‘I truly required a break after that!’ Your most nerve-wracking episodes of TV ever

The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse

The show kicks off with the Spooks team confined while undergoing a drill about a potential terror incident, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as incoming communications show a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and gets worse when the leader seems contaminated, and the government agents endeavor to depart, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or allowing them to leave and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. Given it’s Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.

Threads (1984)

Threads had minimal funding yet among the scariest shows I’ve ever seen because of the stark reality and dismal official figures. Viewed it recently having watched the original; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Remaining completely frightening 35 years later.

The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are

The first season finale of Severance ranks highly in terms of gripping installments. I was throughout the episode actually sitting tensely, pushing alongside Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that kept the Innies on overtime, while shouting to the Innies to reveal their realities. The ultimate peak – “she is living!” – resembled a outburst.

Industry – White Mischief from 2024

The fifth episode of Industry’s third season caused my heart to pound. I was compelled to halt and rise and depart the area multiple times because of the sheer scale of the reckless self-harm I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit at work and home – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors due to his addictive betting, taking such risks on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, does tons of drugs and drink and experiences wins and losses, is brutally attacked. Each instance you believe the situation cannot deteriorate further, it worsens. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, leading to terrible outcomes during the season’s final episode. Absolutely had to relax following 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 will make you rise the whole episode, permeated with worry. The situation intensifies when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they unintentionally hit and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then spend the rest of the episode doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it turns out to be!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001

No other viewing has been as gripping as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The show opens with the fallout of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and escalates to a高潮 with a situation in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, coupled with verification of his aim to seek re-election. Superb programming. Unequaled.

The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode

The beginning of the UK show Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train alongside his juvenile boy, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He notices a Muslim female going into the loo and knows something is off. The bomb squad is alerted, enter the train, and try to persuade the woman to remove her explosive vest. Suspense rises to an almost unbearable degree, until yes, the vest is diffused.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy enters her house to discover her mother has died of natural causes, which is the rarest form of demise in this mystical program. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a somber mood, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007

The final scene of the final episode of the show was pants-wettingly tense. 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 vanquished. Doesn’t this resemble the season one conclusion? “Remember the little things.” Yet the atmosphere is strangely foreboding. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela there’s trouble afoot with another member of his team cooperating with the officials. Meadow parks. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Look at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Continue. It stops. My heart dropped from my mouth 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 extremely gripping following the introduction of villain Negan locating the survivors, cruelly taunting his victims and then leaving the victim unknown (ended on a cliffhanger). The victim’s POV shot and the subdued noises – argh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season