Every once in a while a particular episode of a television show comes along that is so well written and so perfectly crafted that it immediately becomes a classic. It can make even the toughest critics instant fans. So what makes an episode so good that it can convert the masses? We at Clicker central decided to pay homage to some of our favorite fan-makers.
Breaking Bad
The first season of this AMC drama is good and I mean really good. But Crazy Handful of Nothin tops everything that comes before. Walt shaves his head, concocts an alter ego, and explodes a drug lord’s lair. Things change for Walt and Jesse after this nail-biter and they change (mostly) for the better.
Community
I wasn’t much of a fan of this one when it first started, but I instantly regretted not paying more attention to it when I saw Modern Warfare, one of the most perfect episodes of recent television history. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little but seriously, it’s great. The plot is ridiculous (paintball war-to-the-death on campus!) but the way the characters treat it as if it’s a true life or death situation makes this episode an instant classic. And thank God Jeff and Britta finally release some of their sexual tension, am I right?
Grey’s Anatomy
When I watched the sixth season finale, comprised of Sanctuary and Death and All His Friends, back in May, I was blown away. This tension-filled double episode finale was more emotional than any other episode I’ve seen in a long time (including the Lost finale). As a gunman stalks Dr. Shepherd through the hospital, characters are injured, killed, and have their skills truly put to the test. I’ve never been more stressed out watching television before in my entire life. But it was worth it.
Lost
Whether you love it or hate it, you have to admit that few shows have become such a cultural phenomenon as this ABC sci-fi drama. The pilot is pretty epic, but the true stand out episode of the first season is Walkabout. Although you’re still not sure what the island is all about (and are you ever?), in this episode it becomes painfully clear that the island and John Locke are certainly not what they seem. Looks like this show isn’t a Gilligan’s Island reboot, after all.
Rubicon
This series has been slow and mysterious from the start. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means, but it does mean that this show can be a little hard to get into for some viewers. If you’ve been waiting for something to happen in Rubicon, you’re in for a treat with the seventh episode, The Truth Will Out. Everything finally comes to a head and you won’t regret sticking with this slow builder. It’s a shame this one was recently canceled.
Parks and Recreation
This show had a rocky first season to say the least, but it really grew into itself after a few months break. I was hesitant to give it another chance but the second season’s Practice Date, completely won me back. The gang digs for dirty secrets about each other as Leslie gets drunk practicing for a date with Dave, played by Louis C.K. This is the first episode crediting Harris Wittels for the writing, and even if he didn’t single-handedly save this show his skills definitely didn’t hurt.
Seinfeld
It’s hard to choose just one episode to sum up a show chock full of classics and quotables, but The Chinese Restaurant certainly is one of the most quintessential Seinfeld episodes. It takes the whole “show about nothing” motto to a new level; this episode takes place in one location and has almost no plot and yet it’s one of the most entertaining episodes of the second season. It’s a shame that this one isn’t online, because it certainly is a gem.
South Park
Most fans I polled agreed that Scott Tenorman Must Die is the episode that revolutionized this popular series. It shows Cartman’s evil side like never before and once creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone went big they never went home. Every episode after this one brings the show to a new level of ridiculousness and that’s exactly the way we like it.
Agree or disagree with our picks? Let us know what episodes converted you to fandom in the comments section and if you haven’t given any of these a try, consider scheduling some alone time for you and your computer. Trust us. You won’t regret it.
