It's time once again for our annual list of the 50 best episodes of the past year. (For previous lists check the links to the right.)

As usual we'll be counting down 10 episodes a day until we get to the best episode of 2006 on Friday. The episodes on this list are based on nominations by myself and regular visitors to the site as to what we think the standout moments of the year were.

Obviously our list will differ from the ones you sent in - but that's half the fun! So sit back, relax and enjoy the countdown!

30. "entourage: sorry, ari" (hbo)
(originally aired: august 27, 2006)

The most watchable show on TV once again closed its season with a great "chill moment," in this case watching Ari torpedo his chance to make things right with Vince - and subsequently being fired.

29. "arrested development: development arrested" (fox)
(originally aired: february 10, 2006)

The series wrapped its run with literally 30 minutes of in-jokes and we loved every single one.

28. "how i met your mother: swarley" (cbs)
(originally aired: november 6, 2006)

Proof positive of how great this show has become as literally the same joke is repeated fifty times (Barney's name is mistakenly written as Swarley on his coffee order) - and it got funnier after each one.

27. "veronica mars: spit & eggs" (the cw)
(originally aired: november 28, 2006)

The conclusion to "Veronica's" latest chapter had everything we love about this show - heartfelt moments (Logan's breakup with Veronica), "holy shit" reveals (Mercer... and Moe???) and fist-pumping climaxes (Parker blowing the rape whistle to save Veronica).

26. "deadwood: tell him something pretty" (hbo)
(originally aired: august 27, 2006)

Not only did the "bad guy" win, he got to ride out of town with his head held high. There's just nothing else like this show on TV.

25. "lost: the 23rd psalm" (abc)
(originally aired: january 11, 2006)

In an age where promos and previews give away everything, the big "smoke monster" reveal in this episode - during a non-sweeps month no less - had to be one of the most unexpected twists this show has ever had.

24. "house: no reason" (fox)
(originally aired: may 23, 2006)

"House" always knocks it out of the park when it breaks from the norm and this episode was no exception as we go down the rabbit hole of House's mind after he's shot by a patient.

23. "love monkey: the window" (vh1)
(originally aired: april 25, 2006)

An unexpected gut punch came during this usually breezy series as Bran (Judy Greer) shows up and falls apart on Tom's (Thomas Cavanagh) doorstep after learning she can't have children.

21/22. "grey's anatomy: deterioration of the fight or flight response/losing my religion" (abc)
(originally aired: may 15, 2006)

Shonda Rhimes said it best in her blog: "I cried. When Denny died, I cried. I cried when I wrote the script page where Denny dies. I cried when we had the read through and the cast found out that Denny dies. I cried when Mark Tinker filmed Denny dying. I cried when Ed Ornelas edited Denny�s death. I cried watching them mix the song playing during Denny�s death. I�m a freaking crybaby when it comes to Denny."

COMING TOMORROW: #20-11