BrainDead backdrop
Sci-Fi & Fantasy•Drama•Comedy

The Best Episodes of BrainDead

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

Binge this in 9h 29m•Peaking at 8.5/10

A young fresh-faced Hill staffer gets her first job in Washington, D.C. and discovers two things: 1. The government has stopped working, and 2. alien spawn have come to earth and eaten the brains of

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons1

All1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    BrainDead Season 1 Episode 7 - The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics
    8.5/10(432 votes)

    S1:E7

    Laurel comes under investigation about her potential involvement with the bug infestation. Also, Gustav and Rochelle discover a unique way to communicate with those infected by the bugs.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Laura Marks

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 6 - Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty
    8.4/10(464 votes)

    S1:E6

    When Laurel is infected by the bugs, Gustav and Rochelle work quickly to figure out if there is any way to save her. When the Centers for Disease Control has its funding temporarily cut, Luke attempts to reach a compromise to have the money reinstated, but Red’s political machinations undermine him at every turn.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Aurin Squire

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 13 - The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis
    8.4/10(359 votes)

    S1:E13

    Laurel discovers the secret to driving the bugs out of a person's brain and tests the tactic on her father. Armed with new knowledge, Laurel and Gareth attempt to expel the Queen bug out of Red's head once and for all. Laurel and Gareth progress in their romantic relationship.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Jacquelyn Reingold, Jonathan Tolins

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 11 - Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary Policies
    8.3/10(347 votes)

    S1:E11

    Luke and Laurel rush to uncover Red's secret agenda, which is buried in a massive new budget bill. Also, Gareth inadvertently witnesses an unsettling bug encounter in Red's office.

    Director:Brooke Kennedy
    Writers:Jacquelyn Reingold, Jonathan Tolins

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 12 - Talking Points Toward a Wholistic View of Activism in Government: Can the Top Rebel?
    8.2/10(331 votes)

    S1:E12

    When Laurel discovers that a senate bill is not what it appears, she implores Luke to help, leading to a dramatic Senate sit-in. Also, Red and Ella battle for control of the bug agenda, and Laurel questions whether or not she should leave Washington, D.C. for good

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Lawrence Kaplow

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 4 - Wake Up Grassroots: The Nine Virtues of Participatory Democracy, and How We Can Keep America Great by Encouraging an Informed Electorate
    8.0/10(431 votes)

    S1:E4

    Laurel and Rochelle try to persuade Laurel’s friend Abby to get an MRI so they can uncover the real cause of the strange behavior taking over Washington, D.C. Luke attempts to reopen the government through a secret deal with the Republicans

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:Peter Parnell

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of BrainDead

    READ
  7. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 5 - Back to Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Congress and How It Gets Things Done (and Often Doesn't)
    8.0/10(416 votes)

    S1:E5

    Laurel asks her brother, Luke, for his help to get the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the bugs, but he insists she first consult Dr. Joanne Alaimo, a leading entomologist, for her perspective on the invasion. Laurel’s relationship with Anthony takes a drastic turn.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:Jacquelyn Reingold

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 3 - Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps
    7.9/10(475 votes)

    S1:E3

    When a bizarre and deadly incident takes place on live television, Agent Onofrio's investigation into it causes Laurel, Gustav and Rochelle to dig deeper into the bug mystery. Luke attempts to cover up his affair with his Chief of Staff, Scarlett, before his opponent for the minority whip position, Senator Ella Poundstone, can make it public.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 9 - Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and Patched
    7.8/10(364 votes)

    S1:E9

    Senator Red Wheatus hires a special investigator to dig into the Healy family’s financial and personal history. Also, when Gareth learns some sordid details about Laurel’s romantic past, it puts a strain on their budding relationship.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writers:Jonathan Tolins, Aurin Squire

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 8 - The Path to War Part One: The Gathering Political Storm
    7.7/10(357 votes)

    S1:E8

    Rochelle and Gustav capture and question a man they suspect is infected by the bugs. Also, Luke and Red face off in a Senate Intelligence meeting about a potential war.

    Director:Brooke Kennedy
    Writer:Peter Parnell

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 10 - The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War Votes
    7.7/10(329 votes)

    S1:E10

    Laurel must work alongside an old boyfriend, Ben Valderrama, when Luke enlists her help in putting together a political documentary to support his anti-war initiative. Also, Laurel worries about the health of Luke and Germaine’s baby.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Lawrence Kaplow

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 2 - Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A Critique
    7.6/10(518 votes)

    S1:E2

    Laurel continues to investigate the death of esteemed Dr. Daudier, while bugs infect more citizens of Washington, D.C. Rochelle Daudier, the deceased doctor’s daughter and Gustav Triplette, an eccentric genius, both encounter the bugs separately and begin to question exactly what is happening.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Lawrence Kaplow

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 1 - The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century
    7.5/10(624 votes)

    S1:E1

    When Laurel Healy returns home to Washington, D.C. to work for her brother, Senator Luke Healy, on Capitol Hill, she is caught in the midst of two huge problems: the government has stopped working due to budgetary disagreements, and mysterious bugs are eating the brains of a growing number of Congress members and Hill staffers.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics" is the best rated episode of "BrainDead". It scored 8.5/10 based on 432 votes. Directed by Frederick E. O. Toye and written by Laura Marks, it aired on 8/7/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty".