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Television shows have a different feel to them than movies. Their unique rhythm of storytelling over several seasons creates a sense of familiarity for the audience. Viewers gradually connect with the story and characters on a deeper level, which is not possible in the compressed manner of film narration. This is especially due to the episodic format of narrative in TV shows. Some shows have nailed this narrative format and brought forth some of the best episodes of television history.
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Sitcom fans on IMDb- the massive database platform of everything entertainment, evaluated and ranked thousands of episodes over the years. And based on how captivating the episodes were here’s a list of episodes from television shows with more than four seasons, that have ranked in the top 20 on the IMDb fan survey.
How Are These Ranks Determined?
Before diving into this article, it is important to understand how these ranks are determined. IMDb allows viewers to rate each episode on a scale of 1-10, culminating in an overall rating that reflects thousands of viewers’s opinions. Top-rated episodes have achieved near-perfect scores. And the list comprises episodes from the most iconic of shows that were aired several years ago and have withstood the test of time.
20Breaking Bad: To’hajiilee
IMDb Rating: 9.8/10
The thirteenth episode of the widely celebrated drama series Breaking Bad, starting at number 20, is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season. In this episode, the characters engage in psychological and armed warfare. Walter White, “Walt,” hires Todd Alquist’s uncle to kill Jesse Pinkman. On the other hand, Jesse strikes a plan to take Walt down with Hank Schrader. The episode ends in a gunfight.
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The title gets its name from the location of To’Hajiilee, New Mexico; where the final gunfight occurs. It is noteworthy that this is the place where Walt and Jesse had their first cook in thePilot.(viaMetacritic)
Breaking Bad: To’hajiileeis available to watch on Netflix.
19. Community: Remedial Chaos Theory
Remedial Chaos Theorywas cited asCommunity‘s best episode at the time of its release byseveral critics. In episode 4, of the show’s third season, Troy and Abed throw a housewarming party to their friends. The group decides to play Yahtzee, a die is thrown and six alternate realities emerge. The show is loved for its blend of reality and fiction, and this episode takes things just a little over the edge.
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Community: Remedial Chaos Theorycan be watched on Peacock.
18. RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Snatch Game
In the 2022 Snatch Game episode ofRuPaul’s Drag RaceAll Stars, the queens are joined by Dove Cameron and Raven as guest contestants. This addition enhanced the already promising concept of a snatch game. The queens had to perform two celebrity impersonations, an unprecedented concept in drag race history. With the runway category being Holy Couture. Things end up looking not that great for almost all the contestants!
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Snatch Gameis available to stream on Paramount+.
17. The Office: Goodbye Michael
Few shows come close to the cult status The Office has achieved with a generation of viewers. A list of highest-rated TV episodes cannot be completed without The Office episode on the list. The episode holds special status partly because it isSteve Carell‘s last episode, and it is also one of the best-written episodes of the entire series.
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The episode contains several references to previous episodes, making it nostalgic and bittersweet. The episode marked a big change in the show which was exceptionally well-executed. Acclaimed by viewers and critics alike,Goodbye Michaelis regarded as one of the best episodes of the show by viewers and critics alike.
The Office: Goodbye Michaelis available to watch on Peacock.
16. Community: Modern Warfare
In this episode, the Greendale Community College gang finds themselves in a game of paintball assassins, in which the final prize is priority registration for a class. With the game going on, the episode explores the changing dynamics of relationships. Particularly between Jeff and Pritta, as the pair address the sexual tension between them.
The episode’s narrative and how things unfold, especially where it ends make it a brilliant watch. It was acclaimed by critics and viewers.
Community: Modern Warfarecan be watched on Peacock.
15. Dexter: The Getaway
The finale episode of the show which concluded with a fourth season, broke several records when it first went on air. The episodes bring several storylines to a head. Dexter’s carefully crafted dual lives as a blood splatter pattern analyst for Miami police and as a serial killer, begin to unravel. And Dexter and Arthur end up on a collision course. Long hidden truths emerge and viewers get on the edge of their seats with how dynamic the episode gets.
Dexter: The Getawaycan be watched on Netflix.
14. Better Call Saul: Point and Shoot
Better Call Saul: Point and Shootis one of the show’s most critically acclaimed episodes. It starts on a peculiar note which makes sense at the end of the episode. Howard Hamlin’s car is standing ashore on the beach with his belongings astrayed. The events preceding it all are revealed in the episode which involves Jimmy and Kim negotiating their freedom with Lalo after he’s killed Howard.
Better Call Saul: Point and Shootis available on Netflix.
13. House: House’s Head
House: House’s Headrevolves around a bus crash which induces hallucinations and memory loss regarding the accident in Dr. House’s mind. He vaguely remembers seeing someone about to die. The whole episode sees him working through his hallucinations to discover the identity of that person. The episode leaves the audience on edge with its unresolved ending.
The episode was a hit with critics and viewers alike.
House: House’s Headcan be watched on Prime Video.
12. Mr. Robot: Hello Eliott
The series finale to the Rami Malek starrer drama thriller, Hello Eliott is arguably the show’s best episode. Eliott tries to get rid of the real Eliott to marry Angela. His plans go in vain when it is revealed that Eliott since the beginning of the series is not the real Eliott. And a persona the real Eliott created which has taken over.
Mr. Robot: Hello Eliottcan be bought on Amazon Prime Video.
11. Doctor Who: Blink
Doctor Who: Blinkfollows Sally Sparrow, who discovers mysterious texts about “Weeping Angels”-alien statues that send people back in time, at an abandoned house. The angels appear as statues to anyone who observes them. Sally fights the angels to retrieve her friends Kathy and DI Billy Shipton, who have been sent back in time.
Sally has to figure out a way to defeat the angels and also help a time traveler called the Doctor, by piecing together some clues he sends. And find his time machine to return it to him.
The episode was applauded for the suspense and fear it caused, and the “Weeping Angels” received special praise.
Doctor Who: Blinkis available to stream on Max.
10. Mr. Robot: 407 Proxy AuthenticationRequired
IMDb Rating: 9.9/10
In this intense episode ofMr. RobotEliott and his therapist Krista are kidnapped by Fernando Vera, who wants to partner with Eliott in his ambition to conquer New York. A forced therapy session reveals Mr. Robot’s origins. Eliott learns the heartbreaking truth about his childhood. Vera and Eliott connect over their shared trauma as Krista seizes an opportunity to escape.
The episode brings forth crucial truth about Eliott, impacting the trajectory of the show.
Mr. Robot: 407 Proxy Authentication Requiredcan be bought on Amazon Prime Video.
9. Game of Thrones: The Winds of Winter
In this momentous season finale, the multiple interweaved storylines conclude. Arya Stark takes her revenge on Walder Frey, Cersei kills her enemies by orchestrating a wildfire explosion and claims the Iron throne as King Tommen commits suicide. Snow becomes the King of the North while Sansa rejects Little Finger’s ambitious plans. The truth of Jon Snow’s parentage emerges through Fran’s vision. And Daenerys names Tyrion as the Hand of the Queen and starts her conquest of Westeros.
The grand turning points of the episode set the pace for the characters ahead.
Game of Thrones: The Winds of Winteris available to stream on Max.
8. Game of Thrones: Battle of the Bastards
Daenerys destroys the master’s fleet and strikes an alliance with Theon and Yara Greyjoy. The main focus of the episode is Winterfell, where Jon Snow’s forces face Ramsay Bolton’s army. Ramsay slays Rickon to provoke Jon, and a brutal battle ensues. At the end of this battle, Sansa completes her revenge and Winterfell is restored to the House of Stark.
The episode is a big turning point in the series, as old storylines come to an epic closure.
Game of Thrones: Battle of the Bastardsis available to stream on Max.
7. Breaking Bad: Felina
Felinais the series finale of the hit showBreaking Bad.Walter White returns to Albuquerque for his final acts; forcing the Schwartzes to set up a trust fund for his son. Discovering the truth about Jess’s death, he meets with Lydia and Todd. After giving Skyler the coordinates to locate Hank and Gomez’s mood, he looks at his children from afar.
Walt kills Jack’s gang with a rigged M6 machine gun, getting fatally wounded.
Breaking Bad: Felinais available to watch on Netflix.
6Game of Thrones: The Rains of Castamere
Considered one of the most shocking and traumatizing episodes of TV history, and cited as one of the best in the Game of Thrones series. Marking one of the biggest turning points of the series, The Red Wedding takes place in this episode. Robb Stark makes amends with Walder Frey and Edmure marries Roslin. However, at the feast, the Freys and Roose Bolton betray the Starks, ensuing a massacre that kills Robb, his pregnant wife Talissa, Catelyn, and many others. Arya Stark witnesses part of the massacre, and the story of the Seven Kingdoms takes a whole new turn.
Game of Thrones: The Rains of Castamereis available to stream on Max.
5Succession: Connor’s Wedding
Connor’s Weddingis the episode where the show’s titular goal is achieved. The subliminal anticipated event of Logan Roy’s death takes place. The Roy siblings receive the news of the L’ to the OG’s departure from the world. Their reactions and the aftermath that follows after such a key event are captured wonderfully in this episode. Probably one of the most impactful episodes of the series.
Succession: Connor’s Weddingis available to stream on Max.
4Breaking Bad: Face Off
The season finale of the fourth season of the hit Netflix show Breaking Bad, Face Offas marks the culmination of the central conflict of Season 4. The dispute between Walter White and Gus Fring comes to an end. The episode marks the final appearances of multiple recurring characters of the show like Hector Salamanca and Tyrus Kitt. It earned rave reviews from critics and was a hit amongst fans.
Breaking Bad: Face Offis available to watch on Netflix.
3. Better Call Saul: Plan and Execution
The mid-season finale of the sixth season of the show,Plan and Executionis considered one of the best of the series, earning universal critical acclaim. The episode follows Kim and Jimmy’s con and Lalo’s return parallely. Jimmy and Kim execute the final steps of their plans against Howard Hamlin; as Lalo plans an attack on Gus. The episode’s special attention to detail gave an enhanced effect to the story.
Better Call Saul: Plan and Executionis available to watch on Netflix.
2. Six Feet Under: Everyone’s Waiting
Everyone’s Waitingis the series finale toSix Feet Under. It received widespread acclaim from critics and viewers alike. The episodh e begins in an unprecedented manner in the series: not with a death but with a birth. The birth of Brenda’s daughter Willa, who is born prematurely. Brenda struggles to come to terms with Willa’s health while getting fearful visions about Nate. The episode shows the death of all the main characters in their iconic fast-forward sequence. The episode received five Primetime Emmy nominations.
Six Feet Under: Everyone’s Waitingis available to stream on Max.
1. Breaking Bad: Ozymandias
IMDb Rating: 10/10
The only episode on this list to get a perfect score,Ozymandiasis considered one of the greatest episodes of television ever made. It opens with a flashback to Walt and Jess’s first cook; which is in sharp contrast to the present events. Hank is killed by Jack, despite Walt offering him his entire fortune. The gang robs Walt and captures Jesse, who is then forced to cook meth for them.
Walt on the other hand urges his family to flee who do not comply, causing Walt to leave the town with Ed Galbraith.
The writing, the direction, the cinematography; every aspect of the episode is impeccable. It won the awards of Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Best Lead Actor, and Best Supporting Actress at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Breaking Bad: Ozymandiasis available to watch on Netflix.
Ratings are one metric to determine an episode’s quality. The greatness lies in its ability to resonate emotionally with the audience, move them in some capacity, and create lasting memories.
Arpita Joshi
Articles Published :73
Arpita Joshi is an Evergreen Content Writer at FandomWire. With almost two years of experience, she has learned intricate details of writing in different niches, particularly entertainment.
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