‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ The most nerve-wracking TV episodes ever
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)
The episode begins with the intelligence unit confined during a training exercise relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, overseen by two Home Office officials. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The tension ratchets up as reports reveal a catastrophe taking place outside, and intensifies as the boss appears to be infected, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or allowing them to leave and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. This being Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.
The 1984 production Threads
Threads was low budget but arguably the most terrifying series I’ve ever seen because of the stark reality and grim official statistics. Saw it not long ago following the initial broadcast; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield shown in the series which emphasised the reality and the glib matter-of-fact official information that aired. Still absolutely terrifying decades on.
Severance – The We We Are from 2022
The first season finale of Severance deserves a top spot as a tense chapter. I remained for the whole show literally perched nervously, pushing alongside Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while yelling at the Innies to disclose their facts. The concluding高潮 – “she’s alive!” – resembled a outburst.
Industry – White Mischief from 2024
The fifth episode of Industry’s third season made my pulse quicken. I needed to stop and stand and exit the space repeatedly due to the immense extent of the wanton self-destruction I was witnessing. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit at work and home – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors because of his compulsive gambling, engaging in dangerous ventures on a wager involving sterling which may result in huge losses for his employer. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, gets beaten to a pulp. Whenever you assume the situation cannot deteriorate further, it does. Redemption seems possible as the installment closes yet he wastes the chance, resulting in dreadful effects in the concluding part of the season. Certainly required a rest afterward!
The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday
Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. But the episode Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it can cause you to stand for the full show, riddled with anxiety. It all ramps up once Jeremy and Mark find themselves needing to deceive regarding the dog they by chance collide with and later efforts to get rid of 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
Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense as when I first saw the season two finale to The West Wing. The episode starts with the aftermath of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s private assistant and reaches a crescendo with a crisis in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to seek re-election. Superb programming. Never bettered.
Bodyguard – episode one from 2018
The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train alongside his juvenile boy, 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 diffuser experts are called, board the train, and attempt to convince the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Anxiety builds to a practically unendurable point, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)
Buffy arrives at her residence to realize her mom has deceased of natural causes, which is the least common kind of passing in this supernatural show. The episode has no background music, a gloomy atmosphere, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007
The final scene of the final episode of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And if you watched it when it originally aired, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. 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 sit in a restaurant. Meadow stops the car. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela difficulties are arising with another member of his team working with the government. Meadow parks. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow finds a spot. The door chimes, a person comes in. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony looks up. Continue. It ceases. My heart sank about 20 minutes later.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was so intense following the introduction of villain Negan discovering the characters, cruelly taunting his victims then not knowing who he killed (concluded with a suspenseful moment). 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
