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The Best Episodes of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

Every episode of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman!

Binge this in 3d 8h•Peaking at 8.6/10

Dr. Michaela Quinn journeys to Colorado Springs to be the town's physician after her father's death in 1868.

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 3 Episode 29 - For Better or Worse (2)
    8.6/10(176 votes)

    #1 - For Better or Worse (2)

    S3:E29

    While Sully is off thinking and doesn't return for several days, Mike gets worried. Although Mike continues to believe in their love. When Sully finally returns, Mike realizes she just wants Sully as her husband. Mike and Sully marry on May 20, 1870. Brian, feeling left out, has a surprise for the newlyweds.

    Director:Gwen Arner
    Writer:Beth Sullivan

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  2. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 4 Episode 4 - Brother's Keeper
    8.5/10(149 votes)

    #2 - Brother's Keeper

    S4:E4

    Matthew's fiance Ingrid hovers near death after being bitten by Brian's rabid pet wolf; Brian is overwhelmed with guilt. Ingrid: Jennifer Youngs.

    Director:Jerry London
    Writer:Burt Prelutsky

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  3. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 2 Episode 20 - The First Circle
    8.4/10(196 votes)

    #3 - The First Circle

    S2:E20

    Robert E buys a house in town. When the auctioneer, Jedediah Bancroft, sees that he's sold the house to a black man, he tries to renege, but Mike intercedes. Later, Mike is surprised to learn that Jake, Loren, Hank and Dorothy are displeased to have Robert E and Grace living in their midst. That night, at the homestead, Matthew tells Mike he's been invited to join a new men's club -- the Ku Klux Klan, which he knows nothing about but is heading out the door to investigate. At the meeting, Jedediah, the leader of the group, promises only ""a big surprise"" for the following night, then adjourns the meeting. The next night, townsfolk don white gowns, recite the KKK oath, and ride out to harass and beat Robert E. After treating Robert E, Mike storms into the barbershop, where she confronts Jedediah, Jake, Loren and Hank about the events of the night before. Jedediah tries to make offers to get Robert E and Grace out of town, even threatening Mike with the mortgage on her clinic if Robert E

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Toni Graphia

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  4. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 3 Episode 25 - Washita (2)
    8.4/10(156 votes)

    #4 - Washita (2)

    S3:E25

    Sully and the kids must help Mike deal with the emotional aftermath of the Washita massacre; Robert E and Grace must return to Cloud Dancing the Indian baby Mike and Sully brought back from Washita

    Director:James Keach
    Writer:Kathryn Ford

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  5. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 8 - Remember Me
    8.4/10(122 votes)

    #5 - Remember Me

    S5:E8

    A sick and ragged prospector wanders into town and Jake Slicker recognizes the man as his father, who abandoned him years before.

    Director:Alan J. Levi
    Writer:Steven Baum

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  6. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 6 Episode 6 - A Place Called Home
    8.4/10(143 votes)

    #6 - A Place Called Home

    S6:E6

    Anthony's (Brandon Hammond) health deteriorates rapidly. Grace does not want to face the inevitable. Michaela struggles to tell Sully about the baby. Anthony loses his battle.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Julie Henderson

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

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  7. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 1 Episode 16 - The Secret
    8.3/10(196 votes)

    #7 - The Secret

    S1:E16

    When Mike and Sully stop to check on old Mrs. Johnson, they discover her dead and a young boy, Zack, hidden in the closet. Mike takes the child in and confronts the townsfolk, who reluctantly admit to knowing the boy's mother was one of Hank's whores. When she died they sent Zack to Mrs. Johnson because he was ""simple."" Mike is frustrated in her attempts to find a medical diagnosis and cure for Zack's condition. Mike's further detective work reveals that Hank is Zack's father, and she helps Hank own up to his responsibility. Meanwhile, Brian seems to be the only one to get the boy to exhibit his artistic abilities, and he is mistakenly given credit for a drawing that Zack has done. Later, when Zack's artistic talent is discovered, Hank agrees to send him to an art school in Denver. The show has a cute opening scene of Mike and Sully with him criticizing her driving.

    Director:Jerry London
    Writer:Toni Graphia

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  8. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 2 Episode 6 - Where the Heart Is (1)
    8.3/10(194 votes)

    #8 - Where the Heart Is (1)

    S2:E6

    Mike receives an emergency telegram from her sister Rebecca -- her mother is gravely ill. Mike rushes to Boston to her mother's side, the Cooper kids in tow, where Dr. Mike and her ""roughhewn"" children are met with raised eyebrows by Dr. Quinn's own family. While consulting with Elizabeth Quinn's attending physician, Dr. Mike meets a handsome and progressive Doctor, Dr. William Burke. Dr. Mike's prognosis of her mother (hepatitis) differs with Mrs. Quinn's doctor, Dr. Hanson, who diagnoses cancer. Dr. Burke, however, believes Dr. Mike may be onto something. They have a lot in common and develop a strong mutual admiration for each other. They work together to cure Mrs. Quinn and some of Dr. Burke's other patients. Meanwhile, Matthew chafes at being stuck in Boston away from Ingrid, while Colleen appreciates the learned and cultured atmosphere and Brian adores the candy stores. Just when everyone has settled comfortably into the Boston routine, Sully shows up, unannounced and in buckskin

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Beth Sullivan

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  9. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 2 Episode 7 - Where the Heart Is (2)
    8.3/10(198 votes)

    #9 - Where the Heart Is (2)

    S2:E7

    Sully arrives in Boston and discovers that he's facing worthy competition for Mike's affection in the form of Dr. William Burke. Sully at first settles uncomfortably into Mike's Boston surroundings, but later, with prodding from the kids, submits to a grand makeover. Later, Sully romances Mike with dining and dancing, even attending an opera together. At an all-male medical society, Dr. Burke steps aside so that Mike can present a paper on Indian medicine, while Sully looks on. Afterward, Sully overhears Dr. Burke proposing marriage to Mike and heads back to Colorado, but not before confessing his love to Mike. In the end, Mike declines Dr. Burke's marriage proposal and Mike and the kids return to Colorado, where Dr. Mike returns Sully's declaration of love with a vow in kind.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Beth Sullivan

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  10. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 26 - Moment of Truth (2)
    8.3/10(124 votes)

    #10 - Moment of Truth (2)

    S5:E26

    Sully lies to everyone about what he is doing, but the truth comes out. Cloud Dancing flees to the Tongue River Valley. Sgt McKay (David Beecroft)sees Sully at the scene. After Sgt O'Connor (Patrick Kilpatrick) finds out what happens, he goes after Sully. They get into a fight and they both go over a cliff

    Director:James Keach
    Writer:Carl Binder

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  11. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 1 Episode 14 - Heroes
    8.2/10(190 votes)

    #11 - Heroes

    S1:E14

    Colleen develops a teenage crush on Sully after he pulls her out of the path of a runaway wagon. Imagining herself as a damsel in distress and Sully as her knight in shining armor, she purposely sets out to get lost in the woods hoping Sully will rescue her. A freak cold snap blows up and she almost freezes to death before Sully and Dr. Mike find her. Dr. Mike works hard to save Colleen's badly frostbitten hands, and Sully ultimately has a heart-to- heart talk with Colleen. Meanwhile, racial tensions in town reach a boiling point when Hank accuses Grace of food poisoning which is later proved false when Dr. Mike discovers Hank has been eating meat infected with trichinosis.

    Director:Reza Badiyi
    Writer:Toni Perling

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  12. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 2 Episode 23 - The Abduction (2)
    8.2/10(172 votes)

    #12 - The Abduction (2)

    S2:E23

    Sully sets out to rescue Mike. Meanwhile, Custer takes the Indian reservation hostage, threatening to hang everyone unless Mike is returned. Brian works off the cost of the little horse; but Hank reneges on the deal, inciting Loren's wrath. Mike and Sully return to town just in time to keep the Indians from getting hanged. Hank, not anxious to pay double for all his goods at the General Store, delivers Taffy to Brian on his birthday, declaring that, ""Sometimes it's just good business for a man to keep his word.""

    Director:Jerry London
    Writer:Josef Anderson

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  13. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 4 Episode 22 - Reunion
    8.2/10(118 votes)

    #13 - Reunion

    S4:E22

    Dr. Mike's joyful reunion with a college friend soon turns competitive; Dorothy struggles with a new press.

    Director:Gwen Arner
    Writer:Melissa Rosenberg

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  14. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 4 Episode 28 - When a Child is Born (2)
    8.2/10(150 votes)

    #14 - When a Child is Born (2)

    S4:E28

    Wounded Sully must deliver Mike's baby. Dr. Cook is forced to perform a major operation. Katie Sully: Alexandria, McKenzie and Megan Calabrese.

    Director:James Keach
    Writer:Carl Binder

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  15. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 7 - Right or Wrong
    8.2/10(121 votes)

    #15 - Right or Wrong

    S5:E7

    Dr. Mike is arrested and put in jail for treating a fugitive Indian; Jake and Preston run against each other for mayor of Colorado Springs.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Philip Gerson

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  16. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 22 - Before The Dawn
    8.2/10(118 votes)

    #16 - Before The Dawn

    S5:E22

    Sully arranges an escape for Cloud Dancing, leading him and the Indian to become wanted men.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Julie Henderson

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  17. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 23 - Starting Over
    8.2/10(120 votes)

    #17 - Starting Over

    S5:E23

    After Marjorie joins the Women's movement she blows into town stirring everyone up and has a fling with Loren.

    Director:Gwen Arner
    Writer:Philip Gerson

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  18. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 1 Episode 11 - The Prisoner
    8.1/10(198 votes)

    #18 - The Prisoner

    S1:E11

    After ambushing Black Kettle's camp, General Custer enters the town carrying wounded soldiers and Indian prisoners, including Cloud Dancing, whom Custer threatens to kill if Dr. Mike does not treat his men before the injured braves. Later, Dr. Mike treats Cloud Dancing's broken arm while he remains shackled in the livery after Custer's interrogation. When Custer jokingly hauls Cloud Dancing before a firing squad that fires blanks, Dr. Mike and Sully engineer Cloud Dancing's escape. Meanwhile, Olive opens a Hurdy Gurdy, recruiting girls from the immigrant camp and a reluctant Loren, Horace and Jake for the band. Matthew buys all of Ingrid's dance tickets then shyly confesses that he doesn't know how to dance. Robert E. and Grace exchange looks. Robert E. is still burned from The Visitor (#3).

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Josef Anderson

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  19. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 3 Episode 24 - Washita (1)
    8.1/10(153 votes)

    #19 - Washita (1)

    S3:E24

    Mike and Sully arrive too late to avert Custer's slaughter of the Indians at the Washita River; Brian befriends an Indian boy destined to die at Washita; Robert E & Grace attempt to adopt an Indian baby whose mother was killed at Washita. No Harm Comes To Him: Sean Price-McConnell.

    Director:James Keach
    Writer:Kathryn Ford

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  20. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 3 Episode 28 - For Better or Worse (1)
    8.1/10(162 votes)

    #20 - For Better or Worse (1)

    S3:E28

    Mike's mother arrives with elaborate wedding plans; Custer puts a bounty on best man Cloud Dancing.

    Director:Gwen Arner
    Writer:Beth Sullivan

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  21. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 4 Episode 25 - Fear Itself
    8.1/10(122 votes)

    #21 - Fear Itself

    S4:E25

    A popular new arrival carries a dread disease; Preston plans an exclusive clinic.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Philip Gerson

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  22. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 4 Episode 26 - One Nation
    8.1/10(115 votes)

    #22 - One Nation

    S4:E26

    Cloud Dancing hopes his trial for shooting a soldier will unite the tribes.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Julie Henderson

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  23. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 11 - Separate But Equal
    8.1/10(117 votes)

    #23 - Separate But Equal

    S5:E11

    Grace and Robert E. encounter fierce opposition when they attempt to enroll their son in the town's all-white school.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Julie Henderson

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  24. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 5 Episode 15 - Farewell Appearance
    8.1/10(121 votes)

    #24 - Farewell Appearance

    S5:E15

    Dr. Mike's Uncle Theodore, a concert pianist, sees in Brian not only a talented musician, but his own dead son.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Robert Hamilton

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  25. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Season 6 Episode 15 - Seven Kinds of Lonely
    8.1/10(122 votes)

    #25 - Seven Kinds of Lonely

    S6:E15

    Loneliness pervades C.S. as the Sweetheart's Dance approaches. Loren sells his store to Preston and plans to move to San Francisco. Jake proposes to Teresa.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writers:Michael Lyons, Kim Wells

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Best Episodes Summary

"For Better or Worse (2)" is the best rated episode of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman". It scored 8.6/10 based on 176 votes. Directed by Gwen Arner and written by Beth Sullivan, it aired on 5/20/1995. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Brother's Keeper".