TV Year in Review: Top Moments

Yesterday, we recapped the surprising actors and actresses that made a major impact on TV shows in 2009.

Today, with a new year just around the corner, it's time to relive the specific moments that left a lasting impressions on viewers around the nation and around the dial.

In no specific order, these relatively recent episodic memories will last a lifetime...

THE OFFICE WEDDING
They courted for years, they surprised us with a pregnancy and then Jim and Pam finally got married this fall. When the staff of Dunder Mifflin danced down the aisle to a Chris Brown single, it was the perfect conclusion to an adorable storyline, seasons in the making.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR RETURNS
Was it overhyped by The CW? Perhaps, but that's only because Katie Cassidy has done such a fine (hot!) job stepping of into the bitchy shoes left by Amanda Woodward. But now that Locklear has returned, and can go icy stare for icy stare with Cassidy's Ella? Melrose Place is worthy of a DVR series recording.

GLEE DOESN'T STOP BELIEVING
Would this Fox hit have caught on even if New Directions hadn't wowed viewers with a performance of this Journey classic to close out its pilot episode? We hope so. But it's worth reliving this great rendition RIGHT NOW to see how the Gleek craze began.

KRIS ALLEN WINS AMERICAN IDOL
We were rooting for Adam Lambert. Still, the most anticipated moment on the year's most-watched show must be included on any list.

BLOODSHED AT STERLING COOPER
Mad Men isn't exactly known for blood and violent. But that changed during one scene at least, when drunk secretary Lois straddle a riding John Deere mower and ran over the foot of her British boss, spilling blood - and martinis - all over the office.

RIP, RITA
Based on a few Dexter spoilers, we had a feeling Rita might not be around for season five. But did we expect her to be lying in a pool of her own blood at the end of this month's finale? No.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.