4 Unforgettable TV Episodes Too Intense to Rewatch

Even though many TV episodes are fun to watch again and again, some are just too difficult to revisit. Classic sitcoms like Seinfeld‘s “The Chinese Restaurant” are witty enough to enjoy multiple times, and some dramas offer new understanding of characters when you watch them a second time. This is part of why people love rewatching comforting shows like Gilmore Girls every autumn.

As much as I love rewatching shows, there are some episodes you just can’t experience twice. I’m thinking of a few standouts – a really funny sitcom, a brilliantly dark comedy, a gripping medical drama, and a seriously shocking thriller – that are so intense, disturbing, or emotionally draining, they hit you hard once, and that’s enough. Rewatching just wouldn’t be the same, and honestly, I’m not sure I want to go through that again!

The Office, “Scott’s Tots”

Season 6, Episode 12

A lot of the funniest episodes of The Office are uncomfortable to watch, like the popular “Dinner Party,” but “Scott’s Tots” is especially awkward. The episode revolves around Erin and Michael having to tell a group of high school students that Michael won’t be able to pay for their college tuition, despite promising them he would years earlier when they were in elementary school.

The episode’s title refers to a project Michael starts, but the episode itself is filled with stressful scenes. It’s painful to watch the teenagers get so upset, and it’s frustrating that Michael believes giving them laptop batteries will fix things – especially since they don’t even own laptops!

The “Scott’s Tots” episode of The Office is particularly uncomfortable because the children involved are from families with limited financial resources. While The Office is usually a hilarious comedy that expertly captures the mundane aspects of office work, this episode is simply not funny.

Michael’s dismissive response of just saying “Well” when Pam points out how awful his actions are makes him seem particularly unlikeable. Despite this, the episode is significant because it reveals Michael’s money problems and his habit of making rash decisions without considering the consequences.

In The Office season 4, episodes 7 and 8, titled “Money,” we learn Michael is secretly working as a telemarketer. He’s doing this because his girlfriend Jan wants to remodel their condo, and he’s also in debt. Knowing this makes his belief that he’ll suddenly become wealthy even more surprising.

The Bear, “Fishes”

Season 2, Episode 6

You’ve probably heard about the critically acclaimed episode “Fishes” from the Hulu/FX series The Bear, whether you’ve seen the show or not. Many consider it one of the best episodes, but it’s also notoriously difficult to watch – even the first time, and especially if you try to watch it again.

The first section of “Fishes,” set about five years ago, expertly builds the story’s background and characters. Though the Bear family comes together annually for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, it’s quickly established that this isn’t a warm and comforting family gathering.

While Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) tries to manage his stress and assist his mother, Donna (played brilliantly by Jamie Lee Curtis), the episode also introduces key supporting characters like his caring cousin, Michelle (Sarah Paulson), and Richie’s former wife, Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs).

While the episode has its funny parts – like Pete getting caught with fish – it’s mostly remembered for Donna’s intense emotional breakdown. Curtis’s performance in this scene was Emmy-winning, and rightfully so, as she convincingly portrays a character who spirals from drinking too much and ruining dinner to sobbing and then lashing out at Natalie.

Though difficult to watch, the episode “Fishes” clearly shows why the Berzatto siblings keep their distance from their mother, and reveals the deep emotional pain everyone in the family is carrying. Unlike many TV depictions of mental health and addiction, “Fishes” emphasizes that Donna and all her family members are struggling.

The Pitt, “2 P.M.”

Season 1, Episode 8

Season one of The Pitt is consistently tense and moving, but the eighth episode, “2 P.M.”, is particularly heartbreaking. It centers on the doctors’ desperate efforts to save Amber Phillips (played by Hadley Smith), a young girl who drowned while rescuing her little sister, Bella (Olivia Fokova), from their family pool.

The death scene for Amber on Grey’s Anatomy feels overly dramatic, probably accompanied by a predictable pop song. In contrast, The Pitt, one of the most promising new shows of 2025, depicts death with a stark, clinical realism, yet still shows its messy and emotional side. When Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) simply states, “Amber has died,” it reflects his years of medical training and his ability to remain composed even in difficult moments.

The episode quickly becomes very emotionally powerful. A particularly impactful moment happens when Mel King (Taylor Dearden) comforts Bella with a stuffed animal and talks about dealing with loss, which reveals a lot about Mel’s character. Having cared for her autistic twin sister for years, Mel has a natural ability to connect with children.

The episode “2 P.M.” from the HBO Max medical drama is incredibly difficult to watch and feels very realistic, making it one to potentially skip on a re-watch. It’s heartbreaking to see a child die in such a frightening way, and it’s especially tough to think about the grief Amber’s family – her sister, grandmother, and parents – will have to cope with.

Yellowjackets, “Edible Complex”

Season 2, Episode 2

The show Yellowjackets hinted at cannibalism from the very beginning, and it finally happens in season 2, episode 1, “Friends, Romans, Countrymen,” when Shauna Shipman (Sophie Nélisse) eats Jackie’s (Ella Purnell) ear. Though viewers knew something like this was coming, the episode, titled “Edible Complex,” is still incredibly disturbing and shocking.

While violence is common in slasher films, cannibalism is far more disturbing. Even dedicated horror fans probably found it difficult to watch these teenagers eat their friend and teammate.

This episode is deeply disturbing and memorable because it alternates between two unsettling scenes: the girls actually consuming Jackie in the woods, and their disturbing fantasy of eating her during a lavish Greek-style banquet. This stark contrast highlights how their hunger and past trauma have warped their minds, causing them to lose touch with what’s real.

As a huge fan of scary shows and movies, I think what really makes Yellowjackets stand out is how it deals with really tough stuff – things like dealing with trauma, the power of long-term friendships, and how people compete with each other. The episode ‘Edible Complex’ is super important because it really shows the awful, unthinkable decisions the girls made when they were stranded, and how those choices continue to haunt them as adults. Honestly, though, it’s a really hard episode to watch – definitely not one I’d put on for a fun re-watch!

2025-11-18 23:02