These 10 TV Episodes Focused On a Side Character & Were 10/10 Classics

Strong TV shows always start with a great pilot episode. These first episodes set the stage for everything that follows, introducing the story, characters, and the overall pattern most episodes will use. This has been true for a long time, so when a show breaks from this established format, it’s particularly noticeable. It’s especially exciting when a show completely changes things up, shifting the focus away from the main characters to highlight a popular supporting character instead.

Some TV shows don’t lend themselves to focusing on supporting characters, especially those with large casts or formulaic plots, keeping those characters in the background. But other shows successfully shift the focus, creating standout episodes that rank among the very best in the series. These episodes aren’t just great examples of side characters taking the lead; they’re simply some of the best episodes their shows have ever produced.

10) “Teddy Perkins” – Atlanta

Throughout the show’s unpredictable run, LaKeith Stanfield’s character, Darius, has usually been a supporting player, often having his own quirky side adventures. However, Season 2’s acclaimed episode, “Teddy Perkins,” put Darius in the spotlight like never before, and it’s arguably the most unique episode of Atlanta yet. Unlike typical episodes, “Teddy Perkins” focuses solely on Darius – with only brief appearances from other main characters like Paper Boi and Donald Glover playing the unsettling title role. The episode also stands out for its unpredictable and increasingly creepy tone, venturing into horror in a way that’s different from other installments of the series.

9) “The Man Who Killed Batman” – Batman: The Animated Series

As a huge fan of Batman: The Animated Series, I always loved how they’d switch things up from just focusing on Batman solving a case. Usually, that meant giving a villain the spotlight. But the episode “The Man Who Killed Batman” was different. It introduced a totally new character, Sid the Squid, and made him the central focus. He’s this kind of pathetic, clumsy wannabe gangster, and immediately, the real tough guys of Gotham just see him as an easy target. It’s a really clever way to tell a story!

Sid constantly faced ridicule, but things took an unexpected turn when people believed he had killed Batman. The episode features a surprising twist, including the revelation that Batman’s supposed death actually upsets the Joker. Although Sid ends up in jail, he finally earns the respect of other criminals – something he always wanted.

8) “Honeydew” – The Bear

The second season of The Bear is full of standout episodes, but “Honeydew” is particularly special. It focuses on Marcus (played by Lionel Boyce), who Carmy sends to Copenhagen to learn from chef Luca (Will Poulter) and develop the dessert menu for their restaurant. This episode uniquely highlights a supporting character and his journey.

What makes The Bear so compelling is its constant sense of chaos, fueled by the lead character’s own struggles. This episode stands out because it offers a rare moment of calm amidst that storm. We finally get to know Marcus beyond the kitchen, and Lionel Boyce gives a beautifully understated performance. It’s fascinating to watch him learn from Luca, where mistakes aren’t met with yelling, but with chances to improve. This episode is not only one of the best of the series, but also a standout for its focus on a supporting character and his growth.

7) “Hermanos” – Breaking Bad

The episode “Hermanos” primarily focuses on Gus Fring, the intriguing villain from the series who often troubled Walter White. While Bryan Cranston makes a few short appearances as Walter White, the episode mainly reveals what Gus is up to now, showing how he cleverly handles questioning by the DEA while maintaining his calm and collected demeanor. It also delves into his past, giving viewers a deeper understanding of his character.

This extended flashback – a rare technique used in the series – shows how Gus Fring first connected with Mexican cartels and used that connection to build his drug business. It also explains the beginnings of his restaurant chain, Los Pollos Hermanos. It’s a deeply sad scene, but it powerfully prepares us for his later showdown with Don Eladio.

6) “Long, Long Time” – The Last of Us

The TV series The Last of Us closely follows its source video game, which is fitting considering how much the game already resembled a movie. Because of this, the show didn’t have much room to change the story. However, when Season 1 did deviate from the game’s plot, it created its strongest episode. Featuring Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, the episode primarily focuses on the relationship between Bill, played by Nick Offerman, and Frank, played by Murray Bartlett. It expands on a story that was only hinted at in the game and gives it a completely different ending.

The episode “Long, Long Time” is a standout in The Last of Us‘ already impressive first season, and it’s crucial for understanding Joel and Ellie’s development. Throughout their journey, they meet various couples facing hardship, offering glimpses into potential futures for themselves. However, “Long, Long Time” is unique because it highlights the enduring power of love and the beauty of simple moments, even amidst a bleak world.

5) “Flaming Moe’s” – The Simpsons

With so many characters on The Simpsons, it’s no surprise that many episodes focus on side characters. One of the best is “Flaming Moe’s,” which centers around Moe the bartender and how he copies Homer’s recipe for a new drink. This episode playfully references the show Cheers, includes a guest appearance by Aerosmith, and puts a unique spin on Bart’s prank phone calls. “Flaming Moe’s” is a classic Simpsons episode that’s consistently funny and keeps you guessing until the very end.

4) “Mr. Ruggerio’s Neighborhood” – The Sopranos

As a huge TV fan, I always say The Sopranos completely changed the game for drama, and the start of Season 3 really proves it. It’s fascinating because the episode actually shifts the focus away from Tony for a lot of it. We usually see everything through his eyes, but here, the FBI guys trying to build a case against him are the ones in the spotlight. It’s all about how they’re working to gather evidence – things like watching Tony’s house and even bugging it, trying to figure out what the family is up to. It was a bold move for the show, and it totally worked.

Like a typical episode of The Sopranos, “Mr. Ruggerio’s Neighborhood” is full of unexpected twists. We see family members with surprisingly different feelings about Tony, and discover that the FBI’s meticulous plans are ultimately disrupted by forces beyond their control. The episode also boasts a memorable remix of “Every Breath You Take” and the instantly recognizable “Theme From Peter Gunn,” a fantastic piece of music that you won’t be able to get out of your head.

3) “Butters’ Very Own Episode” – South Park

Butters started as a minor character in the early seasons of South Park, but he became more central to the show in Season 5, even getting an episode focused on him and his family. True to form, the sweet and naive Butters finds himself caught up in a surprisingly dark and mature situation. After discovering his father is secretly bisexual and sharing the news, Butters’ mother attempts to drown him, and later tries to end her own life. Despite the heavy subject matter, the episode is incredibly funny because the dark humor is balanced by Butters’ inherent innocence.

2) “Make It Stop” – Star Wars: Andor

Unlike other Star Wars series focused on large-scale events, Andor centers on the smaller stories and characters that are essential to understanding the rebellion. The season two finale not only sets up the concluding storyline, connecting it to the events of Rogue One, but also dramatically alters the landscape by removing a key character from the narrative.

Though Stellan Skarsgård’s character, Luthen, appears in the episode, he’s largely unconscious before his death. The emotional weight of the story falls on Elizabeth Dulau’s Kleya Marki, who has to implement a plan she’d hoped to avoid. The episode also reveals how Kleya and Luthen met and built the spy network that formed the foundation of the rebellion. The episode ends on a poignant note, beautifully tying together the entire series, even without focusing on its main character.

1) “Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man” – The X-Files

Throughout The X-Files, the enigmatic Cigarette Smoking Man, portrayed by William B. Davis, remains a significant and persistent antagonist. While his efforts to conceal the truth are evident from the show’s start, we don’t learn much about his background until the fourth season. The episode “Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man” delves into his history, revealing his involvement in major historical events like the JFK assassination, the death of Martin Luther King Jr., and the Bay of Pigs invasion. It also shows that he and Fox Mulder’s father, Bill, were once friends.

Davis plays the character at the beginning and end of the episode, but Chris Owens shines as the younger version, brilliantly hinting at how that character becomes who Davis portrays. What’s particularly interesting about this episode, focused on a supporting character, is that its truthfulness is questionable. Considering the Cigarette Smoking Man’s talent for deception, the entire story could be fabricated – a deliberate attempt to mislead Frohike, the Lone Gunmen, and even Mulder.

2026-04-16 18:12