A recent trend that has been appearing in many popular movies andTV showsis the idea of alternate universes; that is, different realities which contrast heavily with the established world thanks to at least one key change occurring somewhere in the past.Movies likeEverything Everywhere All at OnceandDr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshave dedicated themselves to diving deep into the idea,exploring numerous alternate realitiesthat could have existed just as easily as the ones the characters live in.
However, while many major motion pictures have been entirely focused on this idea, there are also numerous TV shows that have diverged from their main narrative to consider alternate realities as well. After all, it can be very enjoyable for the creators and actors of the show to consider how different the lives of their characters could have been. While they all approach the subject in different ways,these “what if…” episodes creatively consider how tiny events could have drastically changed the narratives of their shows.
10"Turn Left"
Doctor Who - Series 4, Episode 11
Because the iconic British sci-fi series,Doctor Who, occurs on such a colossal scale, every seemingly minor decision made by the characters could prove to have world-changing consequences. The series dramatically explores this idea with its 2008 episode, “Turn Left,” which primarily focuses on the Tenth Doctor’s companion, Donna Noble.
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In the episode,Donna experiences what would have happened if she had chosen a different path years before, meaning she would never have met the Doctor. The choice quickly proves monumental, with the world descending into a dystopia after Donna isn’t there to help save the Doctor. “Turn Left” is an impressive showcase of the creativity of the team behindDoctor Who.
Doctor Who
Cast
An alien from the planet Gallifrey travels through time and space to explore, solve problems and fight injustice while also making friends with human beings. His spaceship, called TARDIS, resembles a police box, but it is much more than it appears to be.
Even in an episode in which the Doctor hardly appears, the show manages to captivate its audience, effectively establishing an entire new version of the world. Additionally, even though the episode primarily explores a different reality, it still plays a vital role in the overarching narrative of the series, tying directly into episodes that came before and after it, evenculminating in a cliffhanger ending that directly builds up to the series finale.
9"Lebanon"
Supernatural - Season 14, Episode 13
As one could infer from the title, the CW series,Supernatural, is no stranger to fantastical elements. In the show’s 14th season, one of these elements offers viewers a glimpse into analternate version of the universefor Sam and Dean. The episode, “Lebanon,” followsthe strange events that unfold after the brothers inadvertently summon their deceased father.
The episode’s unusual premise allowed them to temporarily bring a popular character back onto the show, serving as a fitting tribute to celebrateSupernatural’s 300th episode.
They quickly discover that the figure they summoned was actually plucked right out of his natural timeline, drastically altering the past, and creating a reality in which Sam and Dean are completely different people than the characters the audience has known. “Lebanon” gave the creators ofSupernaturala unique opportunity.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
The episode’s unusual premise allowed them to temporarily bring a popular character back onto the show, serving as a fitting tribute to celebrateSupernatural’s 300th episode. It also paved the way for one of the show’s most emotional moments, as Sam and Dean would eventually have to say goodbye to their father once again in order to restore the timeline. “Lebanon” offers a creative, emotional exploration of how one person can completely change the world.
8"Remedial Chaos Theory"
Community - Season 3, Episode 4
As far as sitcoms go,Communitydefinitely featured many off-the-wall plots over the course of its six-season run. In terms of pure creativity, however, the episode that takes the cake is “Remedial Chaos Theory,” the fourth episode of the show’s third season. The setup of the episode is simple; the friends gather for a night of pizza and board games.
When the pizza arrives, Jeff rolls a die to determine who should be the one to answer the door. What ensues isa chaotic presentation of the seven different timelinesthat could be created based on how the die lands. Many TV shows have dedicated episodes to exploring alternate timelines, but few have seized the comedic potential of the idea quite as effectively as “Remedial Chaos Theory.”
Community
Community is a comedic television series that chronicles the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College, a fictional and notoriously underperforming educational institution in Colorado. Released in 2009, the show explores the quirky interactions and relationships among the eclectic group navigating their academic and personal challenges.
The episode goes to hilarious lengths to show justhow drastically a simple dice roll could change the course of one night, even including one timeline in which a character ends up being shot and killed as the entire apartment catches on fire. Fortunately, the group ends up following a positive timeline, one in which they happily party the night away together.
7"iChristmas"
iCarly - Season 2, Episode 7
One of the most iconic “what if” stories in media history is Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic,It’s a Wonderful Life. The heartwarming story of George Bailey is so iconic that TV shows still pay homage to it decades after its initial release. One such homage actually comes from the Nickelodeon sitcom,iCarly. In the season two episode, “iChristmas,“Carly wishes that her eccentric brother, Spencer, was normal.
To her surprise, the wish is granted by an angel. Carly soon realizes how much worse her life would be if Spencer was “normal,” making her grateful for her brother’s uniqueness. “iChristmas” not only acts as a unique episode of the series, but it also serves as an effective way to introduce younger audiences to a timeless holiday story.
iCarly
iCarly follows Carly, Sam, and Freddie, three eighth-graders navigating school and adolescence while managing a popular web show. As they balance their everyday lives with newfound fame, they encounter various challenges and adventures, offering a glimpse into the dynamics of friendship and the evolving world of online media.
The episode has the same level of humor on display throughoutiCarly, but it also addsa touching, unexpectedly heartfelt feeling not commonly found in teen sitcoms. The outline of the story may be practically identical to that ofIt’s a Wonderful Life, but it is presented with a fun, modern twist that is bound to keep modern audiences engaged from beginning to end.
6"The Cooper Extraction”
The Big Bang Theory - Season 7, Episode 11
When a sitcom runs as long as 12 seasons, it makes sense for the characters to start wonderinghow different their lives could have been had the events of the series played out differently. This idea sets the scene for “The Cooper Extraction,” a holiday-themed episode of the popular CBS sitcom,The Big Bang Theory. During the episode, Sheldon has gone to Texas to be with his family while his sister gives birth.
While he is away, the rest of the friend group gathers and begins to reflect on what their lives would be like if they never met him. Like any of thebest episodes ofThe Big Bang Theory, “The Cooper Extraction” offers a satisfying blend of humor and heart.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
Although Sheldon frequently drives them crazy, it is touching to see the friends recognize how important his presence is to all of their lives. Of course,the episode doesn’t shy away from the humorous sideof imagining life without Sheldon either, showing various comically exaggerated alternate realities that could only exist without Sheldon there to talk sense into the characters.
5"Anthology Of Interest I”
Futurama - Season 2, Episode 16
When it comes to “what if” episodes, no TV show has taken the idea more literally thanFuturama. The animated sitcom’s second season features an episode titled “Anthology of Interest I” (given the name because the premise was also used in a later episode). The episode begins with Professor Farnsworth introducing the Planet Express crew to his new invention,the what-if machine, which holds the power to simulate any hypothetical situation the characters can imagine.
The remainder of the episode is dedicated to showing three short, self-contained “what if” stories based on questions from Bender, Leela, and Fry. The concept of “Anthology of Interest I” perfectly paves the way for the creators ofFuturamato show off several wacky ideas they would’ve been unable to show otherwise.
Futurama
Futurama is an animated science fiction series that follows Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy from late-20th-century New York City. He is accidentally cryogenically frozen for a thousand years and becomes an employee at Planet Express, a delivery service in the retro-futuristic 31st century.
What makes the episode even more interesting is the fact that each of the three segments of the anthology were written by a different person, and yet they still manage to flow together seamlessly.Professor Farnsworth’s invention truly opens the door to endless possibilities, as well as endless amounts of comedy.
4"The Abominable Bride"
Sherlock - Episode 10
TheBritish mystery seriesSherlock, follows the life and work of Sherlock Holmes, one of the most famous literary detectives of all time. While the characters inSherlockare directly inspired by the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, there is one crucial difference between the modern TV series and the 19th-century stories: the setting.
This unique episode finally gives viewers a long-awaited glimpse into how this modern version of Holmes, as portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, would fare in the era in which he was first envisioned.
The show is set in present-day London, while the original stories take place during the Victorian era. However, this did not stop the show’s creators from seizing an opportunity to explore the original setting. “The Abominable Bride,” which appeared asa special episode ofSherlock, brings the characters all the way back to their Victorian roots.
Sherlock
In this incarnation of Sherlock from creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and begin solving strange mysteries throughout the U.K. and beyond. Set in a more 2010’s modern setting, Sherlock’s eccentric and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to connect with others on a human level. Meanwhile, Watson blogs the stories summarizing their cases while building a strained but caring friendship with his new partner.
This unique episode finally gives viewers a long-awaited glimpse into how this modern version of Holmes, as portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, would fare in the era in which he was first envisioned. “The Abominable Bride” maintains all the clever mystery elements viewers loved about the series, while also satisfying the desire for a more accurate tribute to Doyle’s writings.
3"Bowling"
Malcolm In The Middle - Season 2, Episode 20
When it comes to parenting, tons of tiny decisions have to be made every single day. A second-season episode ofMalcolm in the Middlecreatively demonstrates how one specific decision can lead to hugely different results. Entitled “Bowling,“the episode revolves around the question of which parent should take the kids bowling. Viewers are then shown the two equally crazy outcomes that could occur depending on which parent volunteered for the task.
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle tells the story of an average dysfunctional American family. When Malcolm, one of four children, learns that he possesses a genius-level intellect, his whole young world is turned upside down. Still desperately trying to fit in with his friends and family despite his extraordinary gifts, Malcolm finds that though his life might have changed, it’s still just as chaotic as ever.
First airing in early 2001,“Bowling” came well before the idea of exploring alternate realities was really popularizedin movies and TV. The episode received high acclaim for its inventive concept, even earning multiple Emmy Awards. Like anyMalcolm in the Middleepisode, “Bowling” proves that the kids are able to cause hilarious chaos in any situation, although the details may change based on which parent is there to watch them.
2"Dick’ll Take Manhattan” (Parts I And II)
3rd Rock From The Sun - Season 6, Episodes 4 And 5
3rd Rock from the Suncertainly has one of the most unusual concepts of any sitcom from the last few decades. Running for six seasons from 1996-2001, the quirky comedy series follows a group of four aliens posing as a human family and learning about life on Earth. Needless to say,the show was no stranger to going outside the box. One prime example of this was “Dick’ll Take Manhattan,” the first two-part episode from the sixth season.
3rd Rock From the sun
3rd Rock From the Sun is a sitcom about a group of extraterrestrials on an undercover mission to study human behavior on Earth. Posing as a human family, the Solomons grapple with the complexities of human life, led by their high commander Dick Solomon, played by John Lithgow. The series explores their comedic adventures and misunderstandings as they attempt to navigate and comprehend the intricacies of human society.
The entire two-part episode is dedicated to exploring one intriguing question;what if the aliens had landed in New York City?While the idea of having the same characters living in the big city instead of the suburbs may seem like a fairly simple change, “Dick’ll Take Manhattan” truly makes the most of the idea, showing off how drastically different the life of each character could have been.
The episode even seizes the opportunity to reference another major TV show, showing the alternate version of Tommy living life as a star onSaturday Night Live, an idea made even more comical by the fact that the alternate Harry is now the President of NBC.
1"The One That Could Have Been”
Friends - Season 6, Episodes 15 And 16
The ever-popular sitcom,Friends, offered a clever spin on the idea of a “what if” episode during the show’s sixth season. “The One That Could Have Been” is a two-part episode thatexamines how different the lives of the beloved friend group would be if various changes had occurred. Surprisingly, the episode ends by having the characters wind up in essentially the same situations as the ones they currently live in.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
While most “what if” episodes are dedicated to highlighting the absurdity of these alternate timelines,Friendswent in a very different direction, and, in doing so, offered a very touching message to its viewers. “The One That Could Have Been” suggests that, because the bonds between some people are so strong,they are bound to end up by each other’s side no matter what happens. Of course, the episode is also certain to include plenty of the hilarious comedy that fans love about the series.
