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The Worst Episodes of BrainDead

Every episode of BrainDead ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    BrainDead Season 1 Episode 1 - The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century
    7.5/10(608 votes)

    #1 - The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century

    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:Michelle King, Robert King

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  2. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 2 - Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A Critique
    7.6/10(508 votes)

    #2 - Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A Critique

    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

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  3. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 8 - The Path to War Part One: The Gathering Political Storm
    7.7/10(348 votes)

    #3 - The Path to War Part One: The Gathering Political Storm

    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

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  4. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 10 - The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War Votes
    7.7/10(320 votes)

    #4 - The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War 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

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  5. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 9 - Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and Patched
    7.8/10(355 votes)

    #5 - Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and Patched

    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

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  6. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 3 - Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps
    7.9/10(466 votes)

    #6 - Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps

    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

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  7. 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(422 votes)

    #7 - Wake Up Grassroots: The Nine Virtues of Participatory Democracy, and How We Can Keep America Great by Encouraging an Informed Electorate

    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

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  8. 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(407 votes)

    #8 - Back to Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Congress and How It Gets Things Done (and Often Doesn't)

    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

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  9. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 11 - Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary Policies
    8.3/10(338 votes)

    #9 - Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary Policies

    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

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  10. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 12 - Talking Points Toward a Wholistic View of Activism in Government: Can the Top Rebel?
    8.3/10(322 votes)

    #10 - Talking Points Toward a Wholistic View of Activism in Government: Can the Top Rebel?

    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

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  11. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 6 - Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty
    8.4/10(455 votes)

    #11 - Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty

    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

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  12. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 13 - The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis
    8.4/10(349 votes)

    #12 - The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis

    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

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  13. BrainDead Season 1 Episode 7 - The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics
    8.5/10(422 votes)

    #13 - The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics

    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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century" is the worst rated episode of "BrainDead". It scored 7.5/10 based on 608 votes. Directed by Robert King and written by Michelle King, Robert King, it aired on 6/13/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A Critique".