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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

The episode begins with the intelligence unit confined during a training exercise about a potential terror incident, monitored by two government representatives. As the situation develops, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical agent deployed. The suspense builds as messages indicate a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and gets worse when the leader seems contaminated, with the two officials trying to exit, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or permitting their exit and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. Given it’s Spooks, his decision is predictable.

Threads from 1984

Threads was low budget but one of the most frightening programmes I have viewed because of the stark reality and grim official statistics. Watched it about a month ago having watched the original; I often attended the bar in Sheffield shown in the series which emphasised the reality and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Remaining completely frightening after three and a half decades.

Severance – The We We Are from 2022

The first season finale of Severance deserves a top spot in terms of gripping installments. I spent the entire episode actually sitting tensely, exerting with Dylan to maintain his grip on the controls that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while shouting to the Innies to disclose their facts. The final climactic moment – “she is living!” – was like an eruption.

The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief

Episode five of the third series of Industry had my heart racing. I needed to stop and stand and leave the room several times owing to the vast degree of the wanton self-destruction I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit professionally and personally – overwhelmed by debt to loan sharks owing to his uncontrollable gaming, engaging in dangerous ventures with a gamble on the pound that might cost his firm millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, uses copious drugs and alcohol and alternates between success and failure, is severely assaulted. Each instance you believe it can’t get any worse, it does. There is a chance for salvation by the episode’s conclusion but he squanders the opportunity, resulting in dreadful effects in the season finale. Certainly required a rest afterward!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

The series Peep Show isn’t typically anxiety-inducing. But the episode Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it can cause you to stand the whole episode, permeated with worry. The tension escalates once Jeremy and Mark find themselves having to lie about the dog they accidentally run over and later efforts to get rid of it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it is possible!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense as when I first saw the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The installment begins with the consequences of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s confidential aide and builds to a peak with a situation in Haiti, and the effects of the withheld information about the president’s MS condition, with confirmation of his intention to seek re-election. Excellent TV. Unequaled.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the hero aboard a train accompanied by his small son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He spots a Muslim woman going into the loo and realizes something is amiss. The bomb diffuser experts are called, get on the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to discard her bomb jacket. Suspense rises to an almost unbearable degree, until yes, the vest is diffused.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy enters her house to discover her mother has died due to natural factors, which is the least common kind of passing in this paranormal series. The show features no musical score, a sullen tone, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s dismay upon uncovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The ultimate sequence of the series finale of the series was extremely nerve-wracking. And if you viewed it when it first premiered, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Think about the small elements.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow parks. Tony gloomily informs Carmela problems are brewing with an additional associate cooperating with the officials. Meadow parks. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Look at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. It isn’t Meadow, she remains parking. Tony looks up. Keep going. It ceases. My heart dropped from my mouth around 20 minutes subsequently.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth (2016)

I kept late hours to see this show during the night. It was incredibly tense following the introduction of villain Negan finding the group, mercilessly mocking his targets and then leaving the victim unknown (ended on a cliffhanger). The victim’s POV shot and the muted audio – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season