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The Best Episodes of China Beach

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

The Best Episodes of China Beach

Dateline: November 1967. Within klicks of Danang, Vietnam, sits a U.S. Army base, bar and hospital on China Beach filled with wounded soldiers and one...

Seasons4

  1. Background image for F.N.G.
    8.8/10(51 votes)

    #1 - F.N.G.

    S3:E20

    In November 1966, fairly new guys Colleen McMurphy and Dr. Richard find themselves learning the ropes when they arrive at China Beach.

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  2. Background image for Vets
    8.6/10(48 votes)

    #2 - Vets

    S2:E12

    The accounts of life in Vietnam by real vets are intercut with scenes from old episodes showing how closely the show has mirrored reality.

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  3. Background image for The World (1)
    8.6/10(45 votes)

    #3 - The World (1)

    S2:E16

    Wayloo Marie prepares to return the world and a new job at BBC news. She's unexpectedly joined by McMurphy, who's returning to her unsettled family in Kansas following her father's heart attack.

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  4. Background image for The World (2)
    8.6/10(46 votes)

    #4 - The World (2)

    S2:E17

    McMurphy reassesses her life as she tries to decide whether or not to return to Vietnam following her father's death.

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  5. Background image for 100 Klicks Out
    8.6/10(47 votes)

    #5 - 100 Klicks Out

    S4:E11

    The imminent fall of Saigon reunites KC with her daughter as she struggles to get the little girl out of Vietnam and safely to America and a waiting Boonie. In the 1980s, a cynical McMurphy tries to prevent further child abuse in New Mexico.

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    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Hello, Goodbye (1)
    8.6/10(59 votes)

    #6 - Hello, Goodbye (1)

    S4:E16

    McMurphy agrees to attend a China Beach reunion planned by Boonie and recalls her last day in Vietnam, and travels to Washington DC with the others to visit the Vietnam Memorial. Karen comes to terms with the ghost of her absent mother, KC.

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  8. Background image for I Could Have Danced All Night ... But Didn't
    8.4/10(39 votes)

    #7 - I Could Have Danced All Night ... But Didn't

    S4:E10

    McMurphy meets a sympathetic drummer at a 1983 wedding and recalls the 1969 wedding of Lila and Sarge Pepper, as well as the end of her relationship with Dr. Richard.

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    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Twilight
    8.3/10(42 votes)

    #8 - Twilight

    S2:E13

    Wayloo Marie's digging results in a medal ceremony for Boonie and an unwelcome investigation into his lost jungle patrol. McMurphy sees Dodger again as he prepares to go back into action. Frankie befriends a captured deserter.

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  10. Background image for How to Stay Alive in Vietnam (1)
    8.3/10(41 votes)

    #9 - How to Stay Alive in Vietnam (1)

    S3:E9

    Beckett and a civilian photographer temporarily join Dodger's patrol; McMurphy gets to know a wounded POW.

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    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for One Small Step
    8.3/10(30 votes)

    #10 - One Small Step

    S4:E8

    Suddenly back home and missing one leg, Boonie begins a slow and painful re-entry into civilian life with the comfort of a loving nurse.

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    Director:Steve Dubin
    Writer:John Wells
  12. Background image for Women in White
    8.2/10(44 votes)

    #11 - Women in White

    S2:E5

    McMurphy fights jealousy, envy and fear when a confident woman doctor comes in from the States and takes over Dr. Richard and Dodger's case. Wayloo Marie tries to win a position as a armed forces tv reporter with a report on the war from a woman's point of view. Frankie debuts as a disk jockey

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  13. Background image for Tet '68
    8.2/10(47 votes)

    #12 - Tet '68

    S2:E7

    Wayloo Marie tries to keep reporting, McMurphy and KC are trapped in an officer's restroom, Beckett is held prisoner by Mai's brother and Dr. Richard and the wounded Dodger prepare to defend the hospital during the fierce fighting of the 1968 Tet offensive. Cherry comforts another Red Cross volunteer at a firebase.

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    Director:Steve Dubin
    Writer:John Wells
  14. Background image for The Unquiet Earth
    8.2/10(43 votes)

    #13 - The Unquiet Earth

    S3:E1

    McMurphy and K.C. are kidnapped by the Viet Cong and taken underground into a warren of tunnels, where their captors expect McMurphy to operate on their wounded leader.

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  15. Background image for Skin Deep
    8.2/10(36 votes)

    #14 - Skin Deep

    S3:E2

    McMurphy uses a little guilt and a little blackmail to get a reluctant K.C. to visit a wounded soldier whose face has been badly disfigured. Holly, the new doughnut dolly, challenges the nurses on behalf of the Red Cross Volunteers to compete in a Miss China Beach beauty pageant. Frankie is assigned to the motor pool and runs into Sarge Pepper, who's not very eager to have her there.

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    Director:Mimi Leder
  16. Background image for Nightfall
    8.2/10(34 votes)

    #15 - Nightfall

    S3:E12

    K.C. feels responsible for the death of a Vietnamese prostitute she sent out and takes things into her own hands when Otis refuses to investigate the matter.

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    Director:Unknown
  17. Background image for The Thanks of a Grateful Nation
    8.2/10(41 votes)

    #16 - The Thanks of a Grateful Nation

    S3:E17

    Dodger tries to reintegrate his life as a civilian but finds himself drifting as he tries to make sense of his experiences in Vietnam.

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    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:John Wells
  18. Background image for Skylark
    8.2/10(39 votes)

    #17 - Skylark

    S3:E18

    A pair of ballroom dancers bring a note of grace and harmony to the uneasy relationship between McMurphy and Dr. Richard while completing a mysterious mission of their own.

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  19. Background image for Juice
    8.2/10(36 votes)

    #18 - Juice

    S4:E6

    In 1972, Dr. Richard and his nurse take a romantic trip to Florida, where they run across a hard-livng McMurphy working at an orange-juice factory.

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  20. Background image for One Giant Leap
    8.2/10(34 votes)

    #19 - One Giant Leap

    S4:E7

    In 1969, China Beach watches from afar as the first men land on the moon. McMurphy simmers jealously as Dr. Richard falls for a new nurse. Beckett entertains a group of USO singers in his G.R.U. hut. A disturbed Boonie meets with a tragic accident.

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  21. Background image for Waiting for Beckett
    8.1/10(51 votes)

    #20 - Waiting for Beckett

    S1:E6

    Cherry is taken in by a deserter who claims to know her brother, and who is pursued by a determined office from the CID. Laurette and Boonie try to help a stressed out Beckett get some sleep.

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    Director:Kevin Hooks
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Lost and Found (2)
    8.1/10(45 votes)

    #21 - Lost and Found (2)

    S2:E2

    Wayloo Marie becomes a casualty as she shoots her assignment. Frankie Bunsen arrives for temporary duty. McMurphy finds a badly injured Dodger.

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  23. Background image for X-Mas Chnbch VN '67
    8.1/10(45 votes)

    #22 - X-Mas Chnbch VN '67

    S2:E4

    Christmas '67 brings a steady supply of casualties and a crazed Santa to China Beach.

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    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:John Wells
  24. Background image for Cherry
    8.1/10(44 votes)

    #23 - Cherry

    S2:E8

    Wayloo Marie becomes intimidated by the war as its reality sinks in following Cherry's death. McMurphy tries to fight the bureaucracy to keep Dodger from going to Japan for more medical help. KC fights her heroin habit as she tries to locate Cherry's brother and prepares to accompany her body home to Iowa for burial.

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    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Where the Boys Are
    8.1/10(41 votes)

    #24 - Where the Boys Are

    S2:E11

    As McMurphy's enforced R&R continues with the help of an 18-year-old medic, Boonie tries to recreate a combination spring beach frolic and senior prom. KC warns Boonie that Wayloo Marie has learned part of his story. A chopper pilot shows Frankie that joys of flying.

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  26. Background image for Warriors
    8.1/10(35 votes)

    #25 - Warriors

    S3:E16

    McMurphy is in an emotional and ethical turmoil when she delivers Vinnie's buddy from death but he falls into a terminal coma; and Frankie finds herself in charge of a squad of grizzled grunts.

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    Director:David Soul
    Writer:Neal Baer

Best Episodes Summary

"F.N.G." is the best rated episode of "China Beach". It scored 8.8/10 based on 51 votes. Directed by John Sacret Young and written by Carol Flint, it aired on 4/16/1990. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Vets".