Collider has published a ranked list of the seven heaviest, most emotionally devastating television episodes from the past 25 years, highlighting instalments that confront viewers with grief, trauma, injustice and loss rather than relying on shock twists. The list spans genres from live-action drama to animation, noting shows such as When They See Us for its raw depiction of wrongful imprisonment, alongside more unexpected entries from action and family-oriented series that still manage to land significant emotional blows.

Among the episodes detailed are Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' finale "My Moon My Man" (Season 1, Episode 10), praised for its bleak, inevitable conclusion to David Martinez's story, and Avatar: The Last Airbender's "The Tales of Ba Sing Se" (Season 2, Episode 15), centred on Uncle Iroh's grief for his son, described as one of animation's most heartbreaking moments. The full list, though only partially detailed in the excerpt, continues with five further episodes from other acclaimed series, each chosen for their lasting emotional impact.