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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

The show kicks off with the MI5 agents confined as part of a simulation about a potential terror incident, supervised by two Home Office agents. As things progress, it seems an actual attack has occurred and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The anxiety increases as messages indicate a disaster happening externally, and intensifies 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 letting them go and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. This being Spooks, his decision is predictable.

Threads (1984)

The production was inexpensive but one of the most frightening programmes I have viewed because of the stark reality and bleak government data. Watched it about a month ago following the initial broadcast; I often attended the bar in Sheffield featured in the show which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details that were transmitted. Still absolutely terrifying decades on.

The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are

The first season finale of Severance has to be right up there in terms of gripping installments. I remained for the whole show quite literally on the edge of my seat, pushing alongside Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while screaming at the Innies to disclose their facts. The final climactic moment – “she survives!” – was like an eruption.

The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief

The fifth episode of Industry’s third season made my pulse quicken. I needed to stop and stand and exit the space repeatedly owing to the vast degree of the reckless self-harm I was witnessing. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty at work and home – buried in financial obligations to illegal creditors owing to his uncontrollable gaming, taking such risks with a gamble on the pound that might cost his firm millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, uses copious drugs and alcohol and alternates between success and failure, is severely assaulted. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it deteriorates. Redemption seems possible by the episode’s conclusion but he squanders the opportunity, resulting in dreadful effects in the season finale. Absolutely had to relax following that!

The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday

Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. Yet the installment Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it can cause you to stand the whole episode, permeated with worry. It all ramps up once Jeremy and Mark find themselves needing to deceive regarding the dog they by chance collide with and later efforts to get rid of it. You then spend the rest of the episode doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it is possible!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001

No other viewing has been as gripping as when I first saw the season two finale to The West Wing. The episode starts with the aftermath of the death (in a traffic accident) of the president’s confidential aide and escalates to a高潮 with a crisis in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, coupled with verification of his aim to run for another term. Superb programming. Unsurpassed.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The beginning of the UK show Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train alongside his juvenile boy, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He notices a Muslim female entering the restroom and senses something is wrong. The bomb squad is alerted, enter the train, and attempt to convince the woman to take off her suicide vest. Suspense rises to a practically unendurable point, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy enters her house to find her mum has passed away from natural reasons, which is the most unusual type of death in this supernatural show. 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 the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s enemies, real and imagined, were all vanquished. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Remember the little things.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow stops the car. Tony sadly tells Carmela difficulties are arising with yet another of his crew cooperating with the officials. Meadow parks. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. 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 ceases. My heart dropped from my mouth around 20 minutes subsequently.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)

I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was so intense after the establishment of antagonist Negan finding the group, mercilessly mocking his targets and then keeping the death a mystery (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The victim’s POV shot and the muffled sounds – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season