Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for multiple series.In atelevision series, it’s all about the slow-burn.Especially when it comes to dramas. Some of the most impactful and unforgettable moments happen at the most unexpected of times. And sometimes those moments don’t need to last an entire episode to leave a mark on the audience.It can take as little as 10 minutes to craft a scene so shocking, emotional, or jaw-droppingthat it will leave audiences hanging on until the credits roll.
Sometimes these scenes come in the form of a shocking death or reveal, perhaps a major confession, or a long-awaited confrontation. Whatever the case may be, 10 minutes is enough to pack a punch, and these scenes more than prove that.Sometimes, less truly is more when it comes to providing the most memorable moments.
10’Grey’s Anatomy' (2005–)
Season 9, Episode 2 “Remember the Time”
The plane crash is arguablyGrey’s Anatomy’smost memorable disaster episode, for how big it was, and how it reset the show. Two major characters were lost; it set the stage for Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona’s (Jessica Capshaw) downfall; and it was deeply traumatic for all involved.We see a deeper look into the crash in Season 9, Episode 2, when the characters reflect on the crash.
We learn that afterward, Cristina (Sandra Oh) went into a catatonic state, and wouldn’t speak. It isn’t until she is alone with Owen (Kevin McKidd) in a moment of vulnerability that she speaks again. She tells him that she can’t get out, and details the four days they spent in the woods, telling him that she stayed awake all four days. She says that she picked bugs out of Arizona’s leg wound, repeatedly had to save Mark (Eric Dane) because he kept dying, andcouldhear animals eating Lexie’s (Chyler Leigh) body nearby. It’s haunting to hear her talk about it, and it’s a stunning performance from Oh.There are a lot of scenes inGrey’s Anatomythat are memorable, but this particular one sticks around long after the credits roll.
9’Private Practice' (2007–2013)
Season 5, Episode 8 “Who We Are”
Private Practiceinitially began as Addison’s (Kate Walsh) spin-off ofGrey’s Anatomy, butit later introduced Amelia Shepherd(Caterina Scorsone), Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) little sister, who we’ve come to know and love inGrey’s. But she wasn’t always the character we know now.Private Practiceprovides a lot of depth and backstory for her, and the episode “Who We Are” is the biggest indicator.
We already know inGrey’s Anatomythat Amelia has past substance abuse issues, but it was inPrivate Practicethat we saw the peak of it. Season 5 sees her friends host an intervention for her, which is as tragic as it is necessary.It’s a really raw look into addiction, and into Amelia as a character, and it’s such a pivotal scene to understand the Amelia we have now.It also shows how wellPrivate Practicewas at handling the more intenseand taboo topics, and how it never shied away from them, and instead leaned in.
8’Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' (1999–)
Season 15, Episode 1 “Surrender Benson”
WhenLaw and Order: Special Victims Unitfirst began, it was another procedural show detailing heinous crimes. But as the show went on, we got to know the characters and their lives, and grew attached to them. After Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) left the show, Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) became the main focus, and she was put in increasingly intense situations on her own.The biggest being the William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber) storyline.
After Benson is kidnapped and tortured by Lewis, she manages to get the upper hand on him and describes how she should hurt him back. She then changes the topic to her old partner, Stabler, and says that he would know what to do if he were there, and that he wouldn’t hesitate. “Surrender Benson” andthe entire William Lewis sagaare one of the most horrific parts ofSVU, but also one of the most impactful for how long it sticks with viewers afterward.This scene in particular sees Benson taking back her power after being tortured by Lewis, and battling with her inner monologue of right and wrong.
7’One Tree Hill' (2003–2012)
Season 8, Episode 11 “Darkness on the Edge of Town”
One Tree Hillthrived on drama throughout its run. From family strife,to stalkers, and love triangles. But one of its most intense came in Season 8, when a major storm hits Tree Hill and puts everyone in danger. Brooke (Sophia Bush) encounters a car accident on a bridge, which involves Jamie (Jackson Brundage) and some of his classmates. She manages to get them out of the car safely, all except Jamie, who is stuck in the backseat. Julian (Austin Nichols) arrives and is prepared to help get Jamie out, whena car comes down the bridge and slams into the car Brooke and Jamie are in, sending them plummeting into the water below.
Things seem hopeful at first, as Julian assures them the car isn’t sinking, so the water won’t rise any further. But then the levee breaks and water starts rushing in. As Julian attempts to get Brooke out from where she is pinned, the weight of the situation sets in on Brooke, and she pleads with Julian to save Jamie first, and to come back for her. He gets Jamie out safe and sound, but getting Brooke out is more difficult, andshe ends up drowning.It seemed like we’d actually lost her for good, but she eventually responds to the CPR Julian is administering. It’s an intense sequence, and a highly emotional one, as both Brooke’s and Jamie’s lives are at stake.
6’Orange Is the New Black' (2013–2019)
Orange Is the New Blackkicked off theNetflix originals craze back in 2013, as it showed a humorous but raw look into life inside a minimum-security women’s prison. The show never shied away from digging into tough topics, but Season 4 took things to a whole new level.The death of Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley) by an officer is one of the show’s most bleak and heartwrenching moments, and it completely changed the show.
When Caputo (Nick Sandow) begins to make his address to the public about Poussey’s death, he goes off script and makes it out like the officer was set up to fail by the system, and that he will return after an investigation. Thisenrages Taystee (Danielle Brooks), who was hiding in Caputo’s office, and she returns to the dorms, furious that the speech made it sound like Poussey was a violent criminal and that he never once mentioned her name.It’s a goosebump-worthy performance, and it kicks off the riot storyline that became a pinnacle of the show.
5’Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997–2003)
Season 5, Episode 16 “The Body”
Buffy the Vampire Slayertook a turn in its later seasons. While it kept a lot of its quirks and humor that made it stand out in the first place, it started to introduce more adult themes as Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) grew older. The biggest indication of this is in Season 5 when her mother, Joyce (Kristine Sutherland), is diagnosed with a brain tumor. For the first time, Buffy is faced with a threat that she can’t eradicate on her own. “The Body” is undeniably one ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s best episodes, and in just the first 10 minutes alone, it proves that.
Buffy comes home and calls out for her mom, but receives no answer. She walks into the living room and finds her mom on the couch, unmoving and pale.Sheimmediately tries shaking her awake, resorting to an almost childlike state as she calls out “Mommy”. She tries CPR, but panics when she hears bones crack. The sequence concludes when Giles (Anthony Head) arrives at the house and goes to Joyce, and Buffy scolds him for moving the body, shocking herself with the words.It’s the first time a character is killed in the show by something that isn’t supernatural, and it’s gutting to watch.
4’Lost' (2004–2010)
Season 3, Episode 22 “Through the Looking Glass”
Lostis chock-full of twists and turns. From smoke monsters, and secret hatches, no one knew what was up the show’s sleeve at any given time.Yet, no one could have anticipated the gutting blow that was delivered in the Season 3 finale. The survivors attempt to contact a boat that they believe belongs to Desmond’s (Henry Ian Cusick) girlfriend, Penny (Sonya Walger).
In order to get in contact with the boat, Charlie (Dominic Monaghan) must go to the underwater Dharma station. Only when he makes successful contact with Penny, she stuns him by telling him that it’s not her boat after all. When Desmond arrives,Charlie has written three simple words on his hand: “NOT PENNY’S BOAT”. The rescue boat is a trap, and suddenly, all hope is lost.The sacrifice also results in Charlie’s death, so all in all, it’s a painful scene.
3‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
Season 5, Episode 12 “Long Term Parking”
In a show likeThe Sopranos,it should really come as no surprise that people are going to die, even characters we come to know and love. ButAdriana (Drea De Matteo) is a character deaththat still doesn’t sit right with fans to this day, because of how it all went down. She’s eyed as an informant by the FBI, and though she initially doesn’t give up any information, due to her love for Christopher (Michael Imperioli), the FBI continues to pressure her more. She eventually comes clean to Christopher in the hopes that he’ll run away with her. But his loyalty to Tony (James Gandolfini) runs deeper than his love for her, and he rats her out.
She doesn’t know this, though, and is under the pretense that Christopher is in the hospital. So we watch as Silvio (Steven Van Zandt) drives her and comforts her, before taking an exit and turning off into the woods.Suddenly, it all clicks for Adriana, and though she tries to run, there’s no use; it’s inevitable. The lengthy car ride is intense as it slowly sets in for the audience that it’s all a ruse, and Adriana’s card has been called.It’s ahaunting moment inThe Sopranosand one that is unforgettable to say the least.
2’Twin Peaks' (1990–1991, 2017)
Season 2, Episode 7 “Lonely Souls”
Twin Peaksisone of the greatest works of television ever made, and it’s also one of the most intriguing mysteries to ever grace television. It follows the simple premise of the murder of a teenage girl named Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), but it’s set against the backdrop of a strange little town called Twin Peaks. Everyone was theorizing about who Laura’s murderer is, so when it was finally revealed in Season 2(albeit earlier than David Lynch andMark Frost would have liked), fans were left flabbergasted.
In a shocking scene, Leland Palmer (Ray Wise) smiles into a mirror and the reflection of the entity Bob (Frank Silva) smiles back at him, revealing that Leland is the one who killed Laura – his own daughter. He goes on to attack his niece Maddy, and cries out Laura’s name, all the whileshifting betweenhis human form and the entity Bob, further solidifying that he is the killer, and leaving a mark on television forever.Ratings forTwin Peakswent downhill after the reveal, which is why Lynch and Frost were apprehensive to reveal the killer so soon (or at all), but regardless, it’s an unforgettable moment that will always be remembered.
1’Game of Thrones' (2011–2019)
Season 3, Episode 9 “The Rains of Castamere”
Game of Throneshas no shortage of shocking moments in its run. In just its first season alone, it killed off a major character in Ned Stark (Sean Bean) and set in motion so much chaos to come. But still,no one could have anticipated thesheer horror that was the Red Weddingin Season 3(well, unless you read the books.)The scene changes everything, as House Frey betrays House Starkat what was meant to be a peaceful and lovely wedding.
But then everything changes in an instant. The doors are locked, andthe song changes to a Lannister song, “The Rains of Castamere”, and Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) realizes they have been betrayed. She’s correct, and she, along with Robb (Richard Madden), Talisa (Oona Chaplin), and their unborn child, areamong the horrific carnage that takes placeover the course of the final 10 minutes. It’s one of the show’s best episodes, and one of the most memorable for how emotionally impactful it is.
Game Of Thrones
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
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