From young Sheldon to Matlock

TV Network has delivered high-quality entertainment in 2024 despite some challenges, and its best episodes are proof of that. The double strikes of Hollywood writers and actors in late 2023 delayed the start of the 2023-2024 television season, but when the strikes were resolved, the shortened spring 2024 season gave us some of the best TV shows of all time . This period saw the airing of many memorable episodes, including the finales of long-running programs such as The Good Doctor and additions to new hits like Found.

TV's fall season was not marred by these problems, although budget cuts following the strikes meant saying goodbye to hugely popular shows like Blue Blood. The disappointing Blue Blood Cancellation news was offset by the return of popular franchises like Law and Order and A Chicago, along with exciting new shows. Kathy Bates' Matlock was surprisingly successful and all three networks offered a brilliant mix of new and returning programming that made 2024 a strong year for TV despite its difficult start.

16

Young Sheldon Season 7 Episode 13

"Funeral"

Placing George Sr.'s (Lance Barber) death so close to the end of Young Sheldon It was a risky choice that could have backfired, but the prequel series handled it perfectly. George's death was low-key, with Coach Wilkins breaking the news at the end of the previous episode, and 'Funeral' manages to be funny and at the same time take the Coopers' devastating loss seriously. Much of the humor comes from small moments, like Dale (Craig T. Nelson) not being able to find a seat in the room that isn't occupied by someone else.

"Funeral" also configures the second half of the Young SheldonThe ending is impressive, as Sheldon's difficulty processing his father's death leads to adult Sheldon's (Jim Parsons) conclusion that his father was just a man. doing the best he could, not the villain he made himself out to be throughout his life. This led to a touching final sequence in which Sheldon and Amy (Mayim Balik) discussed how their new insights could relate to their current roles as parents, while young Sheldon headed off to college.

15

Matlock Season 1, Episode 1

"Pilot"

Matlock was originally billed as a reboot of Andy Griffith's classic 1980s mystery series about a rural lawyer who did detective work to prove clients were innocent. However, MatlockThe pilot episode quickly proved it was something completely different.

MatlockThe premiere's revolutionary twist established the series' central premise in an intriguing and exciting way and also paid homage to the original series by having Madeline (Kathy Bates) choose the fictional character's last name as her alias. This twist excited the public and revealed MatlockThe gripping premise, which revolves around Madeline's desire to obtain justice and revenge for her daughter's death from opioid misuse.

14

Blue Bloods, Season 14, Episode 18

"End of tour"

Blue Blood' the cancellation was heartbreaking considering the series was still going strong after 14 years. When a fan-led movement to save the procedural failed to move CBS executives, the best anyone could hope for was a strong series finale. “End of Tour” was exactly that. The final story could have worked equally well as a season finale, but gave each member of the Blue Blood' The Reagan family got a happy ending after working together on an intense case involving gang violence.

One of the most popular aspects of the series was the weekly family dinner scene, so it was fitting that the Reagans' farewell included one last family dinner. During this scene, Eddie revealed that she was pregnant, and the family celebrated the upcoming birth of a new member. Frank's (Tom Selleck) final speech about how proud and grateful he was for his family perfectly summed up the core values ​​of the series. Although the show could have lasted longer, it had the best send-off possible. This was a gift to his loyal audience.

13

Law & Order: SVU Season 26, Episode 8

"Cornered"

Law and Order: SVU'Dominique Carisi got the worst of it during season 26. It was clear he was having a hard time dealing with the vicarious trauma of work while raising his children mostly alone, and then he was held hostage during "Cornered".

This heavily Carisi-centric episode focused mainly on the action inside the deli, where armed robbers held him and two female customers. It was an intense hour that opened many Law and Order: SVU Season 26 storylines for Carisi when the series returns from its mid-season hiatus.

12

The Conners Season 6 Episode 3

"Mothers and Mice"

Bev's (Estelle Parsons) dementia storyline has been one of the saddest ongoing arcs in The Connersbut "Moms and Rats" gave her the best possible send-off. After participating in a new clinical trial, Bev was clear-minded enough that she and Jackie could spend time together and talk honestly about the past before Bev leaves for one last"big adventure." Jackie was at peace with her decision to let Bev go, even though the rest of the family disapproved.

Jackie now knew the real reason her mother sent her and Roseanne away when they were children and was no longer resentful. This heartwarming Bev/Jackie storyline didn't sacrifice the show's signature humor. Plus, it was interspersed with a fun story about Darlene trying to get rid of a mouse in her house. This subplot didn't just provide comic relief from Bev's heavier scenes. It also demonstrated that life goes on, including worldly problems, increasing the emotional impact of the episode.

11

Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 14

"Party"

"Party" offered a thrilling and entertaining third season finale for Abbott Elementary. The episode revolved around Janine's holiday party. This made it easier for everyone to be included Abbott Elementary character, since the party naturally lent itself to people interacting. Interactions throughout Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 14 was mostly lighthearted, which helped balance out the series' heavier episodes.

However, the tone of “Party” was also significant for another reason: This issue featured Gregory and Janine's first passionate kiss after Gregory fixed Janine's flickering lamp. This exciting moment was the perfect reward for all the sexual tension between themand it was a great start to their romance. This scene alone yielded "Party" among Abbott Elementarymost important and memorable episodes.

10

NCIS Season 21 Episode 7

"A Thousand Meters"

"A Thousand Yards" reached an impressive milestone for the NCIS franchise: was the thousandth episode of all NCIS series. So the producers worked hard to make this edition special without getting in the way. NCIS'procedural formula. The episode paid homage to the franchise by revolving around an old enemy who shot Vance in the back while he was arguing with his estranged son, Jared (Spence Moore II) at his late wife's grave. This setup offered a brilliant way to bring together agents from all NCIS teams for an investigation, as the enemy was targeting several former NCIS agents.

While crossovers added value and reminded audiences that NCIS is part of a popular franchise, the strongest aspect of the episode was how it connected the enemy NCIS' past. It looked like the shooter had been manipulated by a tech billionaire, but there was a twist: she was the daughter of a man Gibbs (Mark Harmon) killed during NCIS'pilot episode. The twist connected the show's past and present, offering a strong parallel to Jared and Vance's rocky relationship.

9

Ghosts Season 3 Episode 8

"Holes are bad"

Ghosts Season 3's 'Holes Are Bad' offered a rare look at how ghosts behave when there are no humans around to force them to contain themselves. Jay and Sam were away for the weekend, which meant the ghosts had the mansion to themselves.. This led to interactions that might not have happened if they had to share their space, and it was fun to explore a different setting for them.

Although the series is a comedy, not everything about Ghost Weekend was funny. 'Holes are Bad' proved to be one of the series' most heartbreaking episodesas Hetty revealed the tragic circumstances that led to her death. However, the circumstances under which this revelation occurred were hilarious, balancing the dramatic and comedic aspects of this Ghosts episode brilliantly.

8

The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 10

"Goodbye"

On the surface, centralizing most of the Good doctor'The ending surrounding Claire's possible death and Glassman's (Richard Schiff) terminal cancer diagnosis seemed like a bad idea. And parts of the episode were depressing. However, the last 15 minutes of “Goodbye” made all the sadness worth it. The seven-season series ended by demonstrating that Shaun is Glassman's legacy – and that he is giving back by helping other neurodivergent doctors succeed.

7

Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 9

"The colorblind painter"

Brilliant Minds offers a unique perspective that sets it apart from the plethora of medical dramas on network television: its focus on neurological cases, which dovetails brilliantly with the neurodivergence of main character Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto). While every episode of this series is fantastic, "The Colorblind Painter" stood out for focusing on a non-fatal condition that was nevertheless destroying an artist's quality of life.

The case of a painter who stopped seeing colors for mysterious reasons was intriguing. However, the dynamic between him and Wolf was even greater, as initially he didn't want help and was resigned to living a miserable and colorless life. This powerful episode also explored Wolf's traumatic childhoodd, which allowed him to connect with the patient's pain over the loss of his wife. This was a time when Wolf was unable to make things right for his patient, and the workaround he and the painter came up with was inspiring.

6

Georgie and Mandy's First Wedding Season 1 Episode 7

"An old Mustang"

Connor was one of the most underrated characters in the Big Bang Theory franchise, often existing to make a random comment or fulfill a one-line joke. However, "An Old Mustang" allowed him to be a well-rounded character that also deepened Georgie's (Montana Jordan) arc.. During one trip, Georgie was able to relate to Connor's strange behavior in a way that the McAllisters were unable to because of their experience growing up with Sheldon. As a result, Connor decided "Georgie is a nice guy," much to Audrey's chagrin.

It was great to see these characters explored in more depth, adding new layers to the Big Bang Theory franchise. This dynamic made Georgie and Mandy's first wedding season 1, episode 7, one of the series' most compelling installments so far, promising big things ahead for the spinoff.

5

Found Season 2 Episode 5

"Missing while presumed dead"

Found season two was well written, balancing the fallout from Lacey's kidnapping and the revelation that Gabi was keeping Sir in her basement with new cases. 'Missing While Presumed Dead' was especially poignant because the case was tied to Margaret's (Kelli Williams) unresolved trauma surrounding her son's disappearance many years ago.

When a child was found and claimed his mother was in danger, the team realized he could be the son of a woman who disappeared as a teenager and was presumed dead. This case, along with the ongoing conflict over working for Gabi despite what she did, caused Margaret to have a nervous breakdown, leading to one of Foundthe most shocking cliffhangers. The deeper character exploration and cliffhanger made this one of the series' most memorable additions.

4

Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 3

"Trust Falling"

Chicago Med's Hannah Asher went through a rough patch in season 10, and 'Trust Fall' is the episode that started it. Throughout the hour-long edit, Hannah was desperate to find a solution for a patient who didn't trust her. Hannah had to deal with the double stress of trying to find answers before it was too late and her patient's reluctance to consider anything she had to say. To Hannah's credit, she didn't go back to drugs when the patient died, but the death scene was devastating. He had a powerful impact that left a lasting impression.

3

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 8

"Bad Apple"

"Bad Apple," Law and Order the fall finale of season 24, featured one of the most intense cases of the long-running series the date. A bunch of corrupt cops were determined to pin the murder on an innocent man to protect the real killer, who was one of their own. So Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney) had to choose between performing and protecting her job.

When Brady testified against the officers on the stand, it triggered a visit from the IAB, leading to a massive scare that left the public wondering if Tierney was leaving. Law and Order. Brady's moral dilemma was one of the highlights of the seasonand set up the second half of the show's current run incredibly well.

2

Chicago PD Season 11, Episode 13

"More"

Upton's exit story in "More" was one of the most intense episodes of Chicago Police. After a serial killer kidnaps Voight (Jason Beghe), Upton risks everything to save him, while a delusional and nearly dead Voight hallucinates the deceased Al Olinsky, encouraging him to stay alive.

Ultimately, this experience was what forced Upton to decide that she was too comfortable in her role as Voight's right-hand woman. This led to an emotional goodbye from Voight before she hit the road, heading to parts unknown. As far as goodbyes go, Upton's was among the most thought-provoking on network TV. Chicago Police did a great job balancing his farewell to the character with the actual plot of the episode, which was emotional and engaging.

1

FBI Season 7 Episode 8

"Undercurrent"

FBIClay's (Guy Lockard) story had a shocking ending when OA was forced to fatally shoot his old friend. Not only was this a huge twist for the TV series, but it was a pivotal story for OA, giving him a serious conflict to resolve, just minutes after deepening his bond with Maggie, finally opening up to her about what had happened. with him in Afghanistan. This did FBI Season 7's "Riptide" one of the most moving and memorable new television episodes of the year.