American Gothic backdrop
Sci-Fi & Fantasy•Drama•Crime

The Worst Episodes of American Gothic

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

Binge this in 13h 30m•Peaking at 7.9/10

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 him, but that's complicated since she has feelings for Sheriff

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons1

All1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    American Gothic Season 1 Episode 13 - The Beast Within
    7.2/10(90 votes)

    #1 - The Beast Within

    S1:E13

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 2 - A Tree Grows in Trinity
    7.3/10(133 votes)

    #2 - A Tree Grows in Trinity

    S1:E2

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 3 - Eye of the Beholder
    7.3/10(121 votes)

    #3 - Eye of the Beholder

    S1:E3

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 5 - Dead to the World
    7.3/10(100 votes)

    #4 - Dead to the World

    S1:E5

    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
    Writers:Mitchell Burgess, Michael R. Perry, Robin Green, Stephen Gaghan, Shaun Cassidy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 18 - Requiem
    7.3/10(63 votes)

    #5 - Requiem

    S1:E18

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 6 - Meet the Beetles
    7.4/10(99 votes)

    #6 - Meet the Beetles

    S1:E6

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of American Gothic

    READ
  7. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 12 - Doctor Death Takes a Holiday
    7.4/10(65 votes)

    #7 - Doctor Death Takes a Holiday

    S1:E12

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 16 - Triangle
    7.4/10(87 votes)

    #8 - Triangle

    S1:E16

    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 F. King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 9 - Resurrector
    7.5/10(95 votes)

    #9 - Resurrector

    S1:E9

    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
    Writers:Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan, Shaun Cassidy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 10 - Inhumanitas
    7.5/10(90 votes)

    #10 - Inhumanitas

    S1:E10

    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
    Writers:Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 11 - The Plague Sower
    7.5/10(91 votes)

    #11 - The Plague Sower

    S1:E11

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 15 - Learning to Crawl
    7.5/10(90 votes)

    #12 - Learning to Crawl

    S1:E15

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.6/10(177 votes)

    #13 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 4 - Damned If You Don't
    7.7/10(116 votes)

    #14 - Damned If You Don't

    S1:E4

    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
    Writers:Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 7 - Strong Arm of the Law
    7.7/10(98 votes)

    #15 - Strong Arm of the Law

    S1:E7

    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
    Writers:Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 14 - To Hell and Back
    7.8/10(97 votes)

    #16 - To Hell and Back

    S1:E14

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 17 - The Buck Stops Here
    7.8/10(88 votes)

    #17 - The Buck Stops Here

    S1:E17

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. American Gothic Season 1 Episode 8 - Rebirth
    7.9/10(96 votes)

    #18 - Rebirth

    S1:E8

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"The Beast Within" is the worst rated episode of "American Gothic". It scored 7.2/10 based on 90 votes. Directed by Michael Lange and written by Shaun Cassidy, it aired on 7/3/1996. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "A Tree Grows in Trinity".