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The Worst Episodes of American Gods

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

Worst episode
S3E8 The Rapture of Burning
6.41,276 votes
Best episode
S1E8 Come to Jesus
8.43,407 votes
Top season
Season 1
7.9avg
Binge time
22h 20m
26 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    American Gods Season 3 Episode 8 - The Rapture of Burning
    6.4/10(1276 votes)

    S3:E8

    Laura and Salim's quest forces them outside of their comfort zones as they learn to let go of their pasts. Shadow is surprised by a new side of Wednesday, while Technical Boy attempts to escape the prison of his own mind.

    Director:Rachel Goldberg
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. American Gods Season 2 Episode 8 - Moon Shadow
    6.6/10(1571 votes)

    S2:E8

    Shadow is tormented by recent events and Wednesday has disappeared. Those that remain witness the power of New Media as she is unleashed, and the nation is enveloped in a state of panic brought on by Mr. World.

    Director:Christopher J. Byrne
    Writer:Aditi Brennan Kapil

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  3. American Gods Season 2 Episode 4 - The Greatest Story Ever Told
    7.0/10(1653 votes)

    S2:E4

    While Shadow and Mr. Wednesday take a secret meeting in St. Louis, Bilquis arrives at the funeral home in Cairo, where she engages in a debate with Mr. Nancy and Mr. Ibis. Laura rejoins Mad Sweeney, and Tech Boy pays a visit to his first worshipper.

    Director:Stacie Passon
    Writers:Aditi Brennan Kapil, Peter Calloway

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  4. American Gods Season 2 Episode 5 - The Ways of the Dead
    7.0/10(1514 votes)

    S2:E5

    Shadow learns the ways of the dead with the help of Mr. Ibis and Mr. Nancy. In New Orleans, Mad Sweeney introduces Laura to old friends who share their world of voodoo healing. Mr. Wednesday embarks on a road trip with Salim and the Jinn.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writers:Rodney Barnes, Andres Fischer-Centeno

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  5. American Gods Season 3 Episode 4 - The Unseen
    7.1/10(1019 votes)

    S3:E4

    Shadow and Technical Boy team up to search for Bilquis, who finds herself captive and in the midst of a crisis of identity. Wednesday visits the local chapter of notorious biker gang Lords of Valhalla.

    Director:Eva Sørhaug
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Gods Season 2 Episode 3 - Muninn
    7.2/10(1575 votes)

    S2:E3

    As he is tracked by Mr. World, Shadow makes his way to Cairo, thanks to a ride from Sam Black Crow. Mr. Wednesday slyly gains Laura’s help in forging an alliance with a powerful god. Mr. World introduces Technical Boy to New Media and assigns them a very important task.

    Director:Deborah Chow
    Writer:Heather Bellson

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  7. American Gods Season 3 Episode 3 - Ashes and Demons
    7.2/10(1013 votes)

    S3:E3

    As the search for the missing girl continues, Shadow dreams of Bilquis. Wednesday discovers the whereabouts of his old love, the Greek goddess Demeter, and resolves to free her from the grip of an unscrupulous antagonist.

    Director:Thomas Carter
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Gods Season 3 Episode 10 - Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree
    7.2/10(1008 votes)

    S3:E10

    Teetering on the edge of war and peace, the gods gather to mourn a loss. Bilquis' divine journey brings her to an unexpected revelation, while Shadow finally embraces destiny.

    Director:Russell Lee Fine
    Writer:Laura Pusey

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  9. American Gods Season 3 Episode 5 - Sister Rising
    7.2/10(959 votes)

    S3:E5

    Shadow explores notions of purpose, destiny and identity with a newly enlightened Bilquis. Elsewhere, Technical Boy struggles with an identity crisis of his own. Wednesday asks Shadow to assist in a new con.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Gods Season 2 Episode 6 - Donar the Great
    7.3/10(1506 votes)

    S2:E6

    Shadow and Mr. Wednesday seek out Dvalin to repair the Gungnir spear. But before the dwarf is able to etch the runes of war, he requires a powerful artifact in exchange. On the journey, Wednesday tells Shadow the story of Donar the Great.

    Director:Rachel Talalay
    Writer:Adria Lang

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  11. American Gods Season 3 Episode 1 - A Winter's Tale
    7.3/10(1211 votes)

    S3:E1

    After months apart, Wednesday reappears in Shadow's life, resolved to drag him back into his war effort. A meeting with the god Wisakedjak leaves Shadow with a prophecy about his destiny.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Gods Season 3 Episode 2 - Serious Moonlight
    7.3/10(1034 votes)

    S3:E2

    Shadow explores his oddly welcoming new town before heading to Chicago for a gathering of the Old Gods on Koliada. Wednesday reconnects with his oldest friend.

    Director:Julian Holmes
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Gods Season 3 Episode 6 - Conscience of the King
    7.3/10(951 votes)

    S3:E6

    Despite his past following him to Lakeside, Shadow makes himself at home and builds relationships within the town. Laura and Salim continue to hunt for Wednesday, who attempts one final gambit to win over Demeter.

    Director:Mark Tinker
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Gods Season 3 Episode 7 - Fire and Ice
    7.3/10(951 votes)

    S3:E7

    In Lakeside, Shadow grows closer with Marguerite and uncovers the surprising truth behind a local crime spree. Wednesday makes his own shocking discovery. Laura and Salim negotiate with the enemy of their enemy.

    Director:Rachel Goldberg
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Gods Season 2 Episode 2 - The Beguiling Man
    7.5/10(1763 votes)

    S2:E2

    Promising vengeance for the death of a beloved old god, Mr. Wednesday begins preparation for a great battle. Meanwhile Laura and Mad Sweeney chase Shadow’s diminishing light after his disappears. The Jinn and Salim set out to retrieve the Gungnir spear, and Shadow encounters an associate of Mr. World.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writers:Andres Fischer-Centeno, Tyler Dinucci

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  16. American Gods Season 1 Episode 6 - A Murder of Gods
    7.5/10(2996 votes)

    S1:E6

    On the run after the New Gods' show of force, Shadow and Mr. Wednesday seek safe haven with one of Mr. Wednesday's oldest friends, Vulcan, God of the Fire and the Forge.

    Director:Adam Kane
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Gods Season 1 Episode 3 - Head Full of Snow
    7.7/10(3865 votes)

    S1:E3

    Shadow questions the terms of his employment when Mr. Wednesday informs him of his plan to rob a bank (because, naturally, every army needs a source of funding). And just when Shadow thought his life couldn’t get any more complicated, he returns to his motel room to a surprising discovery.

    Director:David Slade
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Gods Season 2 Episode 1 - House on the Rock
    7.8/10(2151 votes)

    S2:E1

    Following the epic showdown at Easter's party, Mr. Wednesday continues his quest to pitch the case for war to the Old Gods. Meanwhile, Mr. World plans revenge and Technical Boy goes on the hunt for Media.

    Director:Christopher J. Byrne
    Writers:Neil Gaiman, Jesse Alexander

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  19. American Gods Season 3 Episode 9 - The Lake Effect
    8.0/10(960 votes)

    S3:E9

    Shadow has to decide the price he's willing to pay for his idyllic Lakeside life. As Laura and her new ally close in on her target, Wednesday has to persuade Czernobog that it's time to make peace with their enemies.

    Director:Metin Hüseyin
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Gods Season 1 Episode 7 - A Prayer for Mad Sweeney
    7.9/10(3329 votes)

    S1:E7

    Her brief reunion with Shadow over far too quickly, Laura turns to an unlikely travel companion to find her way back to life, and back to Shadow. Mad Sweeney's long, winding, and often tragic past is explored.

    Director:Adam Kane
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Gods Season 1 Episode 4 - Git Gone
    7.9/10(3681 votes)

    S1:E4

    Alternating between the past and the present, Laura’s life and death are explored—how she met Shadow, how she died, and how exactly she came to be sitting on the edge of his motel room bed.

    Director:Craig Zobel
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Gods Season 1 Episode 2 - The Secret of Spoons
    7.9/10(4117 votes)

    S1:E2

    As Mr. Wednesday begins recruitment for the coming battle, Shadow Moon travels with him to Chicago and agrees to a very high stakes game of checkers with the old Slavic god, Czernobog.

    Director:David Slade
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Gods Season 1 Episode 1 - The Bone Orchard
    8.0/10(5445 votes)

    S1:E1

    When Shadow Moon is released from prison early after the death of his wife, he meets Mr. Wednesday and is recruited as his bodyguard. Shadow discovers that this may be more than he bargained for.

    Director:David Slade
    Writers:Bryan Fuller, Michael Green

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  24. American Gods Season 2 Episode 7 - Treasure of the Sun
    8.1/10(1635 votes)

    S2:E7

    In Cairo, Mr. Wednesday entrusts Shadow with the Gungnir spear. Mad Sweeney recalls his journey through the ages as he awaits his promised battle. Once again, he warns Shadow about Wednesday. Meanwhile, Laura receives sage advice from Mama-Ji.

    Director:Paco Cabezas
    Writer:Heather Bellson

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  25. American Gods Season 1 Episode 5 - Lemon Scented You
    8.2/10(3425 votes)

    S1:E5

    Trying to work things out with his dead and unfaithful wife, Shadow's emotional reunion is interrupted when he and Mr. Wednesday are kidnapped by the New Gods.

    Director:Vincenzo Natali
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Rapture of Burning" is the worst rated episode of American Gods. It scored 6.4/10 from 1,276 votes. Directed by Rachel Goldberg and written by Unknown, it aired on March 7, 2021. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Moon Shadow".

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