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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)

The episode begins with the intelligence unit restricted as part of a simulation about a potential terror incident, supervised by two Home Office agents. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The anxiety increases as incoming communications show a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and gets worse as the boss appears to be infected, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, pushing the protagonist portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or allowing them to leave and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. As this is Spooks, his decision is predictable.

Threads from 1984

The production was inexpensive but one of the most frightening programmes I have viewed because of the stark reality and dismal official figures. Watched it about a month ago having watched the original; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub from the programme which emphasised the reality and the casual, straightforward government details which was broadcast. Remaining completely frightening decades on.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The first season finale of Severance ranks highly in terms of gripping installments. I was throughout the episode quite literally on the edge of my seat, pushing alongside Dylan to hold the switches that allowed the Innies to remain active, while screaming at the Innies to disclose their facts. The ultimate peak – “she’s alive!” – was like an eruption.

Industry – White Mischief (2024)

Installment five in Industry’s third series had my heart racing. I was compelled to halt and rise and depart the area multiple times owing to the vast degree of the wanton self-destruction I was witnessing. Rishi Ramdani faces serious trouble in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors because of his compulsive gambling, assuming hazardous chances on a wager involving sterling which could lose his company millions. Naturally, he embarks on a betting frenzy, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and experiences wins and losses, is severely assaulted. Whenever you assume it can’t get any worse, it does. There is a chance for salvation as the installment closes but he misses the opening, resulting in dreadful effects in the season finale. Absolutely had to relax following that!

The 2007 Peep Show episode Holiday

Peep Show itself isn’t necessarily a stressful show. But the episode Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it will make you rise for the full show, riddled with anxiety. The tension escalates when Jeremy and Mark realize needing to deceive regarding the dog they accidentally run over and following tries to eliminate it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment doubting if it can actually be more terrible than burning, and it turns out to be!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals (2001)

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense than the first time I watched the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The show opens with the fallout of the death (in a traffic accident) of the president’s personal secretary and builds to a peak involving a Haitian emergency, and the effects of the withheld information regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, coupled with verification of his aim to run for another term. Wonderful television. Never bettered.

The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode

The opening of the British series Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train accompanied by his small son, is for me one of the most intense episodes ever. He spots a Muslim woman entering the restroom and knows something is off. The bomb diffuser experts are called, enter the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds to an almost unbearable degree, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy arrives at her residence to find her mum has passed away of natural causes, which is the most unusual type of death in this mystical program. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a somber mood, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The ultimate sequence of the series finale of the show was pants-wettingly tense. And if you viewed it when it first premiered, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Remember the little things.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Nearly Twin Peaks-like fear. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow parks. Tony sadly tells Carmela there’s trouble afoot with yet another of his crew working with the government. Meadow secures a parking space. Strange people enter the restaurant. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow parks her car. The bell sounds, an individual enters. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony raises his gaze. Keep going. It stops. My heart sank around 20 minutes subsequently.

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

I remained awake to view this installment in the early morning. It was extremely gripping after the buildup of bad guy Negan finding the group, mercilessly mocking his targets and then keeping the death a mystery (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The victim’s POV shot and the muted audio – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season