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(io9) Cool 10 single episodes that embody their entire TV series. Fahrbot suggestions to the right   (io9.com) divider line 220
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13365 clicks; posted to Geek » on 18 Oct 2011 at 8:29 PM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!



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FishyFred [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 04:51:56 PM
I'm sorry, but the pre-series "What We Did on Our Summer Vacation" episode of The Adventures of Pete and Pete is better than anything those nerds at io9 can come up with.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go beat up the ocean.
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 04:56:00 PM
"White Tulip" was farking weird, but Peter Weller is all sorts of awesome.
 
RexTalionis [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:12:21 PM
Baby Doll is a terrible representative episode for Batman TAS.

Why not Heart of Ice? Or Beware the Gray Ghost? Or Paging the Crime Doctor, Never Too Late, Harley and Ivy, His Silicon Soul, Joker's Favor, or Appointment at Crime Alley?
 
dahmers love zombie [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:15:41 PM
Twin Peaks, Season One, "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer". The backwards talking dwarf and Laura Palmer in the dream sequence were probably the defining imagery of the series.
 
The Stealth Hippopotamus [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:23:38 PM
Buffy the Vampire Hunter: One more time with feeling
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:27:09 PM
Because the last season takes place at Wolfram & Hart and we get the (kinda) culmination of the multi-season "Wesley really likes Fred" subplot, I wouldn't call "Smile Time" THE representative episode of Angel.

It's still pretty damn awesome, though.
 
calbert [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:29:55 PM
RexTalionis: Baby Doll is a terrible representative episode for Batman TAS.

Why not Heart of Ice? Or Beware the Gray Ghost? Or Paging the Crime Doctor, Never Too Late, Harley and Ivy, His Silicon Soul, Joker's Favor, or Appointment at Crime Alley?

great episodes, each one better than Baby Doll. I'd also like to include:

The Man Who Killed Batman, Almost Got 'Im, Nothing to Fear, Riddler's Reform, and Trial
 
GAT_00 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:30:11 PM
Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'
 
Darth_Lukecash [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:33:05 PM
RexTalionis: Baby Doll is a terrible representative episode for Batman TAS.

Why not Heart of Ice? Or Beware the Gray Ghost? Or Paging the Crime Doctor, Never Too Late, Harley and Ivy, His Silicon Soul, Joker's Favor, or Appointment at Crime Alley?

Heck "Legends of the Dark Knight" was a farking awesome episode. Including Micheal Ironside portraying Frank Millers version of Batman. It showed three versions of Batman that were all valid.
 
RexTalionis [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:34:15 PM
GAT_00: Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'

Two Cathedrals.
 
what_now [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:38:02 PM
The Stealth Hippopotamus: Buffy the Vampire Hunter: One more time with feeling

Really? Hunter?

GAT_00: West Wing

RexTalionis: Two Cathedrals.

YESSS....
 
The Stealth Hippopotamus [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:39:18 PM
what_now: Really? Hunter?

yeah that happened..


shame, i feel it
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:43:17 PM
If we're going with 24, we'd have to pick an episode where Jack Bauer disobeys orders and does something ridiculously violent, crafty, and awesome in order to stop terrorists.

...

I'll have to get back to you on that one. I'm blanking.
 
Darth_Lukecash [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:47:00 PM
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: If we're going with 24, we'd have to pick an episode where Jack Bauer disobeys orders and does something ridiculously violent, crafty, and awesome in order to stop terrorists.

...

I'll have to get back to you on that one. I'm blanking.

Let me help you narrow it down. It should be one that he screams "We don't the time!"
 
hubiestubert [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:48:07 PM
Crackers Don't Matter. Or, as I like to think of it: Humans ARE Su-peer-E-Or...
 
crypticsatellite [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:48:42 PM
The Buffy episode that I would choose would be "Hush."
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:52:16 PM
RexTalionis: GAT_00: Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'

Two Cathedrals.

Now, that's the single greatest hour of television ever, but it's not a stand alone episode.
 
ArkAngel [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 05:57:30 PM
calbert: RexTalionis: Baby Doll is a terrible representative episode for Batman TAS.

Why not Heart of Ice? Or Beware the Gray Ghost? Or Paging the Crime Doctor, Never Too Late, Harley and Ivy, His Silicon Soul, Joker's Favor, or Appointment at Crime Alley?

great episodes, each one better than Baby Doll. I'd also like to include:

The Man Who Killed Batman, Almost Got 'Im, Nothing to Fear, Riddler's Reform, and Trial

Why don't you throw a rock at him. A big rock
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:02:34 PM
Darth_Lukecash: Let me help you narrow it down. It should be one that he screams "We don't the time!"

Aw, dude... I've got nothin'.

Wait... was it the one where he yelled "DAMMIT!!!"?
 
The Stealth Hippopotamus [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:02:57 PM
calbert: Almost Got 'Im

Awesome.

Thank you for reminding me of that show.

/this one time, I had a rock
 
brap [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:09:52 PM
A Touch of Brimstone: The Avengers
Song For Europe: Father Ted
Training: The Office (original)

List limited to BBC shows for sake of brevity.
 
fusillade762
2011-10-18 06:32:06 PM
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: Because the last season takes place at Wolfram & Hart and we get the (kinda) culmination of the multi-season "Wesley really likes Fred" subplot, I wouldn't call "Smile Time" THE representative episode of Angel.

It's still pretty damn awesome, though.

I can still remember the episode from that season when Wesley's "father" turns to threaten Fred and Wes just wastes him without so much as blinking. My jaw was on... the... floor.

Though I think "Why We Fight" is better as a standalone episode.

Totally agree with "Blink" as the definitive New Who ep, though.
 
GAT_00 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:33:49 PM
mitchcumstein1: RexTalionis: GAT_00: Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'

Two Cathedrals.

Now, that's the single greatest hour of television ever, but it's not a stand alone episode.

Exactly. It's a great episode, but it does not encapsulate the show. Let Bartlet Be Bartlet does.
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:34:41 PM
fusillade762: I can still remember the episode from that season when Wesley's "father" turns to threaten Fred and Wes just wastes him without so much as blinking. My jaw was on... the... floor.

THAT was a shock and a half, aye.


Though I think "Why We Fight" is better as a standalone episode.

Agreed, aye.

The more I think about it, the more I remember other subplots coming into play in "Smile Time" (i.e. Gunn making the deal for permanent knowledge of the law).
 
fusillade762
2011-10-18 06:44:47 PM
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: fusillade762: I can still remember the episode from that season when Wesley's "father" turns to threaten Fred and Wes just wastes him without so much as blinking. My jaw was on... the... floor.

THAT was a shock and a half, aye.

Though I think "Why We Fight" is better as a standalone episode.

Agreed, aye.

The more I think about it, the more I remember other subplots coming into play in "Smile Time" (i.e. Gunn making the deal for permanent knowledge of the law).

Actually, on second thought I take it back. "Why We Fight" is great, but it suffers from not having enough Wesley. With "Smile Time" you get the whole team in action. Plus the super-hot werewolf chick.

Another Wes shocker I love (and that made me laugh out loud at Angel's follow-up line) is from "Shells":


Angel: You're about as low as it gets, Knox. But you're a part of humanity. That isn't always pretty, but it's a hell of a lot better than what came before. And if it comes down to a choice between you and him... then, yes. I would fight for his life just like any other human's, because that's what people do. That's what makes us...

[Wesley shoots Knox]

Angel: [to Wesley] Were you even listening?
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:51:49 PM
GAT_00: mitchcumstein1: RexTalionis: GAT_00: Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'

Two Cathedrals.

Now, that's the single greatest hour of television ever, but it's not a stand alone episode.

Exactly. It's a great episode, but it does not encapsulate the show. Let Bartlet Be Bartlet does.

So much Mandy in that episode though, and holy farking hell, Mandy sucked.

For me it's "The Crackpots and These Women." Doesn't really have anything to do with what goes on in the rest of the season, and shows the humor and seriousness of the show perfectly.
 
But Wait There's More [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 06:54:56 PM
The Sopranos - "College"

Man Men - "The Wheel"

Wiseguy - "No One Here Gets Out Alive"

Hill Street Blues - "Grace Under Pressure"
 
God Is My Co-Pirate
2011-10-18 06:57:18 PM
BSG: 33. Still the first and best episode.
 
GAT_00 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:16:12 PM
mitchcumstein1: GAT_00: mitchcumstein1: RexTalionis: GAT_00: Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'

Two Cathedrals.

Now, that's the single greatest hour of television ever, but it's not a stand alone episode.

Exactly. It's a great episode, but it does not encapsulate the show. Let Bartlet Be Bartlet does.

So much Mandy in that episode though, and holy farking hell, Mandy sucked.

For me it's "The Crackpots and These Women." Doesn't really have anything to do with what goes on in the rest of the season, and shows the humor and seriousness of the show perfectly.

Really? I don't mind her. I hated Ainsley for a while.
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:17:19 PM
I wouldn't even know which episode of Breaking Bad to pick, and I love the hell out of that show. Perhaps the first episode? Or maybe the one featuring Heisenberg's classic reveal: "...*this* is not meth."

For Mystery Science Theater 3000... I'm guessing I'd have to go with something from Season 3. Maybe Pod People.


fusillade762: Actually, on second thought I take it back. "Why We Fight" is great, but it suffers from not having enough Wesley. With "Smile Time" you get the whole team in action. Plus the super-hot werewolf chick.

Even Spike's one scene was a HOOT.

"You're a..."

"SPIKE!"

"YOU'RE A BLOODY PUPPET!"

*all hell breaks loose*


Another Wes shocker I love (and that made me laugh out loud at Angel's follow-up line) is from "Shells":

It was dark and hilarious at the same time... which is pretty much the whole vibe of Angel, actually.
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:20:26 PM
GAT_00: mitchcumstein1: GAT_00: mitchcumstein1: RexTalionis: GAT_00: Trying to think of a good single episode of West Wing. I'm going to have to go with 'Let Bartlet be Bartlet.'

Two Cathedrals.

Now, that's the single greatest hour of television ever, but it's not a stand alone episode.

Exactly. It's a great episode, but it does not encapsulate the show. Let Bartlet Be Bartlet does.

So much Mandy in that episode though, and holy farking hell, Mandy sucked.

For me it's "The Crackpots and These Women." Doesn't really have anything to do with what goes on in the rest of the season, and shows the humor and seriousness of the show perfectly.

Really? I don't mind her. I hated Ainsley for a while.

No, no, Mandy is awful, truly one of the only bad things about that entire show, and that's including shiat-ass season 5.

I loved Ainsley, if only because she constantly put the shiat on Sam.
 
GAT_00 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:22:22 PM
mitchcumstein1: No, no, Mandy is awful, truly one of the only bad things about that entire show, and that's including shiat-ass season 5.

First half of S6 was worse. The absolute low point was the Palestine/Israel storyline.
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:28:24 PM
GAT_00: mitchcumstein1: No, no, Mandy is awful, truly one of the only bad things about that entire show, and that's including shiat-ass season 5.

First half of S6 was worse. The absolute low point was the Palestine/Israel storyline.

Commander Kate Harper in Cuba with a drunk Leo. That's when they almost even lost me.
 
GAT_00 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:31:56 PM
mitchcumstein1: Commander Kate Harper in Cuba with a drunk Leo.

That was in Florida, wasn't it?
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:32:43 PM
And yes, the first half of 6 was bad, but the second half, once the campaign got going, was absolutely fantastic, culminating with that speech Santos gives at the convention... unbelievable.

If only John Spencer hadn't died, we might have gotten another year or so.
 
mitchcumstein1 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:34:20 PM
GAT_00: mitchcumstein1: Commander Kate Harper in Cuba with a drunk Leo.

That was in Florida, wasn't it?

You're right, but it was a Castro story, and it was terrible.
 
bighasbeen [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:35:58 PM
briterevolution.com
 
GAT_00 [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 07:54:16 PM
mitchcumstein1: And yes, the first half of 6 was bad, but the second half, once the campaign got going, was absolutely fantastic, culminating with that speech Santos gives at the convention... unbelievable.

If only John Spencer hadn't died, we might have gotten another year or so.

One, the show was killed before that. That's why there are no midterms in 2004 (since the show is two years off the normal timeline). They were only given S6 and S7. The midterms are just mentioned they happened and then that's it. Santos shows up right before the NH filing deadline, making that around October 2005. And Santos was going to win all along, why else would Josh be warning them the President was here at the beginning of S7? Spencer dying was just unfortunately tragic. But yeah, the show begins a decline right after the 2002 election, accelerating right up until the campaign. The campaign is fantastic, right below S1&2.
 
SilentStrider [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:20:28 PM
fusillade762: Though I think "Why We Fight" is better as a standalone episode.

as in the Band of Brothers ep? I dunno if that's the one I'd pick. I'd probably go with Breaking Point, or Day of Days.
 
Mugato [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:30:05 PM
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: If we're going with 24, we'd have to pick an episode where Jack Bauer disobeys orders and does something ridiculously violent, crafty, and awesome in order to stop terrorists.

...

I'll have to get back to you on that one. I'm blanking.

Either the one where he shoots Robocop's wife to get him to talk or hacksaw's a guy's head off to present it to the guy whose trust he's trying to get back.
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:34:50 PM
Mugato: Either the one where he shoots Robocop's wife to get him to talk or hacksaw's a guy's head off to present it to the guy whose trust he's trying to get back.

I'm leaning toward the latter one because I loved the David Palmer years.

Season 5 was unthinkably awesome, though, so I'm torn. In the case of Season 5, I'd have to go with THIS one. (pops, some spoilers)
 
fusillade762
2011-10-18 08:36:03 PM
SilentStrider: fusillade762: Though I think "Why We Fight" is better as a standalone episode.

as in the Band of Brothers ep? I dunno if that's the one I'd pick. I'd probably go with Breaking Point, or Day of Days.

"Why We Fight" is the one on the submarine.
 
Tingle007
2011-10-18 08:36:26 PM
How about: King of the Hill: Buckley's angel.
it sums up life, family, americana, hope, love, and letting go, and all while ridiculing the stupidity of suburb dwellers from louanne to bill and dale. Everyone learns a lesson. Nothing more moving then when Buckley's ghost walks down the street at the end to the tune of "life in a northern town" after Luoanne tell him their relationship is over.
 
SilentStrider [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:36:30 PM
If I had to pick an NCIS episode, I'd say I'd probably go with Twilight, aka the season 2 finale.
 
SilentStrider [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:38:04 PM
fusillade762: SilentStrider: fusillade762: Though I think "Why We Fight" is better as a standalone episode.

as in the Band of Brothers ep? I dunno if that's the one I'd pick. I'd probably go with Breaking Point, or Day of Days.

"Why We Fight" is the one on the submarine.

ahh, we were thinking different shows then, nevermind.
 
Mugato [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:38:33 PM
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: I'm leaning toward the latter one because I loved the David Palmer years.

Season 5 was unthinkably awesome, though, so I'm torn. In the case of Season 5, I'd have to go with THIS one. (pops, some spoilers)

I love them all, even the much reviled family reunion season.
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:39:18 PM
SilentStrider: If I had to pick an NCIS episode, I'd say I'd probably go with Twilight, aka the season 2 finale.

Tough call there, what with the show's changing cast and the different focuses that the episodes would take.

Tough call, indeed.
 
DeathLemur
2011-10-18 08:39:31 PM
No Babylon 5.

Me sad.
 
SilentStrider [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:40:07 PM
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: Tough call there, what with the show's changing cast and the different focuses that the episodes would take.

Tough call, indeed.

it was either that, or the season 3 two-part premiere, at least for me.
 
Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener [TotalFark]
2011-10-18 08:43:48 PM
Mugato: I love them all, even the much reviled family reunion season.

I have my issues with Season 6... but even then, that had some awesome episodes.

If you're talking an episode that can embody an entire series, then the 17th episode of Season 6 (10 PM - 11 PM) could suffice.

You have lots of craftiness, suspense, action, CTU doing its thing, and a huge twist at the end.
 
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