The Best Episodes of Carnivàle
Every episode of Carnivàle ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into 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 groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.
Top Episode Ratings Summary
The best episode of "Carnivàle" is "New Canaan, CA", rated 8.8/10 from 721 user votes. It was directed by Scott Winant and written by Daniel Knauf, Tracy Tormé. "New Canaan, CA" aired on 3/27/2005 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "The Day That Was the Day".
8.8/10 721 votes#1 - New Canaan, CA
Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 3/27/2005
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
Writer: Daniel Knauf, Tracy Tormé
8.7/10 808 votes#2 - The Day That Was the Day
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 11/30/2003
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
8.7/10 634 votes#3 - Lincoln Highway, UT
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 3/6/2005
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: N/A
Writer: William Schmidt
8.5/10 601 votes#4 - Damascus, NE
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 2/20/2005
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: N/A
8.5/10 605 votes#5 - Outskirts, Damascus, NE
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 2/27/2005
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
8.5/10 596 votes#6 - Outside New Canaan
Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 3/20/2005
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
Writer: Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin
8.3/10 679 votes#7 - Los Moscos
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 1/9/2005
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
8.3/10 586 votes#8 - Cheyenne, WY
Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 3/13/2005
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
8.2/10 834 votes#9 - Pick a Number
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/19/2003
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
8.1/10 609 votes#10 - Creed, OK
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 2/6/2005
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
8.0/10 867 votes#11 - Babylon
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/12/2003
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
Writer: Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin
8.0/10 625 votes#12 - Old Cherry Blossom Road
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 1/30/2005
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
Writer: Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin
8.0/10 598 votes#13 - The Road to Damascus
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 2/13/2005
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
Writer: Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin
7.9/10 730 votes#14 - Hot and Bothered
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/16/2003
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
Writer: Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin
7.9/10 725 votes#15 - Day of the Dead
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 11/23/2003
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
7.9/10 636 votes#16 - Alamogordo, NM
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 1/16/2005
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
7.9/10 641 votes#17 - Ingram, TX
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 1/23/2005
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: N/A
7.8/10 1,144 votes#18 - Milfay
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/14/2003
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
7.8/10 943 votes#19 - After the Ball Is Over
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/21/2003
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
Writer: Daniel Knauf, Ronald D. Moore
7.8/10 882 votes#20 - Tipton
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 9/28/2003
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
Writer: Daniel Knauf, Henry Bromell
7.8/10 756 votes#21 - The River
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 10/26/2003
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
7.7/10 855 votes#22 - Black Blizzard
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/5/2003
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
7.7/10 743 votes#23 - Lonnigan, Texas
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/2/2003
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
7.7/10 722 votes#24 - Insomnia
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/9/2003
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