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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

This installment starts with the Spooks team restricted as part of a simulation concerning a fictional terrorist event, overseen by two Home Office officials. As things progress, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical agent deployed. The tension ratchets up as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and escalates as the boss appears to be infected, with the two officials trying to exit, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to choose between firing at them or allowing them to leave and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. Given it’s Spooks, it is unsurprising which one he chooses.

Threads from 1984

Threads had minimal funding but arguably the most terrifying series I have viewed because of the stark reality and bleak government data. Viewed it recently having watched the original; I often attended the bar in Sheffield from the programme which emphasised the reality and the glib matter-of-fact official information which was broadcast. Remaining completely frightening after three and a half decades.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The season one finale of Severance ranks highly in terms of gripping installments. I was throughout the episode actually sitting tensely, pushing alongside Dylan to hold the switches that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while shouting to the Innies to disclose their facts. The final climactic moment – “she’s alive!” – felt like an explosion.

The 2024 Industry episode White Mischief

The fifth episode of Industry’s third season made my pulse quicken. I needed to stop and stand and depart the area multiple times because of the sheer scale of the wanton self-destruction I was witnessing. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit professionally and personally – buried in financial obligations to loan sharks owing to his uncontrollable gaming, assuming hazardous chances with a gamble on the pound that might cost his firm millions. So of course, he goes on a gambling spree, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and wins, loses, wins, gets beaten to a pulp. Whenever you assume the situation cannot deteriorate further, it does. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode but he misses the opening, with horrifying consequences in the season finale. Definitely needed a lie-down after 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’ll have you standing up the whole episode, riddled with anxiety. It all ramps up when Jeremy and Mark realize having to lie about the dog they accidentally run over and following tries to eliminate it. You subsequently use the rest of the installment wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it turns out to be!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense as when I first saw the season two finale to The West Wing. The show opens with the fallout of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s private assistant and builds to a peak involving a Haitian emergency, and the repercussions of the secrecy about the president’s MS condition, along with affirmation of his plan to seek re-election. Excellent TV. Unequaled.

Bodyguard – episode one from 2018

The opening of the British series Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train with his young son, is personally a top tense installment. He observes a woman in Islamic attire going into the loo and knows something is off. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, board the train, and attempt to convince the woman to take off her suicide vest. Suspense rises to a nearly intolerable level, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)

Buffy comes into her home to realize her mom has deceased of natural causes, which is the most unusual type of death in this mystical program. The installment lacks any soundtrack, a sullen tone, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The final scene of the final episode of the program was incredibly anxious. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at first – weren’t sure why. Tony’s enemies, real and imagined, were all overcome. Surely this has the feel of the season one ending? “Remember the little things.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Approaching Twin Peaks-esque horror. The family gathers in a diner. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony sadly tells Carmela problems are brewing with another member of his team cooperating with the officials. Meadow secures a parking space. Odd persons arrive at the eatery. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow parks. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow parks. The bell rings, someone enters the restaurant. It isn’t Meadow, she remains parking. Tony glances upward. Don’t stop. It halts. My heart dropped from my mouth about 20 minutes later.

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

I stayed up to watch this episode during the night. It was extremely gripping after the establishment of antagonist Negan discovering the characters, cruelly taunting his victims and then leaving the victim unknown (concluded with a suspenseful moment). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the subdued noises – argh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season