TV Terrors: TV Shows that Delve into Horror for Just One Episode

Do you ever, as a horror fan, come across something that's not marketed as horror, but really strikes that horror chord with you? It happens a lot to me, often with books. Or with movies marketed as "thrillers." Occasionally, however, an episode of a not-specifically-horror-themed television show will really deliver the chills. I, obviously, love when this happens. I've noticed that it often occurs in crime or police procedural shows, such as the three examples I've listed here, although it honestly can pop up anywhere.

SPOILER ALERT. BEWARE.

NCIS: "Smoked" (Season 4, Episode 10)

I'd seen NCIS a few times and liked it, but I never really got into it until I was in the hospital a few weeks ago, and one of the few channels my room received was hosting a marathon. I watched a few episodes and started getting pretty into it, but this particular episode really blew me away (and is the reason, a few weeks later, I'm now binging the entire series).

In the episode, a body is found, in a chimney, "smoked" and, therefore, fairly well preserved, which is how Ducky, the medical examiner, is able to discover the contents of the deceased man's stomach, which include a human toe. The FBI believes the man is a cannibalistic serial killer they have been hunting for quite some time, and the mass grave discovered in the backyard of his family's home seems to back up that conclusion. However, the final minutes of the episode, which hinge on a truly chilling performance by guest star Mandy June Turpin provide an alternate solution to the mystery.

The subject matter of a cannibalistic serial killer is, in itself, enough to edge this episode toward horror, but it's the final few minutes that really send shivers down my spine.

Bones: "The Headless Witch in the Woods" (Season 2, Episode 10)

Yes, yes, I know Bones has delved into the horror genre with its crossover with Sleepy Hollow, but, although I love both shows, I have somehow never seen their companion episodes. However, this early episode of Bones, in which the team investigates the headless skeleton of a young man found in some supposedly haunted woods, was the show's first foray into the supernatural. With major Blair Witch Project vibes, this episode is perfect for the Halloween season.

It also features a noteworthy conclusion - just when you think everything has been wrapped with a scientific explanation, a video of the crime scene reveals some spooky, hard to explain footage of what might be an actual ghost. Needless to say, the horrorphile in me was pretty excited at that conclusion and surprised since it occurred on a show that is usually heavily based in logic and science.

Criminal Minds: "Open Season" (Season 2, Episode 21)

There are actually several episodes of Criminal Minds that could qualify for this list, but I chose this episode as it was the first one I saw. Seasons 2-5 of this show are my favorites due to the cast lineups (seriously, my love for the characters of Prentiss and Reid has no bounds), and this episode is one of my favorites. (For more creepy goodness, check out the episode I almost included, "The Eyes Have It," from Season 5).