30 Memorable TV Moments from 2018

30 Memorable TV Moments from 2018 (continued):

16. Hannah Gadsby, “Nanette”

Hannah Gadsby wrote and performed her comedy special, “Nanette,” as a goodbye to stand-up, but I certainly hope she doesn’t go anywhere. Her voice is one we desperately need right now and will need going forward. That’s why this is my most memorable TV moment of 2018. Gadsby makes you cry from laughter and also moves you to tears with her story.

The jokes, the social commentary, and the call to action are intricately woven together in such a way that makes this stand-up special truly a unique piece of art. (She even has a whole bit on art history which is brilliant and hilarious.)

Gadsby’s unflinching honesty, relatable humor, and unabashed demand for change shine a light on some dark topics (ones that have been in the shadows for far too long) in a way that has never been done before. “Nanette” is refreshing, funny, and necessary.

– Erin Allen

17. The Final Scene in the Sharp Objects Finale

I was one of the people that did not read the book, so I spent most of Sharp Objects playing detective, trying to figure out whether each subtle shot of something far off or a character’s shifty movements indicated some sort of guilt.

I really thought I had it when it was revealed that Adora had been giving Camille and Amma “medicine.” But that’s what makes the final scene between Amma and Camille that much more memorable and serves as an astonishingly unsettling way to end the series–with the discovery of the teeth in the dollhouse and Amma’s quiet plea, “don’t tell mama.”

– Brianna Martinez

18. Agent Christopher’s Family (Timeless)

The scene on Timeless Season 2 Episode 8, “The Day Reagan Was Shot,” when present-day Agent Christopher comes home to find her family still happily intact was one of my favorite and most memorable moments of 2018.

It was such a beautiful little scene and there was something so poetic and perfect about the fate of history depending on this queer woman of color getting her happy ending and raising a beautiful family with the woman she loved. I wish Timeless had gotten a third season but I’m so grateful for that moment in Season 2.

– Sarah Fields

19. The Day of the Dead (Grey’s Anatomy)

Grey’s Anatomy celebrated some of the beloved characters that have been killed off on the show on its special “Day of the Dead,” episode. Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 6 — Flowers Grow Out of My Grave,” brought back the ones that meant the most to Meredith in a thoughtful, highly emotional way. Am I still tearing up after looking at the gif above? Yes. I sure am.

– Ashley Bissette Sumerel

20. Stabbed in the Back (The Handmaid’s Tale)

The singular most powerful and breathtaking for me is on The Handmaid’s Tale when Emily takes out all her pent-up rage on Aunt Lydia, literally stabbing her in the back. It symbolizes much that is spot on relevant for this year, including the fact that women take down women in their efforts to burn down the patriarchy.

The moment reaches something deep in me when Emily’s elation turns to horror as she faces her own image. It’s exquisite television.

– Janelle McCammack

21. Mickey walks into Ian’s jail cell (Shameless)

Watching a beloved character like Ian Gallagher prepare to spend significant time in prison is never easy. Shameless made it even more difficult with a final episode that was filled with the insinuation that Ian was going to struggle significantly in prison.

To see Mickey walk into his cell not only provided comfort that Ian was going to be okay, but it also reunited a couple fans have been rooting for for 9 seasons. It was the perfect send-off for Ian and the best possible way to give closure to fans of this special love story.

– Tamar Barbash

22. A Devil of my Word Battle/Reveal (Lucifer)  

The entire sequence at the end is a masterpiece. Lucifer has been struggling with is wings for an entire season and this is where the foreshadowing comes true. Cain attacks Lucifer and Chloe and Lucifer protects them both with the wings.

It’s phenomenal acting from Tom Ellis and the CGI is great because the wings actually look fantastic. Between the song choice and the editing, it’s magnificent. Lucifer gets Chloe out of the way and like an avenging angel comes back to fight.

His white wings are covered in blood and he’s never looked more powerful. He has a one-on-one fight that’s basically a dance and then he defeats the man. Of course, his devil face comes back without him realizing it. And that’s when Chloe walks in, giving us the moment we’ve been waiting for for three years. Chloe knows that Lucifer is the devil.

– Maii Trueba de Buen  

23. Annalise Makes the Case for Nate’s Father (How to Get Away with Murder)

For many reasons, Annalise puts nearly everything on the line in her effort to free the senior Lahey, and for many reasons, it seems a hopeless cause.

Then she stands in the middle of a masking tape square on the floor, speaking of the size of a solitary confinement cell and letting silence like that a prisoner would hear ride into the commercial break. It’s a powerful case among powerful cases and it works. Now, if only things had stayed so happy… (5×05: “It Was the Worst Day of My Life’)

– Caitlin Wyneken

24. Agents of SHIELD’s FitzSimmons Wedding & Deke Reveal

After all of the trauma that the team has been through over 99 episodes, it was wonderful to see a small moment of happiness in Agents of SHIELD’s 100th episode as Fitz and Simmons tie the knot.

I loved that Coulson acknowledges that it’s a now or never situation considering the lives they lead and how the small ceremony is intercut with the reveal that Deke is not just a stranger that’s joined the team, but the pair’s grandson!

– Brianna Martinez

25. Cristin Milioti’s performance on Black Mirror “USS Callister” (Season 4 Episode 1)

Cristin Milioti has the gift of elevating generally everything she’s in and it’s a shame that Black Mirror’s season premiered too late in the year last year (December 29th) for her to be acknowledged on end of year lists, because her performance as a confused, frightened woman turned avenger and fighter against toxic masculinity is cleverly layered and stunning.

The most memorable part of an overarchingly memorable episode is when her character, Nanette, realizes her real-world boss has essentially trapped her in an uber controlled virtual-reality seemingly without much agency and decides to fight back.

– Cristina Iskander

26. The Debut of The New Doctor

When The Doctor regenerates it’s always a big moment for Doctor Who. You have a new actor in the same role and very little is typically revealed about the next incarnation prior to the debut. This year it was especially surprising because it was the first time a woman was playing The Doctor.

Jodie Whittaker’s take on The Doctor did exceptionally well and I think given that in the previous Christmas special she was ejected out of the Tardis and went through her debut with none of her Gallifreyan gadgetry to fall back on, it was inspiring.

All the tiny things that The Doctor did during Doctor Who Series 11 Episode 1, “The Woman Who Fell to Earth,” felt so reminiscent of the previous incarnations without being a parody.

– Lauren Busser

27. Will’s Letter (Will and Grace)

We love Will & Grace for its comedy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also deliver on emotional and significant moments. This season of the revival has had a few of those moments, and one that stands out is one that delves deeper into Will’s side of the story when it comes to the history between the two friends.

For the first time, Grace knows what Will really went through emotionally after reading a letter he wrote her years ago — where he detailed how difficult coming out had been, and even admitted to hurting himself. It’s a moment that proves why this particular revival is so worthwhile.  

– Ashley Bissette Sumerel

28. The Witches Return (American Horror Story: Apocalypse)

American Horror Story’s Murder House/Coven crossover season was much-hyped years in advance, but fans were annoyed and disappointed that the first two episodes of the season were completely focused on the new story and didn’t show us any fan favorites.

Thankfully, Cordelia Goode, Myrtle Snow, and Madison Montgomery made their grand entrance at the end of the third episode, showing up just in time to resurrect several victims of Meade and Venable’s Halloween party poisoning. This set the scene for the flashbacks that would fill in the story of how the apocalypse came to be, but the coven’s epic entrance was definitely the high point of the season.

– Caralynn Lippo

29. Kane and Abby Make-Up (The 100)

Call me a romantic, but I still think about Kane and Abby’s reconciliation on The 100 Season 5 Episode 2 at least once a day. Everything that leads them to that moment played on some of the best romance tropes, and expertly used the complexities of their relationship to drive those emotional confessions.

This moment verbalized that they love each other more than anything and that Kane and Abby would to whatever it takes to keep the other safe. And though they hit some rough obstacles later in the season, they stayed true to those words and fought for each other to the very end.

– Samantha Coley

30. Quentin and Eliot (The Magicians)

The most memorable moment for me is Quentin and Eliot’s relationship in The Magicians Season 3 Episode 5, “A Life In The Day.” The way their bond with each other grew is so beautiful.

Although we only see them in one spot the whole episode it’s their connection to each other after spending a whole lifetime together that makes it the most memorable. Their friendship is special and something that can’t be broken. I can’t wait to, hopefully, see more of it in Season 4.

– Cade Taylor

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What TV moments stand out to you as most memorable from 2018? Share them with us in the comments below!

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