The 100 Best TV Episodes of the 21st Century

Television has changed a lot since 2000. There has been a lot of experimentation, quality got better, and of course, there are more TV shows than ever. Right now, television is going through another revolution, thanks to the advent of streaming, and so yet again, the boundaries and definitions of the medium might change.

But The Ringer wants to remember where we come from and where we are, so they did something that we all dream of doing: sorting through hundreds of shows from the past 18 years. The entire Ringer staff was asked to submit their favorite episode of the century. They then created a definitive ranking of the best episodes since 2000.

So what’s number 1? Episode five of season four of Lost. The episode, titled “The Constant,” was directed by Jack Bender and written by Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. The Ringer writes, “Great TV doesn’t have to be about the who, but it usually has to be about the why, and in the fifth episode of its fourth season, with its main players largely sidelined or reduced to exposition-seeking roles, Lost found its why with more clarity than it had before or would after or than most shows ever do in their runs.”

Favorite shows including Mad Men, Game of Thrones, The Wire, True Detective, The O.C., The Sopranos, The West Wing, Atlanta, The Office, Gilmore Girls, 30 Rock, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, It’s Always Sunny, Dexter, Parks and Recreation, and more all make the list.