The advent of TV that is so epic it’s like a movie has meant more and more singular episodes that offer a breathtaking first-time viewing experience. This, of course, has happened alongside and in many ways because of the Fantasy
genre. All the shows meant to be the next Game of Thrones have driven big-budget TV productions that have shaped modern pop culture.
Amid the many epic fantasy TV shows we have today, there are dozens of episodes with grand moments of the cavalry arriving, a hero making their final stand, or even smaller but razor-sharp character moments that land perfectly the first time around. I love a good dramatic entrance or final battle as much as anyone, and among the TV shows I will always recommend, these episodes stand out for their high-quality or just fan-pleasing presentation of these moments.
10
“Meet You In The Meadow”
Shadow And Bone, Season 2, Episode 7
The Crows were cheated in many ways by Shadow and Bone when some of their best moments from the books were reduced for them to fit into the storyline dictated by Leigh Bardugo’s original trilogy. Which is why I love it when the show lets them have all the deus ex machina moments that underscore how competent they all are, and this episode is full of them. Inej comes in at the perfect moment, blade in hand, while Kaz proudly introduces “his demolitions expert.“
Meanwhile, Tolya, who has been traveling with the Crows for a few episodes, also arrives on the scene and has a beautiful action sequence, against the backdrop of the building main conflict. Shadow and Bone was going to end too soon with the next episode, so I would love to enjoy all the theatrics of this one again the way I did when it seemed like the show was at its height.
9
“Battle Of The Bastards”
Game Of Thrones, Season 6, Episode 9
Pretty much everyone was stunned the first time they watched “Battle of the Bastards,” even though Game of Thrones had delivered battle-centric episodes that were bigger than anything the world had ever seen before. Yet Jon Snow’s final fight with Ramsay Bolton somehow surpassed everything we had come to expect. The grittiness of the battlefield matches the impact of the character moments, and you couldn’t say which is better.
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This episode also subtly sets up the contrast between Jon and Sansa’s approaches, which will come into play in future episodes, creating conflict. The gritty action and Sansa’s perfect revenge lose almost nothing when you see them the second time — almost. It seems like most people in the world somewhat versed in the golden age of television would want to forget this episode, so they could analyze it for the first time again.
8
“Not What He Seems”
Gravity Falls, Season 2, Episode 11
One of the best episodes of Gravity Falls delves into the slow-building dark mystery characteristic of the series but takes it to a whole new level. Dramatic shots painting Stan himself as sinister, the twins’ dwindling trust, the scale of the action, and an act of faith that ushers in the series’ big twist are a masterclass in intrigue meshed with the style of a children’s cartoon. I can’t even remember what it felt like to see all this for the first time, part of why I would want to go back.
There is also, of course, the reveal of the author’s identity, a series-long mystery. The author being Stan’s twin brother was something that the Gravity Falls fandom infamously widely predicted by the time of this episode, calling into question what the effect of the confirmation would actually be like. Yet the moment itself leans Gravity Falls’ magical mystery vibes so perfectly that any die-hard fan would want to experience it again, even if they guessed it the first time.
7
“The Boy Savior”
Arcane, Season 1, Episode 7
Every good Arcane watcher should want to forget the now-iconic “Dynasties and Dystopias” sequence in order to experience it again, one of the series’ best “music video” scenes that doesn’t fall into the trap of being a montage, instead focusing on the past relationship between Ekko and Jinx as it informs their present fight. It’s high-octane and gorgeous, and it blows everyone away the first time. Of course, just about every episode of Arcane would be worth forgetting to watch again.
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In the case of “The Boy Savior,” while the big events are Vi and Jinx’s separate and drastically different reunions with Ekko, there is also the slow building of personal conflicts with Vi and Ekko’s different opinions on Jinx and the growing wedge between Jayce and Viktor. All evoke small moments of dread that are initially unique yet still intelligently written when you rewatch them — the things that affect you the most when first witnessing this episode are the action and music.
6
“For Love”
Castlevania, Season 1, Episode 7
Castlevania boasts a few stunningly animated action sequences that are incredible when you first see them, but the main trio storming Dracula’s castle remains my favorite. The impact of smaller moments in this episode is also amazing, like Alucard responding, when asked if he is ready to face his father: “No. But let’s put an end to this anyway.” Dracula saying “You must be the Belmont” is also a fan favorite.
Of course, the big moments are the stellar and swift action, which also serves as an illustration of the cohesive unit the main trio has become, and the emotional catharsis of Alucard and Dracula confronting each other, stating outright that grief is what everything has really been about. Like with most amazing media, once you have seen this, you return to it expecting to be wowed, which slightly changes the episode.
5
“Victory And Death”
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 7, Episode 12
The true awe of the finale of The Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a one-time thing, no matter how good it remains afterward. The Clone Wars set itself the ambitious task of rewriting Revenge of the Sith, to convince us that Ashoka was part of the proceedings all along. And since the prevailing preference of the Star Wars fandom is The Clone Wars rather than the prequel trilogy, everyone accepted the retcon for the sake of the beautifully animated sequences and powerful delivery of themes in this arc/episode.
Rex and Ashoka’s thrilling, loud escape is as hard-hitting as the quietly explosive moments of Ashoka standing before a makeshift graveyard for the fallen clones and Darth Vader discovering her lightsaber years later, leading to the haunting image we have never seen before of the Star Wars villain holding a blue saber. Even among Star Wars’ many offerings today, nothing impresses quite like this when a fan is introduced to it.
4
“Radio Killed The Video Star”
Hazbin Hotel, Season 1, Episode 2
This is a very specific episode of Hazbin Hotel that I think has a particular effect upon the first watch, where, after the exposition of “Overture,” we start to get some information on Alastor’s reputation in Hell and the power of the media trio known as “The Vees.” It’s also the proper introduction of Sir Pentious to the main cast, who has a hilariously lost confrontation with Alastor before coming back later as a poor spy.
The first scenes of Vox, Val, and Velvette interacting and how they talk about Alastor and Charlie are cutting, implying history and intense hatred with this show’s signature vulgarity. Then the “Stayed Gone” musical sequence is perhaps a better way than anything in the first episode to show how crazy this show can get and how questionable the main characters are, with Vox and Alastor’s fierce airwave battle and Alastor’s first transformation into a terrifying stag-inspired monster. It all sends chills down your spine if you’ve never seen it before.
3
“Red-Handed”
Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 15
There are a lot of things that haven’t aged well about season 1 of Once Upon a Time, while the show spiraled into increasingly convoluted and cloying writing after this first outing. Yet, the charm of season 1 is figuring out who every resident of Storybrooke is as each of their backstory episodes comes to pass. Ruby was long a lovable fixture, with her sassy modern Little Red Riding Hood-style, who hovered in the background for most of season 1 before we finally got her standalone backstory.
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And Once Upon a Time turning Little Red Riding Hood herself into the Big Bad Wolf is one of the show’s best twists on a fairy tale. Ruby/Red and Granny both get some subtle development as their Storybrooke counterparts are held up against their “real” selves, but the highlight of the episode is mostly these characters being front and center for the first time. When the show overall came to disappoint me, I certainly wished to experience the joy of watching my favorite episode for the first time again.
2
“Episode 7”
Kaos, Season 1, Episode 7
A fantasy show that was canceled too soon, Kaos delivered a fascinating contemporary Greek mythology saga with meditations on power and privilege that had the potential to grow into something more elaborate in its second season. When the first season is all I’m getting, I wish I could watch it as a newcomer over and over just to avoid the reality that it won’t continue. However, the seventh episode is a standout that delivers some very satisfying moments.
Caeneus and Riddy’s farewell is genuinely heartbreaking yet inspiring, and I say that as someone who isn’t moved by romantic subplots very often. Meanwhile, Ari’s confrontation with her father and the truth of his prophecy being revealed was a bit predictable, in retrospect, but still very empowering in the moment. Some of the interactions among the gods are also great firsts, especially the final words said in the episode, prompting half the audience to Google if Dionysus falling in love with Ariadne is part of the myth (it is).
1
“The Queen Who Ever Was”
House Of The Dragon, Season 2, Episode 8
I don’t think any episode so far of House of the Dragon has more convinced me that this show will surpass Game of Thrones in the end than the season 2 finale. Things start to get very mystical and weighty in terms of destiny and personal choices as the various complex female characters of this show express their opinions on what is about to happen. Rhaenyra is a stronger queen than ever, Helaena delcares there is no escaping their fates, and Alicent finally chooses something for herself.
Alicent and Rhaenyra’s conversation in House of the Dragon season 2’s ending is something quieter in the Game of Thrones universe but still as affecting as any of the biggest battles, thanks in large part to the talents of Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke showing the gravitas of the characters’ introspection in this scene. Such fantasy television has an unbelievable effect when you watch it for the first time — which, by defenition, sadly only happens once.