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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)

This installment starts with the MI5 agents confined while undergoing a drill relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical agent deployed. The suspense builds as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and escalates as the boss appears to be infected, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, forcing Matthew Macfadyen’s character to opt for either shooting them or permitting their exit and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. Given it’s Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.

Threads (1984)

Threads had minimal funding but arguably the most terrifying series I have ever watched due to its harsh realism and bleak government data. Saw it not long ago after seeing the first airing; I used to visit the pub in Sheffield from the programme that highlighted the truth and the casual, straightforward government details that were transmitted. Continuing to be utterly horrifying decades on.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The season one finale of Severance has to be right up there as a tense chapter. I was throughout the episode quite literally on the edge of my seat, exerting with Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that allowed the Innies to remain active, while shouting to the Innies to disclose their facts. The final climactic moment – “she survives!” – 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 depart the area multiple times owing to the vast degree of the reckless self-harm I was witnessing. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors owing to his uncontrollable gaming, taking such risks with a bet on sterling which may result in huge losses for his employer. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, is brutally attacked. Whenever you assume it can’t get any worse, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, with horrifying consequences in the season finale. Certainly required a rest afterward!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. However, the Holiday episode includes such amounts of embarrassment that it can cause you to stand the whole episode, filled with nervousness. The tension escalates when Jeremy and Mark realize being compelled to falsify about the canine they by chance collide with and following tries to eliminate it. You then spend the rest of the episode doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it can be!

The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals

Nothing I have seen has been as tense as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The show opens with the fallout of the passing (in a road incident) of the president’s personal secretary and escalates to a高潮 involving a Haitian emergency, and the fallout from the non-disclosure about the president’s MS condition, with confirmation of his intention to run for another term. Wonderful television. Unsurpassed.

The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode

The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train with his young son, ranks among the most gripping episodes I’ve seen. He notices a Muslim female heading to the toilet and realizes something is amiss. The bomb diffuser experts are called, enter the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to take off her suicide vest. Tension escalates to an almost unbearable degree, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body from 2001

Buffy enters her house to find her mum has passed away from natural reasons, which is the most unusual type of death in this paranormal series. The show features no musical score, a sullen tone, and we witness the episode via the perspective of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.

The 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America

The final scene of the final episode 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 adversaries, actual and perceived, were all vanquished. Doesn’t this resemble the season one conclusion? “Think about the small elements.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The family sit in a restaurant. Meadow parks. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela difficulties are arising with another member of his team collaborating with the authorities. Meadow parks. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Look at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The bell sounds, an individual enters. Can’t be Meadow, she’s still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Don’t stop. It ceases. My heart sank about 20 minutes later.

The Walking Dead – The Last Day on Earth from 2016

I remained awake to view this installment at 2am. It was so intense after the establishment of antagonist Negan finding the group, mercilessly mocking his targets then not knowing who he killed (ended on a cliffhanger). The victim’s POV shot and the subdued noises – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season