Fangirl Therapy

As I’m doing interviews for The Fangirl Life press, many people have been asking me what my favorite TV shows are. In this glorious moment, I suddenly find that I am overcome with fangirl amnesia, unable to remember what I’ve watched over the years and what I’ve loved.

Part of the problem is that there’s just too much good TV. I have the shows I’m crying about now, but I also have the ones that have influenced me in other periods of my life. And, I also tend to think of TV by episode rather than in its entirety or by a season. So without further ado, I give you, in no particular order, my ten favorite television episodes OF ALL TIME. *cue Olympics theme*

Breaking Bad 6×14 – Ozymandias

“Ozymandias” is one of those episodes always on people’s top ten lists, and often in the #1 spot. There is a reason for this, and it’s because you pretty much spend the entire episode screaming. Though it’s the next to-next to-last episode of Breaking Bad, it’s really the climax. The funny thing is, I think watching it once is all the trauma I need.

Friends 4×12 – The One With the Embryos 

As a Mondler shipper, it’s very difficult for me to bypass “The One Where Everyone Finds Out,” but this ep and epic game will forever be #1 in my heart. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shouted, “I MAJORED IN LIGHTNING ROUNDS” or used the word “transponster.”

Frasier 6×10 – Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz

It was difficult for me not to fill this entire list with Frasier episodes. It’s the greatest comedy of all time, and this episode where the Crane family pretends to be Jewish is the absolute best. Good for any season. Seriously, go watch it right now. You’ve got 20 minutes, kids.

Game of Thrones 5×8 – Hardhome 

The last 20 minutes of this episode took OVER A MONTH to film. Things keep escalating, and I kept screaming. If you had told me a few years ago that a Jon Snow scene would be my favorite one on Game of Thrones, I would have told you that you know nothing.

LOST 4×5 – The Constant

I LOVE YA PENNY. I’VE ALWAYS LOVED YA. “The Constant” is top 3 for me, easily. It’s the perfect blend of sci-fi and shipping, and the most epic phone call in television history. Speaking of shipping, special shout out to season 5’s “La Fleur,” which is close second in LOST eps.

Cheers 1×21/22 – Showdown, Parts 1 and 2

When you’re like me and love a good comedic pairing, Sam and Diane are the ship to end all ships. The season one finale of Cheers earned both the show and Shelley Long their first Emmy, and the last 8 minutes of Part 2 are without a doubt, my favorite 8 minutes of television.

Seinfeld 9×6, The Merv Griffin Show

Choosing a favorite Seinfeld episode is an impossible task. Many people pick “The Contest” or “The Soup Nazi,” both of which are legendary, but I have always laughed the hardest when Kramer turns his apartment into a fake television studio. This show truly went out on top in its final season.

Battlestar Galactica, 2×11/12, Resurrection Ship Parts 1 and 2

MICHELLE FORBES. SPACE. LAURA ROSLIN’S MORTALITY. So much happens in this arc, and it’s truly my favorite in Battlestar. I distinctly remember running out of the living room and falling onto my bedroom floor in the fetal position during one particular moment. Coincidentally, it caused me to jump back into fandom and led me to write my book.

The Office, 4×9 – Dinner Party

I don’t think I’ve ever watched a single episode of television as much as I’ve watched this one. It’s my go-to when I need a laugh or want to reminisce with friends.  It’s amazing how much great TV there was in spite of the 2007-2008 writers’ strike. Babe, I think you should watch this on Netflix right now.

The Good Wife, 5×5 – Hitting the Fan 

Y’all, this is peak TV. PEAK. TV doesn’t have to have death or violence to be dramatic. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, and I cheered for Alicia and Cary. Who knew lawyers were so interesting?

So there you have it. Sure there are episodes of Gilmore Girls, Grey’s, 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, Big Love, The Americans, etc. that I wanted to make the list, but these are my greats. What’s on yours?