Best Halloween Episodes

The Arts & Entertainment Department presents: a roundup of their favorite Halloween episodes, from spine-chilling spooks to laugh-out-loud haunts.

The Big Bang Theory - “The Middle Earth Paradigm”

Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj don’t typically leave the apartment for anything, especially not for a social function. But things change when they hear about the costume party their neighbor Penny is throwing across the hall.

This festive Halloween episode takes place as just the sixth installment of the first season and focuses on the ongoing, but fresh, Leonard-Penny romantic storyline.

The boys aren’t too accustomed to nights out like this, socializing amongst strangers, but for Leonard, it’s more than just that. With the help of Sheldon, Leonard makes an effort to try to help his cause in the pursuit of his crush.

For Howard and Raj, this night is about scoring some points with Penny’s friends, as we watch them awkwardly fail in every situation. Raj of course can’t talk to women unless he’s drunk, whereas Howard is the opposite, he’s overly confident.

“The Middle Earth Paradigm” is an early episode in the show that treats the audience to an abundance of fun scenes, and some dramatic payoff, while showcasing the personalities of all the main characters effectively in a fun and festive setting. - Sketch Morton

Pretty Little Liars - “This Is A Dark Ride”

When I think of Halloween episodes, I immediately go to “This Is A Dark Ride.”

The girls embark on a train ride/Halloween party in iconic costumes, like Hanna Marin’s Marilyn Monroe and Aria Montgomery’s Daisy Buchanan.

There’s so much development in this episode: Ezra Fitz (a number one enemy of the public) acts real fishy, Aria gets drugged and ends up next to a dead body, Alison DiLaurentis flashbacks and, perhaps most importantly, an Adam Lambert cameo.

“Pretty Little Liars” consistently brings us back to 2012, and this is such a staple and spooky episode of everybody’s favorite unrealistic teen drama. - Adrianna Gallucci

“Supernatural” - “ScoobyNatural”

This wonderful episode combines the hit tv series “Supernatural” with the one-and-only “Scooby Doo.” In this action-packed comedic episode, the main cast of “Supernatural” find themselves teaming up with the iconic Scooby gang in order to solve a ghostly mystery.

With 9.5 star reviews on IMDb, “ScoobyNatural” is a goofy episode in an otherwise bittersweet series. While the reasoning behind why the “Supernatural” characters landed in the tv world is bittersweet, the shenanigans of the animated world make this episode deserving of a holiday shoutout.

The episode, directed by Robert Singer, features dysfunctional brothers, Sam and Dean, played by “Gilmore Girls’” Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles respectively, and their angelic best friend, Cas, played by Misha Collins. Like many people who grew up with the Scooby gang, Dean is a major fan and fawns over them.

The Scooby gang invites Sam, Dean and Cas to help investigate a mystery. The trio decides to play along, at the behest of Dean who remembers the episode. But, when someone turns out dead, the trio realizes that things have taken a paranormal turn.

With the hilarious and unexpected crossover, this 2018 episode is deserving of a holiday rewatch. - Sarah Taylor

Sketch Morton is a fifth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sam7539@psu.edu.

Adrianna Gallucci is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email amg7989@psu.edu.

Sarah Taylor is a second-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email smt6314@psu.edu.