Top 10 One-Hit Wonder TV Episodes
#10: “Think Lovely Thoughts”
“Once Upon a Time” (2011-18)
ABC’s fairy tale-based soap had promise at the beginning. As the years went on, it devolved into thin characterization and cheesy story beats that only mattered to die-hard fans. “Think Lovely Thoughts” solves season 3’s building mystery about the identity of its villainous Peter Pan. It features a “Star Wars”-esque reveal that is equal parts devastating and shocking in a way that stands apart from the rest of the show’s hamfisted and clumsy exposition dumps. Unfortunately, the show’s ratings were already declining. Only a dedicated if small fanbase kept it going for the rest of its run.
#9: “Brigadoom”
“Lexx” (1997-2002)
Largely forgotten by all but its most dedicated fans, “Lexx” was a low-budget, high-concept series on the Sci Fi channel. Ostensibly about a group of people on a spaceship, the only thing certain about it was stilted acting and an inconsistent tone. This season 2 episode sees the crew stumbling upon a space theater company who presents a musical about soldiers fighting for a meaningful cause. It manages to be a haunting diversion and a major plot catalyst for the coming episodes. Usually, a musical episode is considered a low point for a series. But “Lexx” had nowhere to go but up.
#8: “We Just Decided To”
“The Newsroom” (2012-14)
After “The West Wing,” TV audiences knew what to expect from writer-creator Aaron Sorkin. That show was all monologues about what makes America great despite its flaws and quirky romcom set-ups, all set to a sweet, sentimental score. But “The Newsroom” came out swinging. In the show’s first episode, after Jeff Daniels’ news anchor’s tirade goes viral, he and his news team set out to do better than the political squabbling and sensationalism of modern news programming. But the show became a point of derision after it turned sappy, focusing too much on its romantic squabbles and corny patriotism instead of the incisive observations its premiere promised.
#7: “That ‘70s Finale”
“That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)
The nostalgic sitcom lost its way in season 8. Actors Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher left for other opportunities, robbing the show of the victory lap it deserved in its final season. New relationships formed, dynamics shifted beyond repair, and fans had no reason to believe the show would receive the ending it deserved. Luckily, they saved the best for last. “That ‘70s Finale” takes place on the last night of the decade, brings back several beloved characters, and at least attempts to produce a worthy conclusion. It’s not just the best episode of an abysmal season; it’s a genuinely touching one, too.
#6: “Kiksuya”
“Westworld” (2016-22)
Considering how incredible the HBO series’ first season was, the second one had a lot to live up to. “Westworld” season 2’s labyrinthine plotting and lack of balance between all the storylines ultimately hurt the show’s reputation, even if it wasn’t necessarily a disaster. “Kiksuya” feels like a return to form. It focuses on a recurring character, Akecheta, who is one of the western-themed park’s indigenous hosts. His story seamlessly ties into and deepens the story of rebellion that’s hovered over the season. It also substantially moves along existing storylines, most notably the heartwrenching arc involving Maeve and her search for her daughter.
#5: “Days Gone Bye”
“The Walking Dead” (2010-22)
When it began, the zombie epic was a startling and thought-provoking story of apocalypse. Then, as it expanded, the characterizations got thinner, the storylines became unwieldy, and the show became more of an action soap opera than the prestige TV AMC was putting out at the time. That’s not to say that “The Walking Dead” got bad, but it did lose impact during its 11 season run. The premiere follows protagonist Rick Grimes as he pieces together what’s happened to the world while he was lying in a months-long coma. This very first episode, with its heavy themes and careful pacing, is a captivating experience.
#4: “Basic Human Anatomy”
“Community” (2009-15)
After creator Dan Harmon was fired, this quality of the sitcom’s fourth season dipped so much that it was written off within the show as the result of a gas leak. But “Basic Human Anatomy” stands out as a breath of fresh air in the often-reviled fourth season. A “Freaky Friday” body-switch sees Troy and Abed intervening in each other’s personal lives. It’s one of the show’s more outlandish scenarios, but that’s not saying much. It makes for a really interesting, ingenious, and heartwarming way to explore why their friendship works so well.
#3: “Pilot”
“Under the Dome” (2013-15)
Stephen King’s novel about an invisible barrier trapping people inside a town has an unbeatable premise for a movie or even a miniseries. Turning it into a full 13 episode season was a stretch that “Under the Dome” couldn’t quite live up to. Having said that, the pilot is great TV. In the premiere, we watch as the people of Chester’s Mill react to being enclosed in a large, dome-shaped. The characters are sharply drawn and the unbelievable event that touches it off is rendered with believable terror and confusion. But “Under the Dome” was soon as trapped in its own mess as the characters, and each of its three seasons was worse than the last.
#2: “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept”
“One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
This long-running WB/CW teen drama was never aiming to be an awards contender. Headed up by Chad Michael Murray, not much distinguished “One Tree Hill” from other middle-of-the-road teen series of the era. But in its third season, it took a huge risk by dramatizing an incident of tragic school violence. Surprisingly, the show handled it beautifully. Everyone in front and behind the camera gave this their all. Major characters were put in grave danger and forced to confront the senselessness and trauma of the event as it unfolds. The show more or less returned to its regularly scheduled, soapy teenage escapades the next week, making this a true standout.
#1: “Pilot”
“Smash” (2012-13)
Will the role of Marilyn Monroe in a major Broadway biomusical go to the stage veteran who’s paid her dues or to the newcomer whose talent could get her right to the front of the line? The wheelings and dealings of producers and theater creatives was never so juicy. Featuring original songs and the thrills and trials of show business, the pilot of “Smash” promised to be a musical series that took itself seriously. Then, within weeks, it turned into another “Glee.” Original tunes and sporadic but universe-appropriate pop covers soon gave way to bad karaoke covers. The only times “Smash” was any good was when it got back in touch with what made the pilot so special. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen often.
Have you seen any of these standout episodes? Tell us in the comments.