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The Best Episodes of Carnivàle

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

The Best Episodes of Carnivàle

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate...

Seasons2

  1. Background image for New Canaan, CA
    8.8/10(753 votes)

    #1 - New Canaan, CA

    S2:E12

    Samson tries to stay a step ahead of impending chaos. Stroud does his best to protect Justin. Ben's powers face the ultimate test.

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  2. Background image for The Day That Was the Day
    8.7/10(844 votes)

    #2 - The Day That Was the Day

    S1:E12

    A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.

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  3. Background image for Lincoln Highway, UT
    8.7/10(662 votes)

    #3 - Lincoln Highway, UT

    S2:E9

    Ruthie's latest vision leaves evidence behind. Lila hasn't given up her search for the missing Lodz. Eleanor goes on a picnic with Iris. Justin's powers calm a chaotic gathering.

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    Director:Unknown
  4. Background image for Damascus, NE
    8.5/10(627 votes)

    #4 - Damascus, NE

    S2:E7

    Stroud is closing in on Ben, who pays a visit to a run-down hotel. Justin and Iris pacify a bishop with a good meal. Sabina shares her secrets with Libby; the troupe is concerned about Sofie. Jones gets a favor from Libby.

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    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Outskirts, Damascus, NE
    8.5/10(632 votes)

    #5 - Outskirts, Damascus, NE

    S2:E8

    A local politician receives Iris and Justin's support. Ruthie tries to hide from her visions. Rita Sue takes charge of Stumpy's debt. Smith sees trouble for Justin. Sofie gets new work. Libby has shocking news for her parents.

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    Director:Tim Hunter
  6. Background image for Outside New Canaan
    8.5/10(620 votes)

    #6 - Outside New Canaan

    S2:E11

    Lila voices her opposition to Samson's itinerary for the troupe. Justin's baptism of the faithful coincides with another tragedy and a startling event in the migrant camp. Libby pleads with Jones to reveal his secret. Sofie sees a familiar face.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Carnivàle

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  8. Background image for Los Moscos
    8.3/10(710 votes)

    #7 - Los Moscos

    S2:E1

    The Dust Bowl circus troupe deals with the fallout from a fatal fire and, in California, Brother Justin reaches new converts on the radio. Lila wonders what happened to Lodz. Ben takes off to find Scudder.

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  9. Background image for Cheyenne, WY
    8.3/10(613 votes)

    #8 - Cheyenne, WY

    S2:E10

    Justin has help avoiding a disaster. Iris locates another branch of her family tree. Stroud tries a strength-in-numbers approach. Libby is cowed by her mother's authority. Ruthie pays another late-night visit to Lila.

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    Director:Todd Field
  10. Background image for Pick a Number
    8.2/10(873 votes)

    #9 - Pick a Number

    S1:E6

    Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution. Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery. Ben returns from another strange experience.

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  11. Background image for Creed, OK
    8.1/10(636 votes)

    #10 - Creed, OK

    S2:E5

    After a conversation with Ruthie, Sofie reaches out to Ben; Stumpy wagers on an important fight. Dolan puts pressure on Justin, who sees things in a new light after receiving a mysterious gift. Stroud's quest to find Ben continues.

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  12. Background image for Babylon
    8.0/10(908 votes)

    #11 - Babylon

    S1:E5

    Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry. Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft. A group of miners is anxious for entertainment.

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  13. Background image for The Road to Damascus
    8.0/10(623 votes)

    #12 - The Road to Damascus

    S2:E6

    Samson runs into an old acquaintance when the troupe crosses paths with another carnival. Rita Sue's business decisions give Stumpy fits. Justin and Iris struggle with a tough sermon. Libby's honor is in need of defense.

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  14. Background image for Hot and Bothered
    7.9/10(763 votes)

    #13 - Hot and Bothered

    S1:E10

    Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben for fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.

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  15. Background image for Day of the Dead
    7.9/10(758 votes)

    #14 - Day of the Dead

    S1:E11

    Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade. Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations. Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.

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  16. Background image for Alamogordo, NM
    7.9/10(667 votes)

    #15 - Alamogordo, NM

    S2:E2

    The troupe sends out search parties when a distraught Sofie goes missing. Justin and Iris welcome a new housekeeper. Samson accuses Stumpy of skimming. Ben visits an old acquaintance of Scudder's in New Mexico.

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  17. Background image for Old Cherry Blossom Road
    7.9/10(654 votes)

    #16 - Old Cherry Blossom Road

    S2:E4

    Lila hasn't given up trying to find out what happened to the missing Lodz. Iris begs her brother not to harbor so many secrets. Jones finds new work for Sofie. Balthus sees another display of Justin's power.

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  18. Background image for Milfay
    7.8/10(1.2k votes)

    #17 - Milfay

    S1:E1

    Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.

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  19. Background image for After the Ball Is Over
    7.8/10(991 votes)

    #18 - After the Ball Is Over

    S1:E2

    Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.

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  20. Background image for Tipton
    7.8/10(924 votes)

    #19 - Tipton

    S1:E3

    Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.

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  21. Background image for The River
    7.8/10(791 votes)

    #20 - The River

    S1:E7

    After a recent tragedy, Stumpy and Rita Sue debate their future in the carnival. In her brother's absence, Iris receives help from a radio reporter. Ben helps Ruthie with her act.

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  22. Background image for Ingram, TX
    7.8/10(671 votes)

    #21 - Ingram, TX

    S2:E3

    Dolan continues his quest to get to the bottom of the Ministry arson. Gabriel gets into the act with Ruthie, who experiences another supernatural vision. Ben happens upon some distant relatives.

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    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Black Blizzard
    7.7/10(895 votes)

    #22 - Black Blizzard

    S1:E4

    Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.

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  24. Background image for Lonnigan, Texas
    7.7/10(777 votes)

    #23 - Lonnigan, Texas

    S1:E8

    Lodz disagrees with Samson's decision to send Ben on a business trip for the carnival. A radio-show host tries to help find a wandering Justin. Sofie considers a career change.

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    Director:Scott Winant
  25. Background image for Insomnia
    7.7/10(753 votes)

    #24 - Insomnia

    S1:E9

    Ben tries to escape his dreams by staying awake. Iris uses a radio ally to help locate Justin. Samson goes back to the drawing board to increase business.

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Best Episodes Summary

"New Canaan, CA" is the best rated episode of "Carnivàle". It scored 8.8/10 based on 753 votes. Directed by Scott Winant and written by Tracy Tormé, Daniel Knauf, it aired on 3/27/2005. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Day That Was the Day".