Television is one of the things we invented to entertain ourselves. We have drama, comedy, horror, the thrills, the chills, and whatever else kind of void needs to be filled. However, some TV episodes aren’t just all fun and games – they hit you right in the feels, leaving you emotionally wrecked. These iconic moments remind us why we get so attached to our favorite shows and characters.
Let’s look back at some of the saddest episodes that had us all bawling our eyes out.
1. “The Body” – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 5, Episode 16)
Buffy the vampire slayer, as the title suggests, is used to slaying vampires among other creatures of the night, but nothing could prepare her for finding her mom dead from a brain aneurysm. “The Body” is raw and devastating, capturing grief in a way that feels painfully real. With no music to soften the blow, it’s one of the most unsettling and unforgettable episodes in TV history.
2. “Goodbye” – 8 Simple Rules (Season 2, Episode 4)
When John Ritter tragically passed away, the show’s writers decided to do a proper send-off for his character. In “Goodbye,” his family processes the loss, echoing the real-life grief of the cast and crew. The episode ends with the family reading Paul’s final article, a tear-jerking tribute to love and family that hit fans hard.
3. “Doomsday” – Doctor Who (Season 2, Episode 13)
Rose Tyler’s farewell to the Tenth Doctor is still one of Doctor Who’s most iconic and dramatic moments. Trapped in a parallel universe, she gets one last chance to say goodbye and while the Doctor tries to tell her he loves her but fades away before he can finish. Fans were crushed, and even Rose’s later reunion with a Doctor clone didn’t erase the sting of this heartbreaking goodbye.
