# What is the single best episode of any TV series that you have ever seen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 3, 2003, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309 "2003-06-03T04:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/41 "2003-06-03T17:00:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SolGrundy \* > **"Jose Chung’s _From Outer Space_", on "The X-Files"** That one was great…but IMO even better was “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose.” The plot describes a serial killer who preys on “psychics,” and a man who can see how people are going to die. One of the best meldings of comedy and pathos I’ve ever seen on the small screen, plus some great lines to boot. “I’m not smiling, I’m grimacing.” “Auto-erotic asphyxiation. Wouldn’t that be an embarrassing way to die?” “You know, you really need to work on your closing.” Out of context, not so exciting. But if you’ve ever seen the episode, they’re stuck in your head forever. ---
**Author:** ![Howard\_Juneau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Howard\_Juneau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howard_Juneau)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/42 "2003-06-03T17:10:32Z")
**Northern Exposure** episode where Walt eats the wooly mammoth steak. ---
**Author:** ![greenlily](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@greenlily](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenlily)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/43 "2003-06-03T17:14:07Z")
I’d probably have to say Mountie On The \Bounty\, from \Due South\. Superb plot, characterization, sets, dialogue, music, etc. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/44 "2003-06-03T17:28:20Z")
Ditto on so many. My top EVER would have to be Buffy: “The Body.” “Hush” is up there too. The episode of NYPD Blue that ends with Theo making up silly verses of Green Eggs and Ham is one of the few times I’ve ever cried for a TV show. The Shield, Seaon One finale. The Singing Detective: hard to say which episode, STILL never equalled on television, even by Buffy. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/45 "2003-06-03T17:30:04Z")
This far without mentioning " The Death of Chuckles The Clown" from “Mary Tyler Moore?” ‘A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants…’ ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/46 "2003-06-03T17:34:05Z")
Which episode is “Abyssinia Henry?” I think M.A.S.H. must have at least a few of the top ones, it’s hard to pick over all, though. I can’t compare drama to comedy, well-written vs. well-acted, etc. I really like the MASH ep. where Hawkeye is waiting to be rescued and the whole episode is him delivering a monologue, trying to keep himself alert while he waits. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/47 "2003-06-03T17:34:05Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Loneraven \* > Really? The M_A_S_H episode that came to my mind wasn’t the first one, but the second one. And Abysinnia, Henry, is good too. I could very well be mixing them up. What was the plot of the 2nd episode? Truth is, the first 3 or 4 episodes were _all_ great. Abysinnia was good, too, but IMHO the show had a certain quality the first season that was lost later. It really captured the spirit of the movie where it almost seemed unscripted. I don’t even know if I can put my finger on it - it was a combination of things like the delivery of jokes being more deadpan and less like “HERE’S THE JOKE” (Sometimes a line would even get spoken by someone who wasn’t in the shot at the time); well-placed background music; not trying to be too “deep”, just general timing of the humor, etc. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/48 "2003-06-03T17:47:55Z")
I have to agree with Jose Chung’s From Outer Space from the X Files. Other nominees: The second season finale from Millenium where the plague kills Frank Black’s wife. The “Ivan” two parter from Magnum PI. The “Glades” episode of Miami Vice. Ariel from Firefly The Chuckles the Clown funeral episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/49 "2003-06-03T17:58:22Z")
’ Which episode is “Abyssinia Henry?” ’ The last episode with MacLean Stevenson. I’m not going any further. My wife wanted to chip in and say that one of the most non-Buffy memorable TV episodes that she can remember was the Cosby Show episode where all the men became pregnant. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/50 "2003-06-03T18:03:00Z")
Stephe96 caught mine - the “Chuckles the Clown” episode of the MTM show. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/51 "2003-06-03T18:03:48Z")
the “Fighting Hellfish” ep of the simpsons…generally hilarious, but the entire “assassin” part is the absolute funniest thing i’ve ever seen! the episode of “Gargoyles” where they awake Oberon and he is as tall as a building! Now, on other shows :::dargonballzcough::: it wouldnt be as impressive because it happens all the time, but on Gargoyles it actually meant something, and had buildings there as contrast although MOMENT-wise my favorite moment in tv is the part in the 2nd to last x-files season where mulder walks to the area near the ufo and his hand starts to flip around. I actually jumped from my chair when i saw this, and I have never done that ever. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/52 "2003-06-03T18:05:28Z")
Clyde: Not that it’s any of my business, but autoerotic asphyxiation is a really undignified way to die. Mulder: What makes you say that? Clyde: Never mind. Forget I said anything. ---
**Author:** ![insomnia4AM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@insomnia4AM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insomnia4AM)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/53 "2003-06-03T18:15:15Z")
**kunilou** and **belladonna** , “Love’s Labor Lost” has been my favorite since the night it aired. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/54 "2003-06-03T18:24:57Z")
I believe **Fawlty Towers: ‘The Germans’** must be the single finest episode of TV comedy ever written. Everyone remembers Basil’s encounters with the Germans. But this one and the same single episode also contains: - all the scenes in the hospital where Sybil awaits her ingrowing toenail operation, including Basil and the Matron (“If you don’t leave I’ll call a doctor”, “It’s not a doctor you need, dear, it’s a plastic surgeon”). - all the scenes with the ‘talking’ Moose’s Head, including Manuel’s incantation, “I can speak Eeeenglish, I lurrrrn it from a boooook” and the Major’s confounded reactions - all the scenes with the Fire Drill. “But the fire drill’s not till twelve” / “But it IS twelve” / “Well, yes it is NOW but that’s because we’ve been standing here arguing about it!” and “I don’t know why we bother, we should let you all burn” - the scenes when the real fire breaks out, including Manuel trying to escape the kitchen inferno and Basil pushing him back in and locking the door Then, of course, there are the scenes with the Germans themselves. Not many exchanges can match this: “Stop making jokes about the war!” “Well you started it” “We did _not_ start it” “Yes you did, you invaded Poland!” Going back to the Moose thing, there’s a scene where an exasperated Basil is trying to hang the Moose’s Head up on the wall. The phone rings, and Basil has to stop what he’s doing to answer it. It’s Sybil, who has rung to remind him to hang the Moose’s Head on the wall. Ever since I first saw this, I’ve used ‘Moose moment’ as an appropriate metaphor for the pointless interruptions of self-important authority figures. You’re trying to get something useful done, and you get interrupted by ‘the boss’ either reminding you to do what you were doing, or interrupting progress in order to ask what sort of progress you’re making. In the days when I had a proper job, my boss would sometimes say, “How are you getting on?”, to which I would offer the accurate and honest response, “Not as well as I would without your pointless and time-wasting interruptions”. These days, I work for myself. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/55 "2003-06-03T18:35:36Z")
I’m on board for “Chuckles the Clown” and “Abyssinia Henry.” I’ve always liked “Offspring” from ST:TNG. I’ve mentioned this one before: The episode of “Fridays” with the John Lennon memorial. WKRP when a moral majority type group started trying to censor the station and Mr. Carlson finally stood up to them with the lyrics of Imagine. Touching and insightful. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/56 "2003-06-03T18:53:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by belladonna \* > \*\*Which one was that? I loved the show, but it’s been so long and I don’t know the names of the eps. > \*\* That was the Christmas Episode with Julianna Hatfield. However, I belief the best episode of MSCL, and, thus, imho, the best episode of any TV show ever, was **The Life of Brian** (not to be confused with the Monty Python movie). The scene at the end with Ricky and Delia dancing, and Brian and Angela feeling sorry for themselves… **so** powerful… ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/57 "2003-06-03T19:01:32Z")
Forgot the name, but I’ll vote for the episode of **WKRP In Cinncinnati** where Venus Flytrap has to teach his delinquent nephew the structure of an atom – all in five minutes and in terms he could relate to. Clever as sin, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/58 "2003-06-03T19:04:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by greenlily \* > \*\*I’d probably have to say Mountie On The \Bounty\, from \Due South\. Superb plot, characterization, sets, dialogue, music, etc. \*\* Welcome to the SDMB, **greenlily**. Mountie on the Bounty was pretty good. I also liked [“All The Queen’s Horses”](http://www.duesouth.com/squadroom/casefiles/136/) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/59 "2003-06-03T19:09:00Z")
I was literally falling on the floor laughing during the _I’m Not Gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that)_ episode of **Seinfeld**. I’m sure there’s an **Andy Griffith** episode that ought to be mentioned, but I’m having a hard time settling on one. Maybe the first episode featuring the Darling Family. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309/60 "2003-06-03T19:19:52Z")
I don’t know the name of it, but the STTNG episode where Picard is in a coma for the whole show and lives a full life on the other world. Not sure why but the end of the show blew me away (the flute). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-best-episode-of-any-tv-series-that-you-have-ever-seen/179309.md?page=4)