# Best Written Episodes of a Series you Love **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 24, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180 "2009-04-24T03:24:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/61 "2009-04-25T06:02:22Z")
Lost: The Constant Buffy: Once More With Feeling or the one where they don’t talk or The Body Angel: Smile Time or the one where Fred is on the run or the one where Angel loses his soul Quantum Leap: The Leap Home and Mirror Image Firefly: Serenity 😉 Six Feet Under: the finale CSI: The furry episode, or the one with the guy that kept almost getting killed BSG: maybe Maelstrom, or the one where the final four get activated, or the one where they find the first Earth, or the finale, or the one where Roslyn goes apeshit on Gaeta X-Files: Jose Chung, the baseball one, the Scully’s affair with the doctor one, Fight the Future 😉 Doctor Who: the one where he’s human, the library one, the one where he uses an exploding star to say goodbye to Rose Grey’s Anatomy: the one that starts with one shower scene and ends with a very different one, the one where Meredith makes a blueprint out of candles HIMYM: the one with Barney’s brother or the one with Ted’s wedding day Red Dwarf: the one involving complicated time travel, or the one where he gets pregnant Mork and Mindy: Mork shrinks after taking OTC meds South Park: cough med one Kyle XY: pilot War of the Worlds: the one with Q shows that were too consistently good and possibly not on long enough (yet) to pick just one: Firefly, Big Bang Theory, Skins ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/62 "2009-04-25T06:24:54Z")
oh and Buffy: The Zeppo, and the one where Xander gives Buffy relationship advice ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/63 "2009-04-25T09:53:15Z")
**the Simpsons** - Bart Sells His Soul ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/64 "2009-04-25T12:30:13Z")
The Big Bang Theory–The Christmas episode that was rerun on Monday. I’d buy the season 2 video just for that one moment when Sheldon & Penny exchange gifts. 2 1/2 Men–The Christmas Eve episode where Candy played songs on the piano, Jake got drunk on eggnog and Berta & Rose watched the action. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/65 "2009-04-25T12:32:09Z")
I’m a big Frasier fan, but my favorite episode is probably ‘First Date’. Very well done, and yes, a bit sappy, but in a very good way. Love that episode. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/66 "2009-04-25T12:41:06Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Maybe it’s because I watched it last year on YouTube and not in the 70s on TV, but the Popsicle Twins didn’t seem all that dirty to me. > > There were a few seconds where my eyes bugged out when I realized that got on broadcast TV, but for the most part it was two teenage girls eating popsicles and there’s really only one way to do that. That act was only aired once. I saw it in a room with a group of people and you’ve never seen so many bugged eyes in your life. Nobody could believe that was being shown at 3:00 in the afternoon. The network switchboard just lit up. Yeah, it was different in the 1970’s. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/67 "2009-04-25T14:04:28Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > I’m showing my age here. (Or lack thereof) > > The finale of Newhart, or The Bob Newhart Show. > > The More recent of the two. > > I expect a fellow SD to help me out here. It was the finale of Newhart, which segued into The Bob Newhart Show. So great it’s still recognized as the best finale ever. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/68 "2009-04-25T14:18:04Z")
> [@Stauderhorse](#): > > Quantum Leap: “Justice”, when Sam leaps into a member of the Ku Klux Klan. You can actually feel the anger and disgust that Sam feels for the situation he has been put into and the helplessness he feels when things look bad. Out of such an amazing series, that was the episode that stuck out for me the most. My favorite will always be the one where he leaped into Lee Harvey Oswald and ended up compelled to fire the shots. Later in the hospital Sam: How could it be for the best? I killed JFK. Al: Sam, that swiss cheese brain of yours drives me crazy. Don’t you remember that the first time Jackie Kennedy was killed too? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/69 "2009-04-25T14:48:30Z")
Designing Women: [Killing All the Right People](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_All_the_Right_People). An episode that aired in 1987 and that still would be shocking today. > [@](#): > > “Imogene, get serious! Who do you think you’re talking to?! I’ve known you for 27 years, and all I can say is, if God was giving out sexually transmitted diseases to people as a punishment for sinning, then you would be at the free clinic all the time! And so would the rest of us!” ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/70 "2009-04-25T14:48:43Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > shows that were too consistently good and possibly not on long enough (yet) to pick just one: Firefly, Big Bang Theory, Skins Big Bang is Hard to cite, I will admit. The one where Wollowitz and Raj play off each other as if they had been married for 50 years. That one CINCHED me buying Season 2 on DVD when it comes out. But then again The Pilot was good too. If only for the Sperm Bank scene. Then again, the “There is a Sarcasm Sign?!” scene was great too. And Same for “Speak in a Lower Register” … Hrm, Yeah, Big Bang is hard. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/71 "2009-04-25T14:51:43Z")
Annie X-mas Help me out here:: The Big Bran Hypothesis was Sarcasm Sign, Hello Bran!, Speak in a lower register, for Big Bang, right? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/72 "2009-04-25T14:56:11Z")
Nope, I’m still going with the [The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=497659&highlight=bang) ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/73 "2009-04-25T14:57:56Z")
I Just re checked : The Big Bran Hypothesis was episode 2 for Big Bang. The Pilot was first (Obviously) Just saying that to say that I think the consistently great show has come down the slightest bit from where it started. Understandably, because the show recognizes it’s own cannon, and has done a TON of throwbacks, and cashed in favors, as seen from older episodes. The time on the calendar seems to truly be present day. Leonard called Penny out on the favor seen in the pilot. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/74 "2009-04-25T15:58:25Z")
Star Trek TNG: The Inner Light Battlestar Galactica: The episode where the final four cylons are revealed. Lost: Through the Looking Glass The Sopranos: Long Term Parking ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/75 "2009-04-25T17:03:53Z")
WKRP in Cincinnati, “Turkeys Away.” ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/76 "2009-04-25T18:10:58Z")
Heroes: Company Man. Everything else in the series paled after this, really. Firefly: Out of Gas. New Doctor Who: Toss up between Blink and The Empty Child. Buffy: Becoming or Hush. Or possible Conversations with Dead People. All were awesome. Angel: Smile Time. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/77 "2009-04-25T19:56:56Z")
Ah so you’re looking for “near perfect” episodes South Park: The episode where Cartman joins NAMBLA Mary Tyler Moor: The second episode where Mary and Rhoda go out with guys (Rhoda’s date is a guy who she ran over, and he decides to bring his wife along) Dick Van Dyke: The episode where Buddy, Sally and Rob write bad things about Alan all over the script, intending to erase the comments but they don’t. Then they have to get the script back ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Kerrman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Joe\_Kerrman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Kerrman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/78 "2009-04-26T00:42:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh hey, look! > > Meeko points to a Can of worms. > > The label says “I Love Lucy”. > > That’s a funny label for a can of worms. Well, this one’s easy, **Meeko.** Vitameatavegamin. Hands down. “Do you pop out at parties? Are you unpoopular?” ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/79 "2009-04-26T01:14:45Z")
The first one that I thought of was “Smile Time” from Angel. That episode managed the perfect balance of absolutely creepy and completely hilarious. Bear with me, I don’t know the titles to some of the episodes… Buffy: The season 2 finale in which Buffy is forced to kill Angel just as he regains his soul. Also full of Spike and Drusilla awesomeness. Scrubs: The one with the heart patient who dies and imagines her life as a musical. Star Trek: DS9: “The Wire” The most Garaky of Garak episodes. I love me some Garak. After the series, I imagine that he and Dr. Bashir pledged their undying love for each other. Come on, you know it happened! Lost: “Walkabout” It was the epitome of what Season One Lost was about, with a perfect reveal. X-Files: “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose.” “Jose Chung” is a close second. Mad Men: The season one finale, especially Don’s Kodak pitch. Who knew an advertising pitch could make me sob? Hell, even the characters in the show were crying! 30 Rock: The one where Jack “assists” with Tracy’s therapy. Oooh, forgot one: Futurama: The one with the planet of the balls. The double entendres just killed me, juvenile as they were. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180/80 "2009-04-26T01:36:43Z")
This thread has gone on long enough that all I have to do is cut and paste the responses of > [@Others](#): > > Quantum Leap: I dunno the name, but Sam leaps into a black man who is dating a white woman in the midst of a terrible riot. I was on the edge of my seat for practically this whole episode. > > Quantum Leap: “Justice”, when Sam leaps into a member of the Ku Klux Klan. You can actually feel the anger and disgust that Sam feels for the situation he has been put into and the helplessness he feels when things look bad. Out of such an amazing series, that was the episode that stuck out for me the most. (editor’s note: Or maybe that one. My kids are only familiar with Scott Bakula from “Chuck” and, maybe, “Enterprise.” Maybe he’s not a great actor, but QL put him through paces most TV actors don’t experience.) > > Star Trek, TOS: Balance of Terror (editor’s note: “The Enemy Below Goes to Outer Space!” > > Doctor Who (new): Blink (editor’s note: though “The Empty Child”/“The Doctor Dances” belong.) > > X-Files: Jose Chung’s From Outer Space. (editor’s notes: Or “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose.”) > > The series Frank’s Place died way too soon. It was different every week. Sometimes it was quite serious and other times it was funny as hell. But what stands out for me is the episode with the wake and the dead body. Although it borrows from what was done previously in other shows (Fawlty Towers), the way it was put together made it maybe the funniest half hour show I have seen… (editor’s notes: My wife still thinks of it as the greatest sitcom episode ever.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-written-episodes-of-a-series-you-love/494180.md?page=5)