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The Best Episodes of Portlandia

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

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Satirical sketch comedy set and filmed in Portland, Oregon that explores the eccentric misfits who embody the foibles of modern culture.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Portlandia Season 2 Episode 2 - One Moore Episode
    8.5/10(432 votes)

    S2:E2

    Doug and Claire become a bit obsessed with "Battlestar Galactica" and it begins to take over their lives.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto

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  2. Portlandia Season 4 Episode 3 - Celery Guy
    8.3/10(241 votes)

    S4:E3

    A celery salesman goes to great lengths to have celery become more popular; 911 dispatchers assure callers that it's beets; The Order Grill is open for lunch; Carrie declares social bankruptcy; a fed up office worker wants to become a gutter punk.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  3. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 5 - Squiggleman
    8.0/10(238 votes)

    S3:E5

    Concerned parents Brendan and Michelle start a band that makes kids music; The Portland Nerd Council issues a Public Service Announcement; Malcom and Kris have an uncomfortable lunch at a vegan restaurant. The Feminist Bookstore hosts a comedy night.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen

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  4. Portlandia Season 5 Episode 1 - The Story of Toni and Candace
    8.0/10(249 votes)

    S5:E1

    In 1991, a merger between two corporate book retailers pits young, sexy, shoulder-pad wearing Toni and Candace against one another in fierce competition to oversee the Chick Lit Department.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  5. Portlandia Season 5 Episode 4 - SeaWorld
    8.0/10(196 votes)

    S5:E4

    The Ecoterroists travel to San Diego to take down their next target: Seaworld.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  6. Portlandia Season 5 Episode 7 - Doug Becomes a Feminist
    8.0/10(170 votes)

    S5:E7

    Doug discovers that he is a male feminist. Sandra takes a rideshare for the first time.

    Director:Daniel Gray Longino
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Portlandia

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  7. Portlandia Season 2 Episode 10 - Brunch Village
    7.9/10(290 votes)

    S2:E10

    New brunch hotspot Fisherman’s Porch gets a write-up in the local paper, prompting Peter and Nance to give it a try – only to find hundreds of others had the same idea. Portland’s Mayor (Kyle MacLachlan) offers to take Fred and Carrie to brunch, but when the bridge is blocked he is forced to find alternate routes. Feminist bookstore owners Toni and Candace take physical measures to remove unwanted pedestrians in line for brunch in front of their store. Nance has Peter hold her spot while she gets her jacket, only to return to accusations that she is cutting the line. Two bouncers escort her to a crazed man (Tim Robbins) who metes out punishment for line cutters – and it is up to Peter to save her.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto

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  8. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 1 - Winter in Portlandia
    7.9/10(270 votes)

    S3:E1

    It's wintertime in Portlandia and Peter and Nance struggle to keep off winter weight by cutting pasta from their diets; Candace's son visits Women and Women First bookstore for the holidays; a couple tries to keep their food cart in business.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen

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  9. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 2 - Take Back MTV
    7.9/10(236 votes)

    S3:E2

    Spyke and Iris join forces with a gang of former MTV stars to take back MTV from the Tweens; a group of frustrated college grads stage a protest on the dance floor; Sandra has a crush on a mysterious man in her meditation class.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen

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  10. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 4 - Nina's Birthday
    7.9/10(237 votes)

    S3:E4

    The Mayor sends Fred and Carrie on a door-to-door mission to Seattle to recruit new citizens for Portland; pedicab driver hustles for clients; Peter and Nance prepare for the opening of their Bed and Breakfast with a visit to The Doily Shoppe.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen

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  11. Portlandia Season 4 Episode 1 - Sharing Finances
    7.9/10(216 votes)

    S4:E1

    A young woman is haunted by very smart ghosts; Doug and Claire make a big commitment to one another; Kath and Dave make the most of fifteen minutes; Sandra finally finds a soul mate; Fred is visited by a Date Fact Checker.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  12. Portlandia Season 5 Episode 8 - House for Sale
    7.9/10(149 votes)

    S5:E8

    Fred and Carrie's landlord moves into their house; Kath and Dave decide to buy a new home for their next renovation project.

    Director:Steve Buscemi
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  13. Portlandia Season 5 Episode 10 - Dead Pets
    7.9/10(147 votes)

    S5:E10

    Police begin profiling weirdos after arsonists burn down a taxidermy shop.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  14. Portlandia Season 6 Episode 5 - Breaking Up
    7.9/10(167 votes)

    S6:E5

    Claire is finally fed up with Doug's childish behavior and breaks up with him. They both date new people and discover surprising things about themselves.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner, Ashby Collinson

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  15. Portlandia Season 7 Episode 1 - The Storytellers
    7.9/10(135 votes)

    S7:E1

    Fred and Carrie consult with a storytelling expert. Nigel and Amy pitch an album release. A traveler checks into an unconventional hotel. A pediatrician invents a children's toy. The Weirdos discover the joys of Bed, Bath and Beyond.

    Director:Carrie Brownstein
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Graham Wagner, Karen Kilgariff

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  16. Portlandia Season 7 Episode 9 - Passenger Rating
    7.9/10(102 votes)

    S7:E9

    Carrie tries to improve her passenger rating on a ride sharing app. A local actor teaches a boss how to fire employees. The National Small Talk Convention takes place. Sandra develops a close relationship with her customer service representative.

    Director:Steve Buscemi
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Graham Wagner, Karen Kilgariff

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  17. Portlandia Season 8 Episode 9 - Long Way Back
    7.9/10(103 votes)

    S8:E9

    The Weirdos lose their favorite trash can, which takes an unexpected journey throughout the city; Malcolm and Kris visit their pediatrician; Peter and Nance wonder why they've never been hacked; Fred and Carrie just give up.

    Director:Lance Bangs
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner, Megan Neuringer, Phoebe Robinson

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  18. Portlandia Season 8 Episode 10 - Rose Route
    7.9/10(114 votes)

    S8:E10

    The Mayor cuts deals all over town to secure the perfect route for the Portland Marathon; Fred and Carrie decide to run to break their addiction to news alerts; Candace's house guest Dolly quickly becomes her new best friend.

    Director:Bill Benz
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner, Megan Neuringer, Phoebe Robinson

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  19. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 6 - Off the Grid
    7.8/10(207 votes)

    S3:E6

    Following an environmental scandal, The Mayor steps down from office and moves off the grid; a dolphin discovers that plastic bags have been banned in Portland; musicians compete in a Battle of the Gentle Bands.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen

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  20. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 11 - Blackout
    7.8/10(217 votes)

    S3:E11

    Electricity is shut off for the entire City of Portland due to unpaid bills at the Mayor's Office. Peter and Nance have a mysterious guest at their bed and breakfast. Kath and Dave go into survival mode. Fred and Carrie team up to find Mr. Mayor and restore power to the city.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen

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  21. Portlandia Season 4 Episode 2 - Ecoterrorists
    7.8/10(195 votes)

    S4:E2

    Ecoterrorists protest animal testing at a makeup company; Bryce and Lisa Rent it Out!; Toni and Candace have a car wash; Fred misses hip hop; Dave helps Kath get a good night's sleep.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  22. Portlandia Season 4 Episode 10 - Getting Away
    7.8/10(188 votes)

    S4:E10

    Portlandia gets away for the weekend to New Beavertown, Oregon. Toni and Candace lead a feminist retreat for women. Kath and Dave do their best to relax. Peter and Nance go on a walking tour of the town. Guest starring Jason Sudeikis and k.d.lang.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  23. Portlandia Season 5 Episode 5 - 4th of July
    7.8/10(169 votes)

    S5:E5

    Kath and Dave attempt the ultimate Independence Day BBQ. The Mayor and Sam search the deep web for truly spectacular fireworks.

    Director:Jonathan Krisel
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  24. Portlandia Season 6 Episode 7 - Family Emergency
    7.8/10(150 votes)

    S6:E7

    Louis C.K. cancels a show in Portland due to a family emergency; Fred and Carrie are asked to judge a plume contest.

    Director:Steve Buscemi
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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  25. Portlandia Season 6 Episode 8 - First Feminist City
    7.8/10(147 votes)

    S6:E8

    Portland is declared the most feminist city in the country, and Toni and Candace have to deal with the attention. The town opens a Femi-Mart.

    Director:Steve Buscemi
    Writers:Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, Graham Wagner

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Best Episodes Summary

"One Moore Episode" is the best rated episode of "Portlandia". It scored 8.5/10 based on 432 votes. Directed by Jonathan Krisel and written by Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Karey Dornetto, it aired on 1/13/2012. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Celery Guy".