Top 10 Best TV Episodes of 2020

      Woah. What a year. Actually...pardon my words. What a terrible year. Though this year was doomed from the start, at least television kept our minds off of the hardships and turmoil this year put us through. If I am being honest though, I did not get around to watching as much "quality" television this year due to my trashy reality television binge. However, I did see a good chunk of shows to make a list of what I perceive to be the top ten best television episodes of 2020. I made a list last year and was interested to see what made my list. I will not rank these episodes from best to worst as the themes of these shows just may not correlate with others, so it would be unfair to rank them. Spoilers ahead!!!

Honorable mention: Solar Opposites - "Terry and Korvo Steal a Bear"

     I have to give a quick shoutout to Solar Opposites. The show may not have been the best thing that has happened since sliced bread, but I did have a love for the debut season. The episode goes into the world of the humans who were shrunk down by Yumyulack and Jesse as they fight a civil war in their new society. For a comedy, this episode actually was extremely emotional. The episode deviates from the main story to explore a different narrative, and it works. Through twists and turns, this episode was hands down my favorite episode of the first season, and I really hope they do a sequel to this episode.

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm - "Happy New Year"

     Curb remains one of my favorite comedies and for good reason. This whole past season was simply incredible. Particularly, the first episode was amazing from beginning to end. Larry David uses his great timing and comedic relief to wear a MAGA hat to keep people from bothering him. The episode also sets up the sexual harrassment storyline, creating a hilarious yet semi-respectful take on the troubling times in current-day Hollywood. The politics are not overbearing as they present just the right amount for people not to get angry or bothered by it, showing the ingenuity of Larry David.

2. Survivor - "War is Not Pretty"

     In a season full of false hopes and disappointing outcomes comes an episode that even had me on the edge of my seat. Winners at War, the latest season to have aired, was a huge flop in my eyes. The season was not completely terrible, but it did not meet my expectations in the slightest as fan-favorites were voted out early in rapid succession. Though I have negative thoughts on this season, "War is Not Pretty" is hands down one of the best episodes of Survivor. Adam was one of the players I detested on this season (though I enjoy him in real life), so for his downfall to be so glorious to watch made up to an extent some of the frustrations I had about this season. Production sets him up this whole episode to look victorious only for him to completely fumble minutes before he is voted out as he thinks he can be saved at tribal council in a twist that has never been done before. My family was laughing hysterically when he thought Jeff's podium was a hidden immunity idol. Adam, thank you for giving me a laugh during the beginning of the pandemic. 

3. The Queen's Gambit - "Openings"

     Though I do not know how to play chess nor will I ever learn to play chess (I just don't care), The Queen's Gambit was a surprise for me. Immediately, I got attached to Beth Harmon as her tragic childhood is slowly revealed. "Openings" is an amazing premiere that allows the viewers to see how Beth becomes interested in the game of chess. Her ambition mixed with the start of her drug addiction at such a young age complicates your feelings on the events of the story, but nonetheless, "Openings" makes you want to learn how Beth Harmon goes from a novice chess player to an expert level in the span of only a short time. 

4. The Crown - "Terra Nullius"

     This season of The Crown took a slightly different approach in storytelling as the royal family we have been following for three seasons took a back seat in terms of amount in screen time, and the new characters of Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher became big focuses instead. "Terra Nulius" explores the turmoil, destruction, and mistrust between Charles and Diana as they tour Australia. The two reconcile in the middle of the episode only for Charles to become jealous of Diana's popularity where he permanently damages their relationship for the rest of the season. It was this episode where I realized that Charles was not the decent man he was in season three. This episode is very depressing as this toxic relationship actually existed, though the acting was superb and the writing was quite strong. This episode proves to be why The Crown is one of the best television shows to have ever existed. 

5. Ozark - "Fire Pink"

     I truly believe Laura Linney's performance on this season of Ozark will go down in history. Specifically, "Fire Pink" is where she shines brightest. In "Fire Pink," Wendy hides her bipolar brother from the cartel after revealing to Helen's daughter the truth of Helen's occupation. After several mishaps and outbursts from Ben, Wendy makes the difficult decision to alert the cartel of Ben's location so that they can kill him. Perhaps the most heart wrenching moment of the series is when Wendy has a mental breakdown over her decision as she acknowledges the woman she has become. This show continues to amaze me, and it is due largely because of "Fire Pink."

6. Tiger King - "The Secret"

     Tiger King takes the cake as truly one of the most bizarre, yet intriguing television series to ever grace our screens. The show is a cultural phenomenon, and it is not just due to the madness of the mind of Joe Exotic but due to his rival, Carole Baskin. "The Secret" explores the evidence and timeline of Carole Baskin's relationship with her husband. The conspiracies surrounding his death caused an uproar by fans as they took sides as to whether Carole Baskin killed her husband or not (she did). The episode was such a mind-f**k, and it still has people talking to this very day. The episode was a 45 minute acid ride, and I was pleased at the entertainment it gave me. 

7. Unorthodox - "Part 1"

     This show came as a shock to me. When I saw that it came out, I was not interested to watch it; however, I heard rave reviews, so I decided to give it a go. It was because of the premiere that I continued to watch it because "Part 1" is incredible. Esty, a young, Jewish woman, runs away from her conservative lifestyle to find her mother in Paris. The premiere sets up the theme of the restrictions of religion. What I liked about the premiere is that any religion can be substituted in Judaism, and you may get the same result. Esty's transformation from the beginning to the end of the episode shows viewers how religion can be hypocritical no matter what it teaches you.

8. The Walking Dead - "Walk With Us"

     Yes, I know. There are still many haters of The Walking Dead, but for the most part, season ten was another incredible season of the show. Particularly, "Walk With Us" includes many twists and surprises throughout the entire episode. Gamma's death shocked me as I thought she could have been a permanent member of one of the communities. Of course, Alpha's death is surprising (if you have not read the comics), but Carol being the one behind Negan's escape in order to kill Alpha came out of left field. Carol proved once again in this episode that she is the best Walking Dead, no ifs, ands, or buts. 

9. Lovecraft Country - "Sundown"

     I admittedly stopped watching Lovecraft Country after episode three, but "Sundown" kept me watching for two more episodes. The pilot episode combined science fiction with realistic instances of racism experienced in the South during the Jim Crow Era. The episode was masterful, and it had me interested in the plot as the characters searched for the protagonist's father. I think the anthology aspect of the show kept me from watching episodes four and on, but nobody can deny that the premiere was action-packed, emotional, and disturbing - all the elements it takes to make an amazing episode of television. 

10. The Mandalorian - "Chapter 16: The Rescue"

     Ok. I did say I was not going to rank the episodes, but if I did then "Chapter 16: The Rescue" would be my favorite episode of the year. Star Wars has really placated my anxiety this year as I watched The Clone Wars this year, and I have re-watched the complete Skywalker Saga. For Star Wars I am quite thankful. The finale of The Mandalorian gave me everything I wanted in a show: action, adventure, character development, resolutions, and twists. Grogu and the Mandalorian's relationship will always be one of the best television relationships ever told and if anyone had to take Grogu away from Mando, then I am glad it's Luke Skywalker. The ultimate surprise of this year was a younger, digital Luke Skywalker making a surprise appearance in The Mandalorian. The best part of his appearance was seeing him at the peak of his use of the force as the sequel trilogy never really gave us Luke using his lightsaber skills. I loved this episode so much, and it proves that Disney can tell a good, fun, and sensible Star Wars story.

Thank you for reading my "Top 10 Best TV Episode of 2020." Let us all hope for a brighter 2021 as more television makes its way onto our screens for us to escape to. Leave a comment telling me your thoughts or your favorite TV episodes of 2020!