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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse from 2003

This installment starts with the MI5 agents locked down while undergoing a drill concerning a fictional terrorist event, monitored by two government representatives. As things progress, it seems an actual attack has occurred with a chemical weapon released. The anxiety increases as reports reveal a crisis unfolding beyond their walls, and gets worse as the superior shows signs of exposure, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, compelling the character played by Matthew Macfadyen to opt for either shooting them or letting them go and potentially infecting the secure MI5 headquarters. This being Spooks, the outcome is expected.

The 1984 production Threads

The production was inexpensive but one of the most frightening programmes I’ve ever seen because of the stark reality and dismal official figures. Viewed it recently after seeing the first airing; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub from the programme which underscored the actuality and the glib matter-of-fact official information that were transmitted. Remaining completely frightening decades on.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The first season finale of Severance deserves a top spot in terms of gripping installments. I was throughout the episode actually sitting tensely, pushing alongside Dylan to keep his hands on the levers that sustained the Innies’ extended time, while yelling at the Innies to disclose their facts. The ultimate peak – “she is living!” – was like an eruption.

Industry – White Mischief (2024)

Installment five in Industry’s third series caused my heart to pound. I needed to stop and stand and depart the area multiple times owing to the vast degree of the wanton self-destruction I observed. Rishi Ramdani is in deep shit at work and home – overwhelmed by debt from unscrupulous lenders due to his addictive betting, engaging in dangerous ventures on a wager involving sterling that might cost his firm millions. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and alternates between success and failure, is severely assaulted. Each instance you believe it can’t get any worse, it deteriorates. There is a chance for salvation at the end of the episode yet he wastes the chance, leading to terrible outcomes in the concluding part of the season. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. But the episode Holiday features such degrees of awkwardness that it will make you rise the whole episode, riddled with anxiety. The tension escalates once Jeremy and Mark find themselves needing to deceive regarding the dog they unintentionally hit and later efforts to get rid of it. You then occupy the remainder of the episode questioning whether it truly can be worse than incineration, and it is possible!

The West Wing – The Two Cathedrals from 2001

Nothing I’ve watched has been more intense as when I first saw the second season finale of The West Wing. The installment begins with the consequences of the demise (in a car crash) of the president’s confidential aide and builds to a peak with a crisis in Haiti, and the effects of the withheld information of the president’s MS diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to seek re-election. Wonderful television. Never bettered.

The 2018 Bodyguard premiere episode

The start of the British program Bodyguard, with the protagonist on a train with his young son, is personally a top tense installment. He notices a Muslim female going into the loo and senses something is wrong. The explosive disposal specialists are summoned, enter the train, and endeavor to coax the woman to remove her explosive vest. Anxiety builds to a practically unendurable point, until, indeed, the vest is disarmed.

The 2001 Buffy episode The Body

Buffy enters her house to discover her mother has died from natural reasons, which is the rarest form of demise in this supernatural show. The show features no musical score, a sullen tone, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s shock of discovering her mother.

The 2007 The Sopranos finale Made in America

The final scene of the final episode of the program was incredibly anxious. And if you viewed it when it first premiered, you – initially – were uncertain of the reason. Tony’s foes, genuine and fictional, were all overcome. This seems similar to the first season’s finale, right? “Think about the small elements.” However, the vibe is oddly threatening. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The clan sits in an eatery. Meadow finds a parking spot. Tony sadly tells Carmela difficulties are arising with yet another of his crew working with the government. Meadow secures a parking space. Strange people enter the restaurant. Gaze at Tony(?) Meadow is parking. Tony selects a song on the jukebox. Meadow finds a spot. The door chimes, a person comes in. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony glances upward. Don’t stop. It stops. My spirit fell about 20 minutes later.

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

I kept late hours to see this show in the early morning. It was extremely gripping following the introduction of villain Negan locating the survivors, savagely teasing his prey and then leaving the victim unknown (finished with an unresolved situation). The point-of-view shot from the victim and the muted audio – oh no! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season