These TV show episodes take place in a single setting

28/04/2020

Because of budget, or sometimes creativity, some shows will create "bottle episodes", episodes that will take place in a single set. Let's talk about 6 of them.

Friends - The one where no one's ready
Friends

In this weird episode, Ross has to get to an important conference and needs his friends to be ready in 20 minutes to make it on time. The episode takes place in real time and obviously, nothing goes as it was planned. Phoebe get a stain on her clothes, Chandler and Joey fight about a chair, and Rachel has an argument with Ross. It an episode which both sums up the dynamics between the characters, their perfect alchemy and how funny they are.

Breaking Bad - The Fly
Breaking Bad

It's one of the most controversial episodes of the show. Some hated it, and other loved it because of its peculiar atmosphere and directing. Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi, Knives Out) directed this episode where Jesse and Walt are stuck in their lab and face a fly. A fly that will upset them all day as they chase it and start arguing about important matters.

Community - Cooperative Calligraphy
Community

So why would all the members of the study group stay in one room for a whole episode? Because of a pen. Annie lost her pen, and no one leaves the premises until they find it. Community loves bottle episodes especially when Aben knows they are going through one. The events usually take a seriously hilarious turn and the screenwriters are really into it.

Star Trek - The Enemy Within
Star Trek

It was the last show to use these types of episodes. Star Trek has always struggled with budget issues and had to find solutions to create cheaper episodes. It was the case with the Enemy Within, in which a captain Kirk's evil clone is created. The story entirely takes place on the Enterprise ship, which allows a permanent tension. And a great work by William Shatner who played 2 versions of his character.

Atlanta - Teddy Perkins
Atlanta

It's the weirdest and most troubling episode of Donald's Glover show, but also the most loved by both fans and press. The rapper and actor always try to unsettle his audience by creating extraordinary episodes, like here with Teddy Perkins. It's sort of an homage to Get Out, in which Darius finds himself in a creepy house, where an even creepier man lives. The episode is super oppressing and no one get's out of it completely ok.

Mad Men - The Suitcase
Mad Men - La Valise

Considered as one of the best episodes of Mad Men, the Suitcase focuses on 2 characters of the show: Don and Peggy. While Peggy had to meet her boyfriend for her birthday, she eventually stays in the office with her boss to finish up some work. Their relationship will forever change after that night where they opened up to each other like never before.

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