Six Unmissable TV Episodes That Defined 2025

Each year, a handful of television episodes stand out, not just for their place within a series, but for their ability to capture the imagination and linger in the mind long after the credits roll. While some series maintain a consistently high standard, others are elevated by a single, extraordinary instalment. Narrowing down the finest moments of 2025 proved no easy feat, so here are six episodes that truly set the bar, with a few honourable mentions for good measure. Spoilers follow for all titles discussed.

High Fantasy and Sci-Fi: Bold Visions

At number six, The Wheel of Time’s third series reached its peak with episode four, “The Road to the Spear.” Josha Stradowski’s portrayal of Rand, forced to relive ancestral memories during an Aiel trial, is nothing short of devastating. The episode’s emotional core is matched by Rosamund Pike’s Moiraine, who is haunted by visions that suggest either she or Rand must perish to halt the Dark One. The scale and ambition on display mark this as a high point for fantasy television.

“Visually and narratively ambitious with jaw-droppingly high stakes, it's high fantasy at its finest.” – Amy West, Entertainment Writer

Alien: Earth’s fifth episode, “In Space, No One…”, sees the franchise return to its roots, exploring the blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity. The arrival of the Xenomorph on Earth is depicted with chilling precision, echoing the moral ambiguity and corporate cynicism of the original 1979 film.

“The episode recaptures the heart of the original 1979 film and the gray, corporate morality that prioritizes weaponizing life over preserving it.” – George Marston, Staff Writer

New Dramas and Chilling Horror

Pluribus opened with “We is Us,” a first episode that stands apart for its nightmarish vision of an alien message rewriting humanity overnight. Rhea Seehorn’s Carol Sturka is introduced amidst a scenario reminiscent of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, with Vince Gilligan’s writing and direction lending the episode a confident, unsettling edge.

“It’s a fearsomely confident opener that perfectly sets the stage for the rest of this uniquely thrilling drama.” – Will Salmon, Streaming Editor

It: Welcome to Derry’s penultimate episode, “The Black Spot,” delivered the year’s most nerve-shredding sequence. Audiences are plunged into the chaos of a burning speakeasy under siege, with the horror heightened by a selfless act from Rich and a final, blood-soaked jump scare courtesy of Pennywise.

“The extended assault on the Black Spot [is] the scariest scene of the year, despite Pennywise only being part of the horrors.” – Jordan Farley, Managing Editor, Entertainment

Emotional Depths and Political Intrigue

Severance’s seventh episode of its second series, “Chikhai Bardo,” directed by Jessica Lee Gagné, moves away from the sterile world of Lumon into a memory tinged with warmth that quickly turns cold. The breakdown of Mark and Gemma’s relationship, culminating in a silent departure, is heartbreakingly portrayed, with Dichen Lachman’s performance and the episode’s gentle cinematography earning it a place among the year’s best.

“It’s the softness of the cinematography and a knockout performance from Dichen Lachman that truly solidifies the episode as one of the year’s best.” – Lauren Milici, Senior Writer

Andor’s eighth episode of its second series, “Who Are You?”, sees the powder keg on Ghorman finally ignite. Syril’s ambitions are dashed in a bleak, tense hour that exposes the Empire’s indifference and hints at the first sparks of rebellion.

“What follows is a bleak, tense thriller that digs into creator Tony Gilroy's distaste for the Imperial corridors of power and the series' turn towards a flicker of hope that would soon spark a rebellion in a galaxy far, far away.” – Bradley Russell, Senior Entertainment Writer

Honourable Mentions

Several other episodes deserve recognition. The Witcher’s “The Joy of Cooking” offered a surprising blend of music and animation as the Hansa shared their stories. The Last of Us delivered a gripping siege in “Through the Valley,” while Squid Game’s “The Starry Night” reimagined hide and seek as a tense, personal vendetta. Adolescence’s third episode, “The Conversation,” stood out for its extended, revealing interview, marking Owen Cooper as a talent to watch.