‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ The most nerve-wracking episodes of TV of all time
The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse
This installment starts with the MI5 agents confined during a training exercise relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical agent deployed. The tension ratchets up as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and intensifies when the leader seems contaminated, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or letting them go and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. This being Spooks, his decision is predictable.
The 1984 production Threads
The production was inexpensive but arguably the most terrifying series I’ve ever seen owing to its grim authenticity and bleak government data. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme which emphasised the reality and the offhand factual official statements that aired. Continuing to be utterly horrifying decades on.
Severance – The We We Are (2022)
The concluding episode of Severance’s debut season has to be right up there in terms of gripping installments. I remained for the whole show actually sitting tensely, exerting with Dylan to keep his hands on the levers 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.
Industry – White Mischief (2024)
Episode five of the third series of Industry had my heart racing. I had to pause and get up and leave the room several times owing to the vast degree of the deliberate ruin I observed. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble professionally and personally – buried in financial obligations to loan sharks due to his addictive betting, taking such risks with a gamble on the pound that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, does tons of drugs and drink and wins, loses, wins, is severely assaulted. Each instance you believe things cannot decline more, it worsens. There’s hope of redemption at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, resulting in dreadful effects during the season’s final episode. Absolutely had to relax following that!
Peep Show – Holiday (2007)
Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. Yet the installment Holiday includes such amounts of embarrassment that it’ll have you standing up the whole episode, filled with nervousness. The situation intensifies as Jeremy and Mark discover having to lie about the dog they unintentionally hit and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it is possible!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)
No other viewing has been as gripping than the first time I watched the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The episode starts with the aftermath of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and escalates to a高潮 with a situation in Haiti, and the fallout from the non-disclosure regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, along with affirmation of his plan to seek re-election. Superb programming. Unequaled.
The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode
The start of the British program Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train accompanied by his small son, is personally a top tense installment. He notices a Muslim female heading to the toilet and knows something is off. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, board the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to remove her explosive vest. Suspense rises to a nearly intolerable level, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)
Buffy comes into her home to discover her mother has died of natural causes, which is the least common kind of passing in this mystical program. 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 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America
The final scene of the final episode of the program was incredibly anxious. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all vanquished. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Remember the little things.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow stops the car. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela there’s trouble afoot with an additional associate collaborating with the authorities. Meadow parks the vehicle. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow parks her car. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony glances upward. Continue. It ceases. My heart dropped from my mouth about 20 minutes later.
The 2016 The Walking Dead episode The Last Day on Earth
I remained awake to view this installment in the early morning. It was extremely gripping following the introduction of villain Negan locating the survivors, savagely teasing his prey 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
