Okay, there are 30,000 threads and I can’t search. I am sure this has come up before, but it’s probably the kind of thread that just has to come up every so often.
I know it is highly subjective, but please try to give some details to support your answer.
My choices, is the Buffy episode “Once More, With Feeling”.
This is a musical episode. The songs are fantasitic, the humor, as always with Joss is brillant. But, what really makes it work for me is the build up. Five seasons of Buffy build up to this show. The basic premise is that people suddenly feel the need to burst into song, but in their songs they tell the truth - reveal their secrets. Secrets in some cases kept for many seasons. It is a masterpiece.
[spoiler] Angel’s conversation with Connor, Connor’s acceptance and approval of Angel, which is really all Angel ever wanted. The final look between Angel and Wesley, acknowleding their past, their present, their friendship, and their pain in a way words never could. Gunn returning to his roots and helping Anne before the fight. Spike coming full circle and finally embraced the William part of his personality, no longer ashamed of who he is or his passions. Fred was missing, but she did have a cameo, and it was wonderful to see her again.
Each character had a moment that was perfect and true. Their relationships were in a real place. It acknowledged their past and left a slim bit of hope for the future. Most of all, they all went down fighting the good fight, not out of some higher duty, but out of a reckoning.
[/spoiler]
It still makes me a little teary eyed. I had so much hope when it aired, and so much fear, and I was just blown away.
I think an episode of Frasier ought to be in there somewhere.
It’s much to involved to describe but it starts with a going away party at the radio station with Frasier complaining about all the hugging and saying how he hates being hugged. It ends with Frasier in a $1000 suit being hugged by Niles who is covered with shaving lather from head to toe. In between are about 4 interwolven stories that all tie up neatly in the finale.
It absolutely awes me that the writers, director and actors can come up with such a well crafted product in just one week.
I remember that one. I think I saw it every day after school.
I nominate the one that set the standard in this regard: the last episode of MASH. I also nominate the last episode of Ed, although I could nominate virtually every episode if I so desired.
There was an episode of Just Shoot me which approached some kind of comic zen. A rather mediocre show, but this particular episode was incredible.
I refer of course to the episode where David Cross guest starred as Donny, Elliot’s “slow” brother who has been pretending to be slow all his life so his family would wait on him and he wouldn’t have to work. Anything I could write to describe it wouldn’t do it justice.
SO GREAT!! This is the one where Lois’s great Aunt Marguerite left Lois her mansion in Newport. The whole family moves in and Peter sells their house in Quahog.
We are entertained with a song sung to the family by the servants upon their arrival.(nominated for an Emmy) A glimpse-
Chorus: We only live to kiss your ass
Servant #1: Kiss it? Hell we’ll even wipe it for you.
Chorus: From here on out its Easy street.
Peter: Any bars on that street?
Servant #2: Twenty four happy hours a day.
Peter: Oh boy!
And of course a few awesome quotes from the family…
Stewie- “This hotdog won’t cut itself!”
Chris- “If I ever go back to Quahog its to poke people with a stick.”
Brian- drunk, peeing in a bush (in a tux) singing “Money, money money MONEY!!”
Stewie- “You- get me a copy of the New York Journal. You two- FIGHT TO THE DEATH!”
Andy Ricthor Controls the Universe - The one about diversity
Quite possibly the best episode of any tv show for ethnic diversity. I would also say that another good one by Andy would be the one where Brian follows the big sheep religion. As before, quite possibly the best episode of any TV show on religion.
Pete and Pete - Goodbye My Little Viking
When Pete and Pete had to say goodbye to Artie. Also, this episode was the one which numbered the days of the series. Such an awesome series and even better episode.
For some reason, both had short runs and no DVD releases. Sigh…
I would agree on Buffy, but disagree on the episode. **Once More, With Feeling ** is a personal favorite, but the best episode they ever did was The Body. Hands down the most powerful episode ever written.
I second that. The scene where BJ and Hawkeye say goodbye almost made cry, and I can tell you that it was pretty difficult to get this 14 year old boy to that point. (I tear up at freakin’ card tricks now, for some reason…)
BJ’s “I can’t imagine what this place would’ve been like if I hadn’t found you here” line really got to me.
