The Countdown Moves From Funny to Serious

We're up to the single digits in our summer-long countdown of the Best Episodes of the Season! 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 9-7.

9: "Ten Sessions" - How I Met Your Mother
Who would have thought that an episode featuring Britney Spears would make our Best Episodes countdown let alone wind up in our Top 10??!! This just shows how strong this outing was in spite of what it had going against it. And you know what? Britney wasn't so bad. She had some great lines, she sold the character, and I found myself enjoying her presence and the way her character related to Ted's plight to win his dermatologist's heart (played adorably by Scrubs' Sarah Chalke). Even if the pop star had sunk the episode, I would have still enjoyed it because the Ted story was too charming to hate. What would you do if you had 10 sessions (that's how long it took to erase Ted's "tramp stamp" -- a drunken mistake) to convince someone that she should date you? If you're Ted, you pull out every stop and you never give up even when she explains the very good reason why she can't. Good reason be damned because it gave Ted the perfect opportunity to get creative and to use his undeniable charm in the process. I just loved the "2-minute date" at the end, and it left me hoping that this dermatologist is the one. Written by Chris Harris, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and directed by Pamela Fryman.

8: "Truth Be Told/Born Free" - Dexter
The first season of Dexter ended on a stunning note – even watching it the second time around, when CBS re-aired the complete first season in the Spring of 2008. I like to think this finale gave us the man with the missing arm (or woman, literally). The smoking gun. The gunman on the grassy knoll. The reveal of Rudy as Dex’s real, honest to goodness brother – abandoned in that nightmare of a chainsaw massacre when real-life mom’s drug deal went bad – was just so insanely clever and clicked everything into place. Dex picked up and saved by Harry. Rudy left to fend for himself in a mental institution, then spend the next umpteen years planning an ever gruesome reunion. One duty-bound by a code to co-exist in the regular world, albeit in a constant state of disguise; the other willing to forgo any sense of code to showcase a true identity and live in utter honesty with the one other person who would be able to accept him as-is. Often, the question has been raised about Dexter’s morality. That is, he is a killer underneath it all, so how could he really be a good guy? Contrasted against Rudy, it’s pretty clear Dex is incredibly moral, incredibly diligent about the handling of the condition from which he suffers, and he – most importantly – knows right from wrong. A brilliant way to end a fantastic first season. "Truth Be Told" written by Drew Z. Greenberg and Timothy Schlattmann, and directed by Keith Gordon; "Born Free" written by Daniel Cerone and Melissa Rosenberg, and directed by Michael Cuesta. - LillyKat / PTR Senior Staff Writer

7: "Dexter" - Dexter
So, as I just got done singing the praises of how the first season of Dexter ended, we must also include how it all began. The pilot introduced us to one of most intricate, complex and compelling characters on television, and it gave us a series whereby our hero is a serial killer that is irresistibly likable – moral, conscientious, an all around good guy except for that particular disposition. I cannot bring myself to call Dex’s state of mind an illness (or sickness). He’s more like a Dark Avenger – working for the Miami Metro Police Department’s forensic division as a blood splatter specialist whilst channeling his desires into cleaning up what the hardworking detectives of the department don’t always (and can’t always) get to do. And given the show is set in Miami, the epitome of the oft-used real estate phrase “light, bright and airy,” the show is an ingenious contradiction of darkness vs. light. Good vs. Evil. A blurring of the line on both sides. The table was set with this episode, and I have been at it ever since. Written by Timothy Schlattmann and directed by Michael Cuesta. - LillyKat / PTR Senior Staff Writer

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 as we reveal #6-4 on the list.