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The Best Episodes of Portlandia Season 3

Every episode of Portlandia Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Portlandia Season 3!

Binge this in 4h 13m•Peaking at 8.0/10

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
    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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 3 - Missionaries
    7.7/10(211 votes)

    S3:E3

    The Mayor sends Fred and Carrie on a door-to-door mission in Seattle to recruit new citizens for Portland. A pedicab driver hustles for clients. Peter and Nance prepare for the opening of their Bed and Breakfast with a visit to The Doily Shoppe. Doug and Claire spoil television shows for friends at a dinner party. Toni and Candace investigate a bad Yelp review of "Women and Women First."

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

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  8. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 8 - Soft Opening
    7.7/10(203 votes)

    S3:E8

    Peter and Nance practice hosting friends at the soft opening of their bed and breakfast; a magazine features a local furniture maker in their Man Issue; steampunks attend a convention; Fred takes a love interest on a bold third date.

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

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  9. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 9 - Alexandra
    7.7/10(201 votes)

    S3:E9

    The City of Portland is overrun with art projects; Fred and Carrie's relationship is complicated by their roommate Alexandra; a movie theater sells artisanal concessions. Kath and Dave are concerned about the coyotes in their neighborhood.

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

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  10. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 7 - The Temp
    7.5/10(197 votes)

    S3:E7

    A temp worker hopes to turn her stint as Interim Mayor of Portland into a full-time job with Fred and Carrie's help; a wedding is interrupted; local baristas draft a coffee shop manifesto; Kath and Dave struggle to find a table at a restaurant.

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

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  11. Portlandia Season 3 Episode 10 - No-Fo-O-Fo-Bridge
    7.2/10(187 votes)

    S3:E10

    The Rats decide to move out of their newly-gentrified neighborhood; first-time parents read various child-rearing books; Gahvin and his girlfriend go to the movies; Carrie and Alexandra have dinner at a communal table.

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

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Squiggleman" is the best rated episode of "Portlandia" season 3. It scored 8/10 based on 238 votes. Directed by Jonathan Krisel and written by Carrie Brownstein, Bill Oakley, Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, it aired on 1/18/2013. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Winter in Portlandia".