The Futon Critic's 50 best episodes of 2001

by Brian Ford Sullivan

With the new year upon us it always seems proper to look back on the year that has passed. Last year we picked the 20 best episodes of 2000 in our first column of 2001 but we found this year we couldn't limit the list to just 20 episodes. So we decided to up the ante to 50 episodes this year - a true testament to how great television is nowadays. Myself, the staff as well as our various contributors and friends to the site offered up their favorites from the first year of the new millennium and we've compiled them here.

No doubt there are plenty of noteworthy series and episodes that aren't on this list not to mention many you might disagree with, nevertheless we hope you enjoy our picks. Beginning today we'll countdown 10 episodes a day until we unveil our 10 best episodes of 2001 on Monday. So without any further adieu, let the countdown begin...

42. Once and Again - "The Second Time Around"
(originally aired May 2, 2001)

The wedding that was two years in the making finally happened in the series' second season finale, which brought the show's large cast together for the celebration. Always willing to show its characters at their both best and worst, the episode was no exception. And who could forget Evan Rachel Wood's song that closed the episode? __ thefutoncritic.com (January 1, 2002)

12. Once & Again - "Aaron's Getting Better"
(originally aired march 21, 2001)

Why doesn't Patrick Dempsey get more work? Every episode he has appeared in on "Once & Again" has been absolutely amazing and this one - in which he comes to live with Lily for a short while - ranks as one of the series' best. Mental illness has never been portrayed more heartfelt or more honest than it has with Aaron on this show. __ thefutoncritic.com (January 4, 2002)

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