37 Rewatchable Episodes From Absolutely Iconic TV Series

These are series that spanned the teenage years of some of today’s adults.

Maryjane

• Published in Film & TV
• May 18, 2022

The origins of episodic television series can be traced back to radio, which featured short stories that spanned weeks and kept listeners coming back for more. There were sensational soap operas, children’s adventure shows, and mysteries, each intriguing to a different audience.

While the medium has shifted from radio to television, audiences continue to seek entertainment from shows that tell a continuous story. Stories that spanned the teenage years of some of today’s adults, like The Walking Dead or The Prison Brake.

But what makes an excellent TV series episode? Is there a secret formula, or are they just enthralling love stories, complicated storylines, nail-biting suspense, silent scenes that say a lot, hysterical episodes, or flawlessly-placed pop culture references?

Be it a black boy trying to hit it big in the coke-infested streets of London; gladiators fighting to gain their freedom; a wisecracking talking horse living in Hollywood and struggling with addiction; or a group of teens ripping off the heads of vampires after a stressful day at school, these movie episodes include superstars in the film industry. They cover a broad array of genres, encompassing miniseries, animated series, comics, dramas, season premieres, series endings, overseas subtitled series, and everything in between, with storylines ranging from hilarious to tragic, captivating to annoying.

This list, which we have compiled includes 37 episodes from various shows. So take a seat, grab a drink, and scroll away.

1. "The Bent-Neck Lady" from The Haunting of Hill House - Episode 5

"Nell's entire story in this episode is incredibly haunting. I love the reveal of the Bent-Neck Lady, but also the cinematography is genius. One of the best episodes of TV in a long time."

—veramekko

2. "Two Storms" from The Haunting of Hill House - Episode 6

"The whole episode is just five long takes, and it's brilliant. The cinematography is perfect and the story is magnificent. The show's ability to move between past and present is flawless and it's a perfect hour of TV."

—greyno211

3. "Season 2, Episode 6" from Fleabag - Season 2, Episode 6

"Season 2 of Fleabag is a work of art, but the series finale is next-level. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll lust after a priest! As much as I want more episodes, it would be criminal to make more after the perfect finale."

—krajuicy

4. "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" from Watchmen - Episode 1

"It's just nuts how perfect this episode was. I don't know what I was expecting, but definitely not this. Regina King is a force and the episode builds upon the comic books in such a unique and important way."

—actoranon

5. "Janet(s)" from The Good Place - Season 3, Episode 9

"This is an incredible episode of television. It has amazing performances by everyone, but especially D'Arcy Carden. I still cannot believe D'Arcy didn't get an Emmy nomination for it because it's a perfect episode from start to finish, and it's all because of her."

—emilym4e8497a33

6. "Meet the Parents" from Schitt's Creek - Season 5, Episode 11

"From start to finish it’s funny, but also so emotional. Watching Patrick come out to his parents even though he's been out to us as an audience for a while is still so moving."

—jackev

7. "Singles Week" from Schitt's Creek - Season 4, Episode 12

"This episode shows so much character growth for David, David and Patrick's relationship, and for Alexis and Ted! You get to cheer for Alexis and Ted and you get to see the friendship that Moira and Johnny have with Roland and Jocelyn. I cried like three times and it was a perfect episode!"

—laceyg413aac175

8. "Silent All These Years" from Grey's Anatomy - Season 15, Episode 19

"It was beautiful and heartbreaking. I sat for two hours sobbing afterwards. It hit some parts of my heart and made me feel proud to me a woman today and to be able to see the beauty that can happen from pure kindness. It was perfect."

—nifflerthesniffler

9. "The Constant" from Lost - Season 4, Episode 5

"Desmond and Penny are easily two of the best characters ever, and this episode just proves it. It's a basic episode of Lost, but man, does it pack a punch. It's perfect all around."

—fabula

10. "Swan Song" from Supernatural - Season 5, Episode 22

"The episode was originally supposed to be the final episode of the show, so they really went all out. It's dramatic, emotional, and incredibly well-written. If the show did end here, it would have been a fantastic final episode."

—ashlynnwinchester

11. "Part Four" from When They See Us - Episode 4

"It’s a hard watch, but that final episode of When They See Us, the episode based around Korey Wise’s story, is one of the greatest TV episodes of all time. So many emotions watching that one."

—faceghostta

12. "Everyone's Waiting" from Six Feet Under - Season 5, Episode 12

"The Six Feet Under finale is not only an incredible episode, but it is still the most perfect ending to a series that I’ve ever seen."

—natalieanastasiag

13. "Vincent and the Doctor" from Doctor Who - Season 5, Episode 10

"'Blink' is a great and memorable episode of Doctor Who, but 'Vincent and the Doctor' is by far the best. It's such a powerfully emotional, beautiful, and incredible piece of television. I cry just thinking about that episode."

—abbyf4fdf52518

14. "HalloVeen" from Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season 5, Episode 4

"The Halloween heists are always the best episodes, but 'HalloVeen' is next-level. Jake's proposal to Amy is so genuine and was such a surprise."

—h3holdridge

15. "The Box" from Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season 5, Episode 14

"Not many shows can pull off this very isolated story, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine did. The writing, acting, and everything else is so well done that it’s easily one of my favorite episodes ever. The whole time, you know Sterling K. Brown's character did it, but the climax of the episode is still so perfect."

—hannahp42ca0dc13

16. "The Body" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 5, Episode 16

"It’s the best hour of television I have ever seen. Everyone’s acting is spot-on. The lack of music was a brilliant decision and it captured so perfectly what the first hours after a loved one’s death is like."

—krman90

17. "Hush" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 4, Episode 10

"'Hush' from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is phenomenal. Almost an entire episode with no dialogue, and Buffy and Riley each find out who the other really is. It's so great and one of the strongest of the series."

—cdv102

18. "Remedial Chaos Theory" from Community - Season 3, Episode 4

"There's a reason why it's the best sitcom episode of all time. In just 20 minutes, the audience is transported to various different timelines all varying from which member of the study group has to get the pizza for the party. We get to see the different dynamics between the characters (some combinations we are familiar with and some surprises along the way) and their role in a group. This episode is brilliantly written: A high concept executed perfectly, swings between the batshit crazy to the heartwarming simplicity the show is known for, and sheds a new light on this lovable group of misfits."

—lamanz

19. "100" from Criminal Minds - Season 5, Episode 9

"This is such an amazing episode. I get chills and sob every time I watch it."

—ashleyvictoriab

20. "Free Churro" from BoJack Horseman - Season 5, Episode 6

"The whole episode is a eulogy and I wasn’t sure if the format was going to work well, but honestly it’s so captivating to watch BoJack basically come to terms with his abusive mom in this speech. It’s brilliant."

—katem4a1915b12

21. "The Son" from Friday Night Lights - Season 4, Episode 5

"It's so freakin' heartbreaking. I sob every single time."

—ljsdale

22. "Hyde Park Corner" from The Crown - Season 1, Episode 2

"The gravity of what it means to be Queen was perfectly depicted in this episode. I think it's one of the best of the entire series."

—krishnab

23. "...said I'm sorry" from Never Have I Ever - Season 1, Episode 10

"It's such a sweet episode and I really wasn't expecting to get so emotional over it. It just proved this show has such potential if this was the Season 1 finale."

—giraffeneck157

24. "Mizumono" from Hannibal - Season 2, Episode 13

"I liked the whole episode from start to finish. The other finales are amazing, but this is next level. Hannibal deserves a lot of love."

—ayeaz

25. "Self Control" from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Season 4, Episode 15

"This episode was perfectly executed from start to finish. You have action, you have suspense, you have a little bit of romance. For most of the episode, you’re rooting for Fitz and Simmons to get out until you realize that one of them is actually an LMD. The heartbreak from the reveal leads to Simmons and Daisy having to make a thrilling and dangerous escape from their base. It’s truly the best episode of the show and sets up the rest of the season in an exciting way."

—courtneyc4fa30a7b5

26. "End Game" from The Queen's Gambit - Episode 7

"I honestly think this entire limited series qualifies as a perfect season of TV, but if I had to pick just one episode, it has to be the finale. Everything comes together for this final episode and Anya Taylor-Joy is simply amazing in it. Watching Beth triumph is truly one of the best things I've seen on TV recently."

—noradominick

27. "The Winds of Winter" from Game of Thrones - Season 6, Episode 10

"I always thought 'The Winds of Winter' was one of the best episodes of any show ever to air on TV. The score in particular was brilliant."

—svenegas09

28. "And Salt the Earth Behind You" from Euphoria - Season 1, Episode 8

"If we’re making this list, can I add the Season 1 finale of Euphoria? Damn, it's amazing from start to finish."

—elle99

29. "Out of Gas" from Firefly - Season 1, Episode 5

"Has the whole world forgotten the genius of Firefly? 'Out of Gas' is one of my favorite episodes of TV ever. I love how it gives the backstory to how each crew member ended up joining the ship."

—nicolep8

30. "ronny/lily" from Barry - Season 2, Episode 5

"When I first watched 'ronny/lily,' I stopped and thought to myself, 'This episode is a special one and it better get the recognition it deserves.' And then it got Bill Hader an Emmy Award. Even while watching it, I knew I was watching one of the most epic TV episodes ever!"

—ilovethewordhello

31. "START" from The Americans - Season 6, Episode 10

"The series finale of The Americans was also just such good television."

—dreeminbigg

32. "The Fight" from Parks and Rec - Season 3, Episode 13

"The episode is such an ensemble masterpiece. It's perfect from beginning to end, but the part when they are all drunkenly talking to camera is exceptionally amazing. It’s even great right down to Jean-Ralphio getting the rhymes wrong."

—chrisr459dbdf8f

33. "Bad Blood" from The X-Files - Season 5, Episode 12

"It’s a standalone episode of comedy gold. The he said/she said allowed David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson to stretch their comedic chops. It was hilariously perfect from beginning to end and a nice break from the dark mythology-heavy episodes."

—bethv41793e629

34. "Quinces" from One Day at a Time - Season 1, Episode 13

"One Day at a Time has delivered a ton of memorable and important episodes, but somehow I always come back to the Season 1 finale and how it hit me right in the feels, especially when everyone danced with Elena after Victor left her quinceañera. The episode showcases everything that makes this show so special: incredible comedy, heartbreaking moments, and found family."

—noradominick

35. "The Suitcase" from Mad Men - Season 4, Episode 7

"One of the few episodes where Don displays emotion and is vulnerable with actual other people around, and it always makes me cry. To see Don lose it, knowing he'll never again get to see or speak to one of the few people who actually knew him, is heartbreaking, but the episode is full of closure and peace. It's very beautiful."

—handsofmanos

36. "Ozymandias" from Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 14

"'Ozymandias' might be a perfect episode of television. The tension is turned up to 11 the entire time. Creator Vince Gilligan lets you truly feel Walt’s descent into darkness, as he struggles to stay on the moral high ground, as his empire crumbles to pieces. 'Look upon my works, and despair' really is a perfect caption for a perfect hour of television."

—ryand46860c707

37. "Two Cathedrals" from The West Wing - Season 2, Episode 22

"The West Wing had a lot of really, really, really great episodes but 'Two Cathedrals' takes the cake. President Bartlet's Latin monologue at the end will give you chills."

—amandaf40ed61fa1

These incredible shows, adored by both critics and fans alike, are what contribute to television being one of our favorite hobbies. These episodes are what make a TV series binge-worthy.

There will never be a perfect list of such memory TV series episodes; we can only attempt to compile one based on our assessment. Do you think there are any worthwhile episodes that we missed?

Maryjane