Best TV Episodes of 2026 So Far: The Bear, The White Lotus and Seven More
The following are the best TV episodes of 2026, as of August 2, 2026. This list is part of an ongoing Year in Review (So Far) series, with installments and seven others making the cut for their exceptional quality.
The following TV episodes from 2026, and seven others, made the cut for our list of the best installments of the year to date. This selection is part of our ongoing Year in Review (So Far) series.
Keep scrolling to see all of our favorite TV episodes in 2026 (thus far). We encourage you to drop a comment with your own selections and personal favorites.
This curated list highlights standout episodes that have resonated with viewers and critics alike. The goal is to provide a comprehensive look at the year’s television highlights so far.
The Best TV Episodes of 2026
These installments, and seven others, made the cut for our list of 2026’s best TV episodes to date. This ongoing Year in Review (So Far) series aims to capture the most impactful television moments.
Keep scrolling to see all of our favorite TV episodes in 2026 (thus far). We welcome your comments with your own selections and viewing highlights from the year.
The selection process considers narrative strength, performance, and overall impact. Viewers are invited to participate by sharing their own top episodes.
This review covers a range of genres and platforms. Each episode highlighted represents a peak moment in television for the year.
Abbott Elementary
The highlighted episode of ABC’s schoolhouse comedy, Abbott Elementary, features a night on the town for its dedicated educators. While Janine and Gregory’s romance faced challenges, their separate nights out offered moments of levity and exploration.
Viewers saw Janine and Gregory drowning their post-breakup sorrows in a tidal wave of booze. Tyler James Williams was hilarious as a sloshed Gregory, repeatedly requesting a song from the DJ.
Quinta Brunson shone as Janine, embracing a wild side after several Long Island iced teas. She delivered savage insults and acted with abandon, proving a memorable presence.
The episode also included an “Avatar” movie night for Melissa, Barbara, and Mr. Johnson. Jacob’s impressive basketball dunks added to the fun, showing the crew’s dynamic outside the classroom.
The Bear
The fifth and final season of Hulu’s culinary dramedy, The Bear, featured an incredibly stressful shift at the restaurant. This episode, spanning a single day and night, presented numerous obstacles for Carmy and Sydney.
A biblical rainstorm, a crush of overbooked guests, and a depleted pantry tested the team. Despite these challenges, the chefs and staff managed to put on an exceptional service.
The extended 52-minute episode left viewers feeling spent. Carmy and his crew went the extra mile to create an unforgettable dining experience for their guests.
This installment exemplified “The Bear” at its best, blending nail-biting tension with raw emotional crises. Carmy dropping a dish at the last second was particularly heartbreaking, underscoring the family dynamic within the crew.
BEEF
Netflix’s grudge-fueled anthology series, BEEF, delivered a powerful sophomore season episode that exposed horrors within the health care system. Season 2 of the series primarily focused on themes of money and its influence.
The fourth episode sharply focused on the nation’s health care crisis. It presented a nightmarish scenario where Ashley faced extreme bureaucratic hurdles to receive medical attention in an ER.
The installment played out like a “Black Mirror” episode. Ashley grappled with understanding her deductible and the out-of-pocket costs for her pain.
The episode contained darkly comedic moments, with Ashley inquiring about her deductible even as she was prepped for surgery. This sharply acidic satire highlighted the broken aspects of the American system.
Hacks
In an episode of Hacks, Deborah and Ava went undercover as a romantic couple to secure a coveted Bob Mackie-designed jumpsuit. The outfit was intended for Deborah’s major Madison Square Garden performance.
Their target was a fellow comedian, Kelly Kilpatrick, played by Cherry Jones, who harbored significant reservations about Deborah. Ava was compelled to moonlight as her boss’s “girlfriend” to gain favor and acquire the attire.
Ava worked diligently to make Deborah uncomfortable, leading to flirtatious interactions and even a kiss. The episode also featured Leslie Bibb as Kelly’s wife, Monica.
Spending time with these uninhibited characters provided an absolute riot of an episode. The chemistry and comedic timing were on full display throughout their mission.
Widow’s Bay
An episode of Widow’s Bay, a freshman run series, featured a Patricia-centric offering that stood out among impressive installments. The show has been noted for its strong overall quality and performance.
Kate O’Flynn’s portrayal of municipal assistant Patricia was exceptional. She turned the character into one of the year’s best creations on television.
The episode explored themes of depression and family trauma. These elements set the stage for a dramatic performance that showcased the character’s depth.
The narrative peeled back layers, revealing the profound impact of childhood experiences. This exploration contributed significantly to the episode’s critical acclaim.
NCIS
CBS’ hit procedural, NCIS, aired a milestone 500th episode that marked the departure of a longtime cast member. Rocky Carroll, who played director Leon Vance, was killed in the line of duty.
Carroll exited the cast after nearly two decades of portraying the character. The landmark outing featured a twisty mystery as Vance worked to prevent the NCIS team’s shutdown.
The episode included numerous nods to the show’s history. A deep-cut callback to the show’s second episode specifically resonated with long-term fans.
Vance’s goodbye was made more emotional by a heart-to-heart with the ghost of Ducky, followed by a reunion with his late wife, Jackie. It served as a perfect send-off for a beloved character.
New Amsterdam
This installment of New Amsterdam stood apart by devoting an entire hour to the nurses, whose compassion and resilience are vital to emergency medicine. The medical drama typically focuses on doctors, making this perspective unique.
Directed by series star Noah Wyle, the episode highlighted the hands-on work of the nurses. They comfort patients, train new staff, and find strength to continue daily.
Katherine LaNasa delivered a great performance as charge nurse Dana Evans. Her character’s trauma from a previous assault resurfaced when a patient grabbed her arm.
The episode concluded with a lingering question about why Dana keeps returning to work. LaNasa’s portrayal conveyed Dana’s internal struggle, giving the episode emotional resonance.
Survivor
In Season 50 of Survivor, a celebrity cameo from MrBeast offering a Super Beware Advantage piqued significant interest. The episode also featured the fan-favorite Survivor Auction.
When MrBeast revealed details about his mystery briefcase, the castaways and viewers were shocked. One player gambled on a coin flip for safety and an immunity idol.
Correctly guessing the coin toss would grant safety and increase the final prize to $2 million. An incorrect guess resulted in immediate elimination from the game.
Rick Devens, the season’s victor, ultimately won double the cash. This twist proved tense, shocking, and fun, becoming one of the game’s biggest moments.
The Traitors
During an episode of The Traitors, Lisa Rinna was tasked with a mission involving a deadly amulet. She used the stunning accoutrement to orchestrate one of the show’s most wicked murders in plain sight.
Despite cast members being on alert for potential danger at an evening event at Alan Cumming’s castle, Rinna succeeded. She managed to get Yam Yam Arocho removed from the game by having him touch the amulet.
The drama continued to the roundtable. Rinna defended her “air kiss” on Yam Yam’s cheek at the banquet.
Ultimately, the fierce and feisty Housewife, and Traitor, was banished from the game. Her strategic play and subsequent banishment made for compelling television.
The White Lotus
The HBO series The White Lotus saw its fourth season delve into Henry Muck’s deep depression and family trauma. Kit Harington delivered a dramatic acting clinic in this installment of the financial drama.
As Henry’s life appeared to crumble, the episode gradually revealed the source of his childhood horror: his father’s suicide. This devastating moment had haunted him ever since.
The episode explored the depths of Henry’s character and explained his ongoing mental health struggles. Harington’s performance was filled with anger, unease, and heartbreak.
This heavy yet beautifully executed installment is part of one of television’s most underrated series. It showcased the power of performance in exploring complex psychological themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best TV episodes of 2026 so far?
The best TV episodes of 2026, as of August 2, include installments from Abbott Elementary, The Bear, BEEF, Hacks, and NCIS. This list is part of an ongoing Year in Review (So Far) series.
What happened in the best Abbott Elementary episode of 2026?
In the selected Abbott Elementary episode, educators had a night out on the town. Janine and Gregory drowned their post-breakup sorrows separately, with Quinta Brunson’s Janine embracing a wild side after drinks.
What happened in the best The Bear episode of 2026?
The highlighted episode of The Bear featured an incredibly stressful shift at the restaurant amid numerous obstacles. Carmy and the crew managed an exceptional service, blending tension with emotional crises.
What happened in the best BEEF episode of 2026?
The standout BEEF episode explored the horrors of the health care system. It depicted a nightmarish scenario where a character faced extreme bureaucratic hurdles for medical attention.
What happened in the best Hacks episode of 2026?
In Hacks, Deborah and Ava went undercover as a couple to get a Bob Mackie jumpsuit. Ava played the role of Deborah’s girlfriend to charm the outfit’s owner, leading to flirtatious moments.
This page is updated as new premiere and finale dates are announced throughout 2026.
