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The Best Episodes of Countdown

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

Binge this in 10h 15m•Peaking at 8.0/10

When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Countdown Season 1 Episode 9 - 10-33
    8.0/10(1031 votes)

    #1 - 10-33

    S1:E9

    With their leader fighting for his life and Meachum's medical condition worsening by the minute, the team finally comes face to face with the true nature of their enemy's plans as time is running out to stop him.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  2. Countdown Season 1 Episode 8 - The Nail in the Chair
    7.8/10(1008 votes)

    #2 - The Nail in the Chair

    S1:E8

    The team races to try and catch Volchek as he begins to deploy his weapons of mass destruction around Los Angeles.

    Director:Nina Lopez-Corrado
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  3. Countdown Season 1 Episode 3 - Happy Birthday Final
    7.7/10(1520 votes)

    #3 - Happy Birthday Final

    S1:E3

    The team stages a high stakes prison break in an attempt to gain knowledge on the identity and whereabouts of the mysterious Volchek.

    Director:Tess Malone
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  4. Countdown Season 1 Episode 7 - Nothing Else Helps
    7.7/10(1045 votes)

    #4 - Nothing Else Helps

    S1:E7

    While the team splits up to pursue a trio of new leads, consul general Astapov's security detail attempts to persuade Volchek to abandon his plans... by force.

    Director:Eric Stoltz
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  5. Countdown Season 1 Episode 10 - The Muzzle Pile
    7.7/10(1009 votes)

    #5 - The Muzzle Pile

    S1:E10

    The task force violently confronts Volchek to save a city of millions. As the smoke clears and Meachum works to resolve his medical issues, a new threat emerges from Secret Service agent Ryan Fitzgerald.

    Director:Lisa Robinson
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  6. Countdown Season 1 Episode 5 - Blurred Edges
    7.6/10(1184 votes)

    #6 - Blurred Edges

    S1:E5

    The team pays a visit to the Belarusian consulate in search of files that could finally reveal who Volchek is… and how far he's willing to go.

    Director:Avi Youabian
    Writer:Derek Haas

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Countdown

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  7. Countdown Season 1 Episode 6 - A Needle or a Bullet
    7.6/10(1105 votes)

    #7 - A Needle or a Bullet

    S1:E6

    The team follows a new lead out to the California desert, where their suspect isn't going down without a fight. Meanwhile, Volchek initiates the next phase of his plan.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  8. Countdown Season 1 Episode 2 - Dead Lots of Times
    7.5/10(1534 votes)

    #8 - Dead Lots of Times

    S1:E2

    Blythe's team heads to Mexico to pull off a daring mission for a deadly cartel in exchange for information on the shipment at the port.

    Director:Avi Youabian
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  9. Countdown Season 1 Episode 12 - This Is His Signature
    7.5/10(878 votes)

    #9 - This Is His Signature

    S1:E12

    As another death ratchets up the pressure, the team makes a startling new discovery about their suspect.

    Director:Lisa Robinson
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  10. Countdown Season 1 Episode 1 - Teeth in the Bone
    7.3/10(1742 votes)

    #10 - Teeth in the Bone

    S1:E1

    Meachum and Oliveras butt heads as the hunt for a DHS officer's killer leads Blythe's newly assembled task force all over LA… and ends with a startling revelation.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  11. Countdown Season 1 Episode 4 - Bite 'Em Down
    7.3/10(1283 votes)

    #11 - Bite 'Em Down

    S1:E4

    Still reeling from their loss, the team tracks down Timur Novikov's uncle, Mikhail… and hatches a plan to lure Volchek out into the open.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  12. Countdown Season 1 Episode 13 - Your People Are in Danger
    7.3/10(882 votes)

    #12 - Your People Are in Danger

    S1:E13

    The team zeroes in on a suspect and moves for a take-down... but soon find one of their own in grave danger.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Derek Haas

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  13. Countdown Season 1 Episode 11 - Run
    7.2/10(913 votes)

    #13 - Run

    S1:E11

    Shepherd works to decipher the manifesto recovered at Cabin 6 while the rest of the team pursues a suspect on the run.

    Director:Rashidi Natara Harper
    Writer:Derek Haas

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Best Episodes Summary

"10-33" is the best rated episode of "Countdown". It scored 8/10 based on 1031 votes. Directed by Jonathan Brown and written by Derek Haas, it aired on 8/6/2025. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Nail in the Chair".