Adam's TV Obsessions

Every now and then, there is a TV episode so good, it seems impossible that it is really TV. Often, but not always, these are pilots or season finales - but whenever they occur in the season, they do something special. They have real, imaginative plot. Incredible production value. Above-average humor. Superb acting.

Just last night, I watched one such episode (Chuck, see below). So I decided I'd share what are to me, three of the best TV episodes of all time, and a little bit of why. The episodes are in order of greatness, top to bottom.

1. Chuck, Season 2 Episode 22 (finale) - "Chuck Vs. The Ring". Fantastic story line, excellent lead up from the entire 2 seasons, great acting, and one of the funniest lines ever delivered in TV (I won't spoil it, but for those that've seen, it's the last line in the episode, making an allusion to The Matrix). 9.7 on tv.com, for what it's worth.

2. House, Season 1 Episode 21 - "Three Stories". Like most of House, this is episodic, so not a lot of lead-in from other episodes. But the story telling is phenomenal, and we get a unique and rare look into House's past & psyche. This episode doesn't follow the normal formula in the slightest, which is refreshing. The acting, as always in House, is some of the best on TV. And of course there are some truly hilarious moments. 9.5 on tv.com, for what it's worth.

3. Psych, Season 4 Episode 16 (finale) - "Mr. Yin Presents …". A brilliant tribute to Hitchcock, in a very unserious way (it is Psych after all). Hilarious as always, but for once some *truly* good acting (it is normally just good enough to pull off the fairly slapstick humor). Non-formulaic, even intense/suspenseful at points, which is quite a feat to integrate with the humor. 6.9 on tv.com, for what it's worth (apparently people don't agree with me on this one).

Honorable mention: Lost, Season 1 Episode 1. One of the best pilots ever, promising, spine tingling. Ruined, of course, by the rest of the show.

Honorable mention 2: Heroes, Season 1 Episode 20 – “Five Years Gone”. Great, clever story. Excellent plot twists. Great acting. Set wonderful direction for the show. And then future seasons ruined it.

But I left one thing out .. and I have a good reason. It is not a single episode, so it didn't occur to me when thinking of this list. Best TV ever ... Firefly. All of it. :)