15 Favorite TV Episodes from 2018 (So Far)

In the Peak TV era, there are obviously a lot of TV shows to wade through. No one could watch everything. But now that we’re halfway through the year, I thought I’d highlight some of the best episodes that have already aired in 2018.

Who knows, maybe it will help you find something new to watch. (This list is not meant to be all-encompassing, but merely to highlight some of the great work that’s been done on TV already this year.)

In no particular order, here are 15 of the best episodes of TV in 2018 (so far):

1. Atlanta Season 2 Episode 6: “Teddy Perkins”

Anyone who watches Atlanta has been talking non-stop about “Teddy Perkins.” What initially seems like a strange side adventure for Darius (series breakout Lakeith Stanfield) morphs into a commentary on race and an Emmy-worthy performance for Donald Glover. As the year goes on, you can expect to see “Teddy Perkins” on many more lists just like this one.

If you don’t watch Atlanta and you’re a fan of summer blockbusters directed by Jordan Peele, “Teddy Perkins” needs to get on your list immediately.

2. Black Lightning Season 1 Episode 1: “The Resurrection”

I’m aware that people are starting to feel worn down by superhero overload, but hear me out on this one. Black Lightning approaches heroism from a new angle and tackles issues like race and social status under the premise of a superhero drama.

Black Lightning Season 1 Episode 1: “The Resurrection,” the show’s maiden voyage, tackles all of these issues head-on and really gave this superhero drama a reason to exist in the ever more crowded superhero TV genre.

3. The Americans Season 6 Episode 10: “START”

The series finale of The Americans left almost no stories completely resolved, but what makes it great television is the way that it made viewers feel.

We feel consecutive gut punches when the Jennings family decides to leave Henry behind, when they come clean to Stan in the parking garage, and when Paige gets off the train with U2 playing in the background. “START” may qualify for other lists down the road (like best Series Finales), but there is no doubt in my mind that it belongs among 2018’s best.

4. Supernatural Season 13 Episode 16: “ScoobyNatural”

I can’t be the only one who was skeptical when Warner Brothers announced that they were planning a crossover between Scooby-Doo and Supernatural. Sam, Dean, and Castiel’s methods of solving crimes aren’t all that similar to Mystery Inc., after all.

But when the day finally came, “ScoobyNatural” was satisfying, heartfelt, and absolutely hilarious to say the least. Shows should take more risks like this one, and this should go down as one of the best standalones that Supernatural has ever done.

5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 22: “Jake & Amy”

Many fans of the 99^th precinct have been rooting for Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago since Season 1 Episode 1. So when the day came for them to finally tie the knot, many of us were here for it like we should be. Jake and Amy’s “toit nups” are sweet, poignant, and deserving of a spot upon this list.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 22, “Jake & Amy” gives me all the “Peraltiago” feels. Say it with me… “NINE NINE!”

(Also, can we talk about how glad we are that this isn’t the series finale?)

6. New Girl Season 7 Episode 8: “Engram Pattersky”

The second series finale to grace this list, “Engram Pattersky” offered long-time New Girl fans the closure they deserved.

By bringing back fan-favorite characters (like Dr. Foster and Fawn Moscato), calling back to earlier episodes (nicknamed his first-born son ‘Reginald Veljohnson after all!) and of course, the final strike of Prank Sinatra, New Girl really stuck the landing.

For all the ups and downs, they certainly went out on a high note and gave fans exactly the ending that they deserved (and in the episode before that, they brought back Tran, which is all I really cared about).

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