Fans Name Episodes That Made Or Ruined A TV Series
A hit television show is often judged by the collective episodes made over time. In theory, this would make most shows pretty well-liked by the masses. However, since this is a timeline where a single good or bad event can destroy (or make) something, most shows are judged on their highest or lowest peaks. From the best of the best to the iconically bad, there’s no shortage of television programs with a shining moment, or a disastrous flop, that forever changed the course of their run. While some surprises and twists went over better than others, you can’t say these famous series didn’t try.
People are sharing the episodes that made or ruined a TV series, some of the picks are extremely accurate!
MADE: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “I Only Have Eyes for You”
There are so many great moments and episodes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it can be hard to pick a single amazing one. However, the nineteenth episode of season two is a pretty strong contender for the crown. “I Only Have Eyes For You” is a pretty solid Buffy episode. Not only does it have some neat effects for the time, but the ghost story also ties in with the emotional development of the characters.
While it may seem formulaic, the tight writing and long-standing effects of the episode set the stage for the show to really burst out of the gate. It also showcased the maturity and future promise of the cast which would eventually become a hallmark of the series. Plus, a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet but with long-gone spirits? What’s not to love about this episode?
RUINED: That 70’s Show, “It’s A Wonderful Life”
That 70s Show never took itself too seriously. This is why it was such a treat to watch every week. It was silly. It was weird. It was the perfect show to watch dumb people have heartfelt relationships in a non-stressful environment. Then Eric and Donna split. What made the show great was the dynamics of the group and how their personal relationships interplayed with how the group interacted.
The two leading characters breaking up didn’t merely affect their storyline, the entire tone of the next season was a massive downer. It almost made the show completely unwatchable or redeemable. What were the directors thinking?
MADE: Community, “Contemporary American Poultry”
While Community is full of laughs and shocking moments, some of the earlier episodes blow the rest of the series out of the water. One of the highlights of the show is how easily it can integrate seemingly random ideas and choices into a solid plot with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s like watching poetry.
The season one episode “Contemporary American Poultry” is a shining example of what happens when Community hits the nail right on the head. Few shows can recreate the movie Goodfellas with a cafeteria and a plot to steal chicken fingers! Even fewer can have it make sense and seem completely logical.
RUINED: Black Mirror, “The National Anthem”
Black Mirror has never been shy about throwing super graphic and explicit plots at its viewers. With each episode being nearly a standalone, the show’s creators have almost free reign to create the most ridiculous stories without worrying about continuity or much blowback. If you don’t like one episode, another may appeal to you! The one downside to Black Mirror is the pacing and order of the episodes.
Premiering the show with “National Anthem” was a ballsy and probably incorrect move. Showing the dangers of blackmail, technology, and everything else talked about, was smart. Throwing in bestiality, and then showing (some) of it was not. It’s one of the rare instances where a show lost viewers on the premiere, but somehow bounced back for a multi-year run!
MADE: LOST, “Through The Looking Glass”
Every single episode of LOST, including the ending, is a head-scratcher wrapped in a mystery, coated in confusion. We also love each and every one of them. The season three finale was an island of perfection in a sea of great episodes. Every person had a chance to shine, even if it was the last time they’d be on the screen! From Locke’s struggle with mobility to the Others’ assault on the beach, there’s a lot going on.
It’s also all done in such a way that fans were overwhelmed but still wanted more. This is when you know you’ve written an amazing episode. Plus, with so many questions left unanswered, it was clear we’d be getting a lot more great seasons (even if confusing) after the surprise at the end of this season.
RUINED: How I Met Your Mother, “The Last Forever Pt. 2”
By the time we reached the final season of How I Met Your Mother, it was obvious she would be a surprise late-game character. This alone was a gut punch to the fans. Why is Ted taking so long to tell this story when he could’ve talked about the rainy weekend he met “Mother” during? It’s so dumb. What made it inexcusable was how quickly Ted’s wife passed away. She was used as a terribly driven plot device to reunite him with Robin. WHY?
Those two were horrible together. This was made abundantly clear when Barney and Robin were a more stable pairing. The use of an entire series’ greatest mystery only to kill the mother off almost immediately, for a sloppy romantic epilogue. This was a double-cross we weren’t ready for.
MADE: The Leftovers, “International Assassin”
Combine some versions of the Rapture, supernatural occurrences, and a philosophical discussion about the pros and cons of organized religions, and you have The Leftovers. This creepy and somewhat depressing smash-hit show is incredible television across three dramatic seasons. One of the best episodes of the entire series is the season two episode, “International Assassin”.
Patti finally gets what’s coming to her and Kevin starts to embrace his destiny. There’s so much going on and it all plays a more significant part in a more incredible story! Most fans will agree this is where the show took a huge turning point. Too bad we didn’t get more seasons.
RUINED: Game of Thrones, “The Last Of The Starks”
The entirety of season eight of Game Of Thrones is like a fever dream. With the inevitability of the show coming to an end, so many rash decisions were made about a series that hadn’t been completed yet. For most of its run, super-fans were thinking there would be a huge payoff at the end of such a terrible season. They were quickly told, by the fourth episode, no payoff would be coming.
Cersei did what Cersei always does and managed to make the wrong person angry. Her penchant for villainy should be considered pretty obvious by now. Instead of keeping a level head, Daenerys decides to have a nuclear meltdown. Then all Hell breaks loose and makes the entire series, and season, worse for it.
MADE: Friday Night Lights, “The Son”
Friday Night Lights took the nation, and the world, by storm. This popular football-inspired show tugged and then ripped out people’s heartstrings on a nearly weekly basis. One of the hardest (but best) moments to watch center around Matt and his father. Despite not being featured much, Matt’s dad was a shining star in “The Son”.
After passing away in the Iraq War, Matt’s father had one final profound impact on the guy. His death caused Matt to spiral and then go through a complete emotional breakdown! The loss of a parent, paired with the stress of upholding everyone else’s expectations was too much.
RUINED: Family Guy, “Life Of Brian”
When a show sticks around as long as Family Guy, it only makes sense for some of the characters to experience a change. What doesn’t make sense is how radical some of them change. Brian used to be an academically smart and somewhat preppy know-it-all. While he hadn’t been this way for a while, turning him into a semi-functioning alcoholic who can’t be bothered to read or do research on anything was insufferable.
The only thing which could’ve made the situation worse is if he was killed off. Oh, wait, this happened too. Deciding to remove Brian from the show, and immediately replacing him with a terrible knock-off, almost destroyed Family Guy. Thankfully, it looks like they’ve learned their lesson.
MADE: Breaking Bad, “Face Off”
Almost every episode of Breaking Bad is someone’s favorite. The show is so iconic and ingrained in people’s minds it’ll probably live on for generations. However, “Face Off” may be the episode to top all other episodes. Every single loose-end, tangled thread, and the complicated storyline seems to meet in this single instance.
Multiple characters meet their end while others sink further and further into darkness. We’re not exactly sure what made Walt snap so badly, but wow. He was NOT playing around this time and everyone celebrated his snap from whatever reality he was trying to live in.
RUINED: Sabrina, “Chapter Twenty-Three: Heavy Is The Crown”
Sabrina was a fantastic and gritty reboot of an otherwise wholesome and nostalgic show. The second television version of the series showed us the more devilish side of the Spellman legacy. With a stellar cast and a magical premise, this show almost immediately became binge-worthy TV. The first two seasons are some of the best programming ever created by Netflix.
Then the third season rolls around and decides to throw things at the wall and see what sticks. Where was the horror? Where were the darkness and deeply unsettling plots? The whole series lost its royal status with “Heavy Is The Crown”. In a single episode, it turned the show into another typical teen show.
MADE: It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, “The Gang Tries Desperately To Get An Award”
You know you’ve created a great television episode when other, non-related, shows copy it. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is constantly at the forefront of humor, and depravity, and has managed to garner a massive cult following. There’s something about Danny DeVito and the rest of the gang being terrible that fills people with warmth.
The greedy characters on the show are so desperate for recognition that they’ll break the fourth wall and try to earn an Emmy for themselves. The entire episode follows the gang trying to win an award for the bar. However, the true reasoning behind the episode is a commentary on the lack of Emmys that had won!
RUINED: Sherlock, All of Season 4
Most shows don’t survive taking a multi-year break. Sherlock tried his best. The murder mystery show has a loyal fanbase, but everything was almost lost during the show’s tiny, and bizarre, fourth season. After being off the air for more than a moment, the show released three episodes as a complete season as a way of welcoming the show back to the masses.
The whole season, if you can call it a full season, tried to switch genres. It also lost the mystery aspect and made us root for people in ways that don’t make sense with the show. This was not a great comeback and we’re surprised the show survived.
MADE: Mr. Robot, “eps2.9_pyth0n-pt2.p7z”
Mr. Robot isn’t about robots, sorry to break it to you. Instead, it’s much more interesting. The show follows Elliott, a cybersecurity engineer with a dissociative identity disorder. While we get to see Eliott’s struggles through his own eyes, there’s a big issue with the show: not everything the audience sees actually happens!
Since we’re not able to trust the main character’s perceptions, every episode is like a new adventure! The season two finale is one of the most eyebrow-raising. While we can’t tell a lot of Elliott’s experiences, this one shook everyone to the core. Gaslighting, a deadly virus, secret personas…this episode has everything!
RUINED: The Walking Dead, “How It’s Gotta Be”
One of the hallmarks of The Walking Dead is how no character is safe from death. However, every time we lose another one, it hurts like the first time. One of the only cast members who had plot armor was Carl. Why would the young kid growing up through the apocalypse end up and die at the height of the show’s popularity?
It doesn’t make any sense. The season eight midseason twist of killing Carl was such a misfire the show lost tons of followers. It was easily one of the worst decisions the show made since they decided to kill off Glenn (in both the comic and the show).
MADE: The West Wing, “Two Cathedrals”
Remember The West Wing? It’s the show that made all of us think the President of the United States was a dramatic and not-so-paperwork-filled job. Lasting longer than most President’s terms, there’s no shortage of amazing episodes. Often considered the best of the series, and of all television, “Two Cathedrals” wins reelection every single time great episodes are discussed.
Somehow, bureaucratic nonsense, coupled with shocking medical discoveries, makes for great TV. This and how the episode features one of the most heartbreaking funeral scenes ever. President Bartlet is faced with a tough decision and ends up coming out on top in a sly way. After being put on the spot, everyone held their breaths to see if he really would run for reelection or not!
RUINED: The Office, “The List”
It’s bizarre how many cultural jokes have stemmed from the American version of The Office. Nearly every episode has a memorable moment, quote, or something to make it a stand-alone success. We say nearly because “The List” is awful. Andy had no business becoming Regional Manager. It was never in the cards or hinted at and yet, he somehow gets the job.
Was it really that hard to shake up the story? What did the fake documentary get from it? It’s almost as bad of a decision as having Andy on the show in the first place. The guy was the living definition of cringe and terrible. He was weird with Erin and oddly competitive with Jim. He couldn’t help but be an even bigger annoyance than Dwight.
MADE: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, “Far Beyond The Stars”
Time to travel to the Final Frontier for some of the best television in the entire galaxy. With all of its spin-offs, movies, books, and games, there are a ton of different Star Trek stories to keep track of. Deep Space Nine’s 137th episode, “Far Beyond The Stars”, turned all the other episodes on its head. Not only are we introduced to Benny Russell and his incredible writing, but it’s inferred that he’s not just a figment Captain Sisko.
The entire story follows the terrifying and upsetting racist atmosphere of Benny’s time, and how different it is from Captain Sisko’s own life in space. As he’s about to completely lose his mind, Captain Sisko awakens and realizes Benny is only a dream…or is he? It seems both people can exist at the same time, be similar, but still experience different fates.
RUINED: Murder She Wrote, “Southern Double-Cross”
It’s hard to hate on a classic show such as Murder She Wrote, but it’s not free from criticism. Back in the 80s, for some reason, it was hard to find international actors for American shows. When Angela Lansbury traveled to Australia she revealed to everyone that Australians don’t exist.
Every single character labeled as “Australian” was an American actor. This was fine-ish, but the fake accents weren’t even close to being accurate. How can they mess up so badly? Even though it was one episode, it made a huge impression. Everything after this had a bad taste of “poor decisions” lingering from this story.
MADE: House Of Cards, “Chapter 3”
Ignore Kevin Spacey’s presence and try to separate him from House of Cards character Frank. The third episode of the first season shows him at his best. No matter what your opinion of the character is, this one is pretty amazing for him. Frank’s ability to multitask and stay relatively, calm under pressure is nothing short of fascinating.
He’s able to accomplish so much without using many words. It’s almost a superhuman performance! It also feels like this episode could’ve premiered much later in the series and had the same effect on the viewers.
RUINED: Doctor Who, “The Timeless Children”
When you’ve built such a complex yet stable universe, any small change could potentially derail everything. If this sounds like the opposite of steady, you’re right. For over half a century, Doctor Who had an established timeline and story arc for the Time Lords. While it’s often changed or explained in weird bits, there’s always a constant surrounding the Doctor’s origins.
Then, during the twelfth season, all of this went out the window. After being trapped in a non-Matrix version of The Matrix, but still, the same thing, the Doctor’s history is retold. Flashes from other series are shown, but everything is changed in one quick moment, and it made zero to no sense!
MADE: The X-Files, “Home”
The X-Files kind of wrote the book on making cliffhangers something to be desired. The creepy sci-fi classic has so many amazing moments. “Home” is probably one of the best episodes of the series. It had everything a fan could want. It has humor. It has horror. It even has some character development from the two, emotionally stunted, lead characters!
Plus ending made this not only a great episode but a frustrating and unforgettable one at. At the time, most of us thought this was where Mulder and Scully would finally get together. While we didn’t see this in their conversation, Mulder’s growth was still worth it.
RUINED: Grey’s Anatomy, “One Flight Down”
For a while there, it seemed like Grey’s Anatomy would forever stay at the top of great TV dramas. Even outside the confines of the medical setting, the show has had some fantastic plots. After being on the air for a few years, it seemed a few of them did more damage than good to the series.
“One Flight Down” is a season eleven bomb. The entire plane crash story was a weak excuse to kill off some characters and mess up the others. Instead of retconning the series, the show decided to inflict mass trauma on everyone in a highly unlikely and terrible way.
MADE: Mad Men, “The Wheel”
Mad Men is a wild ride from the first episode all the way to the end. The first season in particular is pretty incredible. The thirteenth episode of the first season is one of the best, without a doubt. Don goes all-in on his Carousel pitch and his hard work is actually rewarded!
Watching the different pictures of his family and life flash across the screen is pretty emotional, and not simply for the people in the boardroom. The highs of the episode are further emphasized by the soul-crushing end of it. Don’s realization that his family left after such a great pitch, took the wind out of everyone’s sails.
RUINED: Friends, “The One After Joey And Rachel Kiss”
Nobody wanted Rachel and Joey to get together. Those two were never in each other’s orbits and had no reason to be. They were always at the opposite end of the group’s spectrum. Okay, they were so opposite they were basically the same, but still. They were never going to make a good couple. Then, the show’s writers decided to have them kiss.
This led us down the worst rabbit hole of “what-ifs” ever. The relationship, shockingly, goes absolutely nowhere. Nobody gets anything out of it and it’s never mentioned again after it ends. Maybe there was some behind-the-scenes drama? There has to be some logical reason for this story arc to have been greenlit.
MADE: The Good Place, “Michael’s Gambit”
The massive reveal at the end of the first season of The Good Place is done so well that it’s worth rewatching on an infinite loop. While it was inevitable Eleanor would screw things up, nobody thought she was in the right place from the very beginning! Eleanor, along with the rest of the future Team Cockroach were actually all sent to the Bad Place!
Michael wasn’t even sly about it when he got his “Big Reveal” moment! The transition from fake “Good Place” employee to “Demon in a man-suit” by Michael is nothing short of a masterclass in acting. From this moment onwards, The Good Place became the best place to spend an evening.
RUINED: Bones, “The Conspiracy In The Corpse”
The forensic criminal action series hit people hard. A lot of great shows came from the public’s desire to be as close to violent death without committing a crime as possible. Bones was a great addition to the trend. The problem with it was by the time season 10 came around, they had jumped the shark.
Maybe the writers were running out of ideas, but “The Conspiracy In The Corpse” is scraping the bottom of the barrel. What were they thinking about making this the season opener? Blackmail, a twist, and the seemingly senseless murder at the end? Too much went on to have any lasting effect or impression.
MADE: The Sopranos, “College”
The Sopranos isn’t your average Mafia story. This timeless show introduced us to Tony Soprano, his complicated family, and his even crazier career. “College” is the turning point in the entire series from what was, and what wasn’t, in the family’s reality. Tony was usually very careful about separating his work from his home life during season one.
As soon as Meadow asks her dad what’s really going on, the shoe drops and lands on the pedal to the metal. For some reason, the show creators didn’t want people to be shocked. They wanted their minds blown with all the future seasons following this season one staple.
RUINED: Stranger Things, “Chapter Seven: The Massacre At Hawkins Lab”
How can a show with such wide-spread reach and massive following screw things up at the climax of its greatest season? Stranger Things is too new and fresh to be here, but the seventh episode of season four places it squarely in the right place. Part of the appeal of the show was how this creepy and hellish dimension, The Upside Down, happens to exist. It’s not made by humans or anything.
It’s merely a landscape of concentrated evil. Well, it was, until “The Massacre At Hawkins Lab”. Vecna, who was supposed to break the mold of creepy villains, is a huge cliche. This dude isn’t simply a villain, he’s one with monologues. He also takes all the credit for creating the Upside Down! No, that ruins things on multiple levels. Things went from great and correct to wrong and upside down quickly.
RUINED: Supernatural, “Bloodlines”
Bloodlines was meant to be a spin-off that explored the monster-filled world of Chicago, but it fell flat on its face. The writing was terrible, the acting was wooden, and the characters were unlikable. Fans were disappointed with the show’s choice to focus on a new set of characters instead of the Winchester brothers, who were the heart of the original series.
Furthermore, the episode failed to capture the magic and excitement of Supernatural’s earlier seasons, leaving viewers bored and disinterested. Ultimately, “Bloodlines” was a massive waste of time and resources, and it’s no wonder that the show didn’t go forward with the proposed spin-off.
MADE: The Simpsons, “Marge vs. the Monorail”
From Homer’s ridiculous antics as the town’s monorail conductor to Marge’s skepticism and ultimately heroic actions, this episode perfectly captured the zany and irreverent spirit that has made The Simpsons such a beloved show. The episode also introduced us to memorable characters like Lyle Lanley, the fast-talking monorail salesman, and Leonard Nimoy, who provided one of the show’s most iconic guest appearances.
With its witty humor, clever satire, and heartwarming moments, “Marge vs. the Monorail” demonstrated the show’s ability to tackle complex issues while still entertaining audiences. It’s a testament to the show’s enduring appeal that fans still quote lines from this episode more than 25 years after it first aired.
RUINED: True Bood, “Thank You”
Vampires, love, drama. That was the recipe for success in 2008. True Blood was unstoppable. This amazing series ran for seven seasons before its eternal life was cut short. With so many side stories and intrigue, we could never quite quench our thirst for Sookie, Lafayette, and the rest of the gang. Finale time finally dawned on everyone and the world watched with bated breath.
There was no way everything could be wrapped up in one final move. A lot of fans of the series felt let down. The finale that painted everyone as happy to have settled down did not sit well with everyone. True Blood’s magic was in its diversity. Why did so many people end up the same?
MADE: The Haunting Of Hill House, “The Bent-Neck Lady”
This one will give you chills even on the warmest day. This episode cemented the show’s status as one of the greatest horror series of all time. The story followed Nell, who was haunted by a ghost she called The Bent-Neck Lady since she was a child. The episode’s plot was haunting, and the writing was brilliant. It had viewers on the edge of their seats and gave them a glimpse into the terrifying world of the paranormal.
The episode’s brilliant use of cinematography and sound design made it even more chilling. The Bent-Neck Lady’s movements and appearance were truly haunting, and the show’s use of silence and ambient noise made the tension all the more palpable.
RUINED: My Name Is Earl, “I Won’t Die with a Little Help from My Friends: Part 1”
According to most fans of the series, the show was really good up until this episode, but it all went downhill from there. Most viewers talk about how much they wish the show was still on, which just goes to show how much they really enjoyed it. It’s always a bummer when a show takes a turn for the worse, especially when there are such interesting characters involved.
Maybe the writers just needed some time to regroup and come up with some fresh ideas. Who knows, maybe they’ll find a way to bring the show back and redeem themselves in the eyes of disappointed fans. Fingers crossed!
MADE: Scrubs, “My Lunch”
This is a perfect example of how this beloved show became a classic. This episode showcased the perfect blend of humor and heart that made Scrubs stand out from other medical dramas. The episode followed Dr. Cox as he struggled to come to terms with the death of three of his patients. The episode’s humor was as sharp as ever, with the usual shenanigans of JD and Turk providing much-needed levity. The show’s clever writing and fast-paced humor made it a joy to watch. However, it was the episode’s emotional depth that truly set it apart.
The episode tackled the weighty subject of death with a deft touch, exploring how doctors deal with the loss of their patients. The final scene, set to the haunting tune of “How to Save a Life” by The Fray, was both heart-wrenching and cathartic.
RUINED: Dexter, “Remember the Monsters?”
Ugh, talk about a show ending that left a bad taste in the mouth! Dexter really went off the rails in the final episode, abandoning all the character development that had been built up over several seasons in favor of becoming…a lumberjack? Yep, you heard that right. It’s a baffling move that left many fans scratching their heads and wondering what on earth the writers were thinking.
Maybe they were trying to branch out into a new genre or something? Regardless, it’s a disappointing ending for a show that had a lot of promise. Here’s hoping that any future series finales can stay true to the characters we’ve grown to love over the years.
MADE: The IT Crowd “The Work Outing”
This episode is a shining example of why this show is considered a classic. This hilarious episode follows the IT department as they attend a work outing, only to find themselves in a series of outrageous mishaps. The episode’s humor is as sharp as ever, with Moss’s awkward attempts to flirt with a barmaid and Roy’s botched attempt at performing an impromptu fire escape keeping viewers in stitches.
The episode also tackled issues of sexism and gender identity with a deft touch, exploring how even well-meaning people can still perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The show’s ability to tackle serious issues while still being hilarious is what made it stand out from other sitcoms.
RUINED: Alf, “Consider Me Gone”
Grab your parents and tell them someone’s talking about ALF. This fun-looking, cat-eating, wise-cracking alien was really cool in the 90s. He’s still kind of neat nowadays too (the guy had his Pogs). Alf crash-landed on Earth back in the 80s. For four seasons we were treated to some zany and wacky adventures. As the final season came to an end people wondered if more ALF was on the way.
Unfortunately, a fifth season never panned out, and instead, the end to season four was the series’s finale. This makes the “cliffhanger” A bit harsher to enjoy. In the end, before he can leave Earth, Alf is apprehended by some scary government agents. Before we see what happens, the screen cuts out and we get the credits!
MADE: Parks And Recreation, “The Comeback Kid”
This episode is the perfect example of why this show is considered one of the greatest comedies of all time. This episode follows Leslie Knope as she attempts to revitalize her campaign for City Council with an over-the-top rally. The episode’s humor is as clever and witty as ever, with the show’s signature mockumentary style allowing for hilarious one-liners and sight gags. The show’s use of running gags, such as Tom’s DJ Roomba and Andy’s alter-ego Burt Macklin, added to the episode’s charm.
The episode also showcased the show’s heart, with Leslie’s determination and optimism inspiring her team to overcome setbacks and achieve their goals. The show’s ability to balance humor and heart is what made it stand out from other workplace comedies.