Top 20 BEST TV Episodes of All Time

“Friends” (1994-2004)
As one of the most beloved sitcoms out there, “Friends” has a lot of spectacular episodes. For instance, “The One with the Embryos,” where most of the gang have a trivia contest, is fantastic. But our pick goes to this outrageously funny episode. In “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” Chandler and Monica’s relationship is at last made fully public, with the final remaining friends finding out about it. This leads to some obscenely hilarious and iconic scenes. The various ways in which Chandler and Monica and the other friends (sans Ross) mess with each other are especially unbeatable. And there’s even some patented heartwarming moments too. It’s “Friends” firing on all cylinders!

“Succession” (2018-)
This episode may have aired relatively recently, but it has already made waves as one of the most acclaimed ever. While the eponymous wedding does indeed take place, the major focus is not on the start of a new life together, but the ending of the Roy patriarch’s. Indeed, what’s been called the “promise in the [show’s] title” comes to fruition, as Logan Roy dies. The Roys are arguably all terrible people in their own ways. But even the greedy aren’t immune to grief, as they each contend with Logan’s passing in heartbreaking and realistic ways. The incredible performances and subject matter at hand are sure to only increase the amount of praise this episode receives as time goes on.

“True Detective” (2014-)
“True Detective” in general has raised the bar for TV, but this episode is something special! Detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart’s investigations and personal lives reach a new level of intensity. Marty’s marriage falls apart after his infidelity is uncovered. But let’s not kid ourselves - the highlight here is the episode’s finale! After Cohle goes undercover in a gang and participates in a raid, he’s forced to capture one of its members and flee once violence erupts. This is executed in a roughly 6 minute long take that’s one of the most thrilling sequences in TV, period!

“Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-94)
The “Star Trek” franchise has delivered some of TV’s best science fiction. If we have to pick just one episode though, we’ll go with “The Inner Light.” Captain Jean-Luc Picard loses consciousness after the Enterprise finds an alien probe. In his mind, he experiences the existence of Kamin, a man from the world the probe came from. Picard/Kamin fosters a romantic relationship, has children, and ages as the world’s star dies, killing the planet around him. The probe itself is a memory - left behind so the inhabitants could be remembered. Patrick Stewart’s performance is spectacular as always, demonstrating how Picard is transformed - we are too. The memory of love is real, even if the people loved are long gone.

“Six Feet Under” (2001-05)
One of the most satisfying series finales ever made, “Everyone’s Waiting” delivers on what every show should - closure. Most of the episode concerns the Fisher family figuring out what comes next for them in the wake of Nate’s death, with moves, business ventures, and relationships blooming. However, the closing montage is what gets us every time. We see highlights of the rest of the characters’ lifetimes, witnessing how they grow old and die. Even as we’re sobbing over their loss, seeing them live out their lives is tremendously fulfilling. It feels like the perfect ending, which is deeply valuable.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)
Choosing just one episode from this acclaimed animated series is tough, but the season 2 finale is arguably the crux on which much of it hinges. “The Crossroads of Destiny” sees Zuko’s sister Azula take over the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se. After so much character development from Zuko, his siding with Azula and betraying Uncle Iroh hits hard. Still, maybe not as hard as Aang’s literal death (don’t worry, he ultimately survives). This might just be one of the most dramatic episodes of the series. And while the ending may be a downer, the high stakes, impressive action, and timely humor represent a level of peak excellence for any show, animated or otherwise.

“The Office” (2005-13)
Originally airing after the Super Bowl, “Stress Relief” is “The Office” bringing its A-game! We see why the group is in need of stress relief, with moments of pure distilled chaos, like the nightmarish yet hilarious fire drill or the unhinged CPR seminar. And the office tries to release some of the built up tension by roasting their boss, Michael Scott, whose behavior is a frequent source of stress. However, the episode balances these moments of comedic confusion with more wholesome and dramatic ones, like Pam’s parents’ split bringing her and Jim closer together. It’s everything “The Office” does best distilled into one extra-long two-part episode.

“BoJack Horseman” (2014-20)
This tragi-comic animated show always pushes boundaries with its storytelling and it all comes together in the penultimate episode of the series, "The View from Halfway Down." The eponymous BoJack finds himself at a soirée with many of the deceased characters from throughout the series. BoJack eventually understands that he too is dying, and the horseman must confront his own mortality and its inevitability. It’s a dark, strange, surreal work that perfectly captures not only the reality of dream-style experiences, but also the tragedy and hope that life and death can inspire. In other words, it’s a masterpiece.

“Hannibal” (2013-15)
There are a lot of brutal, surprising TV episodes out there, and “Mizumono” is one of the most shocking! Things tighten around Hannibal Lecter, as Will Graham works to win his trust. However, the wily cannibal psychiatrist not only discovers Will’s deception, he also seemingly kills most of the main cast in the final confrontation! But the episode is more than just its twists and turns. The dialogue is fantastic, the acting is superb, and the cinematography and direction are some of the best in all of TV. Like the Japanese dessert course it’s named for, “Mizumono” is tremendously satisfying - even if it’s way more traumatic!

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
“Buffy” had some incredible episodes, and it was tempting to choose “Hush,” which largely forces the characters to go non-verbal. But “The Body” is too good to pass up. Many of the best TV episodes deal with death, but few address it in as viscerally real a way as this. Buffy discovers her mother Joyce has passed suddenly from an aneurysm. She, her sister, and her friends all struggle to grapple with what’s occurred. The performances are heartrendingly authentic, and so much of the dialogue touches on the human inability to comprehend death. The direction and sound design are phenomenal too, emphasizing certain noises, while music is absent. When someone you love is gone, the world feels…wrong. “The Body” represents that with gut-wrenching honesty.

"Seinfeld" (1989-98)
When it first debuted, "Seinfeld" was unlike any sitcom on the air. Whereas most network sitcoms focused on a workplace or home life, Larry David's laugh riot adamantly rejected such focus. Though the classic "show about nothing" concept commonly referred to is kind of a misnomer, it was never better when it was pushing taboos - and that’s exactly what this episode did. “The Contest” saw the gang competing with one another to see who could avoid pleasuring themselves the longest. As you can imagine, this led to some unbearable tension for all involved, and gave viewers something they’d never seen on television before - a conversation about being “ "master of your domain". The biggest laugh? Local weirdo Cosmo Kramer's near instant failure.

"Mad Men" (2007-15)
Mathew Weiner's “Mad Men” offered a brutally honest look at the sexism, racism, political tension and male machismo that characterized the business world in the ‘60s - a decade that’s far too easy to romanticize. The show was arguably never better, however, than when it was diving deep into character analysis as it does with Don Draper and ambitious secretary Peggy Olson in this episode. "The Suitcase" spends most of its runtime with the two sharing drinks, dinner and unusually honest conversation. It all comes to a head in one of Don's few truly genuine moments. It’s frequently cited as being among the best episodes of the entire series - and considering the overall high quality of the show, that’s saying a whole lot.

"I Love Lucy" (1951-57)
In the golden age of television, Lucille Ball's family comedy reigned supreme. Across six seasons, the talented actor and comedian created too many timeless moments to count, but "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" is without a doubt the show’s greatest gift to comedy. In the episode, Lucy does an ad for a new health tonic with the unpronounceable name Vitameatavegimin, which is 23 percent alcohol. Take after take sees Lucy beginning to feel the effects of the product and she’s soon struggling with the already ridiculously unpronounceable name. Physical comedy, over-the-top facial expressions and that impossibly chipper delivery of her lines - this is Lucille Ball firing on all cylinders. Over 50 years later, the episode remains as funny and quotable as ever.

"Lost" (2004-10)
"The Constant" focuses on Desmond Hume, whose consciousness begins traveling back and forth between 1996 and 2004. Though revisiting his past brings insight, it could also prove fatal, so it's a race to steady his place in the world, by finding the titular constant – someone he knew in both time periods. Apparently the writers took twice as long as usual to develop the script for this episode and it shows - this is an extremely tightly constructed 43 minutes of television. Not only is it well-crafted, but it also manages to pack an emotional punch. The popularity of “Lost” would ultimately pave the way for other puzzle box sci-fi shows like "The Leftovers", which deserves a nod for its season 2 episode, "International Assassin".

"The Simpsons" (1989-)
For over 30 seasons, Matt Groening's idiosyncratic family has been broadcast into the homes of millions. Though later seasons have been criticized for a dip in quality, in its prime, it was an unstoppable force, one willing to venture into then-uncharted dark territory for an animated series. “Homer’s Enemy” introduces Frank Grimes, who is aghast at the oafish Homer's incredible luck. It's a great, self-aware takedown of the show's tendency to put Homer in unlikely situations – places he has no right to be. All of this converges in Grimes having a mental breakdown that ultimately results in his death. The episode polarized critics at the time, but it’s gone down as a landmark moment in television history.

"Game of Thrones" (2011-19)
HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series was arguably THE watercooler show. The series made it clear in season 1 that no character was safe, but even so, nothing could have prepared us for the events of what would come to be known as The Red Wedding. At the time, many fans and critics were upset by what was described as abusive or manipulative writing. In hindsight however, we’ve come to really appreciate this episode and its sickening twist. Yes, it was awful to experience, but the character motivations made sense. “Game of Thrones”, as a series, redefined television and viewer expectations, and rarely did it do so quite as effectively as in "The Rains of Castamere".

"The Twilight Zone" (1959-64)
Rod Serling's sci-fi anthology show is known for groundbreaking storytelling, using science fiction the best way it can – as a mask for deeper social commentary. From "To Serve Man"'s double meaning to “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street”'s obvious communist allegory, it was often the smartest show on television. But the most memorable episode was even remade in the film anthology with John Lithgow in the title role. "Nightmare" deals with a gremlin destroying an airplane piece-by-piece mid-flight, with an aviophobic William Shatner the only helpless witness. The episode has been spoofed countless times, but nothing tops the original - be it in terms of style or substance. The practical effects might age, but not the universality of fear.

"The Sopranos" (1999-2007)
With the dawn of the new millennium came the age of the antihero, and “The Sopranos” was a game-changer – the first HBO show to really shake up how television narrative works. Rather than episodes-of-the-week, this David Chase mob drama told a complete story over several seasons and episodes. There were times, however, when the show took a break to focus on the smaller moments. In "Pine Barrens", gangsters Paulie and Christopher find themselves lost in the woods after a confrontation with a Russian mobster goes awry. There's something almost lyrical about Paulie and Christopher's trek, particularly because their victim is hardly mentioned - as if they didn't matter as much as the journey. What can we say? It’s just incredible television.

"M*A*S*H" (1972-83)
There's an urban legend that after the final episode of "M*A*S*H", "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", New York City suffered a water shortage from most of the city flushing their toilets at the same time. It's not true, but that people believe it speaks to the show's popularity. The prolific show had countless moments of humor, heart and tragedy, but none more shocking than Henry's sudden death in "Abyssinia, Henry". The commanding officer receives his orders to go home and leaves after a bittersweet farewell. Then Corporal Radar O'Reilly enters with the news. It's a heartbreaking turn, but one that felt true to a show that was never afraid to remind us of the horrors of war.

"Breaking Bad" (2008-13)
Walter White may start "Breaking Bad" as a milquetoast chemistry teacher, but by the end he's a full-on drug lord - complete with bad guy hat and a series of corpses in his wake. It's only in the series’ second-to-last episode that he really returns to his root motive: ensuring the well-being of his family at his own expense. In the episode's climax, White calls his wife and unloads on her, knowing the is listening in. But his tirade has an ulterior motive: he wants to exonerate his wife of any wrongdoing by placing all the blame at his feet. It's a powerful scene and incredibly fitting. Walter made a lot of bad choices, but he always was the smartest man in the room.