The most powerful television episode I ever watched was A Model Citizen - season 3, episode 4 of Homicide: Life on the Street. I can remember the first time I saw it, some time during December 1995 on a small black and white television at my Dad's house in England. I became hooked on this series and over the years I watched every single episode of the show, repeating most seasons at least once.
In an already emotionally intensive television series, this episode caught my attention because of the use of music at the end of the episode. As Frank Pembelton struggles to come to terms with being sold out, Munch with having to take alcohol awareness and Felton with the departure of his wife, Nine Inch Nails' Hurt plays in the background. I discovered for the first time the absolute power music could have on the small screen and I fell absolutely into Felton's world as his world fell apart around him.
If I had to choose the one pivotal television episode in my life, the one episode that pushed me towards a love of television (often to the detriment of my beloved books, music and films) then this would be it.
This would be the television episode that changed my life.
Homicide: Life on the Street remains a strong contender for my favourite television show of all time, along with Charmed and X-Files.
Watch the last 2 minutes of A Model Citizen:
