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The Best Episodes of 3rd Rock from the Sun

Every episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of 3rd Rock from the Sun!

Best episode
S6E20 The Thing That Wouldn't Die (2)
8.6407 votes
Worst episode
S3E9 Seven Deadly Clips
6.3385 votes
Top season
Season 4
8.0avg
Binge time
2d 2h
139 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    3rd Rock from the Sun Season 6 Episode 20 - The Thing That Wouldn't Die (2)
    8.6/10(407 votes)

    S6:E20

    The Solomons are struggling to take in the news - they have been ordered back home due to Dick's transgression with Liam. Dick's first instinct is to ask Mary to come, so he takes her to the planetarium before breaking the news to her that they are leaving, and asking her if she will join them. Meanwhile, since admitting his fear to Sally, Don has decided to quit the police force and open a muffin store, but Sally is disgusted by this career choice and decides to whip Don into shape - and turn him into a hardy police officer. At home, Harry and Tommy are attempting to organize a farewell party for the aliens, but have no money, so they decide to max out their credit cards and not worry about paying the bill, since they'll be halfway across the galaxy - they even hire Elvis Costello to sing Fly Me to the Moon.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:David Goetsch, Jason Venokur

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  2. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 10 - Two-Faced Dick
    8.6/10(394 votes)

    S4:E10

    After three years, the Big Giant Head has finally accepted Sally's request to have her body changed for a man's. For their convenience, the bodies of Dick and Sally are switched. Now, in each other's bodies, Dick and Sally must try and maintain each other's romantic relationships and get accustomed to the changes that their new gender brings, while waiting for their request to be switched back to be accepted. Meanwhile, Harry is left in charge of Happy Doug's when Doug goes on vacation, but becomes worried when a group of burly, tough-looking bikers arrive.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Gail Goldberg

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  3. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 5 Episode 4 - Dial M for Dick
    8.5/10(419 votes)

    S5:E4

    Mary invites the Solomons on a murder mystery weekend, thinking that it might prove a fun activity. However, she goes down with food poisoning and retreats upstairs to her room. Downstairs, meanwhile, the Solomons are horrified when the first murder takes place, believing it to be real and, annoyed at the apparent lackadaisical efforts of Scotland Yard detective "Inspector McAffrey", they decide to try to solve the mystery themselves.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Christine Zander

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  4. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 5 Episode 9 - The Loud Solomon Family: A Dickumentary
    8.4/10(359 votes)

    S5:E9

    Mary reveals to Dick that she has been observing his family for a number of years and that she would like to make a documentary about them, in order to show how the 'typical American family' has changed. Unfortunately, Mary's film soon begins to create tension among the family and accusations that Dick is an abusive father, Tommy is a bed-wetter and Sally is secretly a lesbian start flying around, so Harry decides to become an alcoholic so as not to be left out.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Valerie Watson

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  5. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 1 Episode 16 - Dick Like Me
    8.3/10(533 votes)

    S1:E16

    Dick decides that the Solomons don't “fit in” on Earth, so he shops for an ethnic group to join. Meanwhile, Sally wants to fit in with Tommy's handsome teacher.

    Director:Robert Berlinger
    Writer:Joe Fisch

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  6. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 11 - Dick Solomon of the Indiana Solomons
    8.3/10(381 votes)

    S4:E11

    An invitation arrives in the mail from an 'Aunt Florence', inviting 'Richard Solomon' to attend a Solomon family reunion in Indiana. This is obviously a mistake, so Dick phones Florence to set the record straight. Upon discovering that Richard is so estranged that his family wouldn't recognize him anyway, he decides that the aliens could do with some roots and accepts the invitation. Upon arriving, however, it becomes clear that the only reason the real Richard is estranged is because of an old family fallout - and it hasn't burned out yet.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Gregg Mettler

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of 3rd Rock from the Sun

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  7. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 6 Episode 19 - The Thing That Wouldn't Die (1)
    8.3/10(332 votes)

    S6:E19

    Mary is having trouble dealing with what she has just seen - Dick transforming Liam into a monkey, which he had done to stop him doing the same to the Earth's population. Dick consults the other Solomons and they decide that the best approach is to deny everything. Meanwhile, Mary meets with Nina and Judith, who confess that they believe Dick to be an international terrorist, so when Dick and Mary next meet, she demands that he tell her the truth about himself. So, Dick tells Mary that he and the others are aliens. Mary's reaction is first disbelief, then shock, and then she finds it sexy to be dating a spaceman. Elsewhere, the local store has been robbed and Sally catches Don hiding in the frozen foods freezer, where he admits that he hid because he was scared. Harry takes a different line and asks the shopkeeper Sam out on a date, but later runs into her working at a posh restaurant, where she instructs him to call her Samantha. Confused, Harry believes that he is dating twins.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Matthew Silverstein, Dave Jeser

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  8. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 4 - Collect Call for Dick
    8.2/10(365 votes)

    S4:E4

    The Solomons discover a brand of new collectibles called Fuzzy Buddies (a parody of Beanie Babies) when eating at a fast food diner, and Dick soon becomes so obsessed with collecting them that he begins to lose control of his family's finances. Tommy's coach is annoyed at his lack of team 'pep' and so makes him the school mascot - a giant owl called Hootie. Things goes wrong, however, when Tommy becomes so high on school pep that he attacks the coach.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Jim O'Doherty, David Israel

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  9. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 5 Episode 19 - Frankie Goes to Rutherford
    8.2/10(359 votes)

    S5:E19

    Frank, a former student of Mary's, returns for a lecture series, making Dick jealous, and paranoid that he is after her. When confronting Frank, however, he hints that he is gay, but Dick misreads him and is convinced that he is hinting at being an alien. Therefore, Dick begins to regularly accompany Frank to Geoffrey's Lounge, which he thinks is an alien bar. Meanwhile, Sally, Harry and Tommy receive a visit from Don, who has just inadvertently foiled a bank robbery, and decide to use their superior knowledge to rob a bank themselves. As the episode progresses, each of the Solomons dons a costume of one of the Village People (Dick as the construction worker, Harry as the indian, etc). At the end of the episode on their porch roof get-together, they are joined by Don in his police uniform to complete the tableau, and the episode ends to a Village People song.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Gregg Mettler, Will Forte

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  10. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 21 - Dick vs. Strudwick
    8.2/10(349 votes)

    S4:E21

    Dick is jealous when fellow physics professor Vincent Strudwick publishes a critically acclaimed, bestselling book on physics, and, while Mary busies herself showing the visiting Nobel Prize winners around the campus, he decides to write a second book that will better Strudwick's. He then realizes, however, that he cannot publish all the secrets of the universe without raising unwanted questions, and so looks for another way to get at Strudwick, using Tommy and Alissa - who, it turns out, is Strudwick's daughter. Sally and Don decide to start hanging out as friends, but soon find themselves unable to resist each other.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Jim O'Doherty, David Israel

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  11. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 6 Episode 2 - Fear and Loathing in Rutherford
    8.2/10(341 votes)

    S6:E2

    Tommy is still reeling from his breakup with Alissa, but Sally and Harry convince him that if he can find an excuse to go over to her house, he can persuade her to watch a movie with him. When the pair leave the house together, however, Strudwick is suspicious and confronts Dick. Mrs. Dubcek suggests that they could have eloped, so Dick and Strudwick rush off to track them down before there's a baby on the scene, managing to accidentally abandon Mary in the process. Meanwhile, Tommy has rented a scary movie to watch with Alissa, in the hope that it might bring her into his arms, but Sally and Harry decide to show up and make it more real.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Aron Abrams, Greg Thompson

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  12. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 1 Episode 20 - See Dick Run (1)
    8.1/10(494 votes)

    S1:E20

    Dr. Albright finally agrees to date Dick and Harry receives an ominous message from the home planet.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Bill Martin, Mike Schiff

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  13. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 2 Episode 10 - Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick
    8.1/10(493 votes)

    S2:E10

    Thanksgiving's an alien concept for the Solomons; it's an annoyance for Sally (who must cook), and an onus on Tommy. But Harry finds romance.

    Director:Robert Berlinger
    Writers:Bob Kushell, Christine Zander

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  14. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 3 Episode 23 - Dick and the Other Guy
    8.1/10(403 votes)

    S3:E23

    Conclusion. Dick has a rival for the title of Pendelton's nuttiest professor with the arrival of the mysterious Dr. Liam Neesam. Meanwhile, Sally thinks she's losing her touch with men.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

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  15. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 23 - Dick's Big Giant Headache (1)
    8.1/10(375 votes)

    S4:E23

    The Big Giant Head sends a message that he intends to visit Earth, so Dick quickly orders Sally to move back in and Harry to stop attempting to make a baby with Vicki. He then attempts to prepare Mary for his visit by telling her that an 'old college chum' is visiting and that she would be well advised to discuss how much he has learned in bed. Harry tries his best to avoid Vicki, but eventually resorts to telling her that he can't father a child with her right now. When the Big Giant Head arrives on Earth, he is unimpressed with Dick, his leadership skills and his choice of girlfriend, while being impressed with Sally, her style, and her body.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Bill Martin, Mike Schiff

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  16. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 8 - Indecent Dick
    8.1/10(370 votes)

    S4:E8

    When Playpen magazine arrives at Pendleton, looking for students to pose nude, Sally decides to take part. While Dick encourages this, Don is furious. Dick is horrified when he discovers that Mary posed nude for an art shoot twenty years ago, and tracks down the photographer. Harry decides to test if clothes are "all a big scam" by becoming a nudist. Tommy has his eyes on his new lab partner, Alissa Strudwick.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Bob Kushell

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  17. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 3 Episode 27 - Eat, Drink, Dick, Mary
    8.1/10(367 votes)

    S3:E27

    Harry and Vicki prepare for an evening of amour. Then Vicki's jealous ex crashes the party. Meanwhile, Tommy "comes out" as a gourmet chef.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:David Goetsch, Jason Venokur

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  18. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 3 Episode 26 - The Tooth Harry
    8.1/10(357 votes)

    S3:E26

    Dick tapes a promotional video for Pendelton; Don gives Sally a key to his apartment; and Nina and Harry find each other.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia

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  19. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 17 - Y2dicK
    8.1/10(352 votes)

    S4:E17

    Dick realizes that he doesn't know how to use a computer and strives to learn how to use one. When he does it takes over his life and he becomes a recluse. Sally and Tommy decide to do away with their old TV in favor of a newer, better one, but end up becoming addicted, wanting all the latest features. Harry and Vicki, however, are trying to get pregnant, but the medical-science part of it is turning Harry off.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:David Goetsch, Jason Venokur

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  20. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 12 - Dick and Taxes
    8.1/10(347 votes)

    S4:E12

    When Harry's boss Doug starts deducting income tax from Harry's paycheck, the Solomons realize that they have never filed a tax return and that they owe $9500 to the government. To combat this, they invent the 'brilliant' notion of lying on their tax return and Dick reworks the sums so that the government owes them several hundred thousand dollars. Sally attempts to help by setting up a failed home hairdressing business, but when women start arriving for haircuts, Harry and Tommy 'camp up' and take to the 'salon' to help. Lying doesn't work, however, and the Solomons are faced with an audit - and the threat of being exposed as aliens.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Andrew Orenstein, Michael Glouberman

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  21. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 4 Episode 16 - Superstitious Dick
    8.1/10(347 votes)

    S4:E16

    Dick is up for a prestigious grant but his chances look somewhat marred when he and Mary receive chain letters, and Mary, upon throwing hers away, becomes victim to a series of misfortunes. Dick looks toward superstitious rituals and lucky charms for help. Don treats Tommy and Alissa to a series of ice hockey games for which he bought tickets for when he was dating Sally, but Tommy begins to worry that he isn't manly enough to compete with the likes of the players. Sally and Harry visit a hardware store, where Sally takes a liking to a series of workers, while Harry is mistaken for an employee, due to his bright orange shirt.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Gregg Mettler

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  22. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 5 Episode 2 - Dick for Tat
    8.1/10(335 votes)

    S5:E2

    When a drunk Mary tells Dick she once had a fling with his archenemy Vincent Strudwick, he is outraged and decides to get even with the pair of them by convincing Strudwick's wife to sleep with him. Tommy supports Dick's decision, imagining double dates - himself with Alissa and Dick with Strudwick's wife. Meanwhile, Sally gets the hots for Don after he starts riding a police motorbike, but the pair crash and Don ends up in full body plaster.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Bill Martin, Mike Schiff

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  23. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 5 Episode 7 - Sex and the Sally
    8.1/10(330 votes)

    S5:E7

    Mary is horrified when she learns that Dick has been pocketing all the tip money she has left at restaurants, but Dick is baffled by the concept of tipping, and attempts to re-invent it by placing a stack of one dollar bills on the table and informing the waitress that when she pleases him, the pile will grow, and when not, it will shrink. Mary, however, informs him that this idea is demeaning. Meanwhile, Sally goes on the pill after Tommy informs her that she could become pregnant by having sex with Don, but begins to experience erratic mood swings and food cravings.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Julie Sherman Wolfe

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  24. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 1 Episode 8 - Body & Soul & Dick
    8.0/10(591 votes)

    S1:E8

    When an obnoxious professor dies during a party in his honor, Dick finds the will specifies that he must deliver a “forthright and honest” eulogy about the universally despised academic. Tommy neglects his female pal August to hit it off with an “easy” cheerleader.

    Director:Robert Berlinger
    Writers:Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

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  25. 3rd Rock from the Sun Season 1 Episode 12 - Frozen Dick
    8.0/10(586 votes)

    S1:E12

    A snowstorm -- the Solomons' first -- spoils Dr. Albright's trip to Chicago, leaving her stranded in a truck stop with Dick.

    Director:Robert Berlinger
    Writer:Linwood Boomer

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Thing That Wouldn't Die (2)" is the best rated episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun. It scored 8.6/10 from 407 votes. Directed by Terry Hughes and written by David Goetsch, Jason Venokur, it aired on May 22, 2001.

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