# Greatest episodes of television ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764 "2019-06-19T18:37:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/61 "2019-06-20T03:56:53Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Sorry, you lost me here. Gene Roddenberry? 😕 Big Rod = Roddy McDowell. No one who appreciates Bookworm can have all-bad taste. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/62 "2019-06-20T04:02:33Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Big Rod = Roddy McDowell. No one who appreciates Bookworm can have all-bad taste. Oh, okay. I get you now. That actually might be my favorite episode of \*\*\*Batman \*\*\*ever. I’m pretty sure it was the first one I saw in color, over at a friend’s house. I liked the way one minute was stretched into five outside Big Benjamin. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/63 "2019-06-20T04:08:32Z")
The episode of _ **Family Guy** _ where Stewie shakes down Brian for a gambling debt. Unbelievably violent, but funny as hell! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/64 "2019-06-20T05:34:33Z")
Twilight Zone - that cornfield episode, It’s A Good Life. You’re a bad man, Ukulele Ike. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/65 "2019-06-20T08:39:17Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Just thought of one that hasn’t been mentioned yet: Dexter season 4 finale. (The season with John Lithgow.) > > Probably not “greatest ever” quality, but it was a high water mark for Dexter. Good call. Ironic and gut-wrenching at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/66 "2019-06-20T09:37:55Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I was trying to think of the best episode of the Fargo series, and came to the conclusion that the entire second season (with Jesse Plemmons, Kirsten Dunst and a brilliant cast) is the answer. Speaking of Noah Hawley, the second season of **Legion** was also brilliant but I’d flag the episode with the various alternate realities as a standout. The last episode was also awesome but mostly as the culmination of all the story arcs of the season (apart from the opening fight scene, which was excellent). ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/67 "2019-06-20T09:45:15Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Supernatural - “Mystery Spot” Possibly the most I’ve ever laughed at an hour drama/fantasy/horror/comedy TV show. For Supernatural, I’d say more: [http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/6.15\_The\_French\_Mistake](http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/6.15_The_French_Mistake) The episode where they are thrown into our reality, and treated like actors in the show. God, I miss when Supernatural was funny (ok, not seen last two seasons). ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/68 "2019-06-20T11:04:22Z")
The Big Bang Theory: [The Adhesive Duck Definiciency](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tol9o) Both of the storylines are superb. The interplay between Penny and Sheldon culminating in the funniest rendition of “soft kitty”. The rest of the gang in the desert, back when Howard was single and horny and funny, and the line “I hate my name - it has nerd in it”. Fawlty Towers: [Communication Problems](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6te9bf) It had been four years since the first six episodes. Anticipation was very, very high. Could the second series possibly be as funny? Oh yes. And then some. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/69 "2019-06-20T11:55:56Z")
Another one of my personal favorites that probably doesn’t objectively belong in a “greatest ever” discussion, but still: [Angel](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162065/?ref_=nv_sr_4?ref_=nv_sr_4) S5E14: [Smile Time](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0512900/?ref_=ttep_ep14) _Who’s a cute widdle puppet?_ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/70 "2019-06-20T12:12:41Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > My personal favorites are “Many Happy Returns” and “The Chimes of Big Ben.” My two top favorites are the initial episode, which showed you the premise, _Arrival_ and the episode _Hammer into Anvil_, in which Number Six really shows what he can do. But _Chimes of Big Ben_ is one of my favorites, too. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/71 "2019-06-20T12:15:27Z")
Omigod. Too too many. Just three? My number one remains “Edith’s Birthday” from “All in the Family”. The most intense sitcom episode about a serious subject ever made. And it managed to be funny too, without being offensive. I have to include a Doctor Who episode, so I choose the fourth Doctor in “City of Death”. The Paris one with John Cleese. Perfection. Third? I dunno. Do miniseries count? If so, “Roots”, the episode where Kizzy is sold away. Utterly wrenching to watch and unforgettable. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/72 "2019-06-20T12:17:54Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Omigod. Too too many. Just three? Nope, sorry for the confusion. I meant as many as you please. I only posted three in the OP because those were the three I had in mind when I created the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/73 "2019-06-20T12:18:28Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > _Batman_ – “While Gotham City Burns”/”The Bookworm Turns” A worthy candidate, but I’ll go with “Hizzoner the Penguin”/“Dizzoner the Penguin”: > [@Batman](#): > > “I’m convinced the American electorate is too mature to be taken in by cheap vaudeville trickery. After all, if our national leaders were elected on the basis of tricky slogans, brass bands, and pretty girls, our country would be in a terrible mess, wouldn’t it?” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/74 "2019-06-20T12:29:29Z")
Note to **Chefguy** and **The\_Peyote\_Coyote** : the _WKRP in Cincinnati_ episode title is _Turkeys Away_, not \*Turkey Drop. \* [LINK](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0742671/). [Linc](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71XQexqYcBL._SX679_.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/75 "2019-06-20T12:35:10Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > _House_: “Three Stories” > > House takes over a diagnostics class for a day and presents the class with three case studies of leg pain. As House tells his story and the class gradually fills up with listeners, the class learns a lot about how to be better doctors, and Chase, Foreman and Cameron learn some important details of House’s past. That’s the one I came in to mention. (I’ll add my own rolleyes to “Elaan of Troyius” This is literally the first time in fifty years of Trek fandom that I have ever heard that one held out as even one of the best TOS episodes, to say nothing of THE best.) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/76 "2019-06-20T12:59:39Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > (I’ll add my own rolleyes to “Elaan of Troyius” This is literally the first time in fifty years of Trek fandom that I have ever heard that one held out as even one of the best TOS episodes, to say nothing of THE best.) Maybe Dropo has a “thing” for France Nuyen. She was pretty hot! :o I remember her from _ **St Elsewhere** _, too. I think the episode of that series I remember best is the one where Shirley shoots Peter in the morgue. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![UnwittingAmericans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d9b06d/32.png) [@UnwittingAmericans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwittingAmericans)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/77 "2019-06-20T13:04:21Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > The X-Files: Home > > [Home (The X-Files) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_(The_X-Files)) I first saw that probably during the first run of syndication in the early 00’s and I always remembered the ep name. But it was on during a marathon a couple of months ago and I had to bail pretty early, couldn’t take it. I’d substitute “Kill Switch.” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/78 "2019-06-20T13:07:32Z")
Freaks and Geeks, being perfect in almost every way, has so many good moments and episodes. But the episode “Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers” stands out. [It has this classic scene with Bill Haverchuck relaxing with some quality alone time after school.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmCpmEQD0L4) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/79 "2019-06-20T13:17:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I remember her from _ **St Elsewhere** _, too. I think the episode of that series I remember best is the one where Shirley shoots Peter in the morgue. ☹ [Groucho] And that’s a very painful place to get shot! [/Groucho] ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/80 "2019-06-20T13:29:24Z")
Sanford and Son: “Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe.” “Fred Sanford, Legal Eagle.” “Wine, Women & Aunt Esther” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764.md?page=5)