# Most depressing sitcom episode **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 9, 2019, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578 "2019-12-09T01:57:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [December 10, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/61 "2019-12-10T15:05:25Z")
The Big Bang Theory handled Debbie Wolowitz’s death very well, but the one where Penny breaks up with Leonard in the bowling alley is just heart breaking. Thank you, Wil Wheaton. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/62 "2019-12-10T15:38:56Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The Big Bang Theory handled Debbie Wolowitz’s death very well, but the one where Penny breaks up with Leonard in the bowling alley is just heart breaking. Thank you, Wil Wheaton. _(Wheaton was right in telling her the story and I don’t believe for a second that the bowling match had anything to do with it, just concern for his friend.)_ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Brother\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_brother_1/32/3513_2.png) [@Little\_Brother\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Brother_1)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/63 "2019-12-10T21:23:12Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > There’s a two-part episode of _Barney Miller_ (called, obviously enough, “Homicide”), in which the squad becomes strictly homicide investigations. At the end of the second episode, they get a call about that a local liquor store owner has been murdered. This was a character who had appeared several times, one of the neighborhood regulars, so the audience knew and liked him too. > > The gut punch was that he had come to them earlier in the episode, reporting that he was being shaken down by gangsters wanting protection money. Because of the homicide-only policy, they couldn’t help him then. Wojo has a devastatingly bitter line when they get the call about his murder: “I guess we can handle it now.” I agree with you and nightshadea, but speaking of Wojo: as a “Barney Miller” fan I also found the anomalous two-parter “Wojo’s Girl” depressing as hell. It was a test for a Max Gail/Wojo spinoff, I believe, so most of the episode took place in Wojo’s apartment; the premise, or conflict, involved Wojo impulsively inviting his current ex-prostitute girlfriend to move in, and Wojo’s apparently unexpected difficulties adjusting to the new situation. Wojo’s predicament arose from a interpersonally lethal combination of 1) remaining attached to his comfortable single-guy habits, and 2) having conflicting feelings about the girlfriend-- Wojo is compulsively but ambivalently attracted to “fallen women”, and always wants to rescue them. The first half is strikingly dark, grim, and relentlessly unfunny: it soon becomes clear that Wojo is unwilling, unready, and unable to welcome or accommodate his nominal girlfriend’s presence, and he behaves like a passive-aggressive, abusive jerk to her. I found myself cringing at Wojo, and feeling increasing sympathy for the poor would-be girlfriend. I can’t even remember the second part, although I dimly recall that they contrived some resolution that wasn’t as aggressively downbeat as the setup. It sticks in my mind because the first part was simply a psychodrama without any substantial comic relief-- a tragic “sit” with no “com”. I give them credit for experimenting, I guess, but I still wonder how the obviously talented BM production team greenlighted this script; I would think that even if the script seemed OK, once they got to a table read or rehearsal they would realize that it was too bleak to work. Wojo’s character could be exasperating and annoying at times, but in this one he was depressingly hateful. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/64 "2019-12-10T21:43:14Z")
Not really a sitcom but Buffy the Vampire Slayer was often a very funny show. “The Body” episode was very depressing and very well done, probably one of the best episodes of the show. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/65 "2019-12-11T00:48:01Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > _Scrubs_ was well known for blurring the line between comedy and drama, but for the most part it was a quirky sitcom. But [this scene](https://youtu.be/RzDoqGGs1IM) from “My Lunch” has got to be one of the saddest sitcom moments in recent memory. I’m binge-watching Scrubs (up to season 8) and I love how quirky it is. For me, the episode that always gets me is [My Screw-Up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Screw_Up). It’s the episode where Ben dies and the audience doesn’t find out until the end because Cox is in a state of denial. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/66 "2019-12-11T01:29:08Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > > > Final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth. Sad, moving, but also utterly brilliant. > > There was another British comedy called _One Foot in the Grave_. In the last episode, the main character, Victor, has been killed by a hit-and-run driver. The episode focuses on his widow, Margaret, trying to cope with his death. At one point she confesses to her minister that the one thought that keeps her going is the chance to get revenge on the killer, although she does seem to find some solace with a friend she met in a support group, and who is also recently widowed. > > At the end, Margaret discovers that her new friend is the killer. She was rushing to the hospital to see her husband one last time before he died, and she hit Victor by accident. The episode ends with Margaret driving away and we don’t know whether she has gotten her revenge or not. > > It was brilliant. If you want to talk about depressing series, try [Getting On](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_On_(American_TV_series)), an HBO series that was adapted from a UK series of the same name. It was set in a skilled nursing facility in California and focused mostly on the clinical staff. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/67 "2019-12-11T01:35:39Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I take it you folks are not acquainted with **Opie the Birdman**? > > In this episode of the Andy Griffith Show, young Opie accidentally kills a mother bird with his slingshot. Once Opie admits to his Pa 'twas him, Andy makes sure he is aware that there is a nest of baby birds without a mother to raise them. > > Opie, feeling appropriately responsible, then cares for the birds himself. > > Once they are of age to fly the coop, Opie has great difficulty saying goodbye and releasing them into the wild. > > Opie: “That cage sure looks empty, Pa”. > > Andy: “Yes, son, it sure does. But don’t the trees seem nice and full?” I love that episode. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/68 "2019-12-11T15:08:50Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I’m binge-watching Scrubs (up to season 8) and I love how quirky it is. For me, the episode that always gets me is [My Screw-Up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Screw_Up). It’s the episode where Ben dies and the audience doesn’t find out until the end because Cox is in a state of denial. “Do you know where you are?” God, that was brutal. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/69 "2019-12-11T15:26:15Z")
News Radio’s death of Bill McNeil and Eight Simple Rules’s death of Paul Hennessy come to mind. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/70 "2019-12-11T16:23:48Z")
> [@Scoobysnax](#): > > Not really a sitcom but Buffy the Vampire Slayer was often a very funny show. “The Body” episode was very depressing and very well done, probably one of the best episodes of the show. First thing I thought of. I wasn’t a regular viewer so even though I kinda sorta knew the mom was ill, I hadn’t really followed it and was definitely not prepared for _that._ Such a dark and dramatic turn for a show like that ---
**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:** [December 11, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/71 "2019-12-11T17:20:37Z")
An episode of Will & Grace had Will trying to pursued a man to be his lawyer. He’s at his health club talking to Jack. Afterwards, the would-be client comes over to Will and asks if he’s friends with that “fag.” Will responds (Him? No. He’s just someone I see around the club." Of course, Jacks overhears and confronts Will, leaving him with the line “I’d rather be a fag than a phony.” Depressing as hell, but perfectly delivered by Sean Hayes. Will comes clean and tells the client Jack is his best friend and he’s gay too. Client doesn’t give a rat’s ass. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/72 "2019-12-11T17:28:01Z")
Lots of good (?) ones listed so far. But the one on my mine now since I recently watched it is _Community_ S02E11 _Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas._ Amazing stop-action and all that. But a real downer. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/73 "2019-12-12T00:06:21Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > “Do you know where you are?” > > God, that was brutal. They had done a good job establishing the character, so when he Sixth-Sensed it was truly a gut-punch. It’s interesting to go back and watch it after you know the hook and then you can pick up on the little hints. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/74 "2019-12-12T05:16:32Z")
The _All In the Family_ episode when Edith died. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/75 "2019-12-12T13:53:03Z")
So many great choices so far, but The Fresh Prince episode is always the one that gets me. So many MASH episodes qualify here. One that hasn’t been mentioned yet is the episode where Hawkeye can’t stop sneezing, so they bring in Dr Sydney: [Bless you, Hawkeye](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpUjnfF6ZhQ) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/76 "2019-12-12T14:25:10Z")
> [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > The _All In the Family_ episode when Edith died. I might agree with you had any such episode aired. > **[Edith Bunker | Death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Bunker#Death)** > > Beneath his crusty, irascible exterior, Archie is intensely protective of Edith and becomes upset at the mere thought of losing her. In the episode "Too Good Edith," the 209th and final episode of All in the Family, Edith becomes seriously ill while frantically helping Archie cook a large Irish dinner for a St. Patrick's Day party at the bar. She had been suffering from phlebitis and decided not to tell Archie, but when he finds out about it he scolds her for hiding it from him. > In the sequel se... ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/77 "2019-12-13T08:03:31Z")
Another All in the Family episode [Archie is Branded](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x84a3k). The final scene has Paul Benjamin of the Hebrew Defense Association getting blown up in his car. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/78 "2019-12-13T14:54:29Z")
Webster also had a molestation episode: The Uh-Oh Feeling. His adoptive father George was ready to punch out the substitute teacher who was molesting children. Ben Vereen guest starred on the show as Webster’s paternal uncle Phillip. He “kidnaps” Webster, but returns him, explaining that he just wanted to show him some places in his fathers life. Phillip and Webster break into a great duet in an ice cream parlor. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/79 "2019-12-20T01:29:47Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > If you watch semi-carefully, there’s a countdown to the big news during the whole episode. Numbers are subtly (or not-so) worked into the show until Marshal gets the news. Maybe this belongs in the thread for things in movies and TV shows that you’ve never noticed even though you’ve seen it a million times… In that episode of HIMYM, the viewer was set up to think the countdown was going to be Lily telling Marshall she’s pregnant. We know what happened there. So, I’m sitting here watching the one where they finally blow up the Arcadian. Ted is ready to push the button, the foreman (Chi McBride) stars the countdown. “10…9…8…” and we cut to Lily and Marshall. If you continue the countdown at the same pace, she tells him she’s pregnant when you get to 1. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578/80 "2019-12-20T14:10:21Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > If Futurama counts, Jurassic Bark. I can’t believe how I bawled like a baby at that episode. I rarely tear up at movies or shows, this was maybe the third or fourth time ever. It especially hurts because I have a beloved dog, and imagined me “abandoning” him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-sitcom-episode/844578.md?page=5)