Top 10 TV Moments that Changed Everything
#10: Negan's Arrival “The Walking Dead” (2010-)
Top 20 Best Negan Moments from The Walking Dead
Before his actual debut on the show, Negan had been making his presence known on “The Walking Dead” for a long time, serving as an impending threat for Rick and the gang. Whether you see this moment as the first step into the next phase of the show, or the time when the controversial series finally jumped the shark, you can’t deny that the end of season six was a pivotal moment. Though it wouldn’t be revealed until the following season, in a decision that angered many fans, both Glenn and Abraham were killed by Negan, and viewers are still reeling from the fallout.
#9: Elliot's Father Is Dead “Mr. Robot” (2015-)
Talk about an unreliable narrator. Though many viewers saw this twist coming, the satisfying moment where Elliot realizes that he was Mr. Robot all along framed the future of the series, as both his mental health and his status as the leader of this new uprising are called into question. The twist is reminiscent of “Fight Club,” but has done enough to distinguish itself in the years since to get rid of most of those comparisons. Elliot’s realization of his father’s death, and his role in the E. Corp hack, has proven to be an integral moment in this winding series.
#8: The True Nature of the Good Place “The Good Place” (2016-)
Few saw this coming. At the end of season one of “The Good Place,” Kristen Bell’s Eleanor slowly realizes that she and her friends hadn’t been mistakenly put in the Good Place at all. They’d been in the Bad Place the entire time! Ted Danson’s Michael delightfully confirms, and the moment frames the entire first season in a new light, leading to fantastic re-watchability, and leading to so many exciting possibilities for the following season. This moment changed everything we thought we knew about “The Good Place”, and is well deserving of a spot on this list.
#7: Claire Becomes President “House of Cards” (2013-18)
Top 10 Best Jamie & Claire Moments on Outlander
Over the course of the fifth season, it became clear that Claire was the future of the series, for a variety of reasons. By the time she was officially sworn in as President at the end of the season, she had already spent time as acting President and had become the most interesting character. Ahead of the final season, Claire gave a sizzling monologue, breaking the fourth wall just as Frank used to, effectively letting the audience know that it was her turn. It was a fitting move considering real world events, and allowed the series to come to an end on its own terms.
#6: Bernard Is a Host “Westworld” (2016-)
Through the beginning episodes of HBO’s “Westworld,” Bernard – played by Jeffrey Wright – is one of the show’s most relatable protagonists. He works at the park, and he seems like a semi-normal guy that just wants to do the right thing. Well, when it was revealed that Bernard was actually just another host under the control of Ford, the show revealed it had a lot to hide, and this was only the beginning. Realizing that anyone could be a host added a new layer intrigue to the series, giving viewers yet another reason to tune in to the highly-talked about new show.
#5: The Death of Maude Flanders “The Simpsons” (1989-)
Top 10 DARKEST Simpsons Moments
Throughout its early years, the characters on “The Simpsons” stayed pretty much the same. The show’s first major death didn’t occur until season 11, when Maude Flanders – the family’s neighbor and wife of Ned – died in a freak t-shirt cannon accident. This event had major repercussions on Ned’s character, and on his sons Rod and Todd. It was also around this time that many fans feel “The Simpsons” began to decline in quality. Was Maude killed in an attempt to shake things up? Whether or not that’s true, this was a defining episode for “The Simpsons” – for better or worse.
#4: Hank's Death “Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
Top 10 Worst King of the Hill Hank Moments
From here, there was absolutely no going back for Walter White. When Hank was executed by after a deadly shootout that also killed Steve Gomez, Walter White was as good as dead. After beginning his journey as Heisenberg back at the end of season one, his actions finally caught up to him, and the rest of the show became the aftermath of this single event. It’s hard to point to anything other than Hank’s death as the climax of the series, and the episode naturally ranks high among fans. It’s a heartbreaking ending for the character, but it made for excellent TV.
#3: The First Doctor Regenerates into the Second Doctor “Doctor Who” (1963-1989, 2005-)
When “Doctor Who's” first Doctor was forced to retire from the role after less than two seasons on the job for health reasons, the show’s creators were forced to come up with an inventive way to allow a new actor to take on the role. This led to the introduction of regeneration as a concept in the series, with the title character taking on many iterations over time. This creative decision to solve a difficult problem shaped the course of the franchise over its 55 year history, and helped influence a great deal of science fiction in the years to follow.
#2: Flash Forwards “Lost” (2004-10)
By its third season, “Lost's” ratings and critical acclaim were both steadily declining. The show was becoming stagnant, and it took a serious jolt of energy to wake it back up. That jolt of energy was the introduction of flash forwards in the season three finale, replacing the show’s usual flashback format. The reveal was held until the end of the episode, showing that though we thought we were watching a past version of Jack get drunk and contemplate suicide, it was actually Jack in the future, off the island. The episode ends with Jack meeting Kate, and iconically yelling: “We have to go back!” Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Hydra Uprising “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (2013-) Discord Reformed “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” (2010-) Time Jump “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-09)
#1: Ned Stark’s Death “Game of Thrones” (2011-)
Top 10 Saddest Game of Thrones Moments
Nothing says “turning point” more than beheading your main character before the end of season one. “Game of Thrones” let audiences know early that it meant business when it came to character deaths. If Ned was up for grabs, anybody was fair game. Though the Red Wedding had a major impact on most of the show, it was the execution of Ned Stark that set the tone for the rest of the series, making a grand statement that this wasn’t your typical fantasy story. Ned’s death not only set the events of the rest of the series into motion, it changed the landscape of TV.
