My 25 Favorite TV Episodes
Here they are. The list is completely subjective, of course.
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- DirectorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulJesse is brought to the FBI for questioning on his knowledge of ricin. In a last effort to kill Gus, Walt must ask for help from an old enemy.I'm still not calling Breaking Bad the best TV show ever, but this is certainly the best TV episode ever.
- DirectorJennifer GetzingerStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserDon deliberately delays returning an important call from California, because he knows it's bad news about Anna. Instead, he keeps himself occupied by forcing Peggy to miss her birthday dinner to pull an all-nighter with him for a client.The best episode yet of Mad Men, giving uncommon depth to the characters.
- DirectorAlan BallStarsPeter KrauseMichael C. HallFrances ConroyNate and Brenda's daughter Willa is born, but 2 months early and at only 2 lb. 4 oz., requiring a prolonged hospital stay. Nate is convinced she won't make it and insists that he can't accept it if she does and is "damaged", shaking Brenda's own confidence. Rico encourages David to sell the funeral home but instead he and Keith buy out Rico's 25% so he can start his own. David agrees to temporarily leave home, and goes to the funeral home. There he's confronted by Nathaniel about considering leaving the business and for his gayness, and is forced to fight his mysterious attacker back, then finally sees his face. Maya is returned to Brenda and Ruth has to face her own problems, until Maggie reveals Nate did see her, happily, as Brenda insisted. Claire takes up photography (of Ted) again and gets a job offer at a New York photo production company, but offers to be there for Ruth until she insists she go and unfreezes her account. Brenda gets a surprise visit from Nate, who finally shows love for his daughter, and someone else. Claire learns the company who gave the job offer has just failed, but Nate encourages her to go onto New York anyway.Spoiler alert: everybody dies--eventually!
- DirectorGlenn KesslerStarsGlenn CloseRose ByrneDylan BakerAs Ellen (Rose Byrne) moves to settle her lawsuit against High Star in exchange for Chris Sanchez's (Chris Messina) safe return, her plans are upended by Patty's (Glenn Close) surprise legal action against Howard Erickson (John Goodman). And while Ellen wants to put the suit behind her, rogue CIA agent Jerry Boorman (Dylan Baker) redoubles his efforts to destroy Erickson as he fights to hang on to his Afghan son.The best Damages finale yet, which is saying something. How the Kessler brothers pull all the pieces together is amazing.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoA tragedy rocks the family, and Tony takes a solo trip to Las Vegas when the grieving gets too hard to handle.Just when you thought it couldn't get any darker...
- DirectorMatthew WeinerStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserWith another sale on the horizon, Sterling, Cooper, and Draper convince Lane Pryce to fire them and then join them as they start up a new advertising firm. At home, Betty follows through with her plans to divorce Don.This finale really moves. Never has corporate strategy been so intriguing as in this episode.
- DirectorScott WinantStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulHank asks Walt to drive him to the laundry where the meth lab is hidden. Ted still won't pay the IRS so Skyler asks Saul for help, and Saul sends in his A-Team. Gus and Jesse return from Mexico, and Walt fears he is in trouble with Gus.I challenge anyone to watch the final scene of this and tell me Bryan didn't deserve the Emmy...
- DirectorMichelle MacLarenStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulJesse ends up in the hospital after getting beaten up by Hank. Now he is threatening to press charges against the DEA. To stop him, Walt decides to bring Jesse on as his partner, once again.Muy facil...
- DirectorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulThe DEA is putting Hank and his family in protective custody; however, Walt refuses and awaits his fate in his house. Meanwhile, Brock has fallen terribly ill and Jesse suspects Walt may be behind it.Caught between Crawl Space and Face Off, End Times isn't as well acclaimed, but it features some top acting from Cranston and Esposito.
- DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRichie and Janice get engaged, but Richie's violent temper finally takes him too far. Tony, meanwhile, breaks up with Irina, much to her dismay.One of the most surprising killings ever during the Sopranos. I'm in no mood for your...BAM!
- 1984–198949mTV-148.5 (923)TV EpisodeDirectorRichard A. CollaStarsDon JohnsonPhilip Michael ThomasSaundra SantiagoThe team moves to protect Crockett and his family from an assassin, hired by Calderone to re-empty the void he left behind.One of the most well-directed episodes of the show. Who could forget that final scene at the family house?
- DirectorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulJesse has disappeared and Walt is in big trouble with Gus. So Gus rehires Gale to learn from Walt's cooking so that they can dispose of Walt once and for all.One of the saddest and yet best Breaking Bad episodes. Sets up the most intense season of all, the fourth.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliRalph's callous behavior finally steps over the line, while Chris gets deeper into his heroin addiction and Uncle Junior's mental capacity begins to become in question.This episode made me hate Tony like never before. One of the absolute best.
- DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoWhile Silvio has the flu, Chris and Paulie run his collections for him, which results in the pair getting lost in the woods and nearly freezing to death while Tony's affair with Gloria goes sour as does Meadow's relationship with Jackie Jr.Sopranos tries comedy. One of the most funny and memorable of the series.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony fails to reason with Phil as more problems increase with Anthony Jr as his depression worsens.Tony almost became intolerable in the last episode, but in this episode he redeems himself--somewhat.
- DirectorCharles HaidStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulWalt's disappearance is met with investigation by both his wife and Hank, as Tuco Salamanca intends to leave town with his kidnapped cooks.We always knew Breaking Bad could be intense, but this episode brought it to a whole new level--and introduced a classic character, Tio Salamanca.
- DirectorPhil AbrahamStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserPeter asks Joan to make an unspeakable sacrifice to help secure the Jaguar account, Peggy prepares to make a drastic move in response to Don's treatment, and Megan's acting career begins to create tension with her and Don.The most morally hard-hitting episode in Mad Men's history. No faux philosophy here, folks. This is the real thing.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony makes a request to Johnny Sack on behalf of his cousin, and Adriana makes a request to the FBI, followed by one to Chris.Things come to a head in this penultimate episode of season five.
- DirectorThomas SchnauzStarsBryan CranstonAnna GunnAaron PaulMike and Jesse are out. Now Walt has to handle things on his own. Hank finally finds a rat in Mike's gang.You're goddamn right! Walt is badder than ever before in this penultimate episode.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony gets sick from food poisoning and blames Artie's restaurant. Pussy, meanwhile, reaches the end of the line.One of the most all-encompassing episodes of Sopranos, this episode almost makes the viewer sympathize with Tony...almost.
- DirectorGeorge MendelukStarsDon JohnsonPhilip Michael ThomasSaundra SantiagoFrank Hackman returns to make life hell for Crockett - in the most devastating way possible.A great later Miami Vice episode; one of the most unforgettable TV episode endings ever.
- DirectorDavid ChaseStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony and his family have to stay in hiding until Phil Leotardo is dealt with. His family doesn't like the lifestyle they have been forced to adopt. AJ and Meadow move onto the next step in their lives. Tony confronts Junior one last time.The famed final episode is imperfect but still great even if you dislike the bizarre ending.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoDr. Melfi is attacked and when the authorities lets her down, she considers asking Tony to help. Janice has a dispute with Svetlana. Ralphie gets passed over for a promotion and Jackie Jr. gets involved in the family's crime activities.Chilling episode, focusing on Dr. Melfi with successful results.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoGene Pontecorvo makes a final break from the mob life, while Junior's paranoid delusions could be the end of Tony.The most surprising shooting in the show, period. Who would've thought Tony's biggest enemy was in his own family?
- DirectorMichael CuestaStarsClaire DanesDamian LewisMorena BaccarinWhile Carrie is near catatonic, Saul investigates her unsettling timeline; Brody makes final preparations for the Vice President's policy summit at the State Department.Homeland is still an uneven show overall, but this finale really raised the bar, especially the excellent bunker scene.