater - Game of Thrones, Season 2, Episode 9 (May 27, 2012)

It's too soon to tell if this will truly be the definitive episode of the show, but as of right now it's the best outing without a doubt. The showrunners, Neil Marshall, and George R.R. Martin combined forces to deliver an epic, cinematic battle for the future of Westeros and many major characters in a 50+ minute span. Time will tell how this episode resonates with me later, but it's deserving of a special mention right now nonetheless.

[MrPink]

Baelor - Game of ThronesMy Lunch - ScrubsDay of Days - Band of BrothersThe Suitcase - Mad Men5:00 - 7:00 Season 5 - 24 (It's a 2 parter technically as per how it aired)The Spoils - RomeThe Grand Opening - Curb Your EnthusiasmThe Contest - SeinfeldVegas Baby Vegas - EntourageHomer's Barbershop Quartet- The Simpsons

[JohnnY]

Modern Family S02E23 – "See You next Fall"

The Office S03E01 – "Gay Witch Hunt"

The It Crowd S02E01 – "The Work Outing"

How I Met Your Mother S02E16 – "Stuff"

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic S01E17 – "The Stare Master"

Monty Python’s Flying Circus S01E05 – "Man’s Crisis of Identity in the Latter Half of the 20^th Century"

Peep Show S03E03 – "Shrooming"

Community S01E06 – "Football, Feminism and You"

I don't have much to say about these 8 episodes. I'm not into Drama series, but I love sitcoms, so I just chose the funniest episode from each of my favorite comedy series.

Doctor Who (2005) S02E13 - "Doomsday"

One of the few tv episodes that made me cry

Black Mirror S01E01 – "The National Anthem"

This british series has only 3 episodes and definitely deserves more love. The first episode is my favorite.

[CoolioD1]

1. Twin Peaks - Lonely Souls2. Mad Men - The Suitcase3. Blackadder The Third - Ink and Incapability4. The Simpsons - Last Exit To Springfield5. Life on Mars - Season 2, Episode 86. LOST - Exodus7. South Park - Cartoon Wars8. Batman: The Animated Series - Almost Got 'im9. Arrested Development - Motherboy XXX10. Star Trek - Space SeedThis was a tough one. I really wanted to use an episode for shows like Community, Monty Python, HIMYM, The Sopranos, The Wire and a bunch of others. Ah well.

[4815162342]

Toughness is what I was going for. There were several episodes hiding around the borderline that could have made it in but I had to draw the line somewhere.

[Gopher]

Motherboy XXX (Arrested Development) Cape Feare (The Simpsons) Remedial Chaos Theory (Community) Duckling (Louie) Fly (Breaking Bad) Succession (30 Rock) The Suitcase (Mad Men) Scott Tenorman Must Die (South Park) Chinese Restaurant (Seinfeld) All Prologue (The Wire)

[4815162342]

All Prologue (The Wire)

Great pick. Omar in court was wonderful fun.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYj7q_by_2E

[glassfairy]

This is hard but...

1. The Cosby Show pilot, Theo's Economic Lesson

Theo... that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life! No wonder you get D's in everything! You're afraid to try because you're afraid your brain is going to explode and it's going to ooze out of your ears. Now I'm telling you, you are going to try as hard as you can. And you're going to do it because I said so. I am your father. I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out!

I honestly have Cosby Show quotes ready for when I have children so I can put them in their place.

2. Lost - Ab Aertero

Richard's backstory did not disappoint.

3. Lost - Pilot

Never has a series completely drawn me in like this. Hooked from the start.

4. Lost - Exodus

The drama! Lost had the best season finales of any show but the first season finale has to take the cake. So many oh shit moments and Jack and Locke looking down the hatch has to be one of the most iconic tv moments for me.

5. The Wonder Years - Pilot

This has to be the most underrated show to me. Some shows take awhile to get into a groove but this episode was perfectly written and perfect acted. I have never not cried watching it.

6. The Wonder Years - On the Spot

Kevin holding Winnie up with the spotlight...

7. Boy Meets World - The War

Eric was the funniest thing ever in this episode.

8. Joan Of Arcadia - No Future

Truth be told I will never forgive cbs for cancelling this.

9. Survivor Borneo - Finale

But if I would ever pass you along in life and you are laying there dying of thirst, I would not give you a drink of water. I would let the vultures take you and do whatever they want with you with no ill regrets.

The final tribal council is always a thing of beauty but Sue's speech in season one takes the cake.

10. Martin - Suspicious Minds

Funniest thing I have ever seen.

[iceroll]

^{^only one ep from each show. Wow I guess Lost fans are really serious about that show, everyone seems to have it on their list.}

[glassfairy]

Ok, I'll redo. I was just thinking I needed some Simpsons anyway.

Edited August 4, 2012 by glassfairy

[glassfairy]

1. The Cosby Show- Theo's Economic Lesson

Theo... that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life! No wonder you get D's in everything! You're afraid to try because you're afraid your brain is going to explode and it's going to ooze out of your ears. Now I'm telling you, you are going to try as hard as you can. And you're going to do it because I said so. I am your father. I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out!

I honestly have Cosby Show quotes ready for when I have children so I can put them in their place.

2. Upstairs, Downstairs (original version)- All The King's Horses

Now there's a suicide I didn't think i'd see. A really gripping episode.

3. The Simpsons - Mother Simpson

At this point i'm just picking something. There's no way for me to pick a favorite

4. Lost - Exodus

The drama! Lost had the best season finales of any show but the first season finale has to take the cake. So many oh shit moments and Jack and Locke looking down the hatch has to be one of the most iconic tv moments for me.

5. The Wonder Years - Pilot

This has to be the most underrated show to me. Some shows take awhile to get into a groove but this episode was perfectly written and perfect acted. I have never not cried watching it.

6. Flavor of Love - Somethin's Stinkin' in the House of Love

Only God may judge me but I have never been so entertained. Somethin shit on the floor, on tv !!! And then there was Saaphyri...

S: Lord, forgive me for beating this bitch ass. Lord, forgive me for thinking about beating this bitch ass

Girl: Is that really necessary?

S: You had better not be interrupting me praying before God directs me to whoop your ass.

---

(After beating up Girl)

S: You want some lip chap?

Lulz FOREVER.

7. Boy Meets World - The War

Eric (or rather Plays With Squirrels) was the funniest thing ever in this episode.

8. Joan Of Arcadia - No Future

Truth be told I will never forgive cbs for cancelling this.

9. Survivor Borneo - Finale

But if I would ever pass you along in life and you are laying there dying of thirst, I would not give you a drink of water. I would let the vultures take you and do whatever they want with you with no ill regrets.

The final tribal council is always a thing of beauty but Sue's speech in season one takes the cake.

10. Martin - Suspicious Minds

Funniest thing I have ever seen.

Edited August 4, 2012 by glassfairy

[JohnnY]

I would have put Lost in my list, if I could remember what exactly hapenned in each episode, although I do remember my favorite seasons were the first and the third. Same about The Pacific, I love the miniseries but I don't really remember which episode was the best.

[The Creator]

24 has a lot of really great episodes, especially that one Numbers mentioned. I don't know how I could pick to have just one episode with me on the island though because I would go insane being unable to continue after the cliffhanger ending that accompanies every single episode of the show.

[MagnetMan]

1. Fawlty Towers - "The Germans"2. Monty Python's Flying Circus - "Whither Canada?"3. Firefly - "Our Mrs. Reynolds"4. Coupling (UK version, of course) - "The End of the Line"5. Family Guy - "Road to the Multiverse"6. Chappelle's Show - S02E04 = Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories - Rick James7. Big Bang Theory - "The Justice League Recombination"8. Community - "A Fistful of Paintballs"9. Seinfeld - "The Contest"10. South Park - "Scott Tenorman Must Die"

[Water Bottle]

Hey Numbers..in what universe is the Wire (which is considered by many critics to be the pinnacle of cop dramas) and Battlestar Galactica (which has a great reputation amongst the critics and science fiction community) underrated?

[Water Bottle]

1) The Wonder Years: My Father's Office: One of the best, if not the best, episodes of television ever explores the grueling life of having to sacrifice your dreams to provide for your family. An episode that had Kevin learning to appreciate just what his father does and understand why he comes home frustrated all the time. This is an episode that simply works in every possible way-emotionally and funny often at the same time. If you're going to see only one episode of the Wonder Years, then this is the episode to see-heck if there is the one episode you're going to see of any TV series, I would recommend this one.2) Parenthood: Road Trip: Parenthood is a show that is sadly ignored by a lot of people and Road Trip is an episode that is a clear example of why those people are wrong. Road Trip takes the entire Braverman family on a road trip and it results in an amazing episode that is filled with drama, laughter, and realism.3) Arrested Development: Mr. F: It's true that the funniest comedy of all time, Arrested Development, doesn't have a strong emotional core. This is an episode that proves it: this episode simply makes me laugh, builds up on the jokes upon previous episodes, while at the same time delivering one of the best comedic moments of all time-the destruction of “Tiny town”. Arrested Development was a funny and experly plotted show.4) The Vampire Diaries: The Last Day: It was either going to be this episode or Buffy the Vampire Slayer's episode where Buffy slept with Angel and he turned evil. The sole reason that I picked this episode was because that Angel really wasn't established as a credible threat until a bit later. This Vampie Diaries episode is one that proved why it's so excellent: while moving a plot at breathtaking speeds, it also took time to ensure that the main characters got moments because it kept the episode rooted in it's characters.5) Soap: Episode 21 (or 20/22-not really sure): I'm not sure which episode in specific I'm referring to thanks to the lack of episode titles, but it's the one where Jessica Tate begins her trial and she starts to try and reorganize the court room. It's the funniest Soap episode ever aired, but it's also one that has some really great acting from Katherine Helmond. In many ways, Soap is the original Arrested Development but with one difference: it's heart. While Soap was never as consistently funny as Arrested Development, this episode easily was as funny as most Arrested Development episodes.6) Fringe: Peter: This was an exceptional episode in Fringe and it's an episode that shifted the reaction towards the series. While Fringe was always good, it isn't until this episode that the series started to be considered great. This is an episode that revealed critical information about Peter-and sets forth the motion for just about every single episode since. It added layers and depths to relationships and characters. This is truly the Fringe episode that changed everything: within and outside the show.7) The Big Bang Theory: The Pirate Solution: The episode where Raj starts to work for Sheldon. This episode features the funniest thing the Big Bang Theory has ever done (the Eye of the Tiger montage scene that satirizes all other montage scenes that use that song) while at the same time helping to develop the relationship between the two. The Pirate Solution may not be the best episode of the Big Bang Theory, but it's always the one that I think of when I think of why I like this show so much.8) The Good Wife: Double Jeopardy: There are many Good Wife episodes that could make this list, but I'd say “Double Jeopardy” should be the one to make it. It's more of a third season episode than a second season one as it explores a new aspect of the law that isn't usually explored in legal dramas. This is an episode that is truly great, will teach you some fascinating legal stuff, while using that stuff to better develop the drama.9) Parks and Recreation: The Telethon: There are so many episodes I could have picked from what is currently my favorite show on television. I chose “The Telethon” simply because it manages to even make the dull character of Mark funny. From Ron's sleep-fighting disorder to Leslie pulling down her pants on television, this episode is simply funny from beginning to end-while at the same time, exploring the state of the relationship between Mark and Ann. (A close second is “94 Meetings”).10) Awake: Pilot: Awake will forever be a short-lived drama that was critically acclaimed but failed to catch on. This is a disappointment because Awake was a good show-but the pilot was simply exceptional. While it's not my favorite episode of the series (that would be “That's Not My Penguin”) it is one that tells a beautiful 45-minute story...everything after that was merely an epilogue.Notes:-Community almost made it, but alas I was limited in number.-Newer shows have a higher chance of making it simply because they are fresh in my memory. Some episodes that made it would not make it in a year or so, when I've seen more television and have had time to re-evaluate.

Edited August 7, 2012 by Water Bottle

[4815162342]

Hey Numbers..in what universe is the Wire (which is considered by many critics to be the pinnacle of cop dramas) and Battlestar Galactica (which has a great reputation amongst the critics and science fiction community) underrated?

Never said in this thread that either show was underrated. But, since you asked, they were both underrated in the sense that they received next to no attention from the Emmys, which as usual gorged on the same half-dozen shows each year. For example, The Wire was nominated for only 2 Emmys (2 Writing noms) it's entire run, whereas we have shows that get 17-18 nominations in a single year for no reason other than they're the hit show the Emmys love to bury their face in. BSG was treated better in the sense that because it was a sci-fi show it could grab technical Emmy nominations consistently. But if you place the technical awards aside, then BSG was nominated for only 4 Emmys (2 writing, 2 directing) over its run. Neither show was ever recognized with a single acting or drama nomination.If people can complain about TDK being underrated and robbed because of it missing out on a BP nom, it's fair to say the same for these shows.

[SchumacherFTW]

Blackadder the Third- Dish and Dishonesty: My all time favourite episode of anything, and also full of my favourite quotes such as:'Criminal record?''Absolutely not!''Oh come on your going to be an MP for gods sake. Tell you what, i'll just put fraud and sexual deviancy'South Park- Good Times with WeaponsAmerican Dad! - Stan of ArabiaFamily Guy- Blue HarvestSherlock- A Study in PinkSouth Park - Make Love Not WarcraftRed Dwarf - The EndHow I Met Your Mother - Slap BetBig Bang Theory - Creepy Candy Coating Corralary (Wheaton's first appearance)Father Ted - A Song for Europe

Edited August 7, 2012 by Schumacher FTW