There were two episodes of Aaron Sorkin's ill-fated show that really stood out. The first was the pilot, which will make its way into this section before too long, and the second was the mid season Christmas episode. For once, everything works perfectly, and the show manages to actually be funny. Matt Albie is annoyed that no one is in the holiday spirit, Danny struggles with his new feelings for Jordan, and the pair discover that musicians are calling in sick in order to give Katrina refugees a job before the holidays. To Catch a Predator with Santa Claus, and Matt's speech to Harriet are both great, but it's the "City of New Orleans" playing "O, Holy Night" that makes this episode spectacular.

Kenny tells Laura, "C U Next Tuesday," which prompts her to file a complaint. As a result, the entire crew has to undergo a sensitivity training session. This session is one of the highlights of the entire show, with the gang commiserating about how few derogatory words there are for a Puerto Rican, and celebrating the multitude of words for other races. The horrible sensitivty video. "You assumed I was a sports fan because I'm black." There's also Franco cheating on Laura to get his fix, and Sean dating a girl who has a frequent history with fires.

This episode immediately stood out as a classic. It takes place on the Enterprise in an alternative future, but Guinan knows that something isn't right. I can't sum is up better than this:

"It's a simple sci-fi conceit done beautifully, bringing back ex-crewwoman Tasha Yar, establishing Starfleet as a military organization, and endowing Guinan with the sole recollection of both timelines. It's one of TNG's darkest and most poignant episodes (alt-Riker dies violently, the romance of Yar and Lt. Castillo proves ill-fated), and in the end, it all comes down to Picard and Guinan. And Worf's prune juice."

14. “My Screwup ”, Scrubs
Season 3, Episode 14 (2/24/04)

Big surprise here. This stands as one of my favorite half hours to air on television. Brendan Fraser is incredible in his return, and the dramatic writing is top notch. Plus, it has J.D.'s "America's Funniest Home Videos" entry, shower shorts, playing cards with the one-armed security guard ("nice hand") and Turk's mole. Brandon is leaving it to me to come up with a better write-up, but I've already written about this numerous times on my website, and it's too late for me to put that much effort into anything right now. However, I will say that "Winter" is quite possibly the most perfect use of music in the history of Scrubs. I just rewatched the final scene to get a screencap of the funeral, and it only took a brief moment before it got to me again. John C. McGinley is better than ever.

15. "Castaways", Dawson's Creek
Season 6, Episode 15 (2/12/03)

I originally included this episode because I thought Brandon would surely include the finale before I got a chance to, but overlook this little gem. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, and this choice now seems incredibly unoriginal. Still, this K-Mart sponsored masterpiece finally proves that Pacey and Joey are the show; the rest is just filler. It also marked the end of Pacey's goatee, and the world was a better place for that.

Boomtown is a show that more people should watch. I wouldn't necessarily include it among my favorite shows of all time, but it is solid throughout. In my mind the first eight episodes are all a build up for this one. You have to watch those to understand the characters, but it's worth it. The episode follows the Assistant DA as he bends the law to help further his own career. In the process, he gives up almost everything he has worked for and comes face to face with his past.

For those of you named Brandon, the episode also features Kelly Rowan as McNorris's wife!

17. “An Echolls Family Christmas ”, Veronica Mars
Season 1, Episode 10 (12/14/04)

Another Brandon double-dip, this episode is one of the best of the first season. Keith is hired to investigate some death threats that Aaron Echolls had received, and Veronica tries to solve a burglary that occurred when some students played poker at the Echolls house the week before. Veronia is at her usual level of perfection, especially when she's chugging "Jack Daniels" iced tea. The end of the episode is incredible, with the carolers singing as the entire party falls apart.

Larry doesn't want to donate a kidney to his friend Richard Lewis, so he befriends the doctor in charge of the transplant list to get Richard moved up. The doctor is a deeply religious Jew, so Larry pretends to be religious in order to win him over. They go on a ski trip together, but trouble arises when the ski lift stops working. Nearly everything in this episode works, and I particularly love it when Larry delcares, "Are you fucking nuts?"

This episode, directed by his holiness Joss Whedon, was an immediate favorite. Michael goes to Ryan's class and gives a hilariously awkward speech centered around using as many candy bars as possible. Back at the office, a bat is released from the ceiling, causing Jim to feign symptoms of a vampire. Dwight's handling of the bat situation is brilliant, especially when he traps it using Meredith's head. I also love Stanley quickly walking out of the office with a simple, "Goodbye." There's also Pam's art show, which I completely loved. Michael's praise is such a beautiful, sincere moment, and it fills the void left by Jim's absence at the event.

The more I rewatch season one of 30 Rock, the more I realize that it's one of the best comedies ever. This episode follows two plotlines: Pete hanging out with Tracy and almost cheating on his wife, and Jack and Liz attending a high class birthday for Prince Gerhardt. Jenna crashes the party and seduces the Prince, only to make a fatal mistake. The Jack and Liz stuff is incredible, especially when Jack laughs off thoughts of dating her. "I date socialites and models, actresses, Liz Hurley...in the '90s." Isabella Rossellini is the perfect choice for Jack's ex-wife, and the scene where she fights Lemon is wonderful.