Sometimes after a long day, or a weekend vacation with your extended family, you just really need a good cry. What better way to do that than watch a super depressing episode of television?
From Buffy finding her mother dead in “The Body,” to Will Smith’s dad breaking his heart in “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse,” we have you covered with this list. Grab your bottle of wine and your box of tissues and cue up one of these 17 TV shows guaranteed to make you weep.
This post contains spoilers if you aren’t caught up on any of these shows.
Lost: “The Constant”
This episode of ‘Lost’ was one of the best, which is saying a lot for arguably the best series in TV history. Not only did “The Constant” feature some crazy time travel, but it highlighted the beauty that was Penny and Desmond’s relationship. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. So many feels!
One Tree Hill: “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept”
This episode was intense and left viewers speechless after it aired. Not only did we hava to deal with Jimmy’s mental state while he held students hostage, but there was also that emotional scene between Peyton and Lucas in the library. Our heartstrings snapped when Dan shot Keith and then we found out that Jimmy killed himself. Whether you were a One Tree Hill fan or not, this episode is guaranteed to get to you.
Teen Wolf: “Insatiable”
Hey, remember that one time Allison Argent (Crystal Reed) died in Scott’s arms and then you still weren’t over it two seasons later? Yeah, me too. If you’re a Teen Wolf fan (or you have a heart), this episode is guaranteed to make you tear up. Allison died being a hero, but it still didn’t make losing her any easier. Luckily, the show hasn’t forgotten about her and makes it a point to keep her memory alive.
The Walking Dead: “Too Far Gone”
Two words: Hershel Greene. The Walking Dead fandom took a heavy hit with this episode. Seeing the sweet man we all wanted to adopt as our grandfather get beheaded on screen — not a happy moment. If you love this show, you certainly shed a few tears for the loss of this brilliant character. Plus, Maggie’s face as she watched from a distance totally crushed viewers.
Parenthood: “What to My Wondering Eyes”
This episdoe was a tough one to watch. In “What to My Wondering Eyes,” we saw Kristina Braverman’s (Monica Potter) recorded video where she told her kids how proud she was of them while she was laying in the hospital battling complications from chemo. Adam cried, Kristina cried, we all cried. To top things off, this was a Christmas episode, which makes it even sadder because it’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year! Just try watching this episode and not crying your eyes out.
Glee: “The Quarterback”
How could “The Quarterback” not make the list? It was done so beautifully. The purpose of re-watching this isn’t necessarily to “make yourself cry,” but to honor Cory Montieth’s memory and a character that people grew to love deeply.
Grey’s Anatomy: “Losing My Religion”
Blame Shonda Rimes for this terribly sad episode of Grey’s. Watching Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) cling to Denny’s lifeless body and blame herself for taking too long to get ready will send you into an emotional tailspin.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “The Body”
If this list was ranked, “The Body” would get the top spot. It is impossible not to cry during the episode where Joyce dies. The genius that is Joss Whedon made the episode completely void of background music, taking the raw emotional up ten notches. Anya’s speech about not understanding the stupid and oh-so-mortal concept of death will hit you right in the gut every time. Adding the fact that Buffy’s mom died of natural causes when her world was filled with the supernatural, makes it relatable, real, and devastating.
Angel: “A Hole In the World”
Admittedly, even the moments in Angel that were supposed to be sad never really made me cry … until Fred (Amy Acker) died in “A Hole in the World.” Watching Fred and Wesley’s last moments together as she withered away and said, “Please, Wesley, why can’t I stay?” was almost too much. I mailed my therapy bills to Joss Whedon (who wrote and directed this episode and “The Body”), but I still haven’t heard anything back.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Becoming, Part Two”
Last Whedon-verse episode — I promise. The Buffy season 2 finale shattered my heart into a million pieces. Buffy stabbed Angel and sent him into the vortex just as he returned from being Angelus and didn’t even know what was going on. If watching someone kill their one-true love to save the world doesn’t make you cry, I don’t know what will.
Doctor Who: “Doomsday”
I have to admit, I’ve never cried so hard from watching TV before “Doomsday.” Seeing Rose (Billie Piper) sob hysterically after being separated from the Doctor (David Tennant) emotionally scarred me for a while. Plus, looking at Billie Piper’s crying face is like finding twelve puppies stuck at the bottom of a well, so keeping composure is not an option.
Skins (UK): “Rich”
Throughout the episode, we thought that Rich was interacting with Grace in the hospital, but in the end, we realized that she was actually dead. Rich was hallucinating and hearing things the whole time. This episode was powerful, and no matter what your opinion is of ‘Skins’, you have to admit that the show knows how to make its viewers cry.
The OC: “The Graduates”
The episode was already bittersweet since the gang was graduating and it was the season finale. When Ryan and Marissa got ran off the road by Volchok, Ryan carried Marissa from the burning car in his arms, but she tragically dies in the street. For fans of this iconic teen drama, this was a traumatic TV moment. RIP, Marissa Cooper.
Lost: “Through the Looking Glass”
This episode was brilliant on so many levels. We said goodbye to Charlie (Dominic Monaghan) when he sacrificed himself for the sake of the group but was able to warn Desmond that it’s “not Penny’s boat” before he drowned. Just thinking about Charlie’s last moments with Claire and Aaron makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and cry.
Doctor Who: “Vincent and the Doctor”
I would be remiss to bring up Doctor Who and not mention “Vincent and the Doctor.” The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Amy (Karen Gillan) traveled to meet Vincent van Gogh. They found a brilliant but strange man mocked by everyone in town. In the end, Amy and the Doctor hoped to change his fate by bringing him to a museum in the present day to show him how loved he and his work had become. Watching Vincent break down in the museum had me in a puddle of my own tears. And when Amy learned that they didn’t prevent Vincent’s death, my puddle turned into the Nile.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse”
The Fresh Prince was usually light-hearted, but in this episode, things got heavy. Will’s dad showed up and made Will think he wanted a relationship with him after 14 years of absense. When his dad disappointed him again, Will asked Phil the most heartbreaking question in TV history: “How come he don’t want me, man?” Cue the waterworks.
The Vampire Diaries: “Stand By Me”
When Jeremy died, Elena (Nina Dobrev) went a little bonkers. She refused to accept his death at first and then went crazy. She tried to burn her house down before having a complete meltdown. Her friends just stood there and watched, not knowing what to do. When Damon turned Elena’s emotions off and she actually did burn the house down, we got the saddest image ever: Jeremy’s Chuck’s surrounded by flames … oh, and his body, too.
