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TV's Masterpieces: The 50 Best Episodes of All Time

"Having been a central part of our lives for decades, television captivates audiences with its storytelling, characters, and unforgettable moments. Over the years, the medium has produced countless episodes that have become cultural touchstones, revere for their creativity, emotional depth, and lasting impact.

I have curated a list of the 50 best television episodes of all time, spanning various genres, eras, and styles. These episodes have been selected for their exceptional quality, innovative storytelling, and profound influence on the medium.

As we embark on this countdown, I invite you to revisit these classic episodes, reflect on their significance, and celebrate the artistry that has made television such a powerful and enduring form of entertainment. Let's honor these masterpieces of the small screen and explore the rich tapestry of television history."

-Scott Evich
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Seinfeld: "The Contest" (S4,E11)
Seinfeld: "The Contest" (S4,E11)
1
The Sopranos: "Long Term Parking" (S5,E12)
The Sopranos: "Long Term Parking" (S5,E12)
2
The Simpsons: "Last Exit to Springfield" (S4,E17)
The Simpsons: "Last Exit to Springfield" (S4,E17)
3
The X-Files: "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" (S3,E4)
The X-Files: "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" (S3,E4)
4
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: "Chuckles Bites the Dust" (S6,E7)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: "Chuckles Bites the Dust" (S6,E7)
5
The Twilight Zone: "Time Enough at Last" (S1,E8)
The Twilight Zone: "Time Enough at Last" (S1,E8)
6
Breaking Bad: "Ozymandias" (S5,E14)
Breaking Bad: "Ozymandias" (S5,E14)
7
The Leftovers: "The Book of Nora" (S3,E8)
The Leftovers: "The Book of Nora" (S3,E8)
8
Chappelle's Show: "The Love Contract & True Hollywood Stories: Rick James" (S2,E4)
Chappelle's Show: "The Love Contract & True Hollywood Stories: Rick James" (S2,E4)
9
Twin Peaks: "Beyond Life and Death" (S2,E22)
Twin Peaks: "Beyond Life and Death" (S2,E22)
10
The Simpsons: "Marge vs. the Monorail" (S4,E12)
The Simpsons: "Marge vs. the Monorail" (S4,E12)
11
The Wire: "Final Grades" (S4,E13)
The Wire: "Final Grades" (S4,E13)
12
Lost: "The Constant" (S4,E5)
Lost: "The Constant" (S4,E5)
13
The Shield: "Family Meeting" (S7,E13)
The Shield: "Family Meeting" (S7,E13)
14
Fawlty Towers: "The Germans" (S1,E6)
Fawlty Towers: "The Germans" (S1,E6)
15
Mad Men: "The Suitcase" (S4,E7)
Mad Men: "The Suitcase" (S4,E7)
16
I Love Lucy: "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (S1,E30)
I Love Lucy: "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (S1,E30)
17
Columbo: "Now You See Him" (S5,E5)
Columbo: "Now You See Him" (S5,E5)
18
The Sopranos: "Pine Barrens" (S3,E11)
The Sopranos: "Pine Barrens" (S3,E11)
19
Futurama: "Jurassic Bark" (S5,E2)
Futurama: "Jurassic Bark" (S5,E2)
20
Homicide: Life on the Street: "Subway" (S6,E7)
Homicide: Life on the Street: "Subway" (S6,E7)
21
The Twilight Zone: "Walking Distance" (S1,E5)
The Twilight Zone: "Walking Distance" (S1,E5)
22
Six Feet Under: "Everyone's Waiting" (S5,E12)
Six Feet Under: "Everyone's Waiting" (S5,E12)
23
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Once More, With Feeling" (S6,E7)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Once More, With Feeling" (S6,E7)
24
M*A*S*H: "Abyssinia, Henry" (S3,E24)
M*A*S*H: "Abyssinia, Henry" (S3,E24)
25
Friends: "The One With the Embryos" (S4,E12)
Friends: "The One With the Embryos" (S4,E12)
26
Doctor Who: "Blink" (S3,E10)
Doctor Who: "Blink" (S3,E10)
27
Arrested Development: "Pier Pressure" (S1,E10)
Arrested Development: "Pier Pressure" (S1,E10)
28
The Honeymooners: "The $99,000 Answer" (S1,E18)
The Honeymooners: "The $99,000 Answer" (S1,E18)
29
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: "The Jar" (S2,E17)
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: "The Jar" (S2,E17)
30
Fall Out: "The Prisoner" (S1,E17)
Fall Out: "The Prisoner" (S1,E17)
31
South Park: "Trapped in the Closet" (S9,E12)
South Park: "Trapped in the Closet" (S9,E12)
32
Homicide: Life on the Street: "Three Men and Adena" (S1,E5)
Homicide: Life on the Street: "Three Men and Adena" (S1,E5)
33
The Larry Sanders Show: "Flip" (S6,E11)
The Larry Sanders Show: "Flip" (S6,E11)
34
Blackadder Goes Forth: "Goodbyeee" (S4,E6)
Blackadder Goes Forth: "Goodbyeee" (S4,E6)
35
Star Trek: "City on the Edge of Forever" (S1,E28)
Star Trek: "City on the Edge of Forever" (S1,E28)
36
Yes, Prime Minister: "The Key" (S1,E4)
Yes, Prime Minister: "The Key" (S1,E4)
37
Seinfeld: "The Parking Garage" (S3,E6)
Seinfeld: "The Parking Garage" (S3,E6)
38
Northern Exposure: "Aurora Borealis: A Fairy Tale for Big People" (S1,E8)
Northern Exposure: "Aurora Borealis: A Fairy Tale for Big People" (S1,E8)
39
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "The Body" (S5,E16)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "The Body" (S5,E16)
40
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