One-Hit Wonders: Your Best TV Episodes of 2007
HBO photo: John P. Johnson
If the blog is reading particularly lame lately, my excuse of the week is that I've been buried in end-of-the-year projects, including, but not limited to, the year-end 10-best lists that we post every year on time.com. And this year, there are going to be more than ever! Lists upon lists upon lists! It's going to be all Redbook up in here!
For TV, I'm going to be ranking the best new and returning shows of 2007 separately. One list I passed on doing--but that, time permitting, I'll do at Tuned in after the dust clears--is a list of the best TV episodes of 2007.
I've been jotting down a list of the top of my head the past few days, and what's struck me is the number of episodes that come from shows I wouldn't put on a top-10 series per se. For instance, it probably will not surprise you that John from Cincinnati will not make my 10-new-shows list; but the Sermon at the Motel episode ("His Visit: Day Five," if my math is right) was certainly one of the best hours of TV in 2007 by me. Likewise the pilot of Reaper.
And the list goes on, but I'd rather hear yours. What were your favorite single episodes of TV shows in 2007? You can list 10, or 5, or 1, or 50--we're tolerant here at Tuned In. I'm especially interested in what you thought were great episodes of series that were not as great overall, but again, the field is wide open. (When Alan Sepinwall polled the best TV shows of the year a little while ago, many of his commenters suggested single episodes instead, if you care to compare notes.)
Let's make it interesting, though, and say you can't name more than one episode of any single show. Applied to Mad Men, that rule just about breaks my brain. But if it's easy, it ain't a good list! Let the battle begin!
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1
I think "His Visit: Day Five" is a great choice for a singular episode. I would add the final episode of Lost "Through the Looking Glass" deserves to be up there, for shaking up the accepted format of the show. I also have to add the 3-episode arc of South Park's "Imaginationland" as well. Nothing touched my funny bone more than those 3 episodes.
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2
One that really stands out for me is "Blindsided", from The Closer. That one episode seemed to show the improvement that show has made this season.
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3
Doctor Who "Blink." Best Doctor Who episode ever, in all the decades the show has been on.
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4
I'm actually not completely sure if this was 2007 or late 2006, but my first vote is for the Supermarket Shooter episode of Desperate Housewives. NOBODY saw that coming!
Also, the pilot--ahem, "Pie-lette"--of Pushing Daisies was spectacular. I've loved every episode since, but none can really compare to the richness (both visually and linguistically) of the first.
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5
The Lost season finale was the most enjoyable two hours of TV I've had in years.
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6
I agree that Lost's "Through the Looking Glass" belongs on the list.
The Office's "Business School" which had me laughing hysterically. This is the episode where Michael goes to Ryan's college as a guest speaker, and Dwight finds a bat in the office.
Ugly Betty's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" when Marc's mom comes and he pretends Betty is his girlfriend. Too funny.
It's hard to think of any other stand out episodes from this year. I enjoyed Flight of the Conchords but I can't think of a particular episode I would choose. -
7
OH, the pilot of "Pushing Daisies"!
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8
30 Rock . The Cleveland episode featuring 'the Black Crusaders.'
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9
Kyle XY: Free to be You and Me
This episode combined character development with a strong message about social conscience and civic responsibility. The reuniting of the Declan-Kyle team, progress in the Amanda-Kyle and Andi-Josh relationships and the Lori-Declan relationship made this episode very satisfying. Plus an awesome dance scene, followed by the Lori-gets-attacked cliffhanger at the end. Best episode of the season.Supernatural: Bad Day At Black Rock
The funniest Supernatural episode Ever. Very Final-Destinationy in its Rube Goldberg-esque death traps. It brought us back to the Gordon Walker is a homicidal nutcase storyline and introduced his even crazier new sidekick. The British thief is, of course, monumentally irritating, but Dean showed her! Then she showed Dean! Yay!Gossip Girl: Blair Waldorf Must Pie!
It was VERY hard for me to pick my favorite episode of Gossip Girl, because it is my favorite of the new shows, and the season has consistently picked up steam with each new episode. The Thanksgiving episode, though, brought together a LOT of important storylines and really pushed the show to the next level.Reaper: The Pilot
Hilarious. I am confused, though, why Sam seems unable to use the force since the pilot.The Office: Business School
Joss Whedon (my favorite storyteller) directed this episode of The Office (my favorite show), and it was kinda about vampires (my favorite topic).Ugly Betty: Don't Ask Don't Tell
Funny, sad, and sweet – most memorable -
10
I agree with the Pushing Daisies pilot, definitely. I'd also have to say the pilot of Mad Men, because I think its introduction of the characters was remarkable. And of course, it's hard to choose just one from The Office, but "Beach Games" was probably my favorite of the past year. (Andy in the lake in the sumo costume? Genius.) Oh, and the Greenzo episode of 30 Rock. "This earth is ruined. We've got to get a new one." LOVED it.
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11
Season finale of Lost. Season finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm. First episode of Tell Me You Love Me. Season finale of Friday Night Lights (first season). First ep of Mad Men.
And though you didn't ask--worst episode of a show I usually love: the "Cops" episode of My Name is Earl. That may well be the single worst episode of a good show in the history of television.
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12
I also loved the Pushing Daisies pilot and the Lost Through the Looking Glass episode, but must say the most memorable episode for me is this year's "Rosemary's Baby" in 30 Rock, with Alec Baldwin's unforgettable therapy session scene and Carrie Fisher's pathetic character mixed with Tina Fey's glimpse of her future.
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13
I'd like to submit a dual entry.
House episodes "One Day, One Room" and "Fetal Position" together gracefully and poignantly attacked the issue of abortion from both sides. That's a pretty strong social statement for a TV drama.
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14
Anything from Californication!
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15
Not many people stayed with "Damages" on FX for the full 13 episodes, but I thought that Episode 11 "I Hate These People" when Patty blackmails Ray and he commits suicide was THE BEST!
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16
I disagree with Sepinwall's opinion (comments) that Lost only had a few good episodes near the end, as if that makes the season a wash. With or without the first six, it was one of the top 3 shows of the year.
So I nominate "The Brig," probably even better than the finale.
Also, the Boondock's season premiere was one of the best comedic episodes I've seen all year.
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17
Greenzo on 30 Rock.
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18
The series finale of Gilmore Girls. I think it was entitled Bon Voyage. It was touching but still had those Gilmore Girls' smart and sassy thoughts.
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19
Dexter- An Inconvenient Lie
Michael C. Hall's monologue at NA was absolutely mesmerizing and the introduction of Lila, with her speech about the dark passenger, was truly inspiring.
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20
The Weeds season finale. Nancy's actions at the end just broke my heart. Not to mention Kevin Nealon and his banjo!
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21
Slapsgiving deserves some props as well - my favorite HIMYM episode this year.
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22
How do you people know all these episode titles?? I can barely keep up with when shows are on. Anyway, my vote goes for the obvious: the season finale of Lost. Game-changer, indeed!
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23
The episode of King of Queens that had Doug demonstrating how to pole dance was hysterical!
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24
The season finale "The Job" for The Office, and I would like to second the vote for "Bon Voyage" of Gilmore Girls.
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25
How I Met Your Mother: Arivederci Fiero
It was LEGEN... Wait for it.... DARY!
- poniewozik Loved the season. Mrs Tuned In wd have put u on the main list RT @boredtodeath Thank u for incl us in Time's Top 10. We'll take hon mention. - 2 hours ago
- poniewozik @carr2n Virgin is the best, LAX-JFK - 3 hours ago
- poniewozik Did NPR interview abt multiscreen multitasking. After, automatically reached for iPhone in pocket. Like don draper wd have for cigarettes. - 4 hours ago
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