While some TV dramas are more emotional than others, with heartbreaking storylines featuring characters losing loved ones or getting through hard times, many popular shows have at least one episode per season when something really tragic happens. Sometimes this is the season finale, as fans expect a shocking plotline, and beloved characters find themselves in life or death situations (or facing something tough in their personal life). Or, sometimes shows really want to throw a shocking sucker punch and integrate a devastating moment when it’s least expected.

  • When an episode of a TV drama is especially sentimental and heartfelt, it’s impossible to forget about. Even the series that already feature characters who become emotional on a regular basis and are always dealing with serious matters of life and death feature some entries that are incredibly moving. Redditors have picked the episodes that have stood out to them.

From a Mad Men episode when Don Draper gets emotional to Sam Winchester and his brother Dean going on a journey on Supernatural, Redditors are discussing the TV drama episodes that have affected them the most.

“The Wheel” (Mad Men, S1 E13)

Mad Men has some truly upsetting episodes throughout the show’s seven-season run, including the season 1 finale called “The Wheel” when Don Draper comes up with a product called “The Carousel.” Don wants families to be able to think about happy memories.

Redditor LoneStarrs loves this episode and shared that it’s sad because “Don finally learns how much his family means to him, right as he loses them” and Don’s pitch to Kodak “was the best scene on the show so far.”

“Through The Looking Glass” (Lost, S3 E23/23)

One of the saddest deaths on Lost is when Charlie Pace passes away in “Through The Looking Glass.” Charlie realizes that he is danger and wants to make sure that Desmond Hume is able to survive. Fans will never forget when Charlie writes “not Penny’s boat” on his hand.

One Redditor mentioned this Lost episode and said, “It’s the only title of an episode that I still remember.” Redditor Scoons added, “The feels. Even now, they get me.” Charlie looks terrified and in pain as he realizes that he won’t make it.

“Ozymandias” (Breaking Bad, S5, E14)

One Redditor mentioned the season 5 Breaking Bad episode titled “Ozymandias” and called it a “soul crushing roller coaster.” The fan mentioned “Walt’s helplessness with Hank” is sad, as Hank Schrader dies.

Breaking Bad always impacts fans emotionally as Walt White and Jesse Pinkman’s journey is rich, dark, and complex, and for many fans, this episode is one of the most well-done. Walt spent so much time outwitting his opponents that seeing him helplessly lose someone he genuinely loved was a total shock to the system.

“Everyone’s Waiting” (Six Feet Under, S5 E12)

Six Feet Under always surprises fans, and viewers knew that the final episode would be stunning, beautifully crafted, and most likely very sad.

Redditor SgtWaffleStomp noted that “The last few minutes of this finale are absolutely soul crushing” because of “The flash forwards of all the characters.” Fans find out how the Fisher family is each going to die, with Claire being the last one to go. In the last scene, Claire is 102 and she passes away in her house. Viewers see pictures of her relatives around her, which is enough to make fans cry even just thinking about it.

“Everything Is Not Okay” (Parenthood, S4 E3)

Although some Parenthood plotlines are unnecessary, for the most part, the TV drama is a moving portrait of the Braverman family, and there are countless sad installments.

Redditor seeyasuburbia wrote that “Lots of episodes of Parenthood,” are sad, including “when Christina has cancer.” It’s really tough to watch Kristina and Adam struggle with this diagnosis as they wonder how their kids Max and Haddie will be affected.

“Wilson’s Heart” (House, S4 E16)

In the House episode “Wilson’s Heart,” House is in a terrible place mentally and physically thinking about matters of life and death.

House has been in a horrible bus accident and the episodes focuses on Wilson and House’s close relationship along with whether Amber can survive her heart problems. Redditor RichHammond called this “probably the saddest episodes of any show I’ve ever seen.”

“Death And All His Friends” (Grey’s Anatomy, S6 E24)

Fans love Grey’s Anatomy because some of the storylines are so heartbreaking and unforgettable that they rival any other TV drama, at least one that has been on for over 10 seasons.

Redditor Calikola mentioned the Grey’s Anatomy episode “Death And All His Friends” when Gary Clark arrives at the hospital with a gun, seeking revenge because his wife unfortunately passed away while under the doctors’ care. It’s a scary and sad episode and the fan wrote, “when Bailey explains to Charles that he’s dying and she can’t save him- waterworks.”

“Swan Song” (Supernatural, S5 E22)

Redditor Denbyz wrote that the Supernatural episode “Swan Song” can definitely be counted among the most devastating TV drama episodes.

In this particularly memorable installment, Dean and Sam Winchester want to stop the Apocalypse, and they deal with Lucifer, which is terrifying. There is also a lot of detailed information given about the Impala’s past, which is moving since fans know how important this car is to the show. Bobby Singer also dies a few different times throughout the series, and this is one of his saddest deaths.

“The Son” (Friday Night Lights, S4 E5)

Since Friday Night Lights talks about serious issues, the episodes can be heavy and sad as the main characters grow up and handle a lot of difficult situations.

One Redditor posted that the Friday Night Lights episode “The Son” is heartbreaking, calling the series a “roller coaster of emotion, it’s inspirational, sad, heartwarming, and will make you laugh.” Matt Saracen learns that his father, Henry, has died while fighting in Iraq. Matt has a tough time grieving as he hasn’t spent a lot of time with his dad and he feels responsible for taking care of his sweet grandma.

“How To Save A Life” (Grey’s Anatomy, S11 E21)

While some episodes of Grey’s Anatomy are light-hearted, it’s possible to say that the majority have some heartbreaking elements, as patients pass away and the doctors lose people close to them.

Redditor g33kch1c mentioned that the episode featuring “The death of Derek Shepherd” is really devastating. It’s definitely hard to watch Meredith Grey lose Derek and to know that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Now Meredith will raise her kids alone, but will always remember how Derek really got her as a person and cared about her so much.

“Brave New World (Boy Meets World, S7 E22&23)

The finale of Boy Meets World was always going to be tough to watch without crying at least once. One Redditor posted that one of the saddest parts of a TV drama is the “Boy Meets World series finale at the end when Mr.Feeny looks sadly onto the empty class room and says ‘I love you all.’”

Mr. Feeny has such a big impact on the lives of the main characters and fans think of him fondly as well, as he’s a reminder of favorite teachers and mentors who have helped inspire students throughout their years in school.

“Bainne” (Sons Of Anarchy, S3 E11)

Jax Teller goes through so much on Sons of Anarchy and many of his moments are ones that fans remember as being especially affecting. For Redditor Monnkey, “when Jax is looking for his baby boy Abel and sees him in the loving arms of adopted parents…” is a sad episode.

Jax has an incredibly tough time as a parent, realizing that his lifestyle isn’t exactly conducive to having a happy and warm family life, and it’s difficult watching him wrestle with these choices.

“Death’s Door” (Supernatural, S7 E10)

Fans of Supernatural know that life and death are big themes in the series, and Redditor Atalyita mentioned the sad episode “Supernatural ‘Death’s Door’ When Bobby dies.” The fan wrote, “I ugly cried a lot.”

The end of Bobby Singer’s life is particularly moving as he has to think about the toughest thing that has happened to him, something that he doesn’t want to remember.

“You Take For Granted” (Desperate Housewives, S8 E6)

The main characters living on Wisteria Lane on Desperate Housewives care deeply about one another, and they experience each other’s love, good times, and pain. Redditor MsWolfy mentioned a sad episode from the series: “the Desperate Housewives one where Mike dies.”

Watching Mike Delfino be killed is terrible, as Susan Mayer has loved him for so long, and it’s awful to imagine the pain that she’s in and the future that she has to face now without him.

“Grave” (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, S6 E22)

For Redditor agentspymonkey, “the last three episodes of Season Six when Tara dies and Willow goes evil” are all emotion-heavy Buffy The Vampire Slayer episodes. The fan wrote, “After 6 seasons I’d built up such a strong attachment to the characters, especially Willow.”

The season 6 finale is particularly upsetting as the character has turned into Dark Willow and Xander Harris attempts to stop her and appeal to the emotions that might still be hiding inside of her, showing the heartbreak and deep love between them.