Revisitors

Lots of us have TV shows we like to go back and watch again and again, whether that's the syndicated sitcom bliss of Friends, the mystery unboxing of Lost or Breaking Bad, or classic like The Wire or The Sopranos. But what about specific episodes? It's the age of Netflix marathoning where programmes will line up to be watched without you having to move a finger, but does anyone go back and search for that one standout episode, does anyone sift through their DVD's to remember that one particular scene? Anyone other than me, of course. Being the massive dork that I am, I have a few choice TV episodes that I like to rewatch from time to time. Here are some I'd like to share with you.

Doctor Who

I'm going to get this one done and out of the way first. Yes, Blink is a terrific episode of Doctor Who that's worth rewatching. It has a terrific story and is the legendary introduction of the Weeping Angels and would be a great argument for encouraging more anthology style episodes from the Doctor Who universe but, and this is a big but, that isn't my personal favourite. Blink is a great episode and I do like it a lot, but my favourite episode to rewatch is from series four called Turn Left. 

The episode follows Donna (Catherine Tate) as she is transported back to an alternate past where she didn't meet the Doctor. The Doctor is practically absent here but the appeal of this episode is that it's not about anything particularly huge, it's just about one woman. A woman who feels like she's failed at every opportunity in her life, a woman who feels she can't do anything but shout at an ever crumbling world. It's a spectacular episode penned by then showrunner Russell T. Davies, that shows that one seemingly insignificant person can make a difference to the world. A person that, by all means, isn't especially special but has a good sense of humour and is rather good at yelling at people. It's a bit It's a Wonderful Life but that's far from a bad thing because it is rather wonderful to show someone how big a difference their life can make.

Other notable episodes: The Waters of Mars; A Christmas Carol; The Eleventh Hour; Gridlock

Fringe

I'm not a big fan of Fringe, there was a great premise, interesting set up and an addictive theme tune but after trying to find it's feet in the first season, it found it was just a less than engaging, sci-fi cop, X-files wannabe. The episode's that really stand out though are one's from the first season that show where Fringe could (and should have) gone. . 

Power Hungry, the fifth episode of the first season, is about a man who can manipulate his magnetic field but can't control it and it's a cool episode. There isn't much spectacle, no big, bad monster but a misunderstood sap who got himself into a sorry situation. It's emotional, it's intriguing without being showy and it's somewhat believable. Unlike many of the other episodes that screamed science FICTION, Power Hungry felt like one that could, at a push, be scientific reality. 

The same can be said of Bad Dreams, where the team discovers a man whose emotions are so powerful they can manipulate those around him. It's like that friend who whenever he laughs, you laugh or that negative friend who always makes you hate the world as much as he does (do I need new friends?). This man feels so unhappy, so depressed and suicidal that it's driving others to commit suicide and Olivia, the main character, can feel this in her dreams. Isn't that a great premise? What really stands out about both of these episodes is that they're character focussed with a dollop of plausible sci-fi. That was the show we deserved, but not the show we got.

Other notable episodes: White Tulip; Making Angels

Avatar: The Last Airbender

You may have heard rumors about how great this show is, and they're true. Avatar was a show that was not only epic, but funny, mature, poignant, heartfelt, exciting, addictive and beautiful. If you haven't checked it out, do so, if you have, do so again. The show followed Aang, a 12 year old boy who can "bend" all the elements, as he attempts to stop the world being taken over by a fire hungry death fiend, the Firelord. There's much more to it, like the world, the mythology and the characters. There's Katara, a water bender with funky hair 'loopys'; Toph, a blind earthbending prodigy and Sokka the eldest and least powerful of them all. Amongst a group of people who can do amazing thing's Sokka is just a dude with a boomerang.

Season three's Sokka's Master sees Sokka as he considers his place in the group and trains under a master swordsman in order to be more useful. Sokka's Master isn't the best episode of the series but it's one of the most emotionally honest, it shows a person doubting his capabilities and contribution, especially in the company of his talented friends. It takes the goofiest character of the show and explores his off the wall style of thinking, his strategy, his drive and shows that, yes he is a big doofus, but the things that make him like that also make him really important to the team. It helps show even the silliest of us that we're probably worth more than we think.

Other notable episodes: The Ember Island Players; Zuko Alone; The Chase; the Blue Spirit

The Legend of Korra

Legend of Korra, the sister series to The Last Airbender, follows the new avatar - Korra, a fierce and hot headed young woman as she tries to maintain balance in the world. Where ATLA was based in a pre-industrial age world, Legend of Korra takes us into a 1930's style world where radios, cars and telephones are coming into their own. It's a terrific evolution of the Avatar mythology and was refreshed by a new enemy each season. 

However in shaking up it's own formula, season four picks up three years after the last season finished. Korra has been recovering from an attempt on her life where she was poisoned, beaten and only just brought back from the brink of death. Her body may be better, but she's still haunted by what happened and when a new threat emerges, Korra doesn't know if she can face it. 

Beyond the Wilds is the ninth episode in the fourth season and sees Korra trying to pull herself back together but when people are being taken by the spirit wilds, she has to face the man who almost killed her in order to get over her mental block. All of Korra is rewatchable to no end, but Beyond the Wilds has one of the shows best moments. Throughout the season we see Korra facing depression, self doubt and fear but she's forced to face the embodiment of this when she confronts Zahir. She has to accept his help in order to come to terms with what happened to her and it's brilliant. The scene where she sees him has her go from tough, to scared, to angry, to frustrated and ultimately to peace. For a season that's titled Balance, the show more than finds some.

Other notable episodes: Korra Alone; Operation Beifong: Long Live The Queen; Beginnings Part 1 & 2

Game of Thrones

Many people who watch Game of Thrones have a mad fanaticism over it and it's not hard to see why. It's addictive nature, it's wavering trigger finger and it's wonderful character interplay is something to behold. There's a great joy in seeing how many of the multiple story strands will affect each other and attempting to guess how the show will end. Although Game of Thrones has a good few battle based episodes, the one that I like to go back to is The Laws of Gods and Men where fan favourite Tyrion Lannister is put on trail for regicide. The court room scene lasts half the episode and is gripping from end to finish. It goes through many of Tyrion's actions in the previous three seasons and portrays different perspective's on how they transpired. The episode then ends with a fantastic monologue by Tyrion that'll give you the tingles any time you hear it.

Other notable episodes: Hard Home; The Watchers of the Wall; The Mountain and the Viper; The Rains of Castamere

Batman The Animated Series

BTAS is seminal viewing for anyone who was born in the nineties, the design was spectacular, the characters were engaging and the stories were on point. Nothing like this had been made for television like this and especially nothing for a young audience. It was so good it changed from a Saturday morning to a Sunday evening slot and earned itself an Emmy. Season two has the fan favourite episode Almost Got 'Im where a half dozen of the Bat's greatest villains are playing poker and each talk about the time they almost knocked off the Bat. It's a fun episode that's beautifully drawn and has some of the best line's of the series.

Other notable episodes: Heart of Ice; Harley and Ivy; On Leather Wings; Perchance to Dream

Looney Tunes

Looney Tunes might not count as a TV show as it was primarily a series of shorts shown on the big screen, but it's everlasting episode run on Cartoon Network proves it's worth mentioning. Looney Tunes is a show that's loved and understood worldwide for it's crazy antic's, visual flair and memorable characters. Pool together people young and old from various corners of the world, shove them in a room and put on some Looney Tunes and they'll all be laughing in a minute. On lazy or sick days, I tend to switch on Looney Tunes and the first one I'll go to is Rabbit of Seville. This short follows Bugs being chased into an opera house by Elmer and performing in the show in an attempt not to be shot. It's a simple episode that's hilarious from start to finish with fantastic slapstick and humorous lyrics. It also contains the famous Elmer head massage moment that is seen in Space Jam as well.

Other notable episodes: Duck Amuck; What's Opera, Doc?; Rabbit Fire; Hair-Raising Hare

House

House was a procedural doctor show that starred the mega talented Hugh Laurie as the cane wielding genius titular character. I've never much cared for procedurals  but occasionally one might come out with something from left field like Season four's two part finale House's Head & Wilson's Heart. After House survives a bus crash he has a vague memory that someone from the accident is going to die and the punch of who that is is in following episode. This was a show that usually had House being prickly to his interns and abrasively solving strange cases but here the relationship between House and his best friend Wilson is put to the test and the show employs some interesting techniques in making the big reveal. It's a moment that stuck with me since and has always remained and that's why these are episode's I'll always come back to

There are dozens of other shows with specific episodes that I can talk about for days on end but the days is only so long. Believe it or not you probably have a life to live and I have some work to stop putting off, so until next time - take care.

If you want to share any thoughts on this post you can comment below or hit me up on twitter @yjinkscrawler.

Favourite feelings

Recently two of my favourite Youtube stars, Charlie McDonnell and Hank Green of the Vlog Brothers, talked about their feelings and it was rather nice. They simply talked about some of their favourite feelings and why they connected so well with them and, with the stressful and frustrating week I've been having, I thought I'd talk about my favourite feelings in an attempt to cheer me and you (if you're out there) up.

Where to start? Well I love the satisfaction you get when you've worked a long and full day and you get to bed knowing you've accomplished something.

Or even when you complete some work. 

Or hand it in.

Or just do some good work that day -  it's some mighty fine satisfaction.

I love the feeling of a good, honest and compassionate hug - especially when you're feeling down - there's nothing quite like it. Cuddles are also accepted, kisses may be too far.

When someone feels close enough with you that they can let themselves be vulnerable around you. That's trust.

The feeling you get when you know someone is trusting you with something close to them - knowing you're important enough to them to hear this information is high praise.


The post hot shower bliss.

Figuring out a story problem - that's a real good high.

When you pitch an idea you have and it's understood, or maybe even loved, talk about excitement.

Discovering a new favourite song, film or book - It's like finding a nugget of gold. (Speaking of, for a good new listen check out this)

Being out on the dance floor and not giving a hot damn how badly you're dancing as you just go for it. Even better, dancing on the street when the music takes you. That's a mighty good feeling right there.

Late night giggle sessions with friends. They're silly, timeless and some grand fun.

Helping a friend out. When you've made a positive difference to someone else's life you know you've done well.

Helping a stranger - It's nice to feel like a decent person for a wee while.

Pizza - need I say more?

Laughter that induces face and/or stomach pain - It hit's the spot then, hasn't it?

When you can honestly compliment yourself - It's hard for a Brit to do, so you know you mean it when it's said.

Making someone else smile - ain't that just nice?

Being told I look handsome - yeah, I'm vain like that. Compliment me and you've won me over.

Being told you're cool - makes you feel like a badass.

When you ask someone out and they say yes - a rarity, yes, but it ain't half awesome.

Christmas time - Good will to all men, why can't that last all year?


That should do for now, but maybe on another crappy day I'll let some more loose. Hope you enjoyed this and if you want to watch Charlie or Hank's videos on their favourite feelings, check out the links below.

Charlie's channel

Hank's channel

If the mood takes you, you can also tweet me at @yjinkscrawler. Alright now, have a good day.