The 20 Greatest Episodes in the History of Television!

The nuber one selection for greaest episode in T.V history is no great suprise. NYPD Blue is the show that redefined what television could achieve. NYPD Blue was the first television show to truly push the boundaries of T.V and deliver drama in a cinematic way that could rival big budget movies of the time. The show born of David Milch and Steven Bochco literall cahnged what heights T.V shows could reach.

1) NYPD Blue: "Taillights Last Gleaming" In this heart wrenching episode Det Andy Sipowicz, played by Dennis Franz, keeps having dream like experiences in which he sees his recently murdered son. Andy Jr., Michael DeLuise, appears to Andy in the bar where he was murdered. When andy realizes where he and the ghost of his son are, his expression and demeanor is priceless. Eventually in the "dream" Andy spots the men who murdered his son, and despite Andy Jr. urging him not to, Andy attacks the men and pummels one of them. When Sipowicz turns having finished puching the killer Andy Jr. has been shot and killed anyway. Andy's choice to seek revenge costs him a few extra moments with his son. One humorous moment worth noting is when Jesus apears in one of Andy's visions, Andy gets into an argument with the almighty him to which Andy Jr. says: "Congratulations on pissing off Jesus christ."
This is by far the most touching and brtilliantly done moment in the history of television, NYPD Blue continued it's excellence until it left T.V after twelve seasons. I should note that the show was better when the P.A was a hot blonde instead of gay John.

2) ER: "Into that Goodnight" This was the fifth episode in the maiden season of E.R. A business contractor comes into the emergency room in desperate need of a heart transplant but despite efforts by Dr. Green, played by anthony Edwards, the business man is slowly running out of time and chances. As it becomes more and more apparent that a heart donor will not be located in time Alan Rosenberg, played by Sam Gasner, does everything he can to gather his family and say goodbye. The interaction in this show between Dr. Green, and his more than deserving patient, Alan Rosenberg was superbly touching. Although the situation seems hopeless right from the out-set Gasner's performance has us hoping against hope that a miracle could occur.
I should mention that despite the fact that E.R. appears twice on my top 20, it is also the only show on this list that I do not consider to have been a great show. Although the first few seasons of E.R were outstanding, that early medical suspense quickly disappeared. After just three seasons the show degenerated into a prime-time soap opera that is currently completely un viewable.

3) NYPD Blue: "Hearts and Souls" This selection is not only a tribute to this excellent episode, but also to the skillfull series of shows that led up to the death of Bobby Simone. Bobby's heart condition was gripping from the start and had us on the edge of our seats every time we thought he might be getting a little bit better. Simone, played by Jimmy Smits, had the most interesting abstract dreams about his pigeons. One of the best moments of the shows was when Andy discovers a prisoner trying to hang himself, Andy pauses momentarily in the hopes that if this SKELL dies Bobby could possibly use his heart.
Another reason to list this episode was the fact that is it the first time I can remeber that television audiences care so deeply about two characters that are anti-hero's. Long before in was the trendy thing to do Simone and Sipowicz defined the good guy types who walk the line between black and white.

4) Frasier: "Boo!" The smartest show on television was an understatement. In this episode Frasier, tired of his fathers childish pranks, decides to seek revenge. Frasier pretends to leave his apartment by jingling his keys and slamming the front door, meanwhile he slips on the most hideous of clown costumes, make-up and all, and hides in the bathroom with a butchers knife to leap out at his dad. He manages to scare his father into a heart attack and the show quickly turns from hilarious to touching and back seamlessly, making this one of the most memorable episods of all time.
Frasier was smart, sophisticated, funny, and heart felt. Unlike many of todays shows Frasier never talked down to audience but gave us enough credit to find humor in subtle jokes, or to even find the punch-line from context. What truly made this series one of the greatest of all time was it's ability to be down right hilarious and still have a hell of a lot of heart.

5) MASH: "Abyssinia Henry" One of America's favorite characters dies unexpectedly. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, played by McLean Stevenson, finally gets sent state-side after many years in the war, as life goes on in 4077th the rest of our beloved characters perform surgery when an announcement over the loudspeaker from Radar. Radar announces that Blake's helicoptor has crashed and there were no survivors. The morbid reactions from Henrys friends are priceless and for good reason. The characters in surgery were unaware that the announcement would take place and that Blakes character would die, and in effect a very genuine moment was captured and remains one of the better moments in television.

6) C.S.I: "Grave Danger" This season finale directed by Quentin Tarantino, who I have not been a fan of in the past, presents a pulse-pounding exercise in edge of your seat T.V. Nick Stokes, played by George Eads, is captured and buried alive. The perpetrators seemingly have no demands, and as such the CSI team has virtually no means by which to ever find Nick's location. Stokes physical, and mental challenges are engrossing and this show truly showcases his acting ability. After being baked near to death and eaten by fire ants, Nick comes close to taking his own life. Fortunately for Stokes every member of the C.S.I team puts a different piece of the puzzle together to locate and rescue they're beloved co-worker.
Not only was "Grave Danger" one of the most exciting episodes in televisions history, but C.S.I is one of the most entertaing shows in history. This show, at the time, was one of the most original programs in years and it beats out all of it's spin-offs because of it's superior cast. Williams Peterson, Marg Halgenberger, Gary Dourdin and others all deliver good and reliable performances. The Miami and New York spin-offs both feature horrific supporting casts complete with ridiculously fake New York accents, or David Caruso dramatically removing his sun glasses 25 times an episode.

7) ER: "Loves Labor Lost" Dr. Green misdiagnosis a pregnant woman who then has medical complications. Dr. Green frantically tries to sucessfully deliver the womans baby, and save the mothers life.
Very exciting episode, when E.R still dealt with medical emergency and not just alcoholism and gay issues.

8) Third Watch: "No more Forever" This is another excellent episode that was selected not only for the sixty minutes but for the patient job the show did building up to this moment. Since the very first episode of Third Watch the character of Doc Parker, played by Michael Beach, has had a slowly deteriorating mental state. Doc's long overdue mental break finally occurs when he holds the firehouse hostage. Captain Steeper has threatened to close the "house" and Doc believes that not having the house open will cause an increase in response time to emergency's and cost people thier lives. Doc shoots Captain Steeper, and won't let anyone near him for the fifteen minutes he believes it would take for a response team. Eventually Doc's colleagues ignore his threats and go to the aid of Steeper, and Doc deals with his post traumatic stress disorder brought on by 9/11. There is also some nice moments in this show with cops skip Suddith and Coby Bell, both of whom know Doc and have a hard time thinking about the possibility of having to take tactical action against their friend.

9) All In The Family: "Edith's fifteenth Birthday" All In The Family is the show that defined a generation and helped people openly talk about old issues like racism, homosexuality, and womens rights. The show was non-threatening because points were made through the actions of the main character who was an old world bigot. Archie was a loveable jerk, and made people laugh, and think even if they didn't realize it. In this classic episode Edith is nearly sexually assaulted and it is one of few times the show directly confronts an issue, and they do it with care and heart. As with all classic comedies, what makes them great is the ability to change gears and touch us. Good touch that is, not bad touch.

10) MASH: "Follies of the living, concerns of the dead" This episode was ahead of its time. Finding unique ways to do supernatural things, and take creative liberties in having the character of Klinger, played by Jamie Farr, develop a severe fever which enables him to communicate with the spirit of a recently deceased soldier. This episode was wonderfully haunting, as the sad spirit wanders around with the most unlikely of tour guides.

11) Cheers: "One For The Road" This was the series finale of one the most celebrated comedies of all time. Diane Chambers returns, but once again her romance with Sam "may-day" Malone is ill-fated when Sam realizes he's got more positive things in his life than he does voids. All the while the regular gang of Cliff, Norm, Carla, and Rebecca exchange hilarious one liners and finish the series as it started...funny. Near the very end of the episode Sam, played by Ted Danson, makes a nice gesture by adjusting a picture that has ties to coach, the late Nicholas Colasanto.

12) Miami Vice: "Bother's Keeper" This was the piolit episode in what would become a pioneer in action T.V. Bothers keeper introduces us to det. James "Sonny" Crockett, played by Don Johnson, and Ricardo Tubbs, played by Philip Michael Thomas. The two detectives team up to solve several murders tied to a columbian drug lord.
Miami Vice was hip, stylish, funny and exciting. As undercover cops the show had every excuse to drape the stars in the hottest most expenisve fashions and cars available. This was also one of the first series to recognize that action televisoion characters could be complex and possess both humerous and intense traits at the same time.

13) C.S.I: "Gum Drops" Aired shortly after my number 6 selection for all time best episode " Grave Danger" Nick Stokes is the star again, as three pools of blood are found in a homethat belongs to a family of four. Nick believes that that the little girl of the family may still be alive somewhere and stops at nothing until he disovers her body. The show does an excellent job of making the audience think that nick is a supreme optimist and the little girl is dead, it is truly surprising when she isn't. The tail end of the show has a very interesting scene where Nick is forced to tell this poor little girl that her family is dead. It's a bittersweet ending that makes this episode realistic and memorable.

14) Seinfeld: "Soup Nazi" Elaine makes an ordering mistake while in line for soup from a chef who has exacting standards for his customers. When she is denied her soup she vows revenge, and strikes pay dirt when she aquires an armoire containg all of the soup Nazi's recipes. In a funny side plot Jerry and his new girl friend are making George sick with their public displays of affection.
Seinfeld was a hilarious sell-out comedy that could make you laugh each and every week, but this episode in particular sticks out in my mind as one of the finest.

15) Star Trek: "Arena" This classic episode of the show that defined science fiction pits Captain Kirk, played by William Shattner, man to man versus the mighty Gorn creature. Kirk is unarmed and must use his wits to assemble a weapon using the planet surfaces natural resources. There are other episodes that could have been selected "City on the edge of forever" comes to mind, but there is something about "Arena" that everyone remebers, even people that didn't like Star Trek.

16)NCIS: "Twilight" This is a show that has us heavily engrossed in it's loveable characters and they're playful banter. In this season finale Kate Todd, played by Sasha Alexander, is killed in shockingly graphic fashion. The Navy team is chasing a group of terrorists in a plot line that would run through several shows.
NCIS, like most great shows, is built on its tremendous cast; Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, and Tony Dinozzo, played by Michael Weatherly amounst others. The extreme chemisrty of the shows characters is one of the main reasons the death of any of them was so gripping and sad. Another reason why I have grown to be so fond of NCIS is because it is FUN. In todays microscope age, shows are so serious and always take place in a laboratory. Navy takes it to the streets once in a while for some old fashioned police style action, we can only hope that the show stays on top before Law and Order and CSI clone themselves into every time slot available.

17)Wings: "Blackout Buggins" Not only was this one of the funniest episodes in T.V history but this was one of the most underappreciated comedies I can remember. In this episode Roy Biggins, played by David Schram, is outraged when he hears a rap version of the national anthem, and vows that he can sing it better. When rivals Joe and Brian Hackett get him a gig to sing before a major league baseball game, roy must put his money wher his mouth is. Biggins only gets a few bars out before his 300 plus pound body comes crashing to ground as he faints. Roy is then continually ridiculed by the local sportcasters.
Wings is another show with a terrific cast featuring Tim Daly (Joe Hackett), and Steven Webber (Brian Hackett).

18)Honeymooners: "A matter of Record" This show is probably the reason we even use the phrase "classic comedy." In this episode Ralph Kramden, played by the immortal Jackie Gleason, is convinced that his mother in law will pick a fight with him even if he never speaks. Ralph sets an egg timer and sits impatiently as Alice's mother tears him to shreads, when the egg timer goes off Ralph hits the roof and lambasts his rival in hilarious comedy that only he could provide.
Honeymooners was well ahead of its time with comedy and showcased the talents of Art Carney, and Audrie Medows in addition to Jackie Gleason.

19)Coach: "Vows" Another excellent comedy that never got the recognition it deserved. The culmination of a long and stormy romance between Christine Armstrong, played by Shelly Fabares, and Hayden Fox, payed by Craig T. Nelson. The ceremony is riddled with problems, but at long last these wonderfully flawed characters are wed.
One of the main reasons Coach was a humerous as it was, were due to the talents of Jerry Van Dyke who played defensive Co-ordinator Luthar Van Dam. Luthar was one of those rare characters that could be way over the top and still make us laugh.

20)Survivor Pearl Island: "Johnny Fairplay" This is the only reality show that made my list, but who could ever forget the antics of Fairplay (John Dalton). Johnny had his best friend appear as his guest on Pearl Island and tell all of his competitors that his grandmother had passed away. With tears in his eyes Johnny wept for his poor grandma, but she hadn't died. The clever ruse won Fairplay the challenge, and was one of the funniest moments in T.V and the best moment in the history of reality T.V.

Thats the list folks, am I missing something? Let me know.