POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT
I am not sure how many of you are LOST fans but it has become my favourite show of all time. Yes, even beating out Star Trek – TNG. I have thoroughly enjoyed the current season of LOST and all it’s twists and turns. I realize that some people don’t like the science fiction direction the plot has taken but I think it’s a great way to tell the story and eventually give us all the answers we crave. This past weeks episode was also great and it got me thinking, what is my favourite LOST episode? And beyond that what are my favourite episodes of any show all time. I gave myself one rule: only one episode from each series. Here’s my list:
LOST – “Through the Looking Glass”
This was the season 3 finale and I don’t think I blinked once. So much happened in this episode. There was a showdown with the Others at the beach, Charlie dies heroically while unjamming communications to and from the island at the looking glass station, the survivors make contact with a freighter and rescue seems imminent. But the key twist in this episode is that the standard flashbacks that have occurred in nearly every episode is now a flash forward and it shows Jack off of the island as a drunken mess beggin Kate to go back to the island. Below is a clip showing an intense confrontation between Jack and Ben, the leader of the others.
Key quote: Not Penny’s Boat
Battlestar Galactica – “Crossroads”
As far as WTF moments go, you can’t beat how this episode ends. As the crew of the Battlestar Galactica are in the middle of a battle with the very human looking robot cylons, 4 crew members are hearing a song coming from within the ship. It is All Along the Watchtower, but not by Dylan or Hendrix. Enchanted by the song all four members are drawn to a single location on the ship where they come to the stark realization that they are in fact, Cylons. I am sure alot more happened in this episode but this moment is all that matters. And to be honest I can’t remember the rest as it pales in comparison. Below is the scene where the four crew members have just found out they are cylons.
Key Quote: There must be some way out of here
Star Trek – The Next Generations – “The Best of Both Worlds”
I remember exactly where I was when I saw this two parter and should I come across it again on SPACE I would definitely watch it again. The Borg were introduced in an earlier episode when Q transported the crew across the galaxy to face them as sort of an ego check. Nothing that the Enterprise crew did had any effect which eventually forced Picard to beg for Q’s help. Well in this episode the Borg have traversed the galaxy the old fashioned way (warp speed) and have come to enslave the human race. Add to that Picard being captured and forced to lead said enslavement. Of course the good guys end up victorious but the ending was done quite intelligently. Below is the clip between the first and second parts where the Enterprise crew is about to use their enhanced deflector dish to blow up the Borg, along with Picard.
Key Quote: Your resistance is hopeless, number one.
The Simpsons – “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”
This is the best simpsons episode for many reasons. The endless amount of one liners, the involvement of nearly all of the characters, and the thick cultural references. The Dallas episode “Who Shot JR.” being the most obvious parallel. But there was also the reference to the Basic Instinct interogation scene, the Fugitive when Homers wagon overturns and Twin Peaks with Lisa’s backwards talking dream. It’s too bad that the Simpsons have gone so far downhill as they used to put out some top notch material. But I guess you can only go to the well so many times. I couldn’t find a good clip on you tube so I have added a few more quotes.
- Hey! This sidewalk’s for regular walking, not fancy walking.
- This suit burns better!
- Have you ever seen the sun set at 3pm?
Aye, once. When I was sailing ’round the Arctic…
Shut up, you. Take one last look at the sun, Springfield!
Degrassi – “School’s Out!”
I guess this is technically a made for tv movie but it really is the series finale of Degrassi High. I don’t think there’s one person in canada that doesn’t know what Joey was doing with Tessa all summer long thanks to Snakes outburst. How many people were watching with there parents when snake dropped the f-bomb? There was definitely a much bigger edge to the finale than the rest of the series and it had a much more serious tone. The timing of this series is likely what made me such a fan. We grew up as they grew up, when they graduated I was graduating. I haven’t really watched the new series but I hear it’s getting rave reviews too. I guess lightning can strike twice. Anyhow, here’s that defining moment in Canadian television.
Key Quote: (do I really need to write it?)
Nice list. I have to disagree with the Simpsons one though. The best of all time is the Shary Bobbins episode. The songs are great, the lines are hilarious. It’s the perfect parody.