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The 2003 Spooks episode I Spy Apocalypse

The episode begins with the MI5 agents restricted while undergoing a drill about a potential terror incident, overseen by two Home Office officials. As events unfold, it becomes clear a real incident has taken place with a chemical weapon released. The anxiety increases as messages indicate a disaster happening externally, and gets worse 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 endangering the sterile MI5 environment. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.

Threads from 1984

The production was inexpensive but one of the most frightening programmes I have ever watched owing to its grim authenticity and grim official statistics. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield featured in the show which underscored the actuality and the offhand factual official statements that aired. Continuing to be utterly horrifying 35 years later.

Severance – The We We Are from 2022

The first season finale of Severance has to be right up there among intense episodes. I remained for the whole show actually sitting tensely, exerting with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that kept the Innies on overtime, while shouting to the Innies to disclose their facts. The ultimate peak – “she is living!” – felt like an explosion.

The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief

Installment five in Industry’s third series had my heart racing. I was compelled to halt and rise and exit the space repeatedly owing to the vast degree of the wanton self-destruction I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit at work and home – overwhelmed by debt from unscrupulous lenders owing to his uncontrollable gaming, taking such risks on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, uses copious drugs and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, is brutally attacked. Every time you think it can’t get any worse, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, leading to terrible outcomes in the concluding part of the season. Certainly required a rest afterward!

The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday

Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. However, the Holiday episode features such degrees of awkwardness that it’ll have you standing up for the full show, riddled with anxiety. The situation intensifies when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they by chance collide with and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it can be!

The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals

Nothing I have seen has been as tense than the first time I watched the second season finale of The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s private assistant and builds to a peak with a crisis in Haiti, and the effects of the withheld information regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, along with affirmation of his plan to pursue re-election. Superb programming. Unsurpassed.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The beginning of the UK show Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train alongside his juvenile boy, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He spots a Muslim woman heading to the toilet and knows something is off. The bomb diffuser experts are called, get on the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Tension escalates to an almost unbearable degree, until yes, the vest is diffused.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)

Buffy arrives at her residence to realize her mom has deceased due to natural factors, which is the least common kind of passing in this mystical program. The show features no musical score, a gloomy atmosphere, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The ultimate sequence of the series finale of the program was incredibly anxious. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Think about the small elements.” Yet the atmosphere is strangely foreboding. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow parks. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela problems are brewing with another member of his team working with the government. Meadow parks the vehicle. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The door chimes, a person comes in. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony glances upward. Keep going. It halts. My spirit fell about 20 minutes later.

The 2016 The Walking Dead episode The Last Day on Earth

I remained awake to view this installment in the early morning. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan finding the group, cruelly taunting his victims then not knowing who he killed (ended on a cliffhanger). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muted audio – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season