TV's Most Inspirational Speeches, Ranked
We've combed through some of the small screen's most inspirational speeches and monologues and gathered the best ones in the gallery below. When you click on it, you'll see rousing moments from your favorite series — including Game of Thrones, Grey's Anatomy and The Flash — ranked them from "wow, that was stirring" to "I CAN CONQUER THE WORLD!," depending on how big a fire you need lit beneath you.
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16. NURSES IN SOLIDARITY
ER, Season 9, Episode 6
Maybe it's just that our appreciation of medical staff (and all other essential workers) is super high at this point in time, but we find Haleh's unwavering willingness to stand by her co-workers incredibly galvanizing. "Another nurse asks for my support?" she tells Abby, who wonders why she's signed a controversial petition at County General. "I'll give it, every time."
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7. LYANNA MORMONT BECOMES JON SNOW'S HYPE MAN
Game of Thrones Season 6, Episode 10
It's not looking good for Ned's (alleged) bastard, but then the little Lady of Bear Island deftly shames her countrymen into joining her support for Snow as "King in the North! King in the North!" Is it any wonder men would eventually follow her straight into battle?
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10. NOTHING BUT RESPECT FOR OUR (FUTURE) PRESIDENT
Madam Secretary, Season 5, Episode 1
After consulting with three former Secretaries of State in the wake of a terrorist attack, Elizabeth delivers a speech that calls on the American people to reject nationalism and to embody the Founding Fathers' ideals. "Governments can't legislate tolerance or eradicate hate," she says. "That's why each one of us has to find the beauty in our differences instead of the fear."
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12. CAPTAIN KIRK... TALKS! ABOUT! RISK!
Star Trek Season 2, Episode 20
When telepathic aliens confined to glowing orbs ask to (temporarily!) inhabit the bodies of Kirk, Spock and Dr. Ann Mulhall, Bones has a bone to pick with the risk involved. "Risk," you say? That is Starfleet's business," Kirk declares in this rousing monologue helped along by chords of the Trek theme.
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4. JON STEWART FINDS MEANING IN TRAGEDY
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Sept. 20, 2001
"We've had an... unendurable pain here, and I wanted to tell you why I grieve, but why I don't despair," Stewart tells a live audience during his first show back after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. During the monologue, the choked-up host praises the efforts of first responders and the way the American public already has drawn together to begin the rebuilding process. "That's extraordinary," he notes, "and that's why we've already won."
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13. JOE WEST NEEDS BARRY ALLEN
The Flash Season 1, Episode 9
The superhero thing was still a bit new to Barry Allen in the first midseason finale, so it's understandable that the fierce and formidable Man in the Yellow Suit had him feeling defeated. But that super-speechifyer, Joe West, would not let his ward succumb to the darkness of fear. "The world may need The Flash, but... I need my Barry Allen." No, YOU'RE sobbing.
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18. ANNALISE KEATING REIGNS SUPREME
How to Get Away With Murder Season 4, Episode 13
We'll admit this isn't the most uplifting speech of the bunch; when it includes depressing nuggets like, "Jim Crow is alive and kicking," how can it be? Nevertheless, we challenge you to come away from Annalise's Supreme Court monologue without a lump in your throat, after she so eloquently and passionately fights for racial justice in America.
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11. PRESIDENT DAVID PALMER CALMS A FEARFUL NATION
24 Season 2, Episode 24
Palmer is the kind of leader who can make you feel safe and secure in just under 60 seconds. His address to the nation is poised and honest, sparking both patriotism and pride; it's the perfect elixir after a panicked day.
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3. BUFFY UNITES AN ARMY
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 7, Episode 10
With evil incarnate as her foe, Buffy stands strong, instilling courage in her motley crew of wimpy, teenaged potential slayers. She keeps it real, detailing the terrifying danger ahead, but her "They want an apocalypse? Oh, we'll give them one," bit would make anyone want to jump off the couch and join the fight.
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9. BUTTERS BECOMES THE TEAM CAPTAIN OF KINDNESS
South Park Season 16, Episode 8
When a ridiculous new "sport" takes over the town, Butters conveys the value of sportsmanship and compassion to his mostly miserable teammates. His morale boost helps the kids access their "creamy centers," and pushes them to be their best (if such a thing even exists in South Park).
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15. CRISTINA'S GOODBYE PACKS A PUNCH
Grey's Anatomy Season 10, Episode 24
Dr. Yang couldn't have left her person with better parting words, reminding Meredith that her hubby Derek "is not the sun. You are." The short but powerful farewell certainly stoked Meredith to professional greatness, so there's a good chance it'll serve your purposes, too.
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2. SO SAY WE ALL
Battlestar Galactica miniseries
Humanity has been nearly obliterated by an all-out robot attack when William Adama addresses what's left of his demoralized crew, who have gathered to say farewell to the dead. But then the commander mentions Earth, and how they're going to find the legendary refuge mentioned in holy texts, and pretty soon everyone's taking part in a call-and-response that'll get you going even if you have no damn idea what a Cylon is.
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14. MR. FEENY TEACHES HIS FINAL LESSON
Boy Meets World Season 7, Episode 23
After nearly a decade of learning at the feet of master educator George Feeny, Cory and the gang are left with four simple words to live by: "Dream. Try. Do good." Did we sob like babies the first time we watched it? Absolutely. Did we consider getting Mr. Feeny's mantra tattooed on our lower backs? No comment.
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5. OLIVA HANDLES CYRUS
Scandal Season 4, Episode 9
When Cyrus' relationship with Michael is leaked to the public and effectively destroyed, the former Chief of Staff falls to pieces. Enter Olivia, who sweeps up those pieces and aggressively jams them back in place by repeatedly calling Cyrus a "little bitch baby" and devouring every last bit of scenery in the room.
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17. LESLIE KNOPE WINS OUR VOTE
Parks and Recreation Season 4, Episode 20
It's just a debate to win a measly city council seat, but that incurable optimist Leslie Knope turns it into a rallying cry for the downtrodden, railing against her wealthy opponent Bobby Newport and underlining her endless passion for civic duty: "I love this town. And when you love something... you fight for it."
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8. COACH TAYLOR ISN'T READY TO QUIT
Friday Night Lights Season 1, Episode 22
FNL's Coach specialized in motivational speeches that had us ready to run through a wall, and when times are tough (like they are right now), we like to turn to this gem from the Season 1 finale. With the Dillion Panthers down big at halftime, Coach encourages his team to dig deep and play their hardest for the people who still believe in them: "This game is not over. This battle is not over."
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6. DON DRAPER IS A BOSS
Mad Men Season 5, Episode 9
In spite of his (many) flaws, Jon Hamm's ad man was unquestionably a wizard with words. Here, he uses his innate charms to get his underlings to put their noses to the grindstone and land the agency's first big car account. It won't be easy, he warns, but it will be worth it: "Prepare to swim the English Channel, and then drown in Champagne."
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1. JED BARTLET CELEBRATES 'AMERICAN HEROES'
The West Wing Season 4, Episode 2
Bartlet was a master of the stirring stump speech, but this might be his finest moment: In the aftermath of a pipe bombing that killed 44 Americans, the Prez steadies the nation's collective nerves by honoring those who "ran into the fire" and helped the victims. These words ring especially true today: "We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes, and we reach for the stars."