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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)

The episode begins with the intelligence unit restricted as part of a simulation about a potential terror incident, supervised by two Home Office agents. As the situation develops, it becomes clear a real incident has taken place and a chemical agent deployed. The tension ratchets up as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and gets worse as the superior shows signs of exposure, and the government agents endeavor to depart, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or allowing them to leave and risking contaminating the sealed MI5 offices. As this is Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.

Threads (1984)

The production was inexpensive yet among the scariest shows I have ever watched because of the stark reality and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago following the initial broadcast; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme that highlighted the truth and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Still absolutely terrifying after three and a half decades.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The season one finale of Severance ranks highly in terms of gripping installments. I remained for the whole show literally perched nervously, pushing alongside Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that kept the Innies on overtime, while screaming at the Innies to reveal their realities. The ultimate peak – “she is living!” – resembled a outburst.

Industry – White Mischief (2024)

Episode five of the third series of Industry caused my heart to pound. I had to pause and get up and depart the area multiple times due to the immense extent of the wanton self-destruction I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty professionally and personally – up to his eyeballs in debt to illegal creditors because of his compulsive gambling, engaging in dangerous ventures on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, does tons of drugs and drink and experiences wins and losses, is brutally attacked. Every time you think it can’t get any worse, it does. There is a chance for salvation as the installment closes but he misses the opening, with horrifying consequences in the season finale. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!

Peep Show – Holiday from 2007

Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. However, the Holiday episode contains such levels of cringe that it can cause you to stand for the full show, permeated with worry. The tension escalates as Jeremy and Mark discover being compelled to falsify about the canine they by chance collide with and following tries to eliminate it. You then occupy the remainder 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 (2001)

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense than the first time I watched the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The episode starts with the aftermath of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and escalates to a高潮 involving a Haitian emergency, and the effects of the withheld information about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to run for another term. Wonderful television. Never bettered.

Bodyguard – episode one (2018)

The opening of the British series Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train accompanied by his small son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He observes a woman in Islamic attire heading to the toilet and realizes something is amiss. The bomb diffuser experts are called, get on the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Suspense rises to an almost unbearable degree, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy comes into her home to realize her mom has deceased due to natural factors, which is the most unusual type of death in this mystical program. The show features no musical score, a gloomy atmosphere, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America from 2007

The concluding moment of the last installment of the series was extremely nerve-wracking. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, had all been defeated. 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 gloomily informs Carmela there’s trouble afoot with another member of his team collaborating with the authorities. Meadow secures a parking space. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Continue. It stops. 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 buildup of bad guy Negan finding the group, savagely teasing his prey then not knowing who he killed (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The victim’s POV shot and the subdued noises – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season