‘I definitely needed a lie-down after that!’ Your most intense TV episodes of all time

Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)

The show kicks off with the intelligence unit restricted as part of a simulation relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, supervised by two Home Office agents. As the situation develops, it becomes clear a real incident has taken place with a chemical weapon released. The tension ratchets up as incoming communications show a disaster happening externally, and escalates 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 permitting their exit and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. As this is Spooks, the outcome is expected.

The 1984 production Threads

Threads was low budget but arguably the most terrifying series I have viewed because of the stark reality and grim official statistics. Viewed it recently following the initial broadcast; I often attended the bar in Sheffield shown in the series which underscored the actuality and the glib matter-of-fact official information that aired. Remaining completely frightening after three and a half decades.

Severance – The We We Are from 2022

The concluding episode of Severance’s debut season deserves a top spot in terms of gripping installments. I spent the entire episode quite literally on the edge of my seat, pushing alongside Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that allowed the Innies to remain active, while screaming at the Innies to disclose their facts. The final climactic moment – “she is living!” – resembled a outburst.

Industry – White Mischief from 2024

Installment five in Industry’s third series made my pulse quicken. I was compelled to halt and rise and exit the space repeatedly due to the immense extent of the reckless self-harm I saw. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble professionally and personally – buried in financial obligations to loan sharks owing to his uncontrollable gaming, assuming hazardous chances on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, uses copious drugs and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, gets beaten to a pulp. Every time you think things cannot decline more, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation by the episode’s conclusion yet he wastes the chance, leading to terrible outcomes in the season finale. Absolutely had to relax following that!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. But the episode Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it will make you rise for the full show, filled with nervousness. It all ramps up once Jeremy and Mark find themselves needing to deceive regarding the dog they accidentally run over and following tries to eliminate it. You then spend the rest of the episode doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, 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 installment begins with the consequences of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s private assistant and builds to a peak involving a Haitian emergency, and the fallout from the non-disclosure of the president’s MS diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to run for another term. Wonderful television. Unsurpassed.

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 spots a Muslim woman heading to the toilet and knows something is off. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, get on the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to take off her suicide vest. Suspense rises to a practically unendurable point, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)

Buffy enters her house to realize her mom has deceased due to natural factors, which is the rarest form of demise in this supernatural show. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a somber mood, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The concluding moment of the last installment of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And if you watched it when it originally aired, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s enemies, real and imagined, were all vanquished. This seems similar to the first season’s finale, right? “Think about the small elements.” Yet the atmosphere is strangely foreboding. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow parks. Tony sadly tells Carmela there’s trouble afoot with an additional associate working with the government. Meadow parks the vehicle. Strange people enter the restaurant. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony glances upward. Keep going. It halts. My heart dropped from my mouth roughly 20 minutes after.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016

I remained awake to view this installment during the night. It was extremely gripping after the buildup of bad guy Negan locating the survivors, savagely teasing his prey then not knowing who he killed (ended on a cliffhanger). The victim’s POV shot and the subdued noises – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season