‘I truly required a break after that!’ The most intense TV episodes of all time

Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)

The episode begins with the intelligence unit restricted while undergoing a drill relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, overseen by two Home Office officials. As events unfold, it becomes clear a real incident has taken place and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The suspense builds as messages indicate a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and gets worse as the boss appears to be infected, with the two officials trying to exit, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or allowing them to leave and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. As this is Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.

The 1984 production Threads

Threads had minimal funding but one of the most frightening programmes I have ever watched because of the stark reality and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield featured in the show which emphasised the reality and the glib matter-of-fact official information which was broadcast. Remaining completely frightening decades on.

Severance – The We We Are from 2022

The concluding episode of Severance’s debut season ranks highly as a tense chapter. I spent the entire 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 get their truths out there. The final climactic moment – “she survives!” – resembled a outburst.

The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief

Installment five in Industry’s third series made my pulse quicken. I was compelled to halt and rise and exit the space repeatedly owing to the vast degree of the deliberate ruin I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit in his job and domestic life – up to his eyeballs in debt to loan sharks due to his addictive betting, assuming hazardous chances with a bet on sterling that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, is severely assaulted. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it does. There’s hope of redemption at the end of the episode but he squanders the opportunity, leading to terrible outcomes in the season finale. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. But the episode Holiday includes such amounts of embarrassment that it’ll have you standing up throughout the entire episode, filled with nervousness. It all ramps up when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they accidentally run over and following tries to eliminate it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it can be!

The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals

No other viewing has been as gripping compared to my initial viewing the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The installment begins with the consequences of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s personal secretary and reaches a crescendo with a crisis in Haiti, and the effects of the withheld information about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to run for another term. Superb programming. Unequaled.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train with his young son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He notices a Muslim female going into the loo and realizes something is amiss. The bomb squad is alerted, get on the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Anxiety builds to a nearly intolerable level, until yes, the vest is diffused.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)

Buffy enters her house to find her mum has passed away of natural causes, which is the least common kind of passing in this mystical program. The episode has no background music, a somber mood, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.

The 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America

The concluding moment of the last installment of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, were all vanquished. Doesn’t this resemble the season one conclusion? “Remember the little things.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony gloomily informs Carmela there’s trouble afoot with yet another of his crew collaborating with the authorities. Meadow parks. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Keep going. It ceases. My heart sank about 20 minutes later.

The 2016 The Walking Dead episode The Last Day on Earth

I kept late hours to see this show in the early morning. It was extremely gripping after the buildup of bad guy Negan discovering the characters, savagely teasing his prey and then leaving the victim unknown (ended on a cliffhanger). The first-person perspective of the victim and the muffled sounds – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season