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The Best Episodes of Instinct

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

Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a gifted author, university professor and former CIA operative is lured back to his old life by tenacious top NYPD Detective Lizzie...
Genres:CrimeDrama
Network:CBS

Best Episodes Summary

"Bye Bye Birdie" is the best rated episode of "Instinct". It scored 7.9/10 based on 361 votes. Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski and written by Connie Burge, it aired on 6/3/2018. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Blast From the Past".

  • Bye Bye Birdie
    7.9/10361 votes
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    #1 - Bye Bye Birdie

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 6/3/2018

    When Celia Baxter, a successful author, is almost killed in her home, Dylan and Lizzie’s suspect list includes several people who may have held a grudge as she rose in stature in the publishing world. Also, Lizzie gets closer to learning the truth about the death of her fiancé, who was killed while undercover.

    Director: Douglas Aarniokoski

    Writer: Connie Burge

  • Blast From the Past
    7.8/10342 votes
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    #2 - Blast From the Past

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 6/17/2018

    Dylan and Lizzie are unable to identify a motive or connection when several average people blow themselves up using suicide bombs. Also, Julian, concerned that Dylan could be exposing himself to past enemies, enlists Lizzie to talk him out of hiring Ashely, a publicist.

    Director: Cherie Nowlan

    Writer: Lee Ellenberg

  • Ancient History
    7.8/10276 votes
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    #3 - Ancient History

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 7/28/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate the case of a prominent divorce lawyer who is found murdered in a bizarre ritual. Dylan and Andy hit a bump in their adoption process. Lizzie and Julian reach a tough point in their relationship. Ryan’s serial killer case escalates.

    Director: Randall Zisk

    Writer: Jill Abbinanti, Constance M. Burge

  • Grey Matter
    7.8/10252 votes
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    #4 - Grey Matter

    Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 8/25/2019

    A gruesome discovery in a city pond leads Dylan and Lizzie to investigate a young man's murder, while Andy rescues one of Dylan's students from a legal bind.

    Director: Michael Rauch

    Writer: Michael Rauch

  • Long Shot
    7.7/10362 votes
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    #5 - Long Shot

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 5/27/2018

    When a woman is shot outside a community center, Dylan and Lizzie are challenged by the mayor to solve the case in less than 24 hours to quell pressure from the media and special interest groups.

    Director: Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writer: Carl Flint

  • Bad Actors
    7.7/10343 votes
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    #6 - Bad Actors

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 5/27/2018

    Two members of an acting troupe are killed using sophisticated poisons; Andy worries that Dylan isn't fitting in, so he encourages Dylan to attend a barbecue being thrown by Detective Fucci.

    Director: Jim McKay

    Writer: Dan E. Fesman

  • Tribal
    7.7/10313 votes
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    #7 - Tribal

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 7/1/2018

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate the murder of Joan’s protégé, Kristy, uncovering long-buried secrets worth killing over. Also, Dylan and Andy apply to adopt a child, and Lizzie’s reliance on Julian’s illicitly obtained information puts a promotion in jeopardy, on the first season finale.

    Director: Michael Rauch

    Writer: Michael Rauch

  • After Hours
    7.7/10274 votes
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    #8 - After Hours

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 8/11/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie go undercover in New York’s erotic underworld when they investigate the murder of a high-powered public relations rep. Also, a glamorous love from Julian’s comes back into his life with a proposal he can’t resist.

    Director: Joe Collins

    Writer: Erica Saleh

  • Go Figure
    7.7/10261 votes
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    #9 - Go Figure

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 8/11/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie work to uncover why an Olympic-hopeful figure skater is killed while on the ice. Also, Ryan’s case heats up and lands him and Dylan in unusual circumstances and Julian comes to understand why an old acquaintance has returned to New York.

    Director: Cherie Nowlan

    Writer: Anthony Johnston

  • Trust Issues
    7.7/10220 votes
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    #10 - Trust Issues

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 8/18/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate deaths of three family members who were also business partners in a craft brewery. Also, Andy’s legal expertise is needed when he and Dylan confront an issue in their adoption process, and Lizzie learns some hard truths about Julian’s past.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Connie Burge, Carol Flint

  • Stay Gold
    7.6/10312 votes
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    #11 - Stay Gold

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 6/30/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate the murder of a successful businesswoman who attempted to prolong the lifespan of humans. Also, Dylan and Andy look to continue their adoption search, and Detective Ryan Stock from Nebraska arrives to hunt for a potential serial killer.

    Director: Stephen Surjik

    Writer: Michael Rauch

  • Finders Keepers
    7.6/10282 votes
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    #12 - Finders Keepers

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 7/14/2019

    Lizzie and Dylan work a case that provokes deep emotions for them when a 9-year-old boy goes missing on the eve of a judge’s decision in a bitter custody battle. Also, with Dylan’s help, Lizzie confronts some of her past childhood demons, and a major advancement presents itself in Dylan and Andy’s adoption search.

    Director: Lee Rose

    Writer: Carol Flint

  • One-of-a-Kind
    7.6/10258 votes
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    #13 - One-of-a-Kind

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 8/4/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate when a street artist’s work is found with a victim’s body in the middle of it. Also, Ryan catches a suspect in the Sleeping Beauty Killer investigation and Dylan’s new book editor, Harry Kassabian, pays him a visit.

    Director: Janice Cooke

    Writer: Thomas Aguilar, Michael J. Ballin

  • Manhunt
    7.6/10223 votes
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    #14 - Manhunt

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 8/18/2019

    It’s all hands on deck to track down the Sleeping Beauty Killer when Ryan and Dylan’s biggest lead in the case takes them to a faceoff aboard a ship. Also, Dylan receives troubling news from his father.

    Director: Gus Makris

    Writer: John Cockrell

  • Flat Line
    7.5/10365 votes
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    #15 - Flat Line

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 4/29/2018

    Dylan and Julian go undercover in a hospital when they suspect an “angel of death” is killing people with non-life-threatening ailments. Also, Lizzie asks Andy for his legal expertise when a personal trainer sues her for accidentally injuring him.

    Director: Laura Belsey

    Writer: Tanya Barfield

  • Broken Record
    7.5/10279 votes
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    #16 - Broken Record

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 7/7/2019

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate the murder of an aspiring musician who was gunned down on a roller coaster at an amusement park. Also, Lizzie exhausts herself trying to keep up with a newly single friend, and Andy and Dylan look to broaden their options for adoption.

    Director: Alex Pillai

    Writer: Keith Foglesong

  • Big Splash
    7.5/10271 votes
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    #17 - Big Splash

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 7/21/2019

    A Sweet 16 celebration turns into a crime scene when the birthday girl’s stepmother falls to her death and the guests and staff are put under a microscope by the NYPD. Also, Ryan finds a new lead in his investigation, and Lizzie receives some positive news at the precinct.

    Director: John Behring

    Writer: Marc Dube

  • Heartless
    7.4/10372 votes
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    #18 - Heartless

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/22/2018

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate the murder of a Jane Doe, but when they realize that the victim was killed by mistake, they must identify the killer’s motive and intended target before she suffers the same fate.

    Director: Don Scardino

    Writer: Michael Rauch

  • Owned
    7.4/10352 votes
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    #19 - Owned

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/6/2018

    Dylan and Lizzie are under pressure to deliver results when they investigate the death of Jasmine’s friend, the owner of a professional basketball team who died when her car went off a bridge

    Director: Douglas Aarniokoski

    Writer: Jill Abbinanti

  • Live
    7.4/10311 votes
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    #20 - Live

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 6/24/2018

    Dylan and Lizzie investigate the murder of a film student whose death was broadcast for the world to see. Also, Andy and Dylan realize that parenting is tougher than they thought when they agree to look after Madison, a friend’s 12-year-old daughter.

    Director: Douglas Aarniokoski, Edward Ornelas

    Writer: Thomas Aguilar, Michael J. Ballin

  • Pilot
    7.2/10635 votes
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    #21 - Pilot

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/18/2018

    Former CIA operative Dr. Dylan Reinhart is lured back to his old life when NYPD Detective Lizzie Needham needs his help to stop a serial killer.

    Director: Marc Webb

    Writer: Michael Rauch

  • Wild Game
    7.2/10500 votes
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    #22 - Wild Game

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 3/25/2018

    Dylan, having returned to teaching after helping the NYPD catch a serial killer, is called upon again to aid Detective Needham on a complex case involving the murder of a venture capitalist.

    Director: Douglas Aarniokoski

    Writer: Carol Flint, Constance M. Burge

  • I Heart New York
    7.2/10398 votes
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    #23 - I Heart New York

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/8/2018

    Dr. Dylan Reinhart and Det. Lizzie Needham are reassigned to a murder case in Central Park when their investigation into a chemical attack on the subway is taken over by an FBI team led by Dylan’s estranged father, Roger. However, Dylan can’t shake the feeling that the cases are related.

    Director: Constantine Makris

    Writer: Michael Rauch

  • Secrets and Lies
    7.1/10466 votes
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    #24 - Secrets and Lies

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/1/2018

    The murder of a young man who recently left his family’s religious community leads Dylan and Lizzie to a series of possible suspects, including a short-tempered photographer and a mysterious girl with amnesia. Also, Lizzie’s younger sister, Katie, unexpectedly drops by for a visit.

    Director: Peter Werner

    Writer: Christopher Ambrose