The Saddest Episodes of TV Ever
Post-blizzard winter blues getting to you? Why not lean into the sadness on this Blue Monday, a.k.a. the saddest day of the year, and relive the saddest episodes of television ever. It'll be warm and sunny again soon enough!
Six Feet Under, "All Alone"
Yes, the ending montage of Six Feet Under is the single most emotional scene committed to television, but if we're talking full episodes of the HBO drama, the one after Nate's death is the killer. The Fishers may have dealt with death every day, but nothing could prepare them to bury one of their own so young.
The Good Wife, "The Last Call"
Speaking of characters dealing with grief, Will Gardner's murder on The Good Wife was shocking, but the episode after, when his friends dealt with the aftermath of his passing, was the true heart-wrencher.
Friday Night Lights, "The Son"
Zach Gilford's quiet performance as the shy high school quarterback was always lovely, but it veered swiftly into heartbreaking territory when Saracen learned of the death of his father, who was serving in the military overseas.
Grey's Anatomy, "Losing My Religion"
RIP DENNY DUQUETTE. WE STILL MISS YOU (so much that all caps are necessary).
Parenthood, "What to My Wondering Eyes"
It's honestly hard to choose one episode of Parenthood that is more emotionally tragic than the next. But season four, episode 5, when Kristina told the extended Braverman clan about her breast cancer diagnosis, will wreck you. Aren't you crying just thinking about the scene when she tells them all?
E.R., "On the Beach"
We may have known it was coming, but that didn't make Mark Greene's death hurt any less. The final days of his battle with brain cancer, spent in Hawaii with his family, were beautiful, but oh-so-difficult to watch. And we'll never be able to listen to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over The Rainbow" without thinking of the good doc.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Body"
Buffy Summers and her friends fought off hundreds of supernatural demons over the years, but watching the slayer face natural death (Joyce Summers, lifeless after suffering a brain aneurism) with no power to stop it was truly devastating.
The Sopranos, "Long Term Parking"
Nothing good was going to come from Adriana turning into an FBI informant, but it was still devastating when Christopher found out and knew the only option going forward was to off his fiancée.
Lost, "The Constant"
Oh boy, this one's a doozy. The phone call between Desmond and Penny is the most hopeful moment on a show all about hope. It's also one of TV's most devastatingly romantic moments, showing how far two people were willing to go to find each other.
The O.C., "The Graduates"
Cue the Imogen Heap, Marissa Cooper is in trouble! FYI, we'll never forgive Volchok for this. Ever.
Angel, "I Will Remember You"
Ugh, what could have been! We've been known to be Spuffy supporters on occasion, but this episode, in which Angel turned human for one glorious night with Buffy that she then forgot once he turned vampire again, nearly turned us into pure Angel fans.
8 Simple Rules, "Goodbye"
This sitcom returned with an hourlong episode two months after star John Ritter's death, writing his untimely passing into the show and continuing to deal with the loss throughout the rest of its second season.
Breaking Bad, "IFT"
The death of Jane—at the hands of Walter White, no less—sent Jesse into a deep depression in which he called the voicemail of his lost love over and over just to hear her voice. Even worse? The moment the number was finally disconnected, meaning she was gone for good.
Glee, "The Quarterback"
Glee might've gotten a little too maudlin at times, but hands down one of the best (and saddest) episodes of the entire series was its beautiful, touching tribute to Cory Monteith after his tragic death of an overdose at 31.