7.6/10171 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/22/1995
The mysterious death of Merlyn Temple, a traumatized young girl, sets off a series of events that leave some townspeople questioning the motives of their charming sheriff, the last person to see her alive.
Director: Peter O'Fallon
Writer: Shaun Cassidy
7.3/10127 votes#2 - A Tree Grows in Trinity
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/29/1995
Fleeing deep into the woods from Sheriff Lucas Buck, young Caleb takes refuge in an eerie, abandoned hunting lodge and is terrified when he discovers a dying man who has been tortured and is being held prisoner there.
Director: Michael Katleman
Writer: Shaun Cassidy
7.3/10117 votes#3 - Eye of the Beholder
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/6/1995
Sheriff Buck calls in a favor from the local judge who is overseeing Caleb's custody hearing, hoping to ensure his favored status, but he doesn't stop there.
Director: Jim Charleston
Writer: Judi Ann Mason
7.5/10113 votes#4 - Damned If You Don't
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/1995
Carter Brown panics when Sheriff Buck wants his teen-age daughter to work for him as payback for an old favor. When he refuses, his life quickly begins to unravel.
Director: Lou Antonio
Writer: Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan
7.3/1096 votes#5 - Dead to the World
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/1995
Gail may have pushed Sheriff Buck too far when she accuses him of foul play in the death of his former girlfriend, who was with him just before her car mysteriously drove off a bridge.
Director: James A. Contner
Writer: Shaun Cassidy, Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess
7.4/1096 votes#6 - Meet the Beetles
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/20/1995
When Jack Drey, a South Carolina state police lieutenant, throws his weight around in the investigation of the disappearance of his adulterous brother-in-law, Hack Weller, Sheriff Buck becomes wary. Drey suspects that Weller's obsession with Selena might have driven a vicious Buck to kill him.
Director: Michael Nankin
Writer: Shaun Cassidy
7.7/1095 votes#7 - Strong Arm of the Law
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/3/1995
Sheriff Lucas Buck gets revenge --in his own chilling fashion-- on four men who move to Trinity and set off a crime wave.
Director: Mike Binder
Writer: Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan
7.8/1092 votes#8 - Rebirth
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 1/3/1996
Merlyn borrow's an unborn child's spirit and reappears as Halle. Both Lucas and Caleb realize what has happened, and while Lucas tries to keep Merlyn in his world, Caleb knows she must return the spirit to the baby before it's too late.
Director: James Frawley
Writer: Robert Palm
7.4/1093 votes#9 - Resurrector
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/10/1996
Radio talk show host Mel Kirby approaches Lucas for help in bringing his show to television. When Lucas refuses Mel and his co-anchor wife, Gloria vow to ruin Lucas. Meanwhile, a depressed Caleb decides he wants to give Merlyn a second funeral.
Director: Elodie Keene
Writer: Shaun Cassidy, Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan
7.5/1088 votes#10 - Inhumanitas
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1/17/1996
Lucas may have corrupted the local priest, Father Tilden, and he may be able to take his revenge on townspeople who cross his path. But not even he can control the seemingly miraculous activities of the dead Merlyn, determined to make Lucas answer for his crimes.
Director: Bruce Seth Green
Writer: Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan
- 7.5/1088 votes
#11 - The Plague Sower
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/24/1996
A sudden, mysterious bleeding illness quickly spreads through Trinity, causing death and devastation, as well as the arrival of a new doctor, Dr. Peele. As the townspeople fall victim to the plague, Matt suffers a breakdown and Lucas turns to Dr. Peele for help.
Director: Mel Damski
Writer: N/A
7.3/1062 votes#12 - Doctor Death Takes a Holiday
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/31/1996
Dr. Matt decides to re-investigate the murder of Merlyn. He also is curious when a woman checks into his hospital as Mrs.Smith. She begins to tell Matt all about the evil of Lucas and how she wants to kill him.
Director: Doug Lefler
Writer: N/A
7.2/1088 votes#13 - The Beast Within
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 7/3/1996
Artie, Ben Healy's brother, holds-up a local store in Trinity for a cheap watch. Ben and Lucas respond to the robbery and Ben accidentally shoots Artie. Artie, injured but still conscious, takes Lucas hostage.
Director: Michael Lange
Writer: Shaun Cassidy
7.8/1095 votes#14 - To Hell and Back
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 7/3/1996
Dr. Matt struggles with his alcoholism and the death of his family. Lucas tries to push him over the edge by offering him a drink and forcing the bizarre memories of his wife and daughter.
Director: Oz Scott
Writer: Judi Ann Mason
7.4/1088 votes#15 - Learning to Crawl
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 7/4/1996
Lucas and Caleb forge a bond when facing matters of life and death. After Caleb is electrocuted and dies at the hospital, Lucas steps in and brings the boy back to life.
Director: Michael Lange
Writer: N/A
7.4/1085 votes#16 - Triangle
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 7/10/1996
Upon Gail's announcement, she faints in Lucas' office and is taken to the hospital where she is told that she is pregnant. Gail threatens to have an abortion and even attempts to kill herself because she knows that she is carrying the evil offspring of Lucas Buck.
Director: James Frawley
Writer: Jeff King
7.8/1085 votes#17 - The Buck Stops Here
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 7/10/1996
Yancy can't find certain files and believes Lucas has them. Billy and Selena go to Lucas' house to look for the missing files and end up making love in Lucas' bed.
Director: Lou Antonio
Writer: N/A
7.3/1060 votes#18 - Requiem
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 7/11/1996
Caleb is trying to find the full potential of his powers by attempting to kill Gail, leaving him sole heir of Lucas' will. But, when Lucas finds out what Caleb is up to, he attempts to save Gail. Lucas and Caleb have an evil face-off.
Director: Lou Antonio
Writer: Shaun Cassidy
The Best Episodes of American Gothic Season 1
Every episode of American Gothic Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Gothic Season 1!
Everything is not what it seems in Trinity, South Carolina. Sheriff Lucas Buck develops a sinister interest in Caleb. Caleb's cousin Gail tries to protect...
Genres:Sci-Fi & FantasyDramaCrime
Network:CBS
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "American Gothic" season 1. It scored 7.6/10 based on 171 votes. Directed by Peter O'Fallon and written by Shaun Cassidy, it aired on 9/22/1995. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "A Tree Grows in Trinity".