10 Greatest TV Episodes Of All-Time
The best of the medium in microcosm.
In recent years, the medium of televisionhas thrivedto such an extent that the best shows are good enough to rival even the best films. Years ago, though, television was thought to be inferior; naturally, it garnered less respect. And then shows like The Sopranos and Buffy the Vampire Slayer came along in the '90s and changed everything, ushering in a new age of television greatness; writers, once shackled by the established system, were free to dream big, to be auteurs, to write TVas if it were great literature.
Nowadays, TV means big business. TV is art. Choosinga list of the10 greatest anything - especially in a category that spans thousands and thousands of choices - is something akin to an exercise in futility, of course. But that doesn't stop folk from trying anyway, because what good is stuff in the modern era if it can't be condensed into a handy list? Which brings us this article, which attempts to highlight 10 episodes from 10 different television shows that stand as shining examples of what the medium of TV is capable of.
Though everybody's list of the 10 greatest TV episodes ever is bound to be completely different, this list attempts to encompass episodes that fit a certain criteria. So to make the cut, any given episode had to have used the medium to its full advantage. Next, it had to be from a show that pierced the public consciousness, and - as a result - now feels like part of the fabric of popular culture. In essence, it had to be pretty much perfect for its entire length. It has to shake things up. It had to define television.
Please be aware thatthis article contains spoilersfor a bunch of popular TV shows.