Hidden Gems or Missed Opportunities? Exploring TV's Most Controversial Bottle Episodes
These TV show bottle episodes were a complete waste of time, leaving viewers utterly disappointed
While not all bottle episodes are bad, the worst examples of this television tradition have earned a poor reputation. Historically, bottle episodes were a common occurrence in TV shows where writers would create a story limited to a few established locations and cast members. These episodes were primarily used as a cost-saving measure, which made them infamous among television enthusiasts, much like clip shows. Theoretically, the limitations on budget could have sparked creativity in the writer's room. However, more often than not, bottle episodes were seen as mere fillers. Fortunately, there has been a shift in recent decades.
In today's television landscape, bottle episodes have become a beloved institution and are often seen as some of the most ambitious episodes in a show. For example, in Bojack Horseman season 5, episode 6, titled "Free Churro," the entire episode takes place in one room and showcases what many consider to be the best performance of Will Arnett's career. Similarly, while The Conners typically follows the lighthearted family sitcom trend, season 4, episode 14, named "Triggered," offers a dramatic experience without venturing outside the family's house. Episodes like these have played a significant role in rehabilitating the bottle episode in recent years. However, it is important to acknowledge the initial negative perception that led to the malignment of this TV tradition.
10 Lost - “Strangers In A Strange Land”
9 Black Mirror - “Playtest”
Lost season 3, episode 9, "Strangers in a Strange Land," marked a turning point when it became evident that the show was veering off track. This particular episode, dedicated to delving into Jack's tattoos, was seen as a mere filler by the majority of fans who had little interest in his body art. Consequently, it is widely regarded as the weakest installment in the entire series.
Although not the worst episode of Black Mirror, "Playtest" suffers from its lack of ambition, hindering its story. Set in a virtual reality, the episode follows Cooper (played by Wyatt Russell) as he tests a new immersive gaming technology. Many viewers familiar with the dark tone of the series quickly guessed that Cooper had been dead all along, and that the entire episode was his dying dream. Even for those who didn't predict this twist, the fact that the game in "Playtest" was limited to one setting and character seemed like a cost-saving measure rather than a creative choice.
8 Doctor Who - "Love & Monsters”
Doctor Who season 2, episode 10, "Love & Monsters," had one saving grace:
7 Velma - “A Velma in the Woods”
Victor Kennedy, the malevolent extraterrestrial character created by a talented nine-year-old fan. Unfortunately, apart from being genuinely terrifying for a children's show, "Love and Monsters" lacked any other redeeming qualities. The typically delightful Peter Kay felt completely miscast, and the Doctor himself had disappointingly little screen time. Moreover, the episode's increasingly absurd storyline only highlighted the evident financial limitations that dictated its production.
In Season 1, Episode 8 of Velma, titled "A Velma in the Woods," the main characters find themselves sharing stories while falling into a seemingly endless pit. This concept sparked a discussion on whether animated TV shows can have bottle episodes, as it appeared to be a cost-saving measure for the animation. Additionally, it served as a convenient way to bring the entire cast back together in one location after being scattered on different quests in previous episodes. Interestingly, Gravity Falls had explored a similar premise in a highly acclaimed Season 1 episode years earlier, surpassing Velma's attempt at a bottle episode.
6 Scrubs - “My Quarantine”
5 Brooklyn Nine-Nine - “Captain Latvia”
: The television series Scrubs, specifically season 4, episode 16 titled "My Quarantine," served as an early introduction of the concept of quarantine, predating the COVID-19 pandemic. In this particular episode, the character JD, displaying arrogance, attempted to impress his colleagues with the assertion that a patient was afflicted with SARS. Consequently, Sacred Heart Hospital found itself subject to a quarantine, and JD's first date with his short-lived love interest Kylie occurred within the confines of this lockdown. Unfortunately, the resulting experience was reminiscent of the lackluster enjoyment associated with a real-life quarantine date.
Although Brooklyn Nine-Nine garnered numerous laughs through Charles and Jake's hilarious friendship, it became evident in one special Christmas episode that they couldn't hold an entire episode on their own. Titled "Captain Latvia" and belonging to the fourth season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, episode 10 showcased the duo's endeavor to retrieve a stolen Christmas present, revealing the indispensability of the Nine-Nine's ensemble cast for the show's success. With a highly improbable plot that entailed Jake and Charles hunting down gangsters to recover the toy, it became apparent that the sitcom elements centered around the workplace were more influential than the show's police procedural premise.
4 Family Guy - “Brian & Stewie”
Family Guy season 8, episode 17, “Brian & Stewie,” featured the unlikely pairing of the title characters as they found themselves trapped together in a bank vault. With the anticipation of being released the following morning, they were left to entertain themselves. Unfortunately, this episode's attempt at profundity fell short and instead came across as cringe-worthy. The balance between comedy and drama was off, with emotional moments occurring too soon after crude humor. While Bojack Horseman demonstrated that animated bottle episodes could be brilliant, “Brian & Stewie” only highlighted the pitfalls of striving too hard for that same level of greatness.
3 The Outer Limits - “Trial By Fire”
Following the success of HBO's horror anthology Tales from the Crypt and the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone, the year 1995 saw the reboot of The Outer Limits. This dark science-fiction series, for the most part, remained an underappreciated gem, with its nasty twist endings and clever satire. However, unfortunately, The Outer Limits season 2, episode 9, titled "Trial by Fire," fell short in concealing its frugal origins. With its entire setting taking place within a nuclear bunker, this particular episode delivered a weak and devoid of tension narrative, paired with a glaringly obvious twist.
2 Community - “Intro to Knots”
Community season 4's gas leak year was infamously uneven, but viewers could usually rely on the series to provide a solid Christmas special. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. In episode 10 of Community season 4, titled "Intro to Knots," Malcolm McDowell’s portrayal of Professor Cornwallis failed to elevate an exhausted installment set entirely in Annie’s apartment. Initially, the episode revolved around the study group's efforts to persuade the grumpy professor to change their grade. However, the story quickly descended into a comically absurd plot that failed to be engaging or amusing enough to be enjoyable.
1 Broad City - “Jews on a Plane”
The popular sitcom Broad City garnered praise from critics, but as the series reached its third season, noticeable flaws started to emerge in its familiar format. Although there were two more seasons of Broad City following season 3, episode 10, titled "Jews on a Plane," this particular episode marked the beginning of the show's decline in critical acclaim. The plot relied heavily on predictability, as it showcased Abbi and Ilana panicking when Ilana unexpectedly got her period during a flight. Unfortunately, "Jews on a Plane" failed to deliver fresh humor and instead relied on tired jokes and worn-out observational comedy. As a result, the episode struggled to find any comedic merit in its uninspired single-location storyline.
