Best Episodes of All Time
The best episodes of television that I have ever seen, accompanied with short reviews of each. Reviews contain spoilers so beware. Episodes are ranked, from the best at the top to the lesser ones near the bottom. All of these episodes are amazing, though.
Sorry I haven't watched too many TV shows so this list literally contains episodes from only around 15 shows total. I'm working on it.
Sorry I haven't watched too many TV shows so this list literally contains episodes from only around 15 shows total. I'm working on it.
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- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulWalt goes on the run. Jesse is taken hostage. Marie forces Skyler to tell Walter, Jr. the truth.Having 5 seasons of meticulous buildup and writing all come crashing down in a single episode is something that might never happen again. By the end of this episode, Walt hasn't died, but his life has been completely destroyed. His drug empire and his family, the two things he valued the most, are gone. It's one of the most epic, tragic, and suspenseful episodes I have ever seen. It's poetic in a way, matching up with the poem and the historical figure that the episode is named after. Truly the greatest TV episode of all time. Not a minute wasted, not a single mid scene. Every single second of this episode, from front to back, is spectacular.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony makes a request to Johnny Sack on behalf of his cousin, and Adriana makes a request to the FBI, followed by one to Chris.The single most heartbreaking episode of TV I have ever watched. Christopher is one of my favorite characters ever, and over the series he says that he will follow Tony into the gates of hell, but this is the episode where he actually does it. It's an emotionally exhausting episode, with some of the best acting I have ever seen. The scene where Adriana finally tells Chris the truth is one of my favorite scenes ever, and the scene at the gas station and Adriana's demise is soul crushing.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoJunior's trial comes to an end, but Tony's trials are just getting underway. Also, the Sopranos almost purchase a house on the beach.This episode scares me. My parents would regularly have massive arguments, and watching Whitecaps just triggered something in me. It's a testament to the strength of the actors. Over the whole run of the Sopranos, Tony's family was like a ticking time bomb, and here is when it all explodes. One of the greatest feats of acting ever, and one of the most devastating things I have ever seen on a TV screen.
- DirectorMasayuki KojimaRyôsuke NakamuraMorio AsakaStarsHidenobu KiuchiTsutomu IsobeHideyuki TanakaIn the pouring rain, in the town of Ruhenheim, people have become suspicious of each other and have begun killing each other. Inspector Lunge is saving the surviving townspeople as he searches for the leader of the group that is inciting the massacre.Ruhenheim is one of the greatest anime arcs ever, and this is the most emotional part of it. Tenma and Lunge finally resolve their age old conflict, the hotel is attacked in a shocking sequence, and most notably, Grimmer dies. Grimmer's death and him finally finding his humanity at his last moments got me in the feels, and I shed a few tears. The parallel to the Magnificent Steiner TV show was amazing too. Absolutely soul crushing. May the Magnificent Steiner rest easy.
- 2011–201423mTV-149.8 (8.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorHiroshi KôjinaJun'ichi FujiseStarsKôki UchiyamaAya EndôKikuko InoueMeruem tries once more to beat Komugi in gungi.Hunter x Hunter is a show that literally made me cry over the death of someone who decapitated and ate a child. Meruem's transformation over the series with Komugi is one of the best and most compelling character arcs in anime, and this is where it all comes to a head. I don't think that they could have executed his death any better.
- DirectorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulWalter White returns to Albuquerque one last time to secure his family's future and settle old scores.The most satisfying TV show ending ever. Literally every single loose end is tied up in a neat little bow. It's the golden standard for TV show endings, and you really can't ask for more out of it. So many character arcs are just beautifully resolved. Walt's last scene with Skylar is the perfect conclusion for both their characters. It's an episode which does the small moments well, like the nod from Walt to Jesse, or Walt's last interaction being with his ultimate love, the meth lab. A near perfect episode.
- DirectorHiroshi KôjinaMigmiStarsBanjô GingaKôki UchiyamaTakashi MatsuyamaNetero and the King's fierce battle continues. The King feels fear for the first time and Netero demonstrates the zenith of nen mastery.Netero vs. Meruem might just be the greatest fight in TV history. It's a fight that subverts all expectations that we had beforehand. The dynamic between human and ant is flipped on it's head, with Meruem having more humanity than Netero. Netero's final speech about the endless malice of the human heart gives me so many chills. This is a fight that goes beyond anime and actually shows us how determined humans can be, for good or for evil. The beautiful animation and epic soundtrack elevate the fight to another level as well. The final scene with the nuke is also unforgettable.
- DirectorMasayuki KojimaTôru TakahashiMorio AsakaStarsHidenobu KiuchiTsutomu IsobeNozomu SasakiAll the orphans who adore Grimmer try to prove his innocence. They find the blonde woman (Johan, disguised as Anna) who was at the scene of the murder.Funny how the two most emotional moments of Monster both involve Grimmer. He's one of my favorite characters ever. This episode is the one that just made me hate Johan from the bottom of my heart. Seeing an innocent kid just get corrupted and nihilistic is one of the saddest things in the show. And of course, Grimmer saving the kid from the brink of suicide is one of my favorite moments ever. You gotta get yourself a box of tissues whenever you rewatch this episode.
- DirectorTetsurô ArakiShintarô ItogaHiroyuki TanakaStarsYûki KajiHiroshi KamiyaYui IshikawaWhile picking up the pieces from the costly battle, tensions rise when Captain Levi is forced to make an unthinkable choice.While Attack on Titan is undoubtedly a great show, I felt like there was a little bit too much action and exposition and it didn't really have any time to have deeply fleshed out characters or hard hitting emotional moments. Well, this episode gave me exactly what I wanted. Having the characters, and as an extension, the viewer, choose between saving Erwin or Armin is an insanely difficult decision, and we get too see whole new sides of Eren, Mikasa, and Levi that we never saw before. Definitely the most emotional episode of the show.
- DirectorHiroshi KôjinaMasaki MatsumuraStarsMegumi HanMariya IseKikuko InoueGon goes beyond his body limits to achieve monstrous power. Neferpitou (Pitou) become overwhelmed by Gon's New power. Kilua rushes to Gon in order to save him from Pitou.Gon is an interesting protagonist in the way that he regresses over the course of the show, becoming more and more unhinged. This is an episode that is just sad, horrifying, yet so satisfying to watch at the same time. Adult Gon is one of the best transformations in anime and gives me chills every time. The music is also amazing, and makes me tear up. It's one of the hardest hitting episodes that I have ever seen.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony gets sick from food poisoning and blames Artie's restaurant. Pussy, meanwhile, reaches the end of the line.The weirdest episode of The Sopranos, aside from maybe The Test Dream. The dream sequences are great, shot well, and say a lot about Tony's character. The talking fish will always stay in my mind. Here, Tony slowly realizes that Pussy is a rat, and the boat scene is the best moment in the series up to that point. Seeing Pussy accept his fate and the crew reluctantly executing him is just so sad.
- DirectorMichael MorrisStarsBob OdenkirkJonathan BanksRhea SeehornGus attempts to smooth things over with the cartel while Mike ties up loose ends as Jimmy and Kim deal with the repercussions of their actions.Almost like Better Call Saul's version of Ozymandias. Seeing Jimmy McGill finally complete his transformation into Saul Goodman is just so sad and his argument with Kim is maybe the best moment in all of Better Call Saul. After rooting for this couple for six seasons, you don't want to see them separate, but after all the destruction they caused, it was inevitable. The following scene, with Saul going through his daily, lifeless routine is one of the most tragic scenes in all of TV.
- DirectorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulJesse is brought to the FBI for questioning on his knowledge of ricin. In a last effort to kill Gus, Walt must ask for help from an old enemy.The last stretch of Season 4 of Breaking Bad is probably the most suspenseful part of any TV show I've ever seen (although Ruhenheim comes close), and this is the grand finale. It's one of the most satisfying and cathartic endings to any season of any TV show ever, and it's the peak of Walt's reign. The ending reveal is sick too. I'll never forget the sound of that bell.
- DirectorNaohito TakahashiStarsNobutoshi CannaMarc DiraisonCarrie KeranenThe Apostles assume their true forms and commence the Eclipse feasting. Griffith is reborn as the fifth God Hand, Femto.While the manga did it better, I gotta say, the Eclipse, even in a lesser format, is still one of the greatest moments in fiction. The scenery of the Eclipse is straight out of an H.P. Lovecraft book, and seeing everybody that you cared for get brutally murdered by demons is gut wrenching. Griffith's subsequent transformation and what he does to Casca is the most vivid betrayal in fiction. I truly loved Griffith, and to see him fall is devastating. Still recovering from this one to this day.
- 1999– 24mTV-149.7 (34K)TV EpisodeDirectorHiroaki MiyamotoStarsKinryû ArimotoTony BeckShigeru ChibaAn eerie silence falls over the battlefield as Luffy and Ace share a heartbreaking final moment together.Ace's death is the saddest thing that happens in all of One Piece, and the fact that Luffy had to hold his dying brother in his arms makes it worse. Seeing the reactions of Whitebeard's crew is sad as hell, and having Sengoku hold Garp back is one of my favorite character moments. I'll never forget Ace's final words and Luffy's scream of agony. It's the most pivotal point in Luffy's whole life.
- DirectorLauren MacMullanStarsDante BascoGrey GriffinMakoAs Zuko tries to make it by in exile without his uncle, he remembers how his father became Firelord and what happened to his mother.While there were definitely episodes that were much more action filled than this one, Zuko Alone is an episode that primarily focuses on character building, and it's the best episode in all of Avatar. Zuko is an amazing character, and taking a look into his psyche is fascinating. He also gets some meaningful development here too. Even when I watched this episode as a 10 year old I knew I was watching some good shit.
- DirectorTetsurô ArakiTetsuya WakanoStarsYûki KajiDaisuke OnoHiroshi KamiyaWhile one front is rained on by flames, the other is battered by boulders. With no way out and limited options, the Scouts are forced to fight against the Titans with little hope left.Somehow this show had a character convince dozens of young adults to lead a suicide charge, and if I was in that situation, I would do it too. The buildup in this episode is insane and so much shit just hits the fan. Feelings of hopelessness and desperation start to rise up, even within the viewer, before culminating in one of the greatest anime moments ever. Erwin's final speech is legendary and always gives me chills, especially dubbed. This episode is the reason why Erwin is one of the greatest anime characters of all time.
- DirectorHiroshi HamasakiTomoki KobayashiTakuya SatôStarsMamoru MiyanoAsami ImaiKana HanazawaIn order to continue his work against SERN, Okabe must finally choose between saving Kurisu or Mayuri.The interactions between Okabe and Kurisu are just so good in this episode. It's the episode where all of the tension between them is just released, and seeing them together, at least for a few hours, is great. It's an episode that's perfectly paced out, and also the most emotional episode in the whole series. I grew to care for Kurisu so much and seeing her erased was heartbreaking.
- DirectorMasayuki KojimaRyôsuke NakamuraMorio AsakaStarsNozomu SasakiHiroshi ArikawaCam ClarkeBraun investigates Johan's origins and discovers that the real Johan Liebert died as a child.Johan was the most ruthless in this episode. Over the last few episodes, you began to care for Richard Braun, and just as you thought the truth about Johan was finally going to come out and Richard was finally going to see his daughter, Johan executes Richard in the worst way possible. The psychological manipulation is absolutely crazy. It's like watching a train wreck. Had me on the edge of my seat.
- DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoWhile Silvio has the flu, Chris and Paulie run his collections for him, which results in the pair getting lost in the woods and nearly freezing to death while Tony's affair with Gloria goes sour as does Meadow's relationship with Jackie Jr.The funniest episode on this whole list, and one of the most iconic. While Pine Barrens isn't the greatest Sopranos episode like some people say it is, it's still pretty good. The dynamic between Chris and Paulie is at an all time high here, and it's hilarious to see them bickering. I couldn't stop laughing the whole episode, and it also has a lot of great character moments as well.
- DirectorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulJesse has disappeared and Walt is in big trouble with Gus. So Gus rehires Gale to learn from Walt's cooking so that they can dispose of Walt once and for all.This was where you knew shit was about to go down. Season 3 had been building up the tension between Walt and Gus, and this was the point where the war had fully started. Walt gets backed up into a corner, but he pulls out his trump card. I vividly remember sitting there in shock as this episode ended. It's crazy.
- DirectorHiroshi KôjinaMasaki MatsumuraStarsBen DiskinMegumi HanMariya IseGon explodes into anger on seeing Neferpitou. He is further aggravated by Pitou's request to delay their fight in order to heal Komugi.Although the groundwork had already been laid, I feel like this was the turning point in Gon's character. Before this, I thought he was just another happy anime MC, but after meeting Neferpitou, I realized that he is kind of a monster. His voice actor delivers the performance of a lifetime in one of the most gripping and emotional moments in the show.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoDr. Melfi is attacked and when the authorities lets her down, she considers asking Tony to help. Janice has a dispute with Svetlana. Ralphie gets passed over for a promotion and Jackie Jr. gets involved in the family's crime activities.Probably the most disturbing TV episode I have ever seen. I have never seen any rape scene as horrific as this one, to the point where I have heard about how people skip the scene on rewatches. Seeing Melfi cope with her trauma is also so interesting as well. Also seeing her reject Tony's offer at the ending of the episode is so good thematically. No show has ever handled trauma this well.
- 2009–201030mTV-149.6 (4.6K)TV EpisodeDirectorYasuhiro IrieStarsVic MignognaMaxey WhiteheadKent WilliamsEd fights the original homunculus known as 'The father' trying to defeat him in order to get his and Al's body back.The payoff of Fullmetal Alchemist. One of the most cathartic episodes I have ever seen in television. While the next episode ties everything up, this episode is basically the climax. Father is defeated and gets sucked into the Gate of Truth, Edward outsmarts Truth and Al gets his body back, and finally Hohenheim dies. After 63 episodes of struggling, the payoff did not disappoint.
- DirectorYoshiyuki TakeiShin'ichirô WatanabeMary Elizabeth McGlynnStarsSteve BlumKôichi YamaderaBeau BillingsleaVicious claims leadership of the Red Dragon Syndicate. Julia and Spike plan to run away as before, but Spike still feels the desire for revenge, leading to a final confrontation with Vicious and the Syndicate.I don't remember too much about this episode as I watched Cowboy Bebop a long time ago, but I just remember that it was a very good ending. Having Spike achieve all of his goals and then go out like a badass is the perfect ending to a perfect show.