Controversial Episodes Of Popular Teen Shows, Ranked By Outrage Caused

When & Where? Season 3, episode 17

Why Was It Controversial? Most fans will agree that Chuck is pretty much trash, particularly when it comes to his treatment of women. But in this particular episode, he proves why he is the reason the block feature was invented. And while all of Blair's decisions are questionable, at least they were her own.

In the episode, Blair tries to help a despondent Chuck by getting his hotel back from his uncle Jack - by offering to sleep with an adult Jack. He accepts, but Blair finds out he had no intention of sleeping with the teen. It was only to destroy Chuck's spirit and break him down further.

But just when things cannot get creepier, Blair discovers a side deal between Jack and Chuck: Blair for the hotel. Chuck is apparently disgusted with Blair, despite her good intentions, and made the swap, seemingly unaware that human trafficking is highly illegal. 

When & Where? Season 4, episodes 7 and 8

Why Was It Controversial? The character of Rick is himself a controversial character. A known abuser, Rick hit his girlfriend Terri so hard she ended up in a coma. He was expelled from Degrassi, but returned to school the following year where he was tormented by his classmates for his treatment of Terri, their good friend. As a result, Rick brought a gun to school with the intention of "payback" to his “bullies.” Classmate Sean wrestled him for the gun, and Rick was killed during the tussle, but not before shooting poor Jimmy (AKA Aubrey Graham, AKA Drake) in the back, crippling him. 

When & Where? Season 1, episode 13

Why Was It Controversial? The episode depicts the graphic suicide of Hannah after a dreadful meeting with her guidance counselor Mr. Porter. The explicit detail of her demise followed by the discovery of her body by her parents is a heart-wrenching, hard-to-watch moment. Her mother's attempt to revive her daughter's dead body is in itself a moment wrought with pain and misery.

But the episode is also controversial because of Mr. Porter, the ineffectual councilor who low-key victim blames Hannah for her own assault, scarcely listening to her as she bares her soul to him. We later find out that he is the 13th reason why she took her own life. 

When & Where? Season 3, episode 18

Why Was It Controversial? After Buffy gains the ability to read minds, she discovers that there might be a mass murderer on the premises of Sunnydale High, planning on destroying the student body. After a little sleuthing, she discovers a depressed Jonathan, but as it turns out, Jonathan wasn't the source of the murderous thoughts. He was intending to harm only himself, not his peers. In fact it was a homicidal lunch lady with plans to kill the student populace. Jonathan's suicidal thoughts, along with the dangers of a school annihilator, made the episode a stand out, showing that a silly monster show like Buffy can tackle serious issues. The original airdate was also postponed because of its proximity to the Columbine high school shooting.
 

When & Where? Season 4, episode 20

Why Was It Controversial? After a power outage at McKinley, the glee club start to chat, sharing their most hidden secrets. During the share (and after a rendition of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts"), the character of Ryder admits that he was sexually molested by his older, female babysitter when he was a young boy. The other teens believe this is more of a male fantasy come true than abuse, calling the boy “lucky.” 

Though the episode attempts to handle this very serious topic by having another character relate to Ryder's trauma, the sensitive story matter was poorly handled by the writers, turning a moment of pain into a moment of cringe. 

When & Where? Season 4, episode 7

Why Was It Controversial? Skins was a wild show, best known for causing outrage among parent groups for its graphic portrayals of casual sex and drug use among young teenagers. But even for Skins, the episode "Effy" was a weird turn and caused a lot of outrage, but mostly among fans.

The young, mysterious enigma that is Effy lapses in her mental health and falls prey to a warped therapist named Dr. Foster, who is manipulating her for his own selfish means. Her former flame Freddie goes to confront Dr. Foster, who apparently doesn't take kindly to suggestions, and instead kills Freddie with a baseball bat.

It is a shocking moment that comes out of nowhere in that it doesn't match either the tone of the show nor the writing style. Freddie, the good natured hero that fans KNEW would get back with Effy, is now a stain on the doctor's landing, and Effy is still a mess.