The 15 Best TV Scenes Of 2024

As a longtime fan of television, I can confidently say that 2024 was a remarkable year for small and big screens alike. The scenes listed here showcase the power of storytelling, the depth of human emotion, and the sheer talent of the artists behind these shows.

2024 has proven to be an unexpected rollercoaster ride in the world of television. The previous year, 2023, was marked by a double whammy – strikes by the Writer’s Guild (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), which halted production on numerous film and TV projects and pushed back others. This was a cause for concern, considering that the WGA strike in 2008 led to some of the worst movies and shows of the entire decade. As streaming services have taken over the industry, it’s become increasingly challenging to stay updated on the most popular new series.

In 2024, several exceptional TV shows have emerged, such as Hulu’s “The Bear” and HBO’s “Hacks.” These series were not the only ones shining brightly on the small screen; franchises like “The Penguin” and “House of the Dragon” also continued to captivate audiences. Among the year’s most popular shows (as well as those that didn’t receive enough recognition), certain scenes particularly impressed both fans and critics, showcasing the best television had to offer in 2024.

English Teacher: Evan learns about Kayla Syndrome

Man, I never expected a new comedy to steal the spotlight this year like “English Teacher” did! As Evan, the high school English teacher character, I find myself in a constant struggle to relate to today’s students. The third episode, “Kayla Syndrome,” really brought that challenge home when Kayla (Romy Mars) and her best friend Chelsea (Ivy Wolk) got caught up in a popularity fight over Kayla’s undiagnosed Tourette’s syndrome. I was left scratching my head trying to understand the teenage politics!

The scene in question is a ping-pong match of witty dialogue as Evan tries to wrap his head around the confusing rules of what you can and can’t say in reference to Kayla’s “condition.” It’s only when the class is dismissed that Evan learns from gym teacher Markie (Sean Patton) that “Kayla Syndrome” was invented by Kayla to take attention away from Chelsea, which Chelsea countered by drumming up support for her “best friend” to steal the spotlight back. The entire sequence is a masterclass in ironic line readings and perfect sitcom writing.

Palm Royale: Maxine sings Is That All There Is?

Kristen Wiig, previously a member of Saturday Night Live, has demonstrated her versatility by taking on diverse roles since departing from the show. Her post-SNL ventures have underscored her dramatic acting skills in films like “The Skeleton Twins” and “Welcome to Me.” However, it’s roles such as Maxine in Apple TV+’s “Palm Royale,” a series revolving around an enigmatic woman in 1960s Florida who will go to great lengths to gain acceptance by the exclusive Palm Royale country club and its elitist members, that seem tailor-made for Wiig.

In the Season 1 finale titled “Maxine Throws a Party,” Wiig’s character, Maxine, reaches her breaking point at the Beach Ball. Upon discovering her husband’s (Josh Lucas) affair with another high-society figure (Kaia Gerber), Maxine takes the stage to sing “Is That All There Is?” The performance ends with Maxine exposing not only her own hidden truths but also revealing skeletons in everyone else’s closets. Even the esteemed Carol Burnett, Wiig’s co-star, praised this scene as “one of the greatest acts of acting I have ever witnessed” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. And who are we to contest Carol Burnett’s opinion?

Mr. & Mrs. Smith: John and Jane’s big argument

With high praise for “Atlanta” still resonating, there was much excitement surrounding the 2024 revival of the movie “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” featuring Donald Glover alongside Maya Erskine from “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” both playing secret assassins pretending to be a married couple. This series delves into relationship complexities as these killers grow closer and develop feelings for one another. In the sixth episode, titled “Couples Therapy,” they frequently attend therapy sessions led by Sarah Paulson to address their problems without revealing the true cause of their conflicts.

The situation becomes explosive when, through a flashback showing a failed mission, Jane finds out that John falsely claimed they shared the same favorite book. This revelation leads to accusations from Jane about John being manipulative, and him retaliating by attacking her for similar actions. Matters worsen as Jane criticizes John for disobeying company rules by communicating with his mother, prompting him to lash out at her for only caring about him. However, the intense acting between Glover and Erskine makes every confrontation captivating on screen.

Hacks: Ava gives Deborah an ultimatum

The TV show titled “Hacks” has become unexpectedly popular on HBO, and during the 2024 Emmy Awards, it won several prizes for its third and latest season. This series focuses on Deborah Vance (played by Jean Smart), a renowned comedian in Las Vegas, who brings on the self-absorbed Ava Daniels (portrayed by Hannah Einbinder) as her chief writer. The third season seems to be reaching its peak with the duo’s complex relationship of love and toxicity, which is evident in the season finale titled “Bulletproof.

As a devoted fan, I must say that the scene where Ava confronts her boss about being demoted from head writer to staff on Deborah’s new late-night show was nothing short of breathtaking. Einbinder delivers an exceptional performance, while Smart skillfully portrays the heartache of losing Ava. In a TVLine interview, Einbinder described Deborah’s betrayal of Ava as “a bridge too far.” Deborah has physically assaulted Ava by slapping her and firing her, according to Einbinder. Fortunately, however, Ava manages to outsmart Deborah in the classic way: through blackmail, a tactic that proves effective by the end of the season.

Extraordinary: Jen says goodbye to her dad

As a gamer diving into the world of “Extraordinary,” the first episode struck a chord, revealing that Jen’s dad (Máiréad Tyers) is no longer around, and those heartfelt conversations were actually with her roommate Carrie (Sofia Oxenham), who taps into the beyond. Across both seasons, I found myself empathizing with Jen as she struggled to let go, until she was compelled to say goodbye to her dad to unleash her hidden powers at last.

In Season 2’s final episode titled “Well, Goodbye Forever”, Jen and Carrie visit her childhood room for a heartfelt goodbye to her father, marking their permanent separation. The scene is deeply moving as tearful Jen expresses her desire for her dad to witness her powers, but he assures her that he loves her just as she is. In a classic fatherly manner, the farewell concludes with a joke: “Knock, knock,” he initiates, to which Jen responds. From there, it’s not hard to imagine the tears flowing.

Fallout: Lucy joins The Ghoul

2024 saw an extraordinary debut on Amazon Prime Video called “Fallout”, which is adapted from the renowned video game series of the same name. Set 200 years after a nuclear catastrophe, survivors reside in fortified shelters known as Vaults. Our protagonist, Lucy (played by Ella Purnell), steps out of her familiar shelter to seek her father Hank (Kyle MacLachlan) amidst the desolate wasteland. During her journey, Lucy encounters a mysterious, disfigured gunman called The Ghoul (Walton Goggins). In the Season 1 finale titled “The Beginning”, Lucy’s pursuit for Hank uncovers more revelations than she anticipated.

In a shocking turn of events, Lucy learns that The Vaults were created by Hank’s superiors as a sinister trap to imprison civilians for inhumane experimentation. When Lucy’s mom, Elle Vertes, uncovered this horrifying conspiracy, she attempted to flee with her children. However, during their escape, they were caught in a nuclear blast orchestrated by Hank, leaving Elle severely disfigured. In a pivotal scene, Lucy finds herself with her mother when The Ghoul emerges, offering protection. Lucy agrees, but not without first ending her mother’s suffering in the form of her ghoul transformation and uttering a chilling “Okey dokey,” stripping the phrase of the cheerfulness she’s consistently shown throughout the series.

Only Murders in the Building: Sazz’s body is discovered

Primarily speaking, “Only Murders in the Building” is currently one of the wittiest series on television, blending Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, and other comedy veterans for four seasons filled with laugh-out-loud whodunits. Yet, the show doesn’t shy away from delving into the somber and intense when necessary, as exemplified in its latest fourth season. The premiere episode, titled “Once Upon a Time in the West,” sees our three protagonists jetting around Hollywood with a movie offer, oblivious to the fact that Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), Charles’ friend and stunt double, has been brutally murdered.

In a lengthy sequence with minimal dialogue, the discovery of the murder unfolds, mirroring the beginning of the movie hinted by the episode title. The expressions of shock on Charles’, Oliver’s, and Mabel’s faces as they come across Sazz’s cremated remains in the Arconia’s incinerator, alongside her undamaged Bulgarian shoulder replacements, are truly unsettling. However, what is even more chilling is the scene’s eerie orchestral score and a cryptic text received on Sazz’s phone, which seems to pose a threat to the trio.

The Regime: Elena visits her father

In the HBO miniseries “The Regime,” which garnered mixed opinions among viewers, one particular scene stood out for a solitary reason – the captivating performance of Kate Winslet. It’s rare to find a project that doesn’t benefit from Winslet’s presence, and “The Regime” is no exception. The series features Winslet portraying Elena Vernham, a fictional European government’s chancellor who becomes progressively anxious due to public turmoil. The initial episode, titled “Victory Day,” skillfully establishes the show’s mood in an intriguing scene where Elena pays a visit to her deceased father (Finbar Lynch).

At the moment his body was being readied for public display, Elena places flowers by him, remarking, “Look, they’re already wilted, just like you. We’ve both met our ends. Lots to talk about.” This scene is one of Winslet’s most memorable performances, yet it’s the emotional depth that emerges as she appears to argue with her father, who she treats as if he were still alive, clinging to her role as a spoiled daddy’s girl. Even when acting alongside a corpse, Kate Winslet delivers a striking performance.

The Curse: Asher’s rude awakening

2023 saw Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie team up to produce some of the most astonishing television series on Showtime, titled “The Curse.” While the majority of episodes aired towards the end of 2023, the last two were released in January 2024, kick-starting the year with an array of extraordinary antics. The climactic episode, “Green Queen,” stands out as the most unexpected, where character Whitney (played by Emma Stone) and Asher (portrayed by Fielder) prepared for their baby’s arrival. However, an unusual turn of events occurred when Asher awoke one morning under the influence of gravitational reversal, a situation so tense that it triggered Whitney to go into labor.

For the rest of the episode, things become a whirlwind of shock and confusion, as portrayed by Entertainment Weekly, with around 40 minutes of “Oh my goodness, what in the world is happening?” chaos unfolding. Whitney takes various attempts to rescue Asher – first by trying to drag him back, then pushing for him to go outside. It’s all like a surreal nightmare, yet Asher is already conscious. This intense sequence undoubtedly ranks as the most mind-blowing TV moment of 2024, offering a mix of humor (courtesy of the self-absorbed Dougie, played by Safdie) and real fear over Asher’s predicament.

Arcane: Vander’s idyllic flashback

As a devoted fan, I must admit that my greatest apprehension regarding Season 2 of “Arcane” was whether it could match the brilliance of its predecessor. Set on the animated Netflix platform, this series, derived from the “League of Legends” video game universe, chronicles the journeys of sisters Violet, or Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), and Powder, or Jinx (Ella Purnell). Their lives become entangled in the class struggle between the affluent city of Piltover and its impoverished underbelly, Zaun. Luckily, Season 2 surpassed all expectations, as both fans and critics attest, but it was a specific scene in Episode 5, “Blisters and Bedrock,” that truly tugged at our heartstrings.

In a reminiscent scene from their past explorations, Felicia, later known as Vi and Jinx’s mother, drops by Vander’s tavern to announce her pregnancy to the duo. As these three characters are about to face a whirlwind of turmoil and transformation, watching them bond and show optimism for their future left many viewers in tears. This emotional moment is even more poignant considering it takes place within the episode after Vi reconnects with Vander, now transformed into a werewolf, but still acknowledging Vi as his surrogate daughter.

Agatha All Along: Agatha breaks her spell

Over these past few years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced some challenging times, grappling with significant financial setbacks and an abundance of off-screen drama. It was almost hard to believe that Disney+ would greenlight a spin-off for the utterly eccentric “WandaVision,” focusing on the enigmatic character, Agatha Harkness, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn. Yet, the episode “Agatha All Along,” particularly the first installment, “Seekest Thou the Road,” has garnered rave reviews, striking a chord with many viewers. The style of this episode is reminiscent of a gritty true-crime show like “Mare of Easttown,” placing Agatha in the role of the grizzled detective, leading the investigation.

Regrettably, Agatha’s encounter with her ex-lover Rio (Aubrey Plaza) leads her to discover that the enchantment cast upon her at the end of “WandaVision” has been lifted. In a dramatic turn of events towards the end of the first episode, Agatha sheds off all her TV-inspired personas, discarding her ’80s workout attire and even a black-and-white gown reminiscent of the ’50s-styled episodes in “WandaVision.” This is a thrilling comeback for one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date, and it’s clear that Kathryn Hahn enjoyed portraying Agatha as she awakens stark naked and disoriented in her own home.

The Penguin: Sofia gets revenge on her family

If you haven’t kept up with Cristin Milioti’s acting career since “How I Met Your Mother” finished, you’ve been overlooking some fantastic performances. Most notably, she’s excelled in more serious roles, such as the “Black Mirror” episode “U.S.S. Callister,” and films like “Palm Springs.” But her portrayal in the first season of “The Batman” spin-off “The Penguin” on HBO is truly exceptional. Milioti plays Sofia, the daughter of Carmine Falcone (Mark Strong), who was recently released from prison and poses a threat to Oswald Cobblepot’s (Colin Farrell) underhanded dealings.

In a swift manner, “The Penguin” delves deeply into Sofia’s personality, positioning her as a potentially dangerous figure within Gotham. The fourth episode, titled “Cent’Anni,” predominantly unfolds Sofia’s past before moving to the present day. In this present timeline, Sofia delivers a chilling address, implying that her family abandoned her: “I placed my trust in you, I loved you, but not one of you made an effort to assist me.” Leaving the family dinner with the final say, it’s later revealed that Sofia indeed takes revenge on her family by poisoning them all with carbon monoxide within the mansion.

Baby Reindeer: Donny breaks down on stage

If you’re like us, you haven’t been able to get “Baby Reindeer” out of your head since you watched it. The Netflix miniseries stars comedian Richard Gadd, who created the show based on his own experiences with a stalker, played in the show by Jessica Gunning. It’s impressive enough that Gadd is reliving a scary true story in “Baby Reindeer,” but it’s especially impressive in the sixth episode, when a stand-up competition finds Donny Dunn (Gadd) breaking down onstage, throwing away his props, and ranting for nine — yes, nine — minutes.

Summarizing Donny’s monologue would not do justice to Chris Gethard’s powerful performance or his personal journey as a survivor of sexual violence. It’s recommended to watch the entire series, even though it may not be the most relaxing viewing experience in 2024. However, it’s worth noting that at this year’s Emmy Awards, Chris Gethard took home both the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series and the award for outstanding writing in a limited or anthology series.

Shogun: Blackthorne’s life is spared

One of the biggest surprises on TV in 2024 was FX’s “Shōgun,” a historical drama based on a 1975 novel by James Clavell. It followed the capture of Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) by powerful Japanese daimyo Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), with their conflict mediated by Tornaga’s translator Mariko (Anna Sawai). Although the show has already been renewed for two more seasons, the Season 1 finale, “A Dream of a Dream,” feels like the completion of a major transformation for Blackthorne, as evidenced by this memorable scene.

Offering his own life instead of sparing the village of Ajiro, Blackthorne expresses, “I die, not the village.” Toranaga refuses this offer, yet Blackthorne persists and makes an attempt to perform seppuku as a sign of protest against Toranaga’s harshness. In an unexpected turn of events, Toranaga prevents Blackthorne from committing suicide and instead commands him to construct a fleet of ships. It’s gratifying to witness these adversaries for the entire season not only recognizing what they need from one another but also developing an understanding without the aid of a translator.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David rewrites the Seinfeld finale

It’s only fitting to conclude this list without bidding farewell to one of the funniest sitcoms ever aired on television – “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Since its debut in 1999, it has built upon the humor initiated by Larry David in “Seinfeld,” and as we approach its final episode in 2024 titled “No Lessons Learned,” David decided to revisit the infamous cliffhanger of “Seinfeld” where Jerry and his friends find themselves behind bars.

In a nod to the Seinfeld finale, “A Lesson Unlearned” finds Larry standing trial with various past acquaintances testifying against him. Following a guilty verdict, comedian Jerry Seinfeld appears in Larry’s cell, bringing word that a juror broke sequestration, leading to a fortunate mistrial for Larry. As Jerry advises Larry, “You don’t want to end up like this – trust me; it’s not something people appreciate.” With the two walking off together, reflecting on an ending they perhaps should have crafted 26 years ago, brings a sense of closure to an iconic era in television history.

2024-12-14 15:31