‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ The most nerve-wracking television episodes ever
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003
The show kicks off with the MI5 agents locked down as part of a simulation relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The tension ratchets up as messages indicate a disaster happening externally, and intensifies as the superior shows signs of exposure, 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 potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. As this is Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.
Threads (1984)
Threads had minimal funding but one of the most frightening programmes I’ve ever seen owing to its grim authenticity and bleak government data. Watched it about a month ago after seeing the first airing; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details that were transmitted. Continuing to be utterly horrifying after three and a half decades.
The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are
The season one finale of Severance deserves a top spot as a tense chapter. I remained for the whole show quite literally on the edge of my seat, straining every sinew with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while shouting to the Innies to disclose their facts. The ultimate peak – “she’s alive!” – felt like an explosion.
The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief
Installment five in Industry’s third series had my heart racing. I needed to stop and stand and exit the space repeatedly because of the sheer scale of the wanton self-destruction I was witnessing. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors because of his compulsive gambling, taking such risks on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, uses copious drugs and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, is severely assaulted. Whenever you assume the situation cannot deteriorate further, it does. Redemption seems possible by the episode’s conclusion but he squanders the opportunity, leading to terrible outcomes in the season finale. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!
Peep Show – Holiday (2007)
The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. Yet the installment Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it’ll have you standing up for the full show, permeated with worry. It all ramps up when Jeremy and Mark realize being compelled to falsify about the canine they accidentally run over and later efforts to get rid of it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment questioning whether it truly can be worse than incineration, and it is possible!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)
Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense compared to my initial viewing the second season finale of The West Wing. The episode starts with the aftermath of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s confidential aide and reaches a crescendo 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 run for another term. Excellent TV. Unsurpassed.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train accompanied by his small son, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and realizes something is amiss. The bomb diffuser experts are called, enter the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds to a practically unendurable point, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)
Buffy comes into her home to realize her mom has deceased of natural causes, which is the most unusual type of death in this supernatural show. The show features no musical score, a somber mood, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.
The 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America
The ultimate sequence of the series finale of the program was incredibly anxious. And if you viewed it when it first premiered, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Recall the minor details.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony gloomily informs Carmela problems are brewing with an additional associate cooperating with the officials. Meadow secures a parking space. Strange people enter the restaurant. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell sounds, an individual enters. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony looks up. Don’t stop. It stops. My heart dropped from my mouth roughly 20 minutes after.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I stayed up to watch this episode during the night. It was extremely gripping following the introduction of villain Negan locating the survivors, cruelly taunting his victims and then keeping the death a mystery (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muted audio – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
