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 2007 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.

We also wanted to take this time to tell you about WHY WE WRITE, a fantastic new blog created by "Eureka's" Charlie Craig and Thania St. John. It's a collection of essays by some of TV's brightest minds about... you guessed it, why they write. And as luck would have it, the essayists who've contributed thus far are behind many of the episodes on this year's list.

Our "50 Best Episodes" feature is designed as a celebration of TV's finest hours (and half-hours) so we're thrilled to give you a window into the minds of those who created them. With that mind, as the countdown continues, look for periodic excerpts from some of the WHY WE WRITE essays. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

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

10. "veronica mars: the bitch is back" (the cw)
(originally aired: may 22, 2007)

The show's de facto finale showcased our favorite relationship on the show as Keith (the fantastic Enrico Colantoni) torpedoes his career to protect his daughter.

9. "doctor who: blink" (sci fi)
(originally aired: september 14, 2007)

Not just a great hour of "Doctor Who" but a great hour of storytelling period. Even if you've never heard of "Doctor Who" you owe it to yourself to check this one out - literally no knowledge about the show is required.

8. "heroes: company man" (nbc)
(originally aired: february 26, 2007)

Still the series' finest effort to date and for good reason - it made us love the man we'd come to know as Noah Bennet (Jack Coleman).

7. "big love: dating game" (hbo)
(originally aired: july 16, 2007)

Very much a story no other series could tell as Bill and Margene "fall" for the same woman - only to end up revealing how much Bill really cares for Margene.

6. "the office: the deposition" (nbc)
(originally aired: november 15, 2007)

Sure it had some memorable moments (Michael throwing Toby's tray on the floor after his heartfelt attempt to bond with him) but its piece de resistance had to be Michael's "Who's on first?"-esque discussion after using his signature "That's what she said" line during the deposition.

5. "the shield: chasing ghosts" (fx)
(originally aired: june 5, 2007)

Shane's confession to Vic that he murdered Lem, just wow... there are no words.

4. "dexter: there's something about harry" (showtime)
(originally aired: december 2, 2007)

Just when you think the writers haven't pained Dexter into the figurative corner of a warehouse filled with nooses he could hang himself with they lay this dozy on us - Harry, the man who taught him everything he knows, whose code defines Dex's very existence, killed himself after realizing what Dexter was turning into.

3. "friday night lights: i think we should have sex" (nbc)
(originally aired: february 21, 2007)

The show's defining hour was filled with paralyzingly real moments whether it be Tami confronting Julie about spotting Matt buying condoms, Matt and Julie leg wrestling or Tim getting his heart broke by his dad once again.

2. "battlestar galactica: crossroads, part 2" (sci fi)
(originally aired: march 25, 2007)

Proof positive that all it takes is one great scene to forgive a half-season's worth of missteps - Apollo's speech about the fleet's post-occupation decisions was the medicine both the viewers and the characters needed.

1. "lost: through the looking glass" (abc)
(originally aired: may 23, 2007)

In my first look at the show in 2004 (read it here), I talked a lot about how it was rare to find a show that tickled your imagination, that pushed the boundaries of what you think television can and can't do. This episode - nearly three years later - touched on those exact same feelings. After all, could you believe that they would actually get off the island at the end of season three - let alone not realize you'd already spent two hours exploring Jack's post-island experiences?