Top 10 Most Paused TV Show Moments
Freeze and enhance! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Paused TV Show Moments.
For this list, we’re taking a look at cameos, little details, and Easter eggs that required a keen eye and a remote to catch. Since some of these moments are key plot points, a spoiler alert is in order.
#10: Starbucks Cup
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
“Game of Thrones” had no shortage of controversial figures, but who knew former U.S. president George W. Bush was among them? It would appear he met the same fate as Ned Stark with his prosthetic head visibly impaled on a pike. HBO cut out his head once its presence became public knowledge, but this wasn’t the last time they’d have to go back and edit an episode. Following the Battle of Winterfell, the living celebrated with a feast, but we’re really not sure how Starbucks ended up on the menu. While HBO digitally removed the coffee cup that had accidentally been left in a shot, this image will forever live online. To be fair, we’d all need a little caffeine after the Long Night.
#9: Li’l Sebastian
“The Good Place” (2016-)
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It’s no secret that “The Good Place” was created by Michael Schur, who also co-created “Parks and Recreation.” Is it possible that these two sitcoms exist within the same universe, however? This is just one of several Easter eggs that suggests so. Various animals are up for grabs during a flashback to Pick-a-Pet Day, including a mini-horse in the background. As many astute viewers speculated, this wasn’t just any mini-horse, but the most beloved four-legged creature ever to gallop through Pawnee: Li’l Sebastian. When Li’l Sebastian passed away in 2011, there wasn’t a dry eye in Indiana… well, unless you were Ben. Nevertheless, Andy and company can take comfort in knowing that the miniature horse’s soul continues to burn like 5,000 candles in the wind.
#8: Conan Cameo
“How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
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At the end of Season 8, audiences finally met the titular mother. Since this moment had been built up for years, we all had to pause our televisions to soak up every detail about her. While she was hard to miss, only a select few noticed this cameo from Conan O’Brien. At MacLaren’s, a man can be seen talking with a woman by the entrance. Although his back is turned, he possesses a distinctive head of red hair. As Barney charges by, Conan briefly turns his head around. Behind the scenes, Conan won a charity auction to appear on the show, turning down an offer for a more substantial role, as he thought it would be funny if his appearance was relegated to the background.
#7: The Hair Band
“Stranger Things” (2016-)
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Sometimes the littlest of touches can add another layer of poignancy. In the first season of “Stranger Things,” Hopper reminisces about his daughter, who died at age seven due to cancer. Before her head was shaven, Sara used to wear a blue hair band. After she passes away, Hopper continues to wear her hair band around his wrist, signifying how he’s never let go of his grief. Throughout Season 2, Hopper takes Eleven under his wing and eventually becomes her adoptive father. At the Snow Ball, we get to see Eleven dressed up with a full head of hair for the first time. This reveal overshadows one small yet crucial detail: Hopper has seemingly passed on the blue band to his new daughter.
#6: Comic Cover
“American Horror Story” (2011-)
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“American Horror Story” is an anthology series, but each season is part of an interconnected universe. Although Twisty the Clown died during Season 4’s “Freak Show,” his infamy lives on through a comic book series that surfaces in Season 7’s “Cult.” You don’t need to be especially observant to notice Twisty’s sinister face on the cover. A pause button will come in handy, however, if you want to key in on several smaller details. In addition to Twisty, the comic also features images of Pepper, Jimmy Darling, and Meep, three of the so-called “freaks” who occupied Fräulein Elsa’s Cabinet of Curiosities. For those who are well-versed in the show’s expanding lore, this multi-layered Easter egg likely put a smile on your face.
#5: Heads on Display
“The Walking Dead” (2010-)
Yep, pikes again. “The Walking Dead” is no stranger to killing off characters in horrific fashion, but the penultimate episode of Season 9 gave us ten decapitations for the price of one. When Daryl and the rest of the group rescue Siddiq, they find that Alpha has established boundaries in the most gruesome way possible. On a hill resides ten pikes, each of which comes complete with a severed head. One by one, it’s gradually revealed that the beheaded ones are Alek, Addy, D.J., Enid, Frankie, Henry, Ozzy, Rodney, Tammy Rose and Tara. We had to pause several times throughout this brutal scene, both to clarify who had died and to collect ourselves. Who says that the walkers are the greatest threat on this show?
#4: Hidden Ghosts
“The Haunting of Hill House” (2018)
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Whereas so many modern horror stories rely on jump scares and shock value, “The Haunting of Hill House” slowly creeps up on its audience and frightens them on a subconscious level. Throughout its 10 episodes, you might’ve spotted a few ghostly figures hanging out behind the windows, kneeling under furniture, and emerging from the darkness. Many of these ghosts blend right into the background, making it all the more unnerving when the audience becomes aware of their presence. Chances are you have to press the pause button more than a few times to confirm what you just saw. You don’t want to enter a haunted house without a flashlight, and you definitely shouldn’t binge this show without a remote on standby.
#3: Troi Answers the Door
“Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-94)
When an alien guest begins feeding off Deanna Troi’s emotions like a psychic vampire, she starts acting out of character. This is exemplified when Troi answers the door to her quarters, looking like she’s getting ready for a toga party. By pressing pause, you’ll notice that her dress is a bit um… revealing for Starfleet. At first glance, the outfit doesn’t seem especially risqué. The longer you focus on the image, though, it becomes clear that the dress is totally see-through. We’d say that this is fan service, but we’re not entirely sure that the showrunners or the censors realized just how skimpy Troi’s ensemble actually was until after the fact.
#2: The Two Faces of Gus Fring
“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
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Gus Fring was a wolf in sheep’s clothing… or maybe a wolf in chicken’s clothing would be more accurate. The point is that he could seamlessly transition between being a pillar of the community and a ruthless meth kingpin. The only character arguably better at deceiving people is Walter White, who finally gets the best of Gus when he tricks him into visiting Hector. Walt has rigged Hector’s wheelchair, which detonates before Gus can flee. After the door blows off, Gus emerges from the explosion, leading the audience to believe that he’s miraculously survived. As the camera rotates, however, we see that Gus is missing half his face. Pausing on Gus’ last stand, we’re left with an image that perfectly encapsulates the character.
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
San Junipero
“Riverdale” (2017-)
Birth of Superman
“Smallville” (2001-11)
Now She’s Carly
“Drake & Josh” (2004-07)
The Lawnmower
“Mad Men” (2007-15)
Age Progression Specialist FAIL
“Nathan for You” (2013-17)
#1: The Blast Door Map
“Lost” (2004-10)
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“Lost” delivered one of the most compelling and intricate mysteries in the history of television. Diehard fans would meticulously study every episode in hopes of uncovering the secrets of the DHARMA Initiative and the Island. They were given a massive clue in Season 2 when blacklights revealed a hidden diagram to Locke. Unfortunately for Locke, he can only glimpse at the map on the blast door before the lights turn back on. Viewers at home, however, were able to pause on this image and dissect its multi-layered messages. Of course, none of the map’s equations or writings clearly spelt out any of the show’s lingering questions. If anything, it just raised more questions. Nevertheless, the blast door map is forever paused in our memories.
