2024 gifted us some pretty incredible TV shows, but what about great episodes? I’m talking about the kind of episode that makes you laugh nonstop, or stand up and cheer, or force you to such points of emotional devastation you can’t think of anything else.
You’ll find episodes that accomplish all these things and more on our list of the best episodes of 2024. Here, we celebrate our favorite moments from a wide variety of shows we love —including some that missed out on our Best TV list, but still deserve their flowers.
So whether you love drama or comedy, narrative shows or reality TV, we can assure you that the following 21 episodes are absolute bangers. Who knows — maybe you’ll find some new and wonderful show to check out!
So without further ado, here are the 21 best episodes of 2024 so far, and where to watch them.
21. Dune: Prophecy Season 1, episode 3, “Sisterhood Above All”
“Sisterhood Above All” features so much of what I love about Dune: Prophecy, taken up many, many notches. Harkonnen-Atreides beef? Check. Sisterhood training exercises? Check. Political intrigue? Check. (Plus, we get to see the Harkonnens‘ home planet, Lankiveil, up close and personal, furry whales and all!) But what stands out most about the episode is the vital context it gives Valya and Tula Harkonnen’s (Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) actions in the present day.
When Valya’s (played in flashbacks by Jessica Barden) desire for vengeance against the Atreides hinders her early days in the Sisterhood, she enlists the help of the far more compassionate Tula (played in flashbacks by Emma Canning). Tula’s subsequent plan results in one of the year’s most uncompromising twists, complete with a betrayal so brutal it made me gasp. What can I say, I was rooting for her and Orry Atreides (Milo Callaghan)! Still, if I can’t enjoy their romance (and let’s face it, it was never going to work out), I can still enjoy a great episode of TV, and that’s exactly what “Sisterhood Above All” is. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Dune: Prophecy is now streaming on Max.
20. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, episode 7, “Doomed to Die”
No one unleashes a battle episode quite like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Season 1’s “Udûn” proved what the show’s gargantuan budget was capable of, concluding its Númenórean-on-Orc skirmish with the explosion of Mount Doom. But Season 2’s “Doomed to Die” somehow manages to blow that out of the water, gifting us a battle that’s as epic as it is a satisfying conclusion to a season’s worth of buildup. (Some other 2024 fantasy shows can’t relate.)
That’s right — it’s the Siege of Eregion, people! And it’s got everything: Orcs destroying a mountain to dam a river, a distracting (and high-key bizarre) kiss between Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo), and psychological torture courtesy of Sauron (Charlie Vickers). The latter grounds the sound and fury of the siege in Sauron’s season-long manipulation of Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), bringing their corrupting push-and-pull to a head and adding a greater depth to an already-spectacular episode. — B.E.
How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video.
19. The Bear Season 3, episode 8, “Ice Chips”
Like The Bear Season 3 in general, this episode divided us quite a bit. “Ice Chips,” in terms of both the cast and its contained location, links to standout Season 2 episode “Fishes” — only on a much smaller scale. The troubled relationship between Natalie (Abby Elliott) and her mother Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) was one part of a damaged picture in that not-so-festive flashback, but Abby’s trip to the hospital to give birth in “Ice Chips” goes some small way to healing it. Here, Abby is forced to rely on Donna when no one else is available. It could be disastrous, and at first it seems inevitable that it will be — until it isn’t. The performances from both Elliott and Curtis are vulnerable, charged and emotional, and the portrayal of childbirth is subtle in a way not many other TV shows and movies manage to capture. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
How to watch: The Bear is now streaming on Hulu.
18. Game Changer Season 6, episode 7, “Beat the Buzzer”
The joy of Dropout’s game show Game Changer comes from its sheer versatility. Each episode, contestants don’t know the rules of the game until they start playing. The result is delightful chaos.
Nowhere is that chaos more apparent on Game Changer Season 6 than in “Beat the Buzzer,” an episode which removes a key component of any quiz show: the buzzer itself. Players Rekha Shankar, Becca Scott, and Erika Ishii must compete in a series of mini-games in order to gain access to the many buzzers hidden around Dropout HQ. They’ll destroy cakes, make a witch’s brew, plead with strangers in the street, and more, all in the hopes of getting some sweet, sweet points. Endlessly inventive, and less competitive than it is sweet and collaborative, “Beat the Buzzer” will have you smiling nonstop from start to finish. — B.E.
How to watch: Game Changer is now streaming on Dropout.
17. One Day Season 1, episode 13, “Episode 13”
There are few episodes that will send you through an emotional upheaval as intense as One Day‘s penultimate chapter, set over several years of our beloved protagonist’s lives. Finally together after decades of what we’ll put down to bad timing, Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) have a whole future ahead of them, side by side. We accompany this besotted pair through their wedding plans, a new business, trying for a baby, and establishing family bonds with Dex’s daughter. It’s everyday life in all its romantic mundanity, from brushing teeth together to arguing over the news, and it’s all we’ve wanted for these two for the previous 12 episodes. However, a tragic turn means a cruel end, and a voice note holds more power than Em and Dex can possibly know at the time. The shell shock of this episode of One Day will stay with you through the finale and long after you’ve watched. Call the people you love, right now. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
How to watch: One Day is now streaming on Netflix.
16. The Traitors UK Season 2, episode 12, “Episode 12”
The entirety of The Traitors Season 2 was TV at its most binge-watchable, but the finale took things to dizzy new heights of tension. A reality TV game show with a cash prize, The Traitors sees members of the public divided into “traitors” and “faithfuls” while carrying out missions in a Scottish castle; the faithfuls have to try and banish all the traitors, while the traitors must “murder” (the game show kind, not the actual kind) all the faithfuls without getting caught. The entire show is great, but what made the finale stand out was the elite levels of treachery displayed by Harry Clark, a contestant who’d been a traitor from the very beginning but who’d manage to convince everybody else that he was faithful through and through. The brutal levels of suspense and the looks on everyone’s faces when they realize the truth is television at its finest. — SH
How to watch: The Traitors UK is now streaming on Peacock.
15. Bluey Season 3, episode 49, “The Sign”
In an endless desert of insipid TV shows aimed at kids, Bluey has proved an oasis for grown-ups. Spirited, silly, and emotionally intelligent, the show’s standard seven-minute episodes are a pleasure for audiences of all ages. But show creator Joe Brumm leveled up with the super-sized 28-minute episode “The Sign.”
It wasn’t just that this very special episode was four times as long as usual eps, or that it offered a big wedding and a series of teachable moments for pups and big dogs alike. “The Sign” also centered on a heart-wrenching storyline about the Heeler family preparing to move away from their home, a space that fans knew every nook and cranny of, for parts unknown. As Bluey and her little sister Bingo must learn to say goodbye, watchers young and old wept over the loss. But there were tears of joy as well because — beyond a third-act twist that caused cheers across social media — Brummer also laced in Easter eggs that revealed positive news for a string of beloved supporting characters. Incredibly, it’s a cartoon show about a playful puppy that has provided the biggest — yet briefest — emotional roller coaster ride of 2024. —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Bluey is now streaming on Disney+.
14. Doctor Who Season 14, episode 6, “Rogue”
Doctor Who bested Bridgerton when it comes to queer romance with this Regency-era episode, and we’re still swooning.
The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and his bestie Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) travel back to 1813 in Bath, England, just to take in the period appeal of balls and courting. But when a murderous alien shapeshifter is discovered in their midst, the Doctor must team up with a new ally named Rogue (a dashing Jonathan Groff), to save the day. Whovians were thrilled with the intersection of monster-of-the-week fun and Bridgerton drama. But what made this episode the best of a solid season from returning showrunner Russell T Davies is the scorching romance between the Doctor and Rogue. Their enemies-to-lovers arc was swift and satisfying, featuring biting banter, tense misunderstandings, a flashy proposal, a kiss, and a not-so-simple request: “Come find me.”
The series will whir on, but our hearts — and the Doctor’s — will not soon forget this debonair lost love. —K.P.
How to watch: Doctor Who is now streaming on Disney+.
13. House of the Dragon Season 2, episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
The first half of House of the Dragon Season 2 saw Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) doing their best to avoid outright aggression against one another, for fear of unleashing destruction on all of Westeros. In “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” we see just how catastrophic a war between Team Black and Team Green could be, as we watch Rhaenys (Eve Best), Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), and their dragons dance in earnest at Rook’s Rest.
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The battle is downright horrifying, enough to churn the stomachs of even the most bloodthirsty viewers. But what truly makes Rook’s Rest so impactful is how it carries the weight of whole episodes’ worth of failed mitigation efforts. That includes this episode’s early scenes of council discussions, which ratchet up the tension piece by piece until the clash becomes a grim inevitability. The whole episode — including Rhaenys’ death and Aemond’s attempted murder of Aegon — seemed like a true game-changer for Season 2, and the momentum shift it desperately needed. It’s a shame, then, that the following episodes failed to follow through on this episode’s promise. — B.E.
How to watch: House of the Dragon Season 2 is now streaming on Max.
12. The Acolyte Season 1, episode 5, “Night”
The Acolyte‘s first few episodes introduce an intriguing murder mystery at the heart of the Jedi Order. But “Night” sends the series straight into the stratosphere when it unmasks the Sith Lord known as the Stranger (Manny Jacinto). Not only do we get to meet an instantly memorable new Star Wars villain, we also get treated to one of the best fights in franchise history.
Spanning almost the entire episode, this battle just won’t let up. Head-butting lightsabers? Shish-kebabing Jedi? Jecki (Dafne Keen) dual wielding? That’s greatness, right there. But the fight doesn’t just offer up scream-worthy twists. It also delivers major character moments, like the Stranger’s uncompromising murder of two fan favorites, and a fraught reunion between twins Mae and Osha (Amandla Stenberg). Thanks to “Night,” the stakes are raised and the stage is set for The Acolyte‘s darker, more seductive second half. My only qualm with this episode? That we won’t get to see more of its caliber in an Acolyte Season 2 due to the show’s untimely cancellation. — B.E.
How to watch: The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+.
11. Bob’s Burgers Season 15, episode 6, “Hope N’ Mic Night”
Premiering the Sunday after the U.S. presidential election was decided, Bob’s Burgers‘ “Hope N’ Mic Night” proved a beacon of hope, in which the day (and the open mic night at the episode’s center) is saved by fan favorite Marshmallow.
First introduced in Season 1’s “Sheesh! Cab, Bob?”, this charismatic Black trans sex worker was originally voiced by Dan Herman. But as fans warmed to Marshmallow, a call for better trans representation behind the scenes grew. In 2024, Bob’s Burgers recast, welcoming transgender Afro-Filipina actress Jari Jones on as Marshmallow. The show also brought on Eric Bauza to replace former Jimmy Pesto voice actor Jay Johnston, after the latter’s involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
In this episode, fans get to hear both recast characters, which quietly reflect the progressive politics of Bob’s Burgers, a show that even amid its kookiest episodes promotes love, understanding, and family with no exceptions. “Hope N’ Mic Night” makes that message crystal clear as Marshmallow and the Belchers treat each other as family, from open adoration to tough-love talks. (“Kids, your parents are good people. Do all your chores this week. ALL of them.”) Then in a moving climax, Jones as Marshmallow sings “Seabird.” It’s a balm for all who feel scared, lost, and unseen. And it came when a lot of Bob’s Burgers fans really needed it. — K.P.
How to watch: Bob’s Burgers is now streaming on Hulu.
10.True Detective: Night Country, Season 4, episode 5, “Part 5”
While earlier True Detective: Night Country episodes gave us plenty of buzzworthy moments — all hail the corpsicle! — it’s the show’s fifth episode that really sticks in our minds. Here, the many threads of the season begin to converge, joining Night Country‘s oft-present ghosts and grief to the more human evils our detectives are facing down. Tensions boil over at the Silver Sky mines, we uncover further secrets from Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Navarro’s (Kali Reis) Wheeler investigation, and we finally understand Hank’s (John Hawkes) true involvement in the Annie Kowtok (Nivi Pedersen) cold case. The entire episode culminates in a brutal father-son clash, complete with a tooth-centric moment I’ll never forget. Ennis, Alaska may already be drenched in eternal night, but this episode takes us far deeper into the darkness. — B.E.
How to watch: True Detective: Night Country is now streaming on Max.
9. The Penguin Season 1, episode 4, “Cent’Anni”
I love a great backstory-focused episode, and The Penguin delivers the year’s best in “Cent’Anni.” Here, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) takes a backseat, with the focus turning to undeniable series highlight Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti, brilliant throughout).
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Up until “Cent’Anni,” Sofia has been a bit of an unknown. Her time in Arkham State Hospital for a serial-killing spree has shrouded her in notoriety. But as “Cent’Anni” reveals, the story about Sofia being the murderer known as the Hangman is a lie. From family betrayals to Gotham’s corrupt justice system to abuse in Arkham, The Penguin details Sofia’s journey through hell — and how that journey may just have made her the killer everyone believes her to be. A final scene involving the world’s most fashionable gas mask seals the deal on this banger of an episode, setting Sofia up as Oz’s most formidable adversary yet. — B.E.
How to watch: The Penguin is now streaming on Max.
8. Pachinko Season 2, episode 2, “Chapter Ten”
Pachinko’s farewell to Isak (Steve Sanghyun Noh) is undoubtedly one of the most moving episodes of the year. As the episode opens, Isak reunites with Sunja (Minha Kim) and his whole family after years apart. But there’s no respite here. Isak is gravely ill, and dies hours later. It’s what “Chapter Ten” does with that time that makes it so memorable.
During his final night alive, Isak shares some last nuggets of wisdom and care with his family, moments that will propel the story arcs of Sunja, Noa (Kang Hoon Kim), and Mozasu (Eunseong Kwon) over the course of the rest of the season. It’s all leading up to a heartbreaking parting conversation between Sunja and Isak, one that’s shot as a devastating mirror to their first real moments of intimacy in Season 1. Between that conversation and the episode ending with the family’s evacuation to the countryside, “Chapter Ten” makes for a quietly tragic end to one chapter of Sunja’s life, all while unmistakably shaping the next. — B.E.
How to watch: Pachinko is now streaming on AppleTV+.
7. English Teacher Season 1, episode 2, “Powderpuff”
As one of the very best comedies of the year, Brian Jordan Alvarez’s English Teacher made it tough to pick favourites between episodes. But we’re cheering for episode 2, “Powderpuff,” a sharp, funny, and timely delve into drag and authentic self-expression.
The episode sees the school’s “Powderpuff” tradition — when the football players dress as cheerleaders and vice versa — thrown into disarray when the LGBTQ student alliance accuses the tradition of making “gender-switching” a joke at the expense of nonbinary and trans students. To help the football team do drag with authenticity, teacher Evan Marquez (Alvarez) recruits his friend, drag queen and petty thief Shazam (played to absolute perfection by Trixie Mattel). Titty bibs, lace-front wigs, tucking, reading, walking in heels, choreo — the football team goes full out. Meanwhile, fellow teacher Gwen (Stephanie Koenig) turns football practice into a more useful self-defense class, and Koenig’s performance here is nothing short of hilarious. The episode raises smart, poignant conversations around self-expression, gender, identity, but above all, drag. Hit play on “The Warrior,” and embrace it. — S.C.
How to watch: The English Teacher is now streaming on Hulu.
6. Ripley Season 1, episode 3, “III Sommerso”
With striking black-and-white cinematography and a cast that was more compelling than accurate to the source material‘s descriptions, Steven Zaillian’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s delectably deranged novel The Talented Mr. Ripley was as bold as it was slyly seductive.
The series as a whole proves a showcase for leading man Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers), who transforms from a timid social climber to a sleek killer. But episode three, when the eponymous anti-hero gets his hands dirty, is the best of the batch. Here, Tom’s relationship with the carefree American heir Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn) sours, so a day trip in Italy turns from mirthful to murderous. Yet the violence isn’t as disturbing as the aftermath, which delves into ASMR in a brilliant way. Tom, left to his own devices, is surrounded by the sounds of covering up his crime. And we are bound to him, a silent witness — or accomplice — left to wonder if we’re rooting for him to be caught or get off scot-free. —K.P.
How to watch: Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Arcane Season 2, episode 7, “Pretend Like It’s the First Time”
It’s near impossible to pick an episode of Arcane Season 2 that rocket-launches itself above the others, with Netflix’s sublime League of Legends-based series from Riot Games and Fortiche being one of the very best shows of the year. Though episode 6 threw a brutal, neon-hued hand grenade into the narrative, episode 7, “Pretend Like It’s the First Time,” consoled, then obliterated our hearts.
In this powerful departure episode written by Christian Linke, Alex Yee, and Amanda Overton, Ekko (voiced by Reed Lorenzo Shannon) and Jayce (voiced by Kevin Alejandro) find themselves in alternate realities following their dalliance with the anomaly — yep, Arcane delves into the multiverse. Here, we’re privy to a Zaun without Hextech, where future nemeses Vander and Silco happily sling drinks and a bright-eyed Powder is yet to spiral into unrelenting pain. While working to escape their timelines, Ekko and Jayce are faced with painful choices, some practical, some personal and heartbreaking. It’s a deeply romantic episode in many ways, a brutal survivalist struggle in others, and one that gives a glimpse into what could have been for our tormented favorites. Plus, Heimerdinger’s banjo moment slaps. — S.C.
How to watch: Arcane is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Interview with the Vampire Season 2, episode 7, “I Could Not Prevent It”
Midway through 2024, when we posted our first version of this list, AMC’s biting adaptation of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles was only partway through its gripping second season. As such, we proclaimed among the year’s best episodes “No Pain,” which delivered the thrills of vampire after-life mates Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Armand (Assad Zaman) irritating human journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) with their lovey-dovey schtick, and the intoxicating fun of Lestat (Sam Reid) in flashbacks as a full-blown theater (of the vampires) kid. But the penultimate episode of Season 2 blew us away, as showrunner Rolin Jones tackled the trial of Louis and Claudia (Delainey Hayles).
Recounted by the tormented Louis and the stoic Armand, the flashbacks are steeped in agony, violence, and — as we’d later learn — lies. The entire cast is in top form: Anderson wretched in regret; Zaman sly and seductive; Bogosian probing relentlessly, sniffing at holes in the story; Hayles defiant to her character’s fiery end. But after two seasons of hearing what an absolute monster Lestat is from Louis’ perspective, we finally get (secondhand) the Brat Prince’s view of their toxic romance. Scenes that we’ve seen before replay with new details, grim and violent. The liberties taken give fresh life and oozing blood to the wounds of Rice’s original story. Reid is a force of nature, exploding with feral charm and ruthless showmanship.
It’s an epic episode that had fans ravenous for more. And lucky us, Lestat will be the center of next season, as Jones and company tackle Rice’s novel The Vampire Lestat, in which the titular creature becomes a fully fledged rock star. —K.P.
How to watch: Interview with the Vampire is now streaming on AMC+.
3. Baby Reindeer Season 1, episode 6, “Episode 6”
Many Baby Reindeer episodes could have found a home on this list, including a tragic, flashback-centric fourth episode that lends new context to comedian Donny Dunn’s (Richard Gadd) relationship with stalker Martha (Jessica Gunning). But it’s the sixth episode where Baby Reindeer reaches a fever pitch, as Donny delivers a barn-burning, 10-minute monologue about his trauma and shame onstage at a comedy show. Long, unbroken close-ups and Gadd’s arresting performance make this confessional one you can’t look away from, no matter how painful it gets. — B.E.
How to watch: Baby Reindeer is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Industry Season 3, episode 6, “Nikki Beach, or: So Many Ways to Lose”
You could truly make the case that every Industry Season 3 episode deserves this spot, from Rishi’s (Sagar Radia) spectacular solo episode to the season’s period drama-inspired finale. While they’re all winners in my book, I’ve got to give the edge to “Nikki Beach, or: So Many Ways to Lose.” This episode exemplifies Industry‘s looser experimentation throughout Season 3, returning to the yacht flashback — the show’s first — that kicked off the entire season. Crucially, it also centers the consistently compelling dynamic between Harper (Myha’la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela), with explosive results.
Harper and Yasmin’s relationship has always toggled between love and hate, but “Nikki Beach” takes the pair to both extremes over the course of one brilliant hour. We witness their closest moment — their cover-up of Yasmin’s father’s death — as well as their worst fight, which comes several months later. In between, Yasmin grieves her father, as horrible as their relationship was, and Harper weighs her friendship with Yasmin against her own ambition. She chooses the latter, leading to a no-holds-barred confrontation that leaves no insecurity or character flaw unscrutinized. Myha’la and Abela leave it all on the floor in the clash, which is full of lines that cut so deep they’re bound to leave a scar. It’s a TV argument for the ages in an episode for the ages, capped off by the most bittersweet of Pet Shop Boys needle drops. — B.E.
How to watch: Industry is now streaming on Max.
1. Shōgun Season 1, episode 9, “Crimson Sky”
Do you ever watch an episode of TV and think, “What in the world could possibly top that?” Well, that was my reaction to Shōgun‘s “Crimson Sky,” a perfect hour of television that reaches peaks of heartbreak and suspense that couldn’t be matched this year.
The entire episode centers on Toda Mariko’s (Anna Sawai, giving the TV performance of 2024) final diplomatic mission for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). It’s a mission that requires her to face down her own mortality at several points, including a sharp-tongued royal audience and a gate encounter that is a masterclass in tension. Add in poetic, deeply felt conversations between Mariko, Lady Ochiba (Fumi Nikaido), and John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and there’s no way you’ll escape this episode unshattered.
As unwavering in its brilliance as Mariko is in the face of death, “Crimson Sky” is the send-off Mariko deserves, and proof that she is Shōgun‘s central figure. As showrunner Justin Marks told Mashable in an interview: “If you thought it was about anyone else, then you probably weren’t watching closely enough.” — B.E.
How to watch: Shōgun is now streaming on Hulu.
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