12 Years Ago Today, We Got the Only 10/10 TV Episode Ever on IMDb

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IMDb lists over 32,000 TV episodes with at least 1,000 ratings. While not a perfect measure, this number gives a good idea of how well-regarded an episode is, and how widely people agree on its quality. Out of all those episodes, only 20 have reached a near-perfect score of 9.9 out of 10 – including acclaimed shows like *Six Feet Under*, *Game of Thrones*, *Succession*, *BoJack Horseman*, and *Avatar: The Last Airbender*. But what’s truly exceptional is that only one episode has earned a perfect 10/10, based on over 200,000 ratings.

The fourteenth episode of *Breaking Bad*’s fifth season, titled “Ozymandias,” first aired on September 15, 2013. Viewers knew the show was heading towards its conclusion and anticipated a strong episode. However, what they received was truly shocking – many consider it a classic and one of the greatest television episodes ever made.

Even after more than ten years, this remains an incredible accomplishment and a perfect illustration of television’s potential. In fact, it feels even more impressive now. With the rise of streaming and binge-watching, it highlights how much impact a single, well-crafted episode can have – its story still resonates strongly.

Is Breaking Bad’s “Ozymandias” The Best TV Episode Ever?

“Ozymandias” is widely considered the best episode of *Breaking Bad*. It’s a brutal hour of television where Walter White finally faces the consequences of his actions. The episode features significant deaths, the loss of his control, and the revealing of painful truths.

This episode is the culmination of five seasons of carefully built tension, with Walt’s choices finally reaching a dramatic peak. It brilliantly sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion and, despite its intensity, feels complete and self-contained. It’s a captivating hour of television where the pace is relentless, yet the impact lingers long after it’s over, creating a moment that feels both culturally significant and eternally watchable.

The true brilliance behind Breaking Bad lies with writer Moira Walley-Beckett and director Rian Johnson, who distilled the show down to its core: the legend of Heisenberg and the tragic reality of Walter White. The writing is stunning, and the direction is both fast-paced and controlled. Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn deliver incredibly powerful, emotionally resonant performances. It’s a truly exceptional episode, but does it stand above all others as the greatest TV episode ever made?

Trying to pick the single greatest TV episode of all time is incredibly hard. It’s tough to compare shows from different times and styles. Do you measure a dramatic episode like “Ozymandias” from *Breaking Bad* against other acclaimed drama episodes like “The Suitcase” (*Mad Men*), “College” or “Pine Barrens” (*The Sopranos*), or “Middle Ground” (*The Wire*)? And how do those stack up against comedic masterpieces like “Last Exit to Springfield” (*The Simpsons*) or “The Contest” (*Seinfeld*)? Then you have to consider classic sitcoms like *I Love Lucy* or *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*, and even more unique and experimental episodes from shows like *Atlanta*’s “Teddy Perkins” or *Twin Peaks*. It’s almost impossible to choose just one as the best.

While everyone has their personal preferences, the fact that “Ozymandias” is the only episode to consistently receive a perfect 10/10 score is remarkable. Despite ratings being affected by trends and strong reactions, its score suggests a widespread, shared feeling of awe – something viewers collectively experienced and remember. This is a rare achievement for any drama, especially considering dramas often receive more attention in these discussions.

While other episodes of the show might be just as good, or even more relaxing to watch, this one stands out. It’s a perfect, self-contained hour of television that perfectly captures everything the show and its characters were about, making it hard to pick a better episode.

All five seasons of Breaking Bad are available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-09-15 15:15