American Gothic backdrop
Drama•Mystery

The Best Episodes of American Gothic

Every episode of American Gothic ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Gothic!

Binge this in 8h 53m•Peaking at 8.2/10

A prominent Boston family attempts to redefine itself in the wake of a chilling discovery that links their recently deceased patriarch to a string of murders spanning decades — amid the mounting suspicion that one

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons1

All1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    American Gothic Season 1 Episode 13 - Whistler’s Mother
    8.2/10(200 votes)

    S1:E13

    As the family gathers for Election Day, they attempt to identify the killer in their midst, but one of them won’t make it out alive.

    Director:Greg Beeman
    Writers:Corinne Brinkerhoff, Aaron Fullerton

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 11 - Freedom From Fear
    7.9/10(181 votes)

    S1:E11

    After Hawthorne family members catch each other lying about the past, they are forced to revisit a fateful night in 2002.

    Director:Jet Wilkinson
    Writers:Andrew Gettens, Lauren MacKenzie

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 12 - Madame X
    7.9/10(171 votes)

    S1:E12

    With a killer taunting them, the Hawthornes look to the police for assistance, but Brady needs Garrett’s help to solve the case. Alison prepares for the election and is rocked by a shocking discovery about her family and the unexpected return of an old friend.

    Director:Edward Ornelas
    Writers:Allen MacDonald, Lauren Goodman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 10 - The Veteran in a New Field
    7.7/10(170 votes)

    S1:E10

    The city is in a panic after the SBK’s accomplice strikes again. As Alison enlists Brady's help to clear her name and find the real culprit, Tessa suspects that Madeline knows more than she's letting on and Cam is forced to make a decision about Sophie's custody of Jack.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writer:Aaron Fullerton

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 6 - The Chess Players
    7.6/10(219 votes)

    S1:E6

    When the Hawthornes are publicly implicated in the SBK case and forced to hole up in the house to avoid media scrutiny, they quickly begin to turn on one another. Also, Garrett lures Christina to the woods for a camping trip that takes a dangerous turn

    Director:Edward Ornelas
    Writer:Allen MacDonald

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 9 - The Oxbow
    7.6/10(188 votes)

    S1:E9

    Key Hawthorne family secrets are revealed when Garrett is forced to reflect on his 14 years of solitude in the woods. Also, Alison turns the screws on a local reporter, with shocking results.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writer:Lawrence Broch

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Gothic

    READ
  7. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 7 - The Gross Clinic
    7.4/10(188 votes)

    S1:E7

    A major revelation about the Silver Bells murders turns everyone’s world in the Hawthorne family upside-down: Christina loses trust in Garrett, Alison’s mayoral campaign sinks, Cam’s sobriety is tested, and Tessa witnesses disturbing new behavior in Jack. Also, Brady is worried that the new information about Silver Bells isn’t exactly what it seems to be.

    Director:Steph Green
    Writer:Aaron Fullerton

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 5 - The Artist In His Museum
    7.2/10(220 votes)

    S1:E5

    Cam's hallucinations make him question his own participation in a gruesome crime. Also, Madeline receives a cryptic message and leaves town to confront the sender.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writers:Andrew Gettens, Lauren MacKenzie

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 8 - Kindred Spirits
    7.2/10(192 votes)

    S1:E8

    While Cam is in rehab, Jack is lured into a dangerous adventure by a new friend, Sadie. Also, Garrett and Alison work to silence a local reporter who is harassing the Hawthornes, and Brady makes a bizarre breakthrough in the Silver Bells Killer case.

    Director:Lexi Alexander
    Writer:Deirdre Shaw

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 1 - Arrangement in Grey and Black
    7.1/10(384 votes)

    S1:E1

    A prominent Boston family discovers their recently deceased patriarch is linked to a series of murders across several decades.

    Director:Matt Shakman
    Writer:Corinne Brinkerhoff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 4 - Christina's World
    7.0/10(233 votes)

    S1:E4

    A death on the Hawthorne property gives Detective Brady a solid lead on the “Silver Bells Killer” case. Also, Garrett gives in to temptation and pursues Christina Morales, the daughter of the first “SBK” victim, and Alison finds an unlikely ally to help fend off a lawsuit that could derail her campaign.

    Director:P.J. Pesce
    Writer:Lawrence Broch

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 2 - Jack-in-the-Pulpit
    6.9/10(292 votes)

    S1:E2

    The Hawthornes are hit with a tragedy. Cam, Tessa and Alison look for an explanation for the silver bells they found in the shed.

    Director:Greg Beeman
    Writer:Corinne Brinkerhoff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 3 - Nighthawks
    6.9/10(255 votes)

    S1:E3

    Cam tries to erase his past as Garrett reconnects with his and Alison seeks campaign support from a local football star, but one of her siblings complicate matters.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writer:Meredith Averill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Whistler’s Mother" is the best rated episode of "American Gothic". It scored 8.2/10 based on 200 votes. Directed by Greg Beeman and written by Corinne Brinkerhoff, Aaron Fullerton, it aired on 9/7/2016. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Freedom From Fear".