The Countdown's Homeward Bound

And the Top 25 Best Episodes of the Season summer-long countdown rolls on with the next 3 episodes to make the cut. Before we get to this week's entries, here's a look at the rules for this year's winners. LillyKat and I ended up with 36 incredible episodes that demonstrate the diversity and quality of the current television state. The shows and their episodes are from both NETWORK and CABLE television. All episodes aired between June 2007 and June 2008. Each episode that made the final list moved us in some way; either by making us laugh out loud, cry our eyes out or just left us with that "wow" feeling that stays with you for a few days. So basically, it's completely subjective! Since this is a summer-long countdown to the number 1 episode, we will reveal a few each week all summer. So, be sure to tune in every Thursday to find out which episodes are on the countdown! Today, we're going to take a closer look at numbers 24-22.

24: "Next of Kin (Parts I & II)" - The Closer
The two-hour 2007 holiday special of The Closer sent us all RVing. Vicariously, anyway. Aptly titled “Next of Kin,” it was a cross between Where’s Waldo (er, Brenda, who headed to Georgia under the guise of "visiting" mom and dad for X-Mas, but really was trying to extradite a murder suspect), a Bing Crosby Christmas Special (thanks, Lieutenant Provenza for providing the musical entertainment aboard the RV) and a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie (‘cause I kind of felt all choked up at the end). And in the true spirit of the holiday season, Brenda and Co. gave us some serious food for thought: how often do we actually question her? Her methods? Her ways? And how much it all weighs on her in the end? Another CCC (Classic Closer Curveball) I did not see coming. I questioned Brenda’s actions for the first time ever. For BJ, this case hit her from both sides – personal values and professional responsibility. She had a job to do, but knew the process of how she went about doing that job this time out (lying to her parents, fudging the truth about the death of the murder suspect's brother in order to get him to confess) crushed her own family, and ultimately, made her question her own self. Yet she still emerged triumphant, if not substantially humbled trying to do the best she could whilst also being at fault. Part I written by Hunt Baldwin, John Coveny, Mike Berchem, and directed by Scott Ellis Part II written by James Duff, Adam Belanoff, Mike Berchem, and directed by James Duff. Photo: TNT. - LillyKat, PTR Senior Staff Writer

23: "There's No Place Like Home (Parts I, II & III)" - Lost
This was the big one -- as in, 3 hours big! Oh yeah, and it's also the one where the Oceanic 6 get off the island!! They got off just in time, too. Ben was hard at work "moving the island" (as per Jacob's instructions) and after that task was complete, he was banned from the mysterious location. I'm not sure what all this "moving the island" is about, but it did make it disappear into a bright, white light. And then there was the mystery dead guy in the coffin (a.k.a. Jeremy Bentham). Turns out, it was Locke. But why? How?? While Jack was standing over Locke's body, Ben told him that all of the survivors need to go back to the island. Does this mean that next season will focus on their attempts to get back? I'm not sure I could handle the irony, although, after getting a taste of post-island life, I can't say I'm against the idea. Either way, I think the show gave us plenty to chew on over the summer and fall before we get to be Lost again next winter. Written by executive producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof and directed by Stephen Williams (Part I) and Jack Bender (Parts II & III). Screencap courtesy Lost-Media.com.

22: "Last Days of Summer" - Friday Night Lights
This second season premiere had a little bit of everything -- conflict, angst, emotion and controversy, but it was the last one that had viewers talking. What happens when 2 teens take a life in self defense? They freak and cover it up. It's not that I blamed Landry for knocking the crap outta that perv who assaulted Tyra last season nor did I feel like the guy's death was anything more than an accident (Landry was trying to stop the guy, not kill him), but the smarter plan would have been to call the police and claim self defense. BUT these are kids and kids don't always make the best decisions. And there in lies the bitter realism that this show presents to such absolute perfection. Throw in a heartbreaking scene where Eric tells Tami that he has to go back to his job in Austin early and you've got all the trappings of another quality hour of television. Written by Jason Katims and directed by Jeffrey Reiner.

So, there's a look at the next set of episodes on the countdown. What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Leave us a comment with your thoughts. And be sure to tune in next Thursday for #21-19 on the list.