The 24 Greatest Episodes of Television

Redditor redkemper recently hopped into r/Television to ask their fellow TV watchers a simple question, “What are some of the best single episodes of TV shows you’ve ever seen in your life?”

The ask did come with some stipulations: The episode had to be a perfect 10/10, mind-blowing experience that stood on its own. Meaning no series or seasons, just single episodes. The answers came fast and furious. These are the standouts, along with the original synopsis for each, which is especially fun to consider in this context — for so much greatness, they’re so very perfunctory…

24 ‘Station Eleven,’ Season 1, Episode 1: ‘Wheel of Fire’

Synopsis: After renowned actor Arthur Leander tragically collapses onstage, Jeevan Chaudhary and young Kirsten Raymonde have a chance meeting — and soon face an important decision that could save their lives.

23 ‘Twin Peaks,’ Season 3, Episode 8: ‘Part 8’

Synopsis: Cooper’s doppelganger faces a life-or-death situation. In 1945, the Trinity atomic bomb test in White Sands, New Mexico leads to horrifying unexpected consequences. In 1956, a creepy woodsman covered in scorched engine oil invades a radio station.

22 ‘Archer,’ Season 2, Episode 9: ‘Placebo Effect’

Synopsis: When Archer discovers the chemotherapy drugs he’s been taking for his breast cancer are counterfeit, he sets out to destroy the criminals behind the scheme.

21 ‘Lost,’ Season 1, Episode 4: ‘Walkabout’

Synopsis: When the survivors run out of food, Locke, Kate and Michael go out hunting for boar. Michael gets injured, so he and Kate go back. But Locke stays out hunting, and ends up running into the creature living in the jungle.

20 ‘The Walking Dead,’ Season 4, Episode 14: ‘The Grove’

Synopsis: Carol has to cope with old secrets and Lizzie's psychotic behavior when she, Tyreese and the girls take refuge in a vacant house on the way to Terminus.

19 ‘The IT Crowd,’ Season 2, Episode 1: ‘The Work Outing’

Synopsis: Jen’s new boyfriend invites Roy, Moss and Jen to a controversial play, which creates a series of misunderstandings that end up having unintended consequences of epic proportions.

18 ‘Mad Men,’ Season 5, Episode 11: ‘The Other Woman’

Synopsis: Peter asks Joan to make an unspeakable sacrifice to help secure the Jaguar account, Peggy prepares to make a drastic move in response to Don’s treatment and Megan’s acting career begins to create tension between her and Don.

17 ‘Futurama,’ Season 4, Episode 7: ‘Jurassic Bark’

Synopsis: Fry spots his petrified dog, Seymour, among the artefacts in an exhibit at the Museum of Natural History, and Bender perceives Seymour as a threat to his friendship with Fry and gets his own robo-puppy.

16 ‘The Leftovers,’ Season 2, Episode 8: ‘International Assassin’

Synopsis: In the wake of Kevin’s desperate decision to vanquish Patti, questions and answers emerge as the world adjusts to the repercussions of what comes next.

15 ‘The Shield,’ Season 7, Episode 13: ‘Family Meeting’

Synopsis: As Vic hopes his immunity deal will help keep his family together, and Shane takes extreme measures to keep his pregnant wife from being charged with murder, Dutch finds he’s a suspect in the disappearance of a teenage serial killer’s mother.

14 ‘True Detective,’ Season 1, Episode 4: ‘Who Goes There’

Synopsis: Martin is faced with marital problems. The search for Reggie Ledoux leads the detectives to a motorcycle gang called the Iron Crusaders, which Rust worked undercover in the past.

13 ‘Severance,’ Season 1, Episode 9: ‘The We We Are’

Synopsis: The team discovers troubling revelations. (Editor’s Note: lol on the lack of details here.)

12 ‘The West Wing,’ Season 2, Episode 22: ‘Two Cathedrals’

Synopsis: The U.S. Embassy in Haiti is besieged by the Haitian Army, and Bartlet continues to campaign for funding in the fight against big tobacco.

11 ‘The Bear,’ Season 2, Episode 7: ‘Forks’

Synopsis: Carmy decides to send Richie to intern at a fancy restaurant to prepare for the opening of The Bear. Once in the establishment, he’s entrusted with the drying of the forks.

10 ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ Season 5, Episode 16: ‘The Body’

Synopsis: Buffy, Dawn and their friends deal with the aftermath of Joyce’s death.

9 ‘The Sopranos,’ Season 3, Episode 11: ‘Pine Barrens’

Synopsis: While 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.

8 ‘BoJack Horseman,’ Season 5, Episode 6: ‘Free Churro’

Synopsis: BoJack delivers a eulogy at a funeral. (Again, lol on the lack of details.)

7 ‘Community,’ Season 3, Episode 4: ‘Remedial Chaos Theory’

Synopsis: When Jeff introduces an element of randomness into Troy and Abed’s housewarming party, reality splits into six timelines affecting the group’s relationships.

6 ‘Barry,’ Season 2, Episode 5: ‘ronny/lily’

Synopsis: An unexpected encounter has surprising consequences for Barry and everyone involved, when Barry is sent on a mission to kill Detective John Loach’s ex-wife’s boyfriend.

5 ‘Hannibal,’ Season 2, Episode 13: ‘Mizumono’

Synopsis: Jack devises a plan to apprehend Hannibal, while Hannibal prepares for his departure. Will makes his decision, and it results in devastating consequences.