Sitcoms make for among the most rewatchable reveals, as a consequence of their foolish humor, lovable characters, and comfy settings. Some sitcoms are deliberately subversive of their constructions, utilizing the expectation of comedy to construct as much as some deeply emotional episodes. Whereas these emotional episodes might be actually impactful, typically they’re tough to look at once more, as a result of they’re simply so heartbreaking.
A superb subgenre of the sitcom is the darkish comedy. Lots of my favourite reveals are darkish comedies that experiment with the sitcom construction whereas nonetheless honoring it. Many of those reveals have superb episodes that hit all the precise emotional beats, however are rightfully upsetting to look at. These are 10 wonderful sitcom episodes that I’ve discovered to be too painful to look at greater than as soon as.
10
“The Storm Earlier than the Calm”
‘Comfortable Endings’ Season 3, Episode 19
Comfortable Endings has various wacky and over-the-top episodes the place the buddies have a good time their very own holidays, pull elaborate pranks on one another like faking their very own deaths, and have bother going out to dinner after getting banned from all of the native eating places. “The Storm Earlier than the Calm” is a significant change of tempo for Comfortable Endings, but it surely works rather well for the present, and for Penny’s (Casey Wilson) character arc.
After being determined to simply meet the one and get married, Penny lastly will get every little thing she needs from Pete (Nick Zano). He is candy to her and proposes quickly into the connection, and it looks as if every little thing goes properly. Shortly earlier than their marriage ceremony, although, Penny realizes that she simply does not love Pete. Within the subsequent episode, Penny tries to behave like every little thing is okay after calling off her engagement, however she places on a surprisingly darkish and heartbreaking play that expresses how responsible she feels.
9
“The One with the Morning After”
‘Pals’ Season 3, Episode 16
The primary time that I watched Pals, I used to be actually rooting for Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), and I used to be devastated by their breakup. Now, over a decade later, I feel that these two are higher aside, however their breakup episode remains to be very exhausting for me to look at. Ross and Rachel’s breakup was an excellent means for Pals to get its momentum again, give Rachel new character improvement, and amp up the comedy within the coming seasons.
That being stated, the precise breakup between Ross and Rachel is a real intestine punch. He tries to maintain her from discovering out that he cheated through the break as an alternative of really telling her, however, after all, she finds out anyway. It is so heartbreaking to look at how a lot they love one another, and the way Ross is unable to repair this or undo what he did despite all that love. Rachel’s ache and betrayal actually suggestions it over the sting, making for a brutal installment.
Pals
- Launch Date
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1994 – 2004-00-00
- Community
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NBC
8
“Pandemonium”
‘The Good Place’ Season 3, Episode 12
The Good Place retains a steadiness of emotional moments and hilarious storylines all through its 4 seasons, as a consequence of the truth that it takes place within the afterlife. It definitely has some actually unhappy scenes all through the collection, together with in its collection finale. That being stated, the Season 3 finale, “Pandemonium,” is a tough one to look at, even for the primary time. Within the episode, Eleanor (Kristen Bell) and Chidi (William Jackson Harper) are pressured to place the nice of humanity above their relationship.
It’s an inconceivable place for Eleanor and Chidi to be in, particularly after simply getting collectively for the primary time on this present state of consciousness. As a way to give the experiment a preventing probability, Chidi chooses to have his reminiscence erased in order that he will not keep in mind Simone (Kirby Howell-Baptiste). It is so heartbreaking to look at Eleanor and Chidi make this resolution and put together for this second, all main as much as him not recognizing her when he wakes up.
7
“The Time Vacationers”
‘How I Met Your Mom’ Season 8, Episode 20
How I Met Your Mom by no means shied away from heartbreaking episodes, with installments like “Dangerous Information” and “Band or DJ?” There may be simply one thing particularly gutting about “The Time Vacationers,” although. A lot of the episode is a goofy installment the place Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) tries to persuade Ted (Josh Radnor) to go to Robots vs. Wrestlers, however in the direction of the top of the episode, Ted realizes that it’s all in his head.
It is completely devastating when Ted realizes that he is on their own for the night time, as a result of his pals are all coupled up and transferring on with their lives. Much more emotional is Future Ted’s (Bob Saget) reflection that if he may return to that night time, he would go and meet Tracy (Cristin Milioti) that night time, so they might have these additional 45 days collectively. It is too painful to return and watch this episode after understanding that Tracy dies, particularly as a result of this speech was the most important trace about her destiny. In the end, even the hilarious efficiency of “The Longest Time” between the a number of Barneys and Teds on the finish is outweighed by Ted’s heartbreaking speech.
6
“Crime and Punishment”
‘Brooklyn 9-9’ Season 4, Episode 22
For such a foolish and sometimes mild sitcom, Brooklyn 9-9 has various emotional and gut-wrenching episodes. The toughest of those for me to look at is the Season 4 finale, “Crime and Punishment,” the place Jake (Andy Samberg) and Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) are discovered responsible after being framed for a financial institution theft. The episode is rather well achieved, however it’s actually robust to look at, because it turns into clearer that Jake and Rosa aren’t going to have the ability to get out of this.
Every of the primary 4 season finales of Brooklyn 9-9 ends on a tragic cliffhanger, however this one is very brutal, particularly with the information that Jake and Rosa find yourself spending various months in jail after that. That final second the place they react to the choose’s verdict is very painful to look at, as a consequence of each Samberg and Beatriz’s appearing, and the way sudden this final result is even then.
5
“The Portrait”
‘What We Do within the Shadows’ Season 3, Episode 10
Your complete third season of What We Do within the Shadows is totally wonderful, all constructing as much as its unbelievable but devastating season finale, “The Portrait.” Within the episode, the vampires attempt to transfer on after the obvious demise of Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch). For some time, it feels last however proper, as Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) put together to depart for London, and Nandor (Kayvan Novak) and Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) get able to journey the world collectively.
In a heartbreaking twist, Laszlo locks Guillermo in his personal coffin on the final minute, forcing Guillermo to go along with Nadja to London in his place. Much more devastating is the scene of Nandor ready alone on the prepare station, believing that Guillermo has stood him up. That is painful sufficient by itself, though Laszlo has a legitimate purpose of staying behind to lift Child Colin. On reflection, although, it’s so gutting to see one more wrench in Nandor and Guillermo’s relationship, and to surprise if they could’ve really gotten collectively in the event that they’d been capable of go on this journey collectively.
What We Do within the Shadows
- Launch Date
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2019 – 2024
- Showrunner
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Paul Simms
- Administrators
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Kyle Newacheck, Jason Woliner, Jackie van Beek
4
“Quarantine”
‘Mythic Quest’ Season 1, Episode 10
Mythic Quest has various emotional episodes that also make for an ideal rewatch, like “A Darkish Quiet Demise” and “Sarian.” The primary of its Season 1 bonus episodes, “Quarantine,” is one of the best and most correct covid-centric episode of tv that I’ve ever seen. For that purpose, it’s an extremely exhausting episode to look at. Within the installment, the employees of MQ attempt to imitate normalcy as finest as attainable, as the fact of their circumstances begins to weigh on them.
The MQ staff proceed to work collectively over Zoom, as Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao), specifically, begins to have a extremely exhausting time. Her psychological well being will get worse as she suffers from each concern and loneliness, all by herself in her condo as her household is on the opposite facet of the world in Australia. That emotional final scene is each touching and a tearjerker, as Ian (Rob McElhenney) surprises Poppy by exhibiting up for her with out her even having to ask.
Mythic Quest
- Launch Date
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February 7, 2020
- Community
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Apple TV+
3
“Geothermal Escapism”
Group has various emotionally devastating episodes, however Season 5’s “Geothermal Escapism” stands out among the many remainder of these. The installment displays Donald Glover‘s real-life exit from Group, as Troy (Glover) will get prepared to depart Greendale and sail around the globe for a 12 months. So as to provide Troy an epic send-off, Abed (Danny Pudi) orchestrates a schoolwide recreation of Sizzling Lava with a prize that is price $50,000.
The episode is totally heartbreaking, because it builds as much as the reveal that Abed really sees scorching lava as a result of Troy is leaving. Abed is a personality who has all the time been determined to attach with different individuals, however is usually unable to take action. Abed and Troy’s relationship is on the coronary heart of Group till Troy’s exit, as they perceive one another on a degree that no one else can. It is devastating sufficient to see the 2 of them be separated, however worse is how this has Abed feeling left behind by the one one who actually will get him.
2
“The Gang Broke Dee”
‘It is At all times Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 9, Episode 1
A number of of It is At all times Sunny in Philadelphia‘s best episodes are exhausting to look at, as a result of surprisingly devastating emotional throughline beneath the hilarious antics. An episode that I may solely bear to look at the one time is the Season 9 premiere, “The Gang Broke Dee.” In it, Dee (Kaitlin Olson) has lastly given up after years of the gang berating her and placing her down.
All through the course of the episode, everyone however Dennis (Glenn Howerton) comes collectively to prank Dee by making her life a lot better and giving her success, solely to disclose that it is all been a prank to indicate her that issues may all the time worsen. This episode is brilliantly achieved, but it surely feels far more like horror than comedy to me, as Dee is given false hope after which emotionally destroyed whereas already at her lowest.
1
“Escape From L.A.”
‘BoJack Horseman’ Season 2, Episode 11
BoJack Horseman‘s “Escape From L.A.” is genuinely among the best episodes of tv that I’ve ever seen, and is one among BoJack’s finest penultimate episodes, alongside “The View From Midway Down” and “Time’s Arrow.” That stated, it’s a very exhausting episode for me to abdomen, particularly after I noticed it for the primary time and realized the way it ended. It begins off with a conventional sitcom construction, as BoJack (Will Arnett) slowly begins to really feel at residence in New Mexico as a member of Charlotte’s (Olivia Wilde) household.
Because the episode goes on, this terrible feeling of dread grows, all culminating within the second when Charlotte walks in on BoJack and Penny (Ilana Glazer) collectively in his boat. A variety of BoJack Horseman‘s finest episodes are exhausting to look at, as they contain BoJack doing really horrible issues. “Escape From L.A.” is simply so viscerally upsetting, although. It is also the primary really irredeemable factor that we see BoJack do, and it comes proper on the finish of BoJack’s downward spiral, after issues had beforehand been going so properly for him.
