Six Unmissable TV Episodes That Defined 2025
Discover the standout TV episodes of 2025, from gripping sci-fi to chilling horror, as we spotlight the year's most unforgettable moments and performances across top series.
Every year, telly fans find themselves asking which episodes truly stood out from the rest. Even the most consistent series can have their ups and downs, while a single cracker of an episode can lift an otherwise average season. Narrowing down the best of 2025 was no easy feat, so instead of a neat top five, we’ve landed on a top six that covers a broad mix of genres and styles. Some picks are obvious, others have flown under the radar, but all are worth your time—even if you haven’t watched the whole series.
Read on for our selection of the year’s most memorable episodes, plus a few honourable mentions. Just a heads up—spoilers ahead for all the shows mentioned.
The Wheel of Time: A High-Stakes Turning Point
Season three, episode four, “The Road to the Spear”, saw The Wheel of Time hit its stride. Josha Stradowski’s portrayal of Rand, forced to relive his ancestors’ lives during a brutal Aiel trial, is nothing short of gutting. The episode reveals how Lanfear, Rand’s lover, played a role in the world’s downfall. Meanwhile, Moiraine, played by Rosamund Pike, is haunted by visions that suggest either she or Rand must die to stop the Dark One. The episode’s ambition, both visually and in its storytelling, makes it a standout in the fantasy genre.
“Visually and narratively ambitious with jaw-droppingly high stakes, it's high fantasy at its finest.”
Alien: Earth and Pluribus: Sci-Fi with a Twist
Alien: Earth’s fifth episode, “In Space, No One…”, brings the franchise back to its roots, exploring what it means to be a monster through the lens of xenomorphs and synthetics. The episode’s depiction of the first xenomorph landing on Earth and the cold corporate decisions that follow harks back to the original film’s tension and moral ambiguity.
“The episode recaptures the heart of the original 1979 film and the gray, corporate morality that prioritises weaponising life over preserving it.”
Pluribus opens with “We is Us”, a nightmare-fuelled introduction to novelist Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn. An alien message rewrites humanity overnight, and the episode leans into horror, echoing classics like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Vince Gilligan’s return to science fiction is confident and unsettling, setting the tone for the rest of the series.
“It’s a fearsomely confident opener that perfectly sets the stage for the rest of this uniquely thrilling drama.”
Horror and Heartbreak: It: Welcome to Derry and Severance
“The Black Spot”, episode seven of It: Welcome to Derry, ramps up the fear factor. The episode traps viewers inside a burning speakeasy during a violent siege, delivering the year’s most terrifying scene—even before Pennywise shows up. Amidst the chaos, Rich’s sacrifice to save Marge is one of the most moving moments of the year. The episode ends with a jump scare for the ages as Pennywise, blood-soaked and newly awakened, unleashes the Deadlights.
“The tour de force filmmaking doesn't give you a second to breathe.”
Severance’s seventh episode, “Chikhai Bardo”, directed by Jessica Lee Gagné, shifts from the sterile world of Lumon to a warm memory that quickly turns sour. The breakdown of Mark and Gemma’s marriage, especially the moment he leaves without saying “I love you”, is devastating. Dichen Lachman’s performance and the episode’s soft cinematography make it a highlight of the year.
“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.”
Andor: A Rebellion Ignites
At the top of the list is Andor’s eighth episode, “Who Are You?”. The political tension on Ghorman finally boils over, and the Empire’s grip starts to slip. Syril, played by Kyle Soller, finds his ambitions crushed by a system that only ever saw him as a tool. The episode is a bleak, tense thriller that digs into the darker side of power, while also hinting at the hope that will spark a 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.”
Honourable mentions go to The Witcher’s “The Joy of Cooking”, The Last of Us’s “Through the Valley”, Squid Game’s “The Starry Night”, and Adolescence’s “The Conversation”—each offering their own unique highlights in a year packed with top-notch telly.