There are certainTV showsthat have had a moment which made the viewers take notice. In more recent times, they might have looked up from their phone, or even put their device down completely. A few decades ago, it would have been that moment where they canceled plans to go out on a particular day because their favorite show was on. Whichever way these moments present themselves, there is a point when an audience memberfalls in love with their showand is fully hooked.
Some may have beenone-off miniseries, others may have lasted multiple seasons, butthey will always bring about memories of watching it for the first time. The anticipation of the next episode, the theories as to what happens next, and what will become of their favorite characters, were all reasons people tuned in to watch each episode. While not every single ending will satisfy every single person watching, the ups and downs they experienced on the journey will live on. And, once the last credit rolls, all they want to do is press play on episode 1 all over again.
10The Good Place (2016-2020)
Reliving The Concept
This charming show from the mind of Michael Schur had its fair share of ups and downs.The first season was universally praised, and while seasons 2 and 3 had their fair share of critics, they also had their fair share of standout episodes and impressive performances. The last season may have started on a painful and frustrating note, but the pain and frustration were a sign of people caring.
The Good Place: Eleanor & Chidi’s Relationship Timeline Explained
Chidi and Eleanor’s relationship spanned thousands of Jeremy Bearimys in The Good Place, with each season bringing new twists for the soul mates.
It then went on to deliver one of the most satisfying finales in TV history. A unique concept, the show dealt with what would happen if someone accidentally ended up in the wrong afterlife.Each episode would end in a cliffhanger of sorts, and viewers were able to explore more and more levels of the great unknown.
The Good Place
Cast
Eleanor Shellstrop finds in The Good Place, both the name of the fantasy comedy series from creator Michael Schur and a fictionalized heaven where those who have done good in life will end up. However, Eleanor discovers that the life she was believed to have led was a lie, as it seems The Good Place got the wrong “Eleanor Shellstrop.” When it’s revealed that three others are there under the same false pretenses, they concoct a plan to truly become “Good” to earn their place there - while hiding the truth.
Any fan of the show will remember the most thrilling twist towards the end of the first season. To be able to experience that stunning realization, and hear Ted Danson’s evil laugh for the very first time, is a privilege only reserved for those who have not yet seen it.
9Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Reliving The Strength
While the show was technically a spin-off of a movie of the same title, the similarities were few and far between. Some viewers who enjoyed the film may have gone on to watch the series, but in truth, it wasSarah Michelle Gellar et al. who drew in the crowds. Seeing a strong young woman taking on the forces of evil both from the Hellmouth and the school hallways was inspirational and groundbreaking.
The fact that she was unapologetic about her femininity and refused to give up having friends and a love life meant the world to so many viewers.The stories were thrilling, emotional, and packed with witty humor. The thought of meeting Spike for the first time or realizing Anya was there to stay would be amazing to experience for the first time.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
And then there was “The Body”. One of the most moving episodes of the whole series, it defined the way television shows deal with death and grief.Buffy Summers' iconic entrance is one that many new viewers will get to experience for the first time, to the envy of all those who have seen it already.
8Band Of Brothers (2001)
Reliving The Bravery
Wartime stories are fraught with harrowing experiences and a lot of trauma. But, there is also space for honor, loyalty, and bravery that shines through in the face of adversity. With Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks at the creative helm, this has becomeone of the most important miniseries' of the new millennium. As it follows a group of soldiers from D-Day all the way to the end of WWII in 1945, the audience is with them every step of the way.
Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers is a 2001 HBO miniseries chronicling Easy Company’s experiences from paratrooper training to World War II’s end. It portrays their participation in pivotal battles such as D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book and first-hand accounts from surviving members.
Though it’s hard to watch,it tells an important story in a beautiful way. Seeing the horrors of war showcased so realistically, with a cast of characters that viewers get to know over the course of 10 episodes, makes the brutality they face that much more emotional. The journey might be a difficult one, but to experience it again would be just as moving and distressing as it was the first time round.
7The Office UK (2001-2003)
Reliving The Cringe
Mockumentaries weren’t invented by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, but they were certainly introduced to a whole new audience when their groundbreaking show premiered. Many new viewers were convinced they were watching a real documentary, and it was mostly due to the gritty realism and seemingly mundane subject matter.
The original show not only boasts 14 near-perfect episodes, but it also inspired a beloved reimagining that brought joy to millions of viewers of all generations.
The shots of paper coming out, people typing on their computers, and even lengthy shots of people yawning may all seem like a recipe for disaster, but in truth,they changed the course of TV for decades to come. Once audiences cottoned onto what was actually going on, everything fell into place. Behind the simple facade was a collection of great stories, each with its own arc and key players.
The Office
The Office is a British mockumentary sitcom that aired from 2001 to 2003, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It chronicles the daily lives of the employees at Wernham Hogg, a fictional paper company in Slough. Ricky Gervais stars as the bumbling and often inappropriate office manager, David Brent, whose antics provide a humorous yet poignant look at office culture and interpersonal relationships.
David Brent created some cringeworthy moments that were very hard to handle, Gareth’s haircut became embedded in the cultural zeitgeist, and the love story between Tim and Dawn was painfully relatable. The original show not only boasts 14 near-perfect episodes, but it alsoinspired a beloved reimagining that brought joy to millions of viewersof all generations.
6Chernobyl (2019)
Reliving The Disaster
Historical dramas can be tricky to navigate. Taking an event that has already taken place and making it into a story that will keep viewers' attention from episode to episode is not easy, so the fact that Craig Mazin was able to do so to the highest degree inChernobylis truly impressive.
Each episode feels like a story in itself, while still managing to keep the overarching mystery of how it actually happened loomingthroughout the run of the thrilling miniseries. The cast was extraordinary, the cinematography was astounding, and the mix of historical facts and human connection drew viewers in with each excellent episode.
Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a miniseries dramatizing the 1986 nuclear accident, highlighting the efforts of the individuals who worked tirelessly to mitigate its impact. Released in 2019, this historical depiction captures both the technical and human aspects of one of the most significant industrial disasters in history.
Though the story of the doomed nuclear power plant is a well-known one,audiences got to find out exactly how it happenedin this gripping drama. Seeing the firefighters playing with the radiation-filled rubble, or the scientists scrambling inside the control room was such an emotional rollercoaster the first time around, one can only imagine how it would feel to experience that again.
5Fleabag (2016-2019)
Reliving The Love
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a one-of-a-kind talent, and it’s evident from the very first sequence ofFleabag. Ensuring the viewers' attention is fully on the screen is not easy in this day and age, and shock value is a great tool to do it. As soon as Fleabag has that initial naughty encounter, audiences knew what they were in for.
11 Questions Fleabag Left Unanswered After Its Ending
From the mystery behind Claire and Klare to the significance of the fox, these are 11 burning questions left unanswered by Amazon’s show Fleabag
To add to that, what they learn about her best friend’s suicide, and there is no way to skip an episode. The character might not be very likable, butshe is hilarious, witty, and her mind works in fascinating ways. The show also managed to accomplish something that doesn’t necessarily happen all that often, in that it was the second season that really blew up beyond belief.
Fleabag
Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern-day London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag’s grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business, and her complicated relationships with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge’s award-winning one-woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.
Some viewers signed on as soon as they heard about Andrew Scott as the “Hot Priest”, and it’s hard to imagine what life looked like before he existed. The impossible love story between a deeply cynical woman and a spiritual yet relaxed priest is one of the best ones depicted on-screen. And, to hear the monologue about how much hair matters for the first time again, would be an absolute joy.
4Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
Reliving The Character Development
Some shows come along that have become so beloved,the characters feel like part of the family.In the case of the Roses, viewers got to follow their life-changing journey from losing everything they had, to replacing it with a much more meaningful life. They grew as people and as a family, each Rose having their own story arc that saw them change into better versions of themselves.
It’s one of the most quoted and referenced shows of the last few decades, andits impact on pop culture has been immense. Eugene and Daniel Levy created a world that was warm, accepting, and filled with hilarious characters who stuck around for the run of the show.
Schitt’s Creek
Schitt’s Creek is a sitcom series created by and starring Dan and Eugene Levy. When the Rose family’s business manager embezzles funds from their fortune, they discover that all of their money is gone except for one last piece of property - a small town called Schitt’s Creek that they purchased for fun years ago. Now forced to acclimate to an average, borderline impoverished life, the Rose family will attempt to make due with what they have while trying to revitalize the town.
The finale was packed with happy endings and call-backs to the previous six seasons, making audiences cry with both laughter and sadness. It was so poetic to see all four of the main actors receive Emmys for their respective roles. While it’s wonderful to know the whole story from beginning to end, any time a new viewer presses play on episode 1, there’s a tinge of jealousy that they get to experience it all anew.
3Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Reliving The Weddings
One of the most awarded and highly rated shows ever on HBO,Game of Thronesburst onto the screens with fire and ice. It was a big-budget project that was imbued with high expectations and a lot of excitement. There were many moments in the pilot episode that may have enticed viewers.
I’m 100% Positive A Targaryen Will Become King Or Queen In The Winds Of Winter, But I’m Not Convinced It’ll Be Daenerys
George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire has set up a new Targaryen ruler in The Winds of Winter, but the odds aren’t in Daenerys Targaryen’s favor.
The budding political intrigue, the underlying fantastical elements, or the unabashed violence that did not discriminate against sex or age. Once Bran got pushed out of that window, it was impossible not to keep watching.There were so many unforgettable moments in the show that made such an incredible impactwhen they aired. Ned’s execution, Daenerys emerging from the fire, and Jon Snow’s resurrection are all etched in the minds of the viewers.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
But, sometimes it would be great to have all those memories wiped, just to be able to experience the Red Wedding for the first time all over again. Many would no doubt wish that the last season stay wiped, or at least re-done, but either way, there is no denying that seeing Westeros with fresh eyes would be a dream come true.
2The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Reliving The Crime
Meeting the criminal familyfor the first time was the beginning of something new. Not only forThe Sopranosin particular, but for television in general. The storytelling,the mix of violence, clever writing, and compelling characters, were all on such a high level that viewers felt like they were treated every week.
Going back in time to watch this groundbreaking drama anew would be one of the saddest journeys imaginable, but to get to know the story all over again would be worth it.
The honesty in how imperfect the main protagonists could be, and the suspension of morality that viewers sometimes had to resort to, were thrilling. There were so many mysteries woven throughout that kept audiences on the edge of their seats, and many betrayals that broke their hearts.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos follows New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano as he navigates the challenges of managing his family and criminal enterprise. He seeks guidance from psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi while dealing with complex dynamics involving his wife Carmela, cousin Christopher Moltisanti, and other Mafia associates. Released in 1999, this series delves into organized crime and personal struggles.
Going back in time to watch this groundbreaking drama anew would be one of the saddest journeys imaginable, but to get to know the story all over again would be worth it. Seeingthe ending, which is a topic of much debate, was a shockto the system the first time around, so it would be curious to find out if it would have the same impact all over again.
Reliving The Bad
Universally considered one of thebest television shows in history,Breaking Badis packed with moments that defined an era. From its record-breaking Emmy run to some of the most shocking water-cooler moments of the 2000s, it was the gift that kept on giving. It even spawned a beloved spin-off prequel, which also boasts many devoted viewers. Stepping into the criminal underworld via an unsuspecting, terminally ill teacher is not something one would normally expect, but it was his desperate determination that made him so deadly.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
To hear Walter’s “I am danger” speech again, experience the prison massacre, or see the ATM crushing a human being for the very first time again, would be quite the gift. But, more importantly,seeing the relationship between Jesse Pinkman and Walter White develop, and seeing Saul become the beloved leading man that he was born to be, are what would make experiencing this iconic dramaTV showagain so special.
