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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

The episode begins with the MI5 agents locked down as part of a simulation about a potential terror incident, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it becomes clear a real incident has taken place with a chemical weapon released. The tension ratchets up as incoming communications show a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and escalates when the leader seems contaminated, with the two officials trying to exit, forcing Matthew Macfadyen’s character to choose between firing at them or allowing them to leave and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.

The 1984 production Threads

The production was inexpensive yet among the scariest shows I’ve ever seen due to its harsh realism and dismal official figures. Saw it not long ago having watched the original; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme which emphasised the reality and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Remaining completely frightening 35 years later.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The season one finale of Severance deserves a top spot in terms of gripping installments. I was throughout the episode actually sitting tensely, straining every sinew with Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while screaming at the Innies to disclose their facts. The ultimate peak – “she’s alive!” – resembled a outburst.

Industry – White Mischief (2024)

Episode five of the third series of Industry had my heart racing. I had to pause and get up and leave the room several times due to the immense extent of the reckless self-harm I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit professionally and personally – up to his eyeballs in debt to illegal creditors because of his compulsive gambling, engaging in dangerous ventures with a bet on sterling that might cost his firm millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, gets beaten to a pulp. Every time you think it can’t get any worse, it worsens. Redemption seems possible at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, resulting in dreadful effects in the season finale. Absolutely had to relax following that!

The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday

Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. But the episode Holiday contains such levels of cringe that it will make you rise the whole episode, filled with nervousness. The tension escalates as Jeremy and Mark discover being compelled to falsify about the canine they by chance collide with and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then spend the rest of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it is possible!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001

Nothing I have seen has been as tense compared to my initial viewing the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The show opens with the fallout of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s private assistant and builds to a peak with a crisis in Haiti, and the effects of the withheld information of the president’s MS diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to run for another term. Excellent TV. Unequaled.

The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode

The opening of the British series Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train accompanied by his small son, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and realizes something is amiss. The bomb squad is alerted, board the train, and try to persuade the woman to take off her suicide vest. Tension escalates to an almost unbearable degree, until yes, the vest is diffused.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)

Buffy comes into her home to realize her mom has deceased from natural reasons, which is the least common kind of passing in this supernatural show. The episode has no background music, a sullen tone, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.

The 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America

The ultimate sequence of the series finale of the program was incredibly anxious. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. This seems similar to the first season’s finale, right? “Think about the small elements.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony gloomily informs Carmela there’s trouble afoot with an additional associate collaborating with the authorities. Meadow secures a parking space. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The door chimes, a person comes in. It isn’t Meadow, she remains parking. Tony glances upward. Don’t stop. It ceases. My spirit fell around 20 minutes subsequently.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016

I stayed up to watch this episode in the early morning. It was incredibly tense following the introduction of villain Negan finding the group, mercilessly mocking his targets and then leaving the victim unknown (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The first-person perspective of the victim and the muted audio – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season