What is your favourite episode of a TV show, and why?
What is your favourite episode of a TV show, and why?
I was recently rewatching the IT Crowd, which is one of my favourite shows and after finishing Season 2 Episode 1, "The Work Outing" for the hundredth of time I realized this is probably my favourite sitcom episode of all time. I just can't get bored of the jokes and the delivery. The writing is gold, and the story escalates from funny to absolutely insane hilarious. Makes me laugh every time. Half the dialogue I quote to this day.
There are many good episodes I love, and could put here as close seconds: probably most of the Futurama series, a dozen of episodes of The Office or some classics from the Friends, I could think of.
So I would like to hear what episodes of any TV show is your favourites and why? Doesn't needs to be necessarily comedy, anything from television is fair game.
Think of it as a "what single item would you bring to a desert island with you" question, just with an episode of a TV show :)
The Luck of the Fryrish - Futurama
Fry spent his life thinking his brother was a dick who was stealing his personality, when all he really wanted was to be around him. And by the time he realized it, it was too late. Having a similar relationship with my brother, this hit close to home. I keep telling myself if I ever got a tattoo, it would be a 7 leaf clover.
"I'm disabled!" Is a classic reference in my house that cannot be used in pleasant / uncultured company. It's great to see my people are out there!
I'm not the biggest Seth MacFarlane fan, but the American Dad episode "Joint Custody" is pure classic.
I really want to pick an episode of Community, but I'm having a hard time nailing down just one. There's the obvious answers like Remedial Chaos Theory or Modern Warfare. I just love the whole series. Maybe Basic Intergluteal Numismatics, The Asscrack Bandit episode, just because it's so layered it really lends itself to rewatches.
Master of None has its issues, but there's some standouts in the first season. Parents and Mornings always get me.
Someone already mentioned my top favorite (Community - "Pillows and Blankets"). So I'll have to go to my backup which is its equal.
Community - S3E04 - Remedial Chaos Theory.
Why? Because it's the quintesential Community episode; goofiness, intelligence, absurdity, slapstick. and it all exists in one package)
Scrubs, Where do you think we are?
A perfect misdirection the entire episode, us as the viewer have no idea what is happening or why Dr Cox is losing it, until it all just shatters. We experience his grief firsthand, not understanding and denying it, until the world shatters around us and reality finally forces its way through. It's perfectly done, and completely gut wrenching
The Tales of Ba Sing Se from S2E15 of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
It is an incredibly poignant, albeit beautiful tableau about the loss of a child in a filler episode of a Y-7 Nickelodeon show. On top of that, the voice actor whose character is at the center of this incredibly painful story was dying of esophageal cancer during the recording and the episode ends with his in memoriam.
Twin Peaks season 3 episode 8 comes to mind. It might not be something I want to watch over and over but it's probably the most incredible thing I've ever seen on broadcast TV. A surrealism short film in the context of a series that both has a self contained story and speaks to the broad narrative of the series. Krzysztof Penderecki's Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima, Nine in Nails, The Platters' "My Prayer" on the soundtrack? Amazing! Still to this day I can not believe the artistic freedom allowed by Showtime to create this. Jaw was on the floor for the entire episode. I've felt for a long time that nothing could actually be new/shocking/different on broadcast TV. This changed my mind. Nothing has even been close imho.
I know we're being asked for our favoritE, not favoriteS, but it's too difficult to pick just one. Both of them had me unashamedly bawling my eyes out. The first (aired) is the fourth episode of the third season of Black Mirror -- San Junipero. The second is the third episode of the first season of The Last of Us -- Long, Long Time. I couldn't keep my cool during either of them or for quite a while after.
Honorable mention is the series finale of Six Feet Under. The show, by and large, I'm just not a fan of. Like, pretty much at all. But that finale. Good god.
Star Trek:TNG, that episode where Picard has been captured and turned by the Borg.
Backstory: I've always considered myself a bit of a geek, but despite this I never watched Star Trek. From 2008 to 2012 I was working on a ship, so I needed something to watch. So I decided to start watching ALL of Star Trek, starting with the pilot, then via Kirk, etc.
Come 2010 I wad at home with my GF, and we were watching TNG together the evening before I was to fly out. And with each episode it got more and more exciting, to the point where it was 0200 in the morning and 8 had to get up early to catch a flight for work at 0900.
"OK, one more episode, and then we HAVE to call it quits for now".
Well, yeah, that was the episode that ended with the cliffhanger of Picard having been captured. I ended up not sleeping at all that night.
Pick between the good place season 1, 3, 4 finales.
But I don't really look at shows as by episode generally.
Ed, Edd, n Eddy
The Eds break reality
The episode focused on the Eds breaking physics by dismantling the perspective of certain objects. At one point Ed stands on what's supposed to be a silhouette of a house far in the background, grabs the sun, and takes a bite out of it before putting it back in the sky. Eddy at one point grabs Jimmy's outline and pulls it off causing him to melt and slip down a sewer grate.
It's always stuck with me because that's where my love of learning physics came from and it exemplified a lot of the tricks artists use to convey a 3d world in a 2d animation.
There's an old comedy/parody of soap operas called SOAP. SOAP is the show Benson spun oft from. It starred, among others, Billy Crystal and Katherine Helmond. Absolutely amazing show that I can and will talk about for hours.
S1e9 has a scene in which Jessica (Helmond) discovers that her husband Chester is cheating on her.
She looks to her sister and says Oh, Mary, I would faint if I knew how
It's one of the finest examples of writing, acting, direction... Everything. It's a perfect scene, so much so that it inspired me to want to write, and is the reason I decided to go for a creative writing degree.
For anyone curious, SOAP was so hated by network execs, Christian right orgs and basically all of conservative America that by the end of it's run all advertisers had pulled out except for vlassic pickles, and commercial breaks would just be pickle commercials over and over again during the break. You couldn't watch it in most areas, because locals refused to run it. It featured the first openly gay character in a major network show, a trans story (which did not age as well as it could have, but was progressive for it's time), a lesbian character, interracial relationships, suicide, race relations, crises of faith, extramarital affairs, divorce... In the 70s. It always punched up, and the black and gay characters were almost always the most clever, most witty and sharpest.
S05E14 of Breaking Bad - Ozymandias.
I vividly remember watching it for the first time. I've had emotional reactions to movies and shows in the past, but not like this. This is like the immediate aftermath of everything coming to a head, and everyone's acting made the whole episode so immersive. I felt like I was there, and this was happening to my family.
Specifically the scene of Skylar sprinting down the street chasing Walt's car after he kidnaps Holly.. or shit, the scene where Walt is wrestling with Walt Jr. over the knife. Or shit, just the realization that Skylar and Walt Jr. have that Walt essentially killed Hank. Everything is just compounded with the immense grief of losing Hank in such a brutish, unceremonious way.
This is still one of my top 3 shows. I'm not good at picking favorites, but I know it's up there.
I can't remember the name, but for IT Crowd specifically, when one of their coworkers thought Jen died and became a vengeful ghost. I laugh whenever I watch that episode.
Over all, King of the Hill, "Pretty, Pretty dresses." First off, hilarious, second, I found it strangely touching. Bill has good people around him, even if they don't show it. Even Dale was coming around the corner in a dress to participate. I thought that was very kind. No matter how bad it gets, they don't leave him, even if they don't know how to help him.
Runner up: "Almost got 'em" from Batman the Animated Series. All the villains were talking about how they almost got Batman, only to find out Batman was there in disguise. He was disguised as Croc. I found that hysterical for some reason.
I've seen Scrubs mentioned before, so I'll go with the Doctor Who episode "Blink".
It's a weird one because the Doctor is barely in it, but the story's great and it's the Angel's first appearance.
Deep Space Nine: “The Visitor”
Still hard to beat the Top Gear original amphibious vehicle episode.
Probably the "Flu-ouise" episode of Bob's Burgers (Season 7, Episode 1). At least I hope so, it's the only episode of a TV show I have a tattoo of (terrible photo and the tattoo needs touch-ups). Bob's is my and my wife's comfort show, we end up re-watching it a few times a year.
Flu-ouise is the show's first take on a real musical episode. Both the A and B plots are really strong. Its firmly in the show's golden age and is flanked by really great episodes too (The "Glued, Where's My Bob" two-parter is before and "Sea Me Now" is the next episode). It introduces Melty Kuchi Kopi (aka 6-pack Kuchi Kopi) and many of Louise's other toys and gives us one of the best arguments that H Jon Benjamin has with himself throughout the series.
Samurai Jack - The Scotsman
One of the best episodes of one of the best animated series of all time.
I wouldn't say this is my favorite TV episode ever, but my favorite episode from a specific show that I don't see mentioned elsewhere: Corporate "Natural Beauty" (Season 2, Episode 3). It pokes fun at the different expectations, etc., that men and women face, particularly in the workplace.
The opening scene shows the female character going through her long morning routine, with occasional cuts to the male character repeatedly hitting the snooze button before rolling out of bed and spending 30 seconds getting dressed. When they each arrive at the office, he's complimented on his appearance, and she's told that she looks tired.
I don't know about my favorite ever, but the episode I rewatch and love the most from the last few years is the Jackie Daytona (On the Run) episode of What We Do In The Shadows. It's just perfection from start to finish. It's ridiculous, hilarious, it's endlessly quotable, and it doesn't matter how many times I have seen it- I will always be up for another rewatch. The show is great in it's entirety but that episode was just pure gold!
For some reason, my mind went to first episodes/pilots. Of these, I'd say that Suits and The OC are up there with some of the best.
As for the actual best episode, I'd go for My Lunch, the Scrubs episode where there's a rabies outbreak amongst organ transplant patients. Alongside this, probably Tracy does Conan from 30 Rock, and the musical episode of IT Crowd.
MASH: "Death Takes a Holiday"... really powerful and memorable.
A Dark Quiet Death from Mythic Quest.
Nearly totally removed from the rest of the show, it's about relationships, sacrifice, integrity, compromise. For a comedy show about video games, this episode hit hard and made me reflect on past relationships and really broke me down. A reminder to take responsibility of your actions when you feel like the blame is external.
Then there's a very brief end scene that puts it in context with the regular cast.
This episode should have won an award.
'Allo 'Allo!: "The gateau from the chateau."
I love jokes that are one huge setup. The series in general is great for that as each episode starts with an absurd but accurate recap.
Succession has some of the best screenwriting of any TV show or movie, IMO. S3E08 "Chiantishire" stands out to me. So much of the dialogue is passive-aggressive or euphemistic. S4E09 "Church and State" is also an absolute marvel, with the main scene being shot with 8 cameras simultaneously, and showing some of the most powerful performances in the series.
This is a tough one. My go-to is usually that episode of the IT Crowd. Second on my mind is Breaking Bad's Ozymandias, but someone already said that.
So, I have to pick two to tie for first.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia S3E1 - "The Gang Finds a Dumpster Baby"
There's a lot of perfectly written IASIP episodes, but this is probably my favorite. Every little detail is perfect, and I think it's better than the pilot at showing the characters' personalities. We have Mac and Dee trying to take care of a baby together, Charlie and Frank becoming homeless because they can't stop collecting garbage, and Dennis seeking revenge on a hippie because he got called out.
Tap for spoiler
This episode really has some of the best Dennis moments. I think about Mac and Dee trying to tan the baby a lot, but the funniest part of this episode to me is when Dennis is trying to act more environmentally conscious than everyone else, so when the hippie long-windedly calls him a poser, Dennis just runs over to the gang and tries to use that insult on them. It shows their dynamic perfectly.
The Office S6E9 - "Murder"
This is a much-needed break in the middle of a tense overarching plot about DM's finances. It's not the best Office episode, but it's probably the best Michael episode. There are episodes like "Scott's Tots" that are iconic because he learns a lesson the hard way. But this episode is one of the few where we see Michael take action. The entire office is miserable so what do we do? Play a game and do funny voices. It's a Michael activity through and through, but he uses it to help the office take their minds off a bad situation. It's also one of the only times during the comanagement arc that Jim and Michael really synergize. Really funny, super sweet, and some of the best lines in the series.
I think about these jokes almost daily:
Tap for spoiler
Dwight: Voodoo Mama Juju, explain your dalliance with the Dark Arts.
Angela: It's not my fault, I was exposed to Harry Potter.
Dwight: I know you did it!
Dwight: I know she didn't do it. It's never the person you most suspect. It's also never the person you least suspect, since anyone with half a brain would suspect them the most. Therefore, I know the killer to be Phyllis, AKA Beatrix Bourbon, the person I most medium suspect.
Tap for spoiler
Oscar: [tries to speak in a high-pitched southern accent] This plantation, we're running low on greenbacks. We're having problems paying the people who give us the seeds and the dirt. We can't pay... [in regular voice] – Michael, I can't – Basically it could mean a lot of things, but it is unprecedented, so its cause for concern.
Brooklyn 99 - "The Pontiac Bandit" & all subsequent Pontiac eps.
Family Guy - "Mr. Saturday Knight"
The Late Philip J Fry in Futurama. It's a really sweet but sad episode, and I loved how they explored all the different eras. Episodes which involve Farnsworth's wacky inventions are always my faves!
Monorail monorail monorail
Babylon 5: Severed Dreams
IYKYK
Mine is recent, but I've watched the specific episode about a dozen times now because I think it's just brilliant.
S2E5 of Interview with the Vampire, "Don't Be Afraid, Just Start the Tape". It's immaculate. I can quote the entire San Francisco argument.
Maybe not favorite of all shows but the first that came to mind;
Out of Gas, Firefly
Take my love
Take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care 'cause I'm still free
You can't take the sky from meDr who The 11 hour
Having been told about Dr who, and having seen a fee episodes prior. This one encapsulated the entire series for me and explained all of the why's I had with previous doctors and previous companions
To have river song start with the 10th doctor and carry on just allowed me to inhabit any episode past or present.
Now as a whovien I will cheat and say part one and two of the pandorica was a fantastic episode.
With honorable mentions to the Christmas special with all three doctors
Always Sunny, "The Gang Hits the Road".
The entire episode is just them driving around Philly with the intention of going elsewhere, but the plan gets derailed in typical gang fashion when they wind up just switching seats over and over (both in and out of the U-Haul) until they end up back where they started, and with zero interest in continuing the original plan.
It's a very recent one but my answer right now has to be Arcane, season 2, episode 7. It's a brilliant show from start to finish but this episode in particular is such a gut punch it still hurts to think about.
Bo Jack - Free churro.
Honorable mention for my favorite moment in a TV show - Brienne of Tarth a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. What a shining, glorious moment of satisfaction for a hardworking and truly good character in a season of utter bullshit.
I will always feel that we were robbed of so many satisfying conclusions because of the show rushing to wrap everything up. Not everything had to be tied in a perfect bow, but what we got certainly did not scratch that perfectly placed itch.
I really enjoyed the episode Forks from The Bear, particularly after the traumatic gut punch that was Fishes. Hit close to home and didn't expect a Taylor Swift song to break me, much less in a GOOD way.
What We Do In the Shadows, "Baron's Night Out". Absolutely hilarious. The vampires getting high drinking the blood of high people is great comedy.
Will not spoil it, but I absolutely love/loved the series finale episode of Summer Camp Island. Such a wholesome ending with such a good payoff, in my opinion, to everything that happens in the later seasons when the show decided "we want to be a story driven series!" more than the first and maybe 2nd season.
A lot of great shows aren't coming to mind, but one great show is:
Atlanta - The Goof Who Sat by the Door (Season 4, Episode 8)
Without a doubt top 5 funniest episodes of anything I've ever seen. This show was absolutely brilliant, with a lot of great episodes, but this one was... chefs kiss
I don’t think this has been mentioned yet and might not be seen but…
The finale of Six Feet Under. It’s my favorite show, and the finale is the only episode of a show (other than maybe Futurama) that made me cry. I can’t even explain why, and there’s so many other episodes of SixFUnder that are incredible, but I’ve never in my life seen a show end that strong, and it’s my favorite show.
The gay episode of The Last of Us. I think it's the greatest episode of television period.
Agents of shield s3 e 13, why? A spies goodbye, if you know, you know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpRssodHXks
