Television Episodes Hall Of Fame

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The Simpsons - Homer Goes to College
The Simpsons - Lemon of Troy

 

While there were at least two "full docket" episodes, in the one that you mention, it was Dan's "girlfriend" who was leaving town and he had to hurry because that was the last time they could have sex (although, in the end, she decided not to leave, but hooked up with the slow-talker). Also, the slow-talker was the next-to-last case; the last case was someone who was brought in on some drug charge, and all Harry had to do was remand him to a higher court, but the defendant knew that (a) he had the right to have someone read him the full charges against him, and (b) if they didn't get it done by midnight, they would have to let him go (the reason for the full docket was, somebody declared that any cases still outstanding at midnight had to be dropped), so Dan read a full page of charges at high speed.

-- Don

 

The Shield - Pilot
NYPD Blue - "Hearts and Souls"

 

Guess you are a fan I only remember Dan having to buy airline tickets to different locations as the docket moved on, and I think by the time it ended , the last location was some obscure country that nobody would ever want to go. I remember laughing so hard at that episode I woke my infant son up in the next room.

 

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So many good episodes listed already.

I've got a side question that popped into my head. For a TV Episode Hall of Fame, which type of episode is better:
One which is a self-contained jem. Where watching just that single episode without any further knowledge of the show grabs your emotions
or
One which masterfully wraps up or twists a growing arc or character develpment. The highlight of something that grew over time to build to this episode


I've seen both types mentioned here, and I can't decide which is better.

 

That's mine. And I think that was the high point of the series, going downhill after that....

 

I debated posting this one. I remember watching the pilot thinking it was interesting and probably worth a season pass. Then last scene caught me completely off guard and made me realize this was a different kind of cop show. Awesome.

 

And, it was S1E1 (after the mini series)... that's the saddest thing of all.

 

Hope this isn't a smeek but the pilot of "Alias" was pretty amazing.

 

Also The West Wing: 20 Hours in America. "There are too many angels walking the streets of Heaven tonight".

Jeez anything in The West Wing's first three seasons could qualify. OMG this might be the best two minutes ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOtZf06C5dE

 

Was that the scene where Vic shot Crowley in the head?

 

Excellent question! As I read through the list of eps named so far, I had the same thought.

It would seem to make sense that a HOF would contain episodes that a majority of average viewers would name as great television. Not to discount the sci-fi entries in the thread, because I agree with a lot of them, but think about all the non-fans of the genre -- would they also feel the same way about an episode? Without having the experience of following the show for years like fans do?

For example: the impact of a great Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode like "In the Pale Moonlight" is strengthened by knowing the history of the characters involved, and the juxtaposition of that history with the current events. Would someone who had never seen an episode of DS9 have the same reaction, or would it just be another mystery & intrigue episode?

Another example: "The Inner Light", from Star Trek: The Next Generation. I would argue strongly that this is one of those "great no matter if you're a fan or not" episodes...but I would also posit that much of the emotional impact of the episode comes from knowing Picard's history. As a man who harbors some level of regret over the decisions of his past vis-à-vis his personal and professional lives, his experience in the episode -- and the aftermath -- resonates all the more with the viewer.

I think that, by definition, "great television" is a combination of strong characterization and engrossing plot that combine to connect with a viewer on a primal emotional level. If you accept that definition, then it would stand to reason that the "best of the best" would be those episodes that pack a whallop no matter if it's your first time watching or if you've seen every episode that's come before.

 

Yes.

Then you spend the next six years wondering "How is it that I'm rooting for this guy?"

 

In this particular example, I think it would be a poor episode if you didn't have a lot of the backstory, especially on who Garak is. Still one of my favorite episodes.

I also like Treachery, Faith, and the Great River, mostly since it really worked on developing Odo and Weyoun into more complex characters. If you don't know the background? Then it's a cheesy episode about Milo Minderbinder-style escapades.

 

There's room for both in the Hall.

 

Great ER episode.

Dallas - Swan Song. Thought we were done with Jenna Wade. Too bad it had Donna Reid for Ms. Ellie that season.

Everybody Loves Raymond - Bad Moon Rising

The Office - Booze Cruise

 

"The Practice" - The Case Of Harland Bassett
"China Beach" - How to Survive In Viet Nam (Part 1 - with "Sarge's Rules")
"China Beach" - Holly's Choice - told in flashbacks
"Law & Order SVU": Manhunt
"Chicago Hope": Quarantine
"ER": Love's Labor Lost (Dr. Greene and the Pregnant Woman Patient)
"ER": The Lost (Carter goes to Africa to get (presumably) dead Luka's body
"ER": Hindsight (Luka's auto accident told in flashback format)

 

ER - "Hell and High Water" (Dr. Ross and the kid in the storm drain)

 

Or how about that one episode of Chuck where Chuck flashed on a Fulcrum agent, had to mysteriously disappear from his day job, and he and Sarah then had to infiltrate a dinner party where the bad guy was present, which involved Sarah getting dressed - in slo-mo - in something small and slinky with lingerie underneath, and then Chuck somehow got stuck alone with the bad guy before Sarah saved him at the end? Remember that one? That was awesome.

 

The Job episode with Elizabeth Hurley.