‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ Your most nerve-wracking episodes of TV ever
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)
The show kicks off with the MI5 agents restricted during a training exercise about a potential terror incident, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it becomes clear a real incident has taken place with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as reports reveal a disaster happening externally, and intensifies when the leader seems contaminated, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or letting them go and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. Given it’s Spooks, the outcome is expected.
Threads from 1984
Threads had minimal funding but one of the most frightening programmes I’ve ever seen due to its harsh realism and grim official statistics. Saw it not long ago following the initial broadcast; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield from the programme that highlighted the truth and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Still absolutely terrifying 35 years later.
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 was throughout the episode 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 yelling at the Innies to reveal their realities. The final climactic moment – “she is living!” – was like an eruption.
Industry – White Mischief from 2024
Installment five in Industry’s third series had my heart racing. I had to pause and get up and depart the area multiple times because of the sheer scale of the wanton self-destruction I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty at work and home – up to his eyeballs in debt to illegal creditors owing to his uncontrollable gaming, engaging in dangerous ventures with a gamble on the pound that might cost his firm millions. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, uses copious drugs and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, is severely assaulted. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it worsens. There’s hope of redemption at the end of the episode but he squanders the opportunity, resulting in dreadful effects 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. Yet the installment Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it can cause you to stand the whole episode, permeated with worry. It all ramps up when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they by chance collide with and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it turns out to be!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001
No other viewing has been as gripping compared to my initial viewing the season two finale to The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s confidential aide and escalates to a高潮 with a situation in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy of the president’s MS diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to pursue re-election. Excellent TV. Unequaled.
Bodyguard – episode one from 2018
The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train with his young son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He notices a Muslim female going into the loo and senses something is wrong. The bomb squad is alerted, board the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Suspense rises to a practically unendurable point, until yes, the vest is diffused.
The 2001 Buffy episode The Body
Buffy enters her house to discover her mother has died due to natural factors, which is the rarest form of demise in this mystical program. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a sullen tone, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)
The concluding moment of the last installment 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 adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Think about the small elements.” 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 there’s trouble afoot with an additional associate cooperating with the officials. Meadow secures a parking space. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow parks. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Don’t stop. It ceases. My heart sank roughly 20 minutes after.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016
I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was incredibly tense after the buildup of bad guy Negan discovering the characters, savagely teasing his prey and then keeping the death a mystery (finished with an unresolved situation). The first-person perspective of the victim and the subdued noises – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
