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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

The episode begins with the intelligence unit restricted while undergoing a drill concerning a fictional terrorist event, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it seems an actual attack has occurred with a chemical weapon released. The suspense builds as messages indicate a disaster happening externally, and intensifies as the superior shows signs of exposure, and the government agents endeavor to depart, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or allowing them to leave and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. This being Spooks, his decision is predictable.

Threads (1984)

Threads had minimal funding but arguably the most terrifying series I have viewed due to its harsh realism and bleak government data. Saw it not long ago having watched the original; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub from the programme which underscored the actuality and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Continuing to be utterly horrifying after three and a half decades.

The 2022 Severance episode The We We Are

The season one finale of Severance deserves a top spot among intense episodes. I spent the entire episode actually sitting tensely, pushing alongside Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while screaming at the Innies to get their truths out there. The ultimate peak – “she is living!” – was like an eruption.

Industry – White Mischief from 2024

Installment five in Industry’s third series made my pulse quicken. I needed to stop and stand and leave the room several times due to the immense extent of the wanton self-destruction I observed. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt from unscrupulous lenders owing to his uncontrollable gaming, assuming hazardous chances with a bet on sterling that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, is brutally attacked. Whenever you assume things cannot decline more, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation by the episode’s conclusion but he misses the opening, with horrifying consequences in the concluding part of the season. Certainly required a rest afterward!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. Yet the installment Holiday includes such amounts of embarrassment that it can cause you to stand throughout the entire episode, filled with nervousness. The situation intensifies once Jeremy and Mark find themselves having to lie about the dog they unintentionally hit and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it turns out to be!

The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The show opens with the fallout of the death (in a traffic accident) of the president’s personal secretary and builds to a peak with a crisis in Haiti, and the repercussions of the secrecy regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, along with affirmation of his plan to seek re-election. Superb programming. Unsurpassed.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The opening of the British series Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train with his young son, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He notices a Muslim female heading to the toilet and knows something is off. The bomb diffuser experts are called, board the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds to an almost unbearable degree, until yes, the vest is diffused.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body from 2001

Buffy enters her house to find her mum has passed away due to natural factors, which is the least common kind of passing in this mystical program. The episode has no background music, a gloomy atmosphere, and we see the episode through the experience of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The concluding moment of the last installment of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, had all been defeated. Doesn’t this resemble the season one conclusion? “Recall the minor details.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow stops the car. Tony sadly tells Carmela there’s trouble afoot with another member of his team working with the government. Meadow secures a parking space. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony puts a record on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony looks up. Continue. It stops. My heart dropped from my mouth about 20 minutes later.

The 2016 The Walking Dead episode The Last Day on Earth

I stayed up to watch this episode at 2am. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan finding the group, savagely teasing his prey and then leaving the victim unknown (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muted audio – argh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season