Sci-Fi & FantasyMysteryDrama2003–2005HBO

The Best Episodes of Carnivàle

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

Best episode
S2E12 New Canaan, CA
8.8785 votes
Worst episode
S1E4 Black Blizzard
7.7967 votes
Top season
Season 2
8.3avg
Binge time
21h 16m
24 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 12 - New Canaan, CA
    8.8/10(785 votes)

    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:Daniel Knauf, Tracy Tormé

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  2. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 12 - The Day That Was the Day
    8.7/10(892 votes)

    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(695 votes)

    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(659 votes)

    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(655 votes)

    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(649 votes)

    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(751 votes)

    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(640 votes)

    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(928 votes)

    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(670 votes)

    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 2 Episode 6 - The Road to Damascus
    8.0/10(659 votes)

    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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  12. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 5 - Babylon
    8.0/10(978 votes)

    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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  13. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 4 - Old Cherry Blossom Road
    7.9/10(692 votes)

    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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  14. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 11 - Day of the Dead
    7.9/10(808 votes)

    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 1 Episode 10 - Hot and Bothered
    7.9/10(818 votes)

    S1:E10

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

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  16. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 2 - Alamogordo, NM
    7.8/10(706 votes)

    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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  17. Carnivàle Season 2 Episode 3 - Ingram, TX
    7.8/10(711 votes)

    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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  18. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 7 - The River
    7.8/10(847 votes)

    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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  19. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 3 - Tipton
    7.8/10(997 votes)

    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 2 - After the Ball Is Over
    7.8/10(1070 votes)

    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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  21. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 1 - Milfay
    7.8/10(1302 votes)

    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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  22. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 9 - Insomnia
    7.7/10(809 votes)

    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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  23. Carnivàle Season 1 Episode 8 - Lonnigan, Texas
    7.7/10(832 votes)

    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 4 - Black Blizzard
    7.7/10(967 votes)

    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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Best Episodes Summary

"New Canaan, CA" is the best rated episode of Carnivàle. It scored 8.8/10 from 785 votes. Directed by Scott Winant and written by Daniel Knauf, Tracy Tormé, it aired on March 27, 2005. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Day That Was the Day".

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