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The Worst Episodes of American Crime Story

Every episode of American Crime Story ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of American Crime Story!

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An anthology series centered around some of history's most famous criminal investigations.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 7 - Ascent
    7.5/10(2129 votes)

    #1 - Ascent

    S2:E7

    Andrew Cunanan leaves behind a troubled family life as Donatella Versace struggles to find her role within the Versace empire.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  2. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 1 - Exiles
    7.5/10(1892 votes)

    #2 - Exiles

    S3:E1

    After the death of her boss, White House staffer Linda Tripp is moved to The Pentagon where she meets Monica Lewinsky. Paula Jones decides to sue The President for sexual harassment.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:Sarah Burgess

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  3. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 2 - The President Kissed Me
    7.6/10(1360 votes)

    #3 - The President Kissed Me

    S3:E2

    Monica reveals to Linda that she is having an affair with the most powerful man in the United States.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writer:Sarah Burgess

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  4. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 3 - Not to be Believed
    7.6/10(1155 votes)

    #4 - Not to be Believed

    S3:E3

    Tensions rise between Monica and the President. Paula is offered a settlement. Linda begins to feel that she has a target on her back.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writer:Sarah Burgess

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  5. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 4 - The Telephone Hour
    7.6/10(1095 votes)

    #5 - The Telephone Hour

    S3:E4

    Monica leans on Linda for support. Linda begins documenting their conversations.

    Director:Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
    Writer:Flora Birnbaum

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  6. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 2 - Manhunt
    7.7/10(2743 votes)

    #6 - Manhunt

    S2:E2

    Andrew Cunanan arrives in Miami to stalk fashion designer Gianni Versace.

    Director:Nelson Cragg
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  7. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 10 - The Wilderness
    7.7/10(1048 votes)

    #7 - The Wilderness

    S3:E10

    The Starr Report brings the world to a standstill. The President is impeached. Linda faces the aftermath of her decisions, Paula makes desperate choices, and Monica considers how to move on with her life.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writer:Sarah Burgess

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  8. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 5 - Don't Ask Don't Tell
    7.8/10(2370 votes)

    #8 - Don't Ask Don't Tell

    S2:E5

    Naval officer Jeffrey Trail meets Andrew Cunanan for the first time, and Gianni Versace reveals his sexuality to the world.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  9. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 6 - Descent
    7.8/10(2211 votes)

    #9 - Descent

    S2:E6

    Andrew Cunanan celebrates his birthday in San Diego as his life starts to fall apart.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  10. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 3 - A Random Killing
    8.0/10(2643 votes)

    #10 - A Random Killing

    S2:E3

    Chicago real estate tycoon Lee Miglin is murdered in what police believe is a random killing.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  11. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 5 - Do You Hear What I Hear?
    8.0/10(1102 votes)

    #11 - Do You Hear What I Hear?

    S3:E5

    As Monica prepares to leave D.C., she grows concerned that someone is sharing news about her affair. Linda meets with the FBI.

    Director:Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
    Writer:Halley Feiffer

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  12. American Crime Story Season 1 Episode 2 - The Run of His Life
    8.1/10(4154 votes)

    #12 - The Run of His Life

    S1:E2

    O.J. Simpson goes missing in the white Bronco and Robert Shapiro and Robert Kardashian battle the fallout while the D.A.'s office and the LAPD go searching for O.J.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski

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  13. American Crime Story Season 1 Episode 3 - The Dream Team
    8.1/10(3781 votes)

    #13 - The Dream Team

    S1:E3

    Marcia reveals O.J. has been charged; Robert Shapiro seeks advice from F. Lee Bailey, creates a provocative strategy, and tries to convince O.J. to hire Johnnie Cochran.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:D.V. DeVincentis

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  14. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 8 - Stand by Your Man
    8.2/10(1120 votes)

    #14 - Stand by Your Man

    S3:E8

    The President must admit the truth to the Nation - and to The First Lady.

    Director:Rachel Morrison
    Writer:Flora Birnbaum

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  15. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 9 - The Grand Jury
    8.2/10(985 votes)

    #15 - The Grand Jury

    S3:E9

    Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp tell their stories to 23 strangers.

    Director:Rachel Morrison
    Writer:Sarah Burgess

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  16. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 1 - The Man Who Would Be Vogue
    8.3/10(4241 votes)

    #16 - The Man Who Would Be Vogue

    S2:E1

    The murder of Gianni Versace turns the eyes of the world onto Miami Beach.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  17. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 4 - House by the Lake
    8.3/10(2771 votes)

    #17 - House by the Lake

    S2:E4

    Minneapolis architect David Madson is forced to go on the run with Andrew Cunanan.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  18. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 8 - Creator/Destroyer
    8.3/10(2235 votes)

    #18 - Creator/Destroyer

    S2:E8

    A young Andrew Cunanan struggles with his oppressive father as a young Gianni Versace becomes a designer.

    Director:Matt Bomer
    Writers:Tom Rob Smith, Maggie Cohn

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  19. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 7 - The Assassination of Monica Lewinsky
    8.3/10(1113 votes)

    #19 - The Assassination of Monica Lewinsky

    S3:E7

    The world learns about the affair and Monica Lewinsky becomes the most famous woman in America.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Sarah Burgess, Flora Birnbaum, Daniel Pearle

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  20. American Crime Story Season 2 Episode 9 - Alone
    8.4/10(2248 votes)

    #20 - Alone

    S2:E9

    The hunt for spree-killer Andrew Cunanan comes to a frantic end.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Tom Rob Smith

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  21. American Crime Story Season 3 Episode 6 - Man Handled
    8.4/10(1175 votes)

    #21 - Man Handled

    S3:E6

    The Office of the Independent Counsel ensnares Monica Lewinsky, holding her for 12 traumatizing hours in a hotel room.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:Sarah Burgess

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  22. American Crime Story Season 1 Episode 1 - From the Ashes of Tragedy
    8.5/10(5118 votes)

    #22 - From the Ashes of Tragedy

    S1:E1

    Investigators visit the home of O.J. Simpson following the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski

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  23. American Crime Story Season 1 Episode 4 - 100% Not Guilty
    8.5/10(3707 votes)

    #23 - 100% Not Guilty

    S1:E4

    As jury selection gets underway, the entrance of Johnnie Cochran adds an interesting energy to the case.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writers:Maya Forbes, Scott Alexander, Wallace Wolodarsky, Larry Karaszewski

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  24. American Crime Story Season 1 Episode 5 - The Race Card
    8.5/10(3566 votes)

    #24 - The Race Card

    S1:E5

    Christopher Darden and Johnnie Cochran face off in court. Chris has doubts about Mark Fuhrman as a witness. The jury visits the crime scene.

    Director:John Singleton
    Writer:Joe Robert Cole

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  25. American Crime Story Season 1 Episode 7 - Conspiracy Theories
    8.5/10(3388 votes)

    #25 - Conspiracy Theories

    S1:E7

    Some conspiracy theories concerning the case start to circulate. The prosecution talk about whether they should have O.J. Simpson try on the glove on in court.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:D.V. DeVincentis

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Ascent" is the worst rated episode of "American Crime Story". It scored 7.5/10 based on 2129 votes. Directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton and written by Tom Rob Smith, it aired on 3/7/2018. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Exiles".