‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ Your most nerve-wracking episodes of TV ever
The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse
The show kicks off with the MI5 agents locked down as part of a simulation about a potential terror incident, monitored by two government representatives. As things progress, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The tension ratchets up as incoming communications show a catastrophe taking place outside, and escalates when the leader seems contaminated, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to decide between shooting them or letting them go and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.
Threads from 1984
Threads had minimal funding yet among the scariest shows I’ve ever seen due to its harsh realism and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago having watched the original; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub from the programme which emphasised the reality and the offhand factual official statements that were transmitted. Continuing to be utterly horrifying 35 years later.
The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are
The first season finale of Severance deserves a top spot among intense episodes. I remained for the whole show literally perched nervously, exerting with Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while yelling at the Innies to get their truths out there. The ultimate peak – “she’s alive!” – felt like an explosion.
Industry – White Mischief (2024)
The fifth episode of Industry’s third season caused my heart to pound. I was compelled to halt and rise and exit the space repeatedly due to the immense extent of the reckless self-harm I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty at work and home – buried in financial obligations to loan sharks owing to his uncontrollable gaming, taking such risks on a wager involving sterling which may result in huge losses for his employer. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, uses copious drugs and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, gets beaten to a pulp. Whenever you assume things cannot decline more, it worsens. There’s hope of redemption as the installment closes but he misses the opening, with horrifying consequences in the concluding part of the season. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!
Peep Show – Holiday (2007)
The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. But the episode Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it will make you rise the whole episode, permeated with worry. The tension escalates when Jeremy and Mark realize being compelled to falsify about the canine they accidentally run over and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it turns out to be!
The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals
No other viewing has been as gripping than the first time I watched the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The show opens with the fallout of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and builds to a peak involving a Haitian emergency, and the repercussions of the secrecy regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, coupled with verification of his aim to seek re-election. Excellent TV. Unequaled.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train alongside his juvenile boy, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He observes a woman in Islamic attire going into the loo and realizes something is amiss. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, board 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.
The 2001 Buffy episode The Body
Buffy comes into her home to discover her mother has died due to natural factors, which is the most unusual type of death in this mystical program. The show features no musical score, a somber mood, and we see the episode through the experience of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)
The final scene of the final episode of the program was incredibly anxious. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Think about the small elements.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family sit in a restaurant. Meadow parks. Tony sadly tells Carmela there’s trouble afoot with an additional associate working with the government. Meadow secures a parking space. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow parks. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Continue. It halts. My spirit fell around 20 minutes subsequently.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)
I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan locating the survivors, cruelly taunting his victims and then leaving the victim unknown (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The first-person perspective of the victim and the muted audio – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
