Letter/Tier Grading Guide

S+ Ranking

Not just a classic episode of this series, but a contender for one of the greatest television episodes of all time. I try to give these out rarely, but some shows have ended up having quite a large selection for this category. These episodes need to feel as if they not only stand out in their particular series, but help change the face of the entire genre of television. 

S Ranking

A stone-cold classic episode. These are the cream of the crop in their shows, and are either perfect, or the most daring elements of the episode cancel out any slight imperfections. Since the ranking above this is considered only for episodes that could be considered greatest television episodes of all time, an S-ranking on an episode is enough for an episode to be considered a series-best. 

A Ranking

A-ranked episodes are often the best that a particular series has to offer. To transcend this ranking, an episode would probably have to do something truly special, or subversive. Otherwise, an A-rank communicates that this is a near perfect episode of television, and is an unmissable episode of the series. You may not want to stand and applaud when the episode ends, but it definitely leaves you nodding with appreciation. 

B Ranking

A solid episode that still nonetheless stands out amongst the rest. A B ranking can be used to describe an episode that ranges from ‘good’ to ‘very good’, without passing over the line to ‘excellent’. If you’re looking for an episode of a show that does not challenge, that more or less gives you what the show promises with a bit of extra spice, its probably a part of this tier. 

C Ranking

These episodes are solid. They do what the show is meant to do, but with very little fanfare. Often an episode from an early season will feel like a B or even an A, but in comparison to later episodes settle down to this tier, simply due to the heights that the show is able to reach. Not bad, but missable. Always frustrating when these episodes actually have required plot points. These are laundry-folding episodes. 

D Ranking

These are actively bad episodes of the show. Either because the writers simply missed the mark a little, or because perhaps the show hadn’t quite found its feet yet. No-one is to blame for these episodes, but nonetheless you don’t really feel like giving anyone kudos. Sometimes these episodes make me mad, but more from missed potential than anything else. 

E Ranking

These are bad episodes on purpose. This is where the creators deliberately went out and attempted something, and ended up missing the mark so badly that it’s almost offensive. Almost. It’s not a crime against humanity, but it is a crime against the series. These episodes can often be so bad that they ruin previous episodes. 

F Ranking

A hopefully rare tier. This is set aside for episodes of television that are harmful to the fabric of society. Offensive, cruel and unjustified. Cancel culture can be poisonous sometimes but these are episodes that should be struck from the record and never seen again. Whether they propagate harmful stereotypes, depict tone-deaf forms of violence or just make me feel very mad. This is a very subjective, emotionally-charged tier but sometimes its okay to just admit that there are some things that you personally believe should not be watched, ever.