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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!

Binge this in 21h 16m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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 groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between

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Seasons2

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 12 - New Canaan, CA
    8.8/10(773 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.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writers:Tracy Tormé, Daniel Knauf

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  2. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 12 - The Day That Was the Day
    8.7/10(866 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.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Ronald D. Moore

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  3. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 9 - Lincoln Highway, UT
    8.7/10(678 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:William Schmidt

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  4. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 7 - Damascus, NE
    8.5/10(644 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.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 8 - Outskirts, Damascus, NE
    8.5/10(646 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.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Daniel Knauf

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  6. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 11 - Outside New Canaan
    8.5/10(637 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.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Carnivàle

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  7. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 1 - Los Moscos
    8.3/10(726 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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Daniel Knauf

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  8. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 10 - Cheyenne, WY
    8.3/10(629 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.

    Director:Todd Field
    Writer:Tracy Tormé

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  9. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 6 - Pick a Number
    8.2/10(901 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.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Ronald D. Moore

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  10. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 5 - Creed, OK
    8.1/10(652 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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Tracy Tormé

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  11. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 5 - Babylon
    8.0/10(941 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.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  12. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 6 - The Road to Damascus
    8.0/10(638 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.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  13. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 10 - Hot and Bothered
    7.9/10(785 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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  14. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 11 - Day of the Dead
    7.9/10(779 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.

    Director:John Patterson
    Writer:Toni Graphia

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  15. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 2 - Alamogordo, NM
    7.9/10(685 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.

    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:William Schmidt

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  16. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 4 - Old Cherry Blossom Road
    7.9/10(670 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.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  17. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 1 - Milfay
    7.8/10(1242 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.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Daniel Knauf

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  18. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 2 - After the Ball Is Over
    7.8/10(1021 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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writers:Daniel Knauf, Ronald D. Moore

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  19. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 3 - Tipton
    7.8/10(955 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.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writers:Daniel Knauf, Henry Bromell

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  20. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 7 - The River
    7.8/10(815 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.

    Director:Alison Maclean
    Writer:Toni Graphia

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  21. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 3 - Ingram, TX
    7.8/10(687 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.

    Director:John Patterson
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 4 - Black Blizzard
    7.7/10(926 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.

    Director:Peter Medak
    Writer:William Schmidt

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  23. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 8 - Lonnigan, Texas
    7.7/10(801 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.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Daniel Knauf

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  24. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 9 - Insomnia
    7.7/10(775 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.

    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:William Schmidt

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Best Episodes Summary

"New Canaan, CA" is the best rated episode of "Carnivàle". It scored 8.8/10 based on 773 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".