‘I absolutely had to rest after that!’ Your most nerve-wracking episodes of TV of all time
Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)
The show kicks off with the Spooks team locked down as part of a simulation concerning a fictional terrorist event, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The suspense builds as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and intensifies as the boss appears to be infected, with the two officials trying to exit, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or allowing them to leave and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. This being Spooks, his decision is predictable.
Threads from 1984
Threads had minimal funding but one of the most frightening programmes I have ever watched because of the stark reality and bleak government data. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield from the programme which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details that aired. Continuing to be utterly horrifying 35 years later.
Severance – The We We Are from 2022
The concluding episode of Severance’s debut season deserves a top spot as a tense chapter. I was throughout the episode literally perched nervously, straining every sinew with Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while screaming at the Innies to get their truths out there. The ultimate peak – “she is living!” – was like an eruption.
Industry – White Mischief (2024)
The fifth episode of Industry’s third season caused my heart to pound. I needed to stop and stand and exit the space repeatedly owing to the vast degree of the wanton self-destruction I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit in his job and domestic life – up to his eyeballs in debt from unscrupulous lenders owing to his uncontrollable gaming, taking such risks with a gamble on the pound which may result in huge losses for his employer. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, does tons of drugs and drink and wins, loses, wins, is severely assaulted. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it worsens. There’s hope of redemption by the episode’s conclusion but he squanders the opportunity, leading to terrible outcomes during the season’s final episode. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!
Peep Show – Holiday (2007)
The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. But the episode Holiday includes such amounts of embarrassment that it’ll have you standing up for the full show, filled with nervousness. It all ramps up once Jeremy and Mark find themselves needing to deceive regarding the dog they unintentionally hit and later efforts to get rid of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode questioning whether it truly can be worse than incineration, and it turns out to be!
The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001
Nothing I have seen has been as tense compared to my initial viewing the second season finale of The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and reaches a crescendo with a situation in Haiti, and the fallout from the non-disclosure regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, coupled with verification of his aim to pursue re-election. Wonderful television. Unequaled.
Bodyguard – episode one (2018)
The opening of the British series Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train with his young son, is personally a top tense installment. He observes a woman in Islamic attire going into the loo and senses something is wrong. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, get on the train, and try to persuade the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Tension escalates to a practically unendurable point, until yes, the vest is diffused.
The 2001 Buffy episode The Body
Buffy arrives at her residence to discover her mother has died from natural reasons, which is the least common kind of passing in this mystical program. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a sullen tone, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.
The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)
The concluding moment of the last installment of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And if you viewed it when it first premiered, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all vanquished. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Recall the minor details.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The family sit in a restaurant. Meadow parks. Tony gloomily informs Carmela difficulties are arising with yet another of his crew working with the government. Meadow secures a parking space. Strange people enter the restaurant. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow parks. The door chimes, a person comes in. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony looks up. Don’t stop. It ceases. My heart dropped from my mouth around 20 minutes subsequently.
The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016
I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was so intense after the buildup of bad guy Negan discovering the characters, savagely teasing his prey and then keeping the death a mystery (ended on a cliffhanger). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muted audio – argh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season
