Shades of Blue backdrop
Drama•Crime

The Worst Episodes of Shades of Blue

Every episode of Shades of Blue ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Shades of Blue!

Binge this in 1d 1h•Peaking at 8.7/10

Sexy New York detective and single mother Harlee Santos fell in with a tight-knit group of dirty cops, taking bribes and protection money that she uses to provide the best life for her honest, talented

Airs on
NBC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 4 - Who Can Tell Me Who I Am?
    7.2/10(417 votes)

    #1 - Who Can Tell Me Who I Am?

    S1:E4

    Loman's guilt over the death of an unarmed suspect becomes a liability for the crew, forcing them to test his loyalty. Wozniak sends Harlee on an errand that reveals he has a silent partner in the big score. Wozniak realizes Donny has been withholding information. Harlee feigns cooperation with Stahl, but unwittingly leads the FBI to incrimmating evidence,

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 5 - Equal & Opposite
    7.3/10(387 votes)

    #2 - Equal & Opposite

    S1:E5

    Harlee and Tess intercept a heroin shipment from a local drug lord who discovers Wozniak's secret and tries to use it as leverage to get his confiscated drugs back. Harlee fears Stahl's interest in her goes beyond the professional, believing he is invading her privacy, and resorts to spying on him with the help of an old friend. Tess tries to use Espada to get back at her husband.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.4/10(637 votes)

    #3 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Harlee Santos, a detective from a tight-knit group of Brooklyn cops with questionable tactics, is arrested by an FBI agent who wants to make her an informant. Co-stars Ray Liotta.

    Director:Barry Levinson
    Writer:Adi Hasak

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 2 - Original Sin
    7.4/10(486 votes)

    #4 - Original Sin

    S1:E2

    Harlee struggles with becoming an FBI informant while Wozniak suspects every member of his crew. Paranoid that Wozniak's search will lead to her, Harlee suggests polygraphng the entire crew, a plan that backfires. An appeals case sends Wozniak to watch tapes from his first encounter with Harlee, revealing a dark secret from their past. Meanwhile, Espada helps Tess deal with her husband's infidelity.

    Director:Barry Levinson
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 3 - False Face, False Heart
    7.4/10(459 votes)

    #5 - False Face, False Heart

    S1:E3

    Harlee refuses to give Stahl incriminating evidence against Wozniak but hands over a fully resolved unoffical investigation that Tess and Espara initiated when they moved a body by Tess' house found to be murdered with a 3D printed gun. Wozniak confronts Harlee who executes a dangerous bluff.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 4 - A Walking Shadow
    7.5/10(184 votes)

    #6 - A Walking Shadow

    S3:E4

    Harlee focuses her sights on taking down the intelligence unit. Stahl’s continued obsession brings him closer to New York. Wozniak uses Wallace as Espada struggles with keeping secrets from Tufo.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Shades of Blue

    READ
  7. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 2 - The Hollow Crown
    7.6/10(182 votes)

    #7 - The Hollow Crown

    S3:E2

    Dealing with a loss, Harlee pursues evidence of a higher level of corruption within the NYPD. Wozniak tries to protect Harlee and his crew from escalating threats.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Wolfe Coleman, Matthew V. Lewis

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 3 - That Way Madness Lies
    7.6/10(189 votes)

    #8 - That Way Madness Lies

    S3:E3

    Harlee questions her own sanity as Wozniak keeps secrets from those closest to him. Loman intimidates a witness.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 8 - Good Cop, Bad Cop
    7.7/10(351 votes)

    #9 - Good Cop, Bad Cop

    S1:E8

    After Saperstein's death, Harlee realizes there are no lines Wozniak won't cross and decides to help Stahl's investigation. The crew retaliates against a pair of abusive cops after they harass Harlee's daughter Cristina and her boyfriend. Wozniak makes Loman feel like a part of the unit.

    Director:David Boyd
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 10 - What Devil Do
    7.7/10(340 votes)

    #10 - What Devil Do

    S1:E10

    Harlee and Wozniak secure more details on the big score and meet Donnie's silent partner, who reveals himself to be an DEA agent.  They learn the big score is an armored car heist.  Wozniak takes interest in a fellow marine veteran who is suspected of murder under dubious circumstances.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Shades of Blue Season 2 Episode 7 - A House Divided
    7.7/10(220 votes)

    #11 - A House Divided

    S2:E7

    Following Harlee's brave confession to the entire crew that she has been informing for the FBI, the team grapples with Harlee and Wozniak's betrayal. With their team falling apart, Harlee and Wozniak come up with a desperate plan to neutralize Bianchi. However, their actions have unforeseen consequences because the Mafia fires back.

    Director:Peter Weller
    Writers:Wolfe Coleman, Marta Gene Camps

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 6 - The Reckoning
    7.7/10(170 votes)

    #12 - The Reckoning

    S3:E6

    Harlee and Wozniak try to link the intelligence unit to the cartel while facing the consequences of breaking the blue wall.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 7 - Straight Through the Heart
    7.7/10(179 votes)

    #13 - Straight Through the Heart

    S3:E7

    Harlee fights a frame job as Wozniak tries to keep Bennett behind bars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 7 - Undiscovered Country
    7.8/10(361 votes)

    #14 - Undiscovered Country

    S1:E7

    Wozniak finds it hard to deal with guilt as he attempts to deal with an unfinished task. Harlee needs to protect Saperstein whilst holding the unit together.

    Director:David Boyd
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 9 - Live Wire Act
    7.8/10(355 votes)

    #15 - Live Wire Act

    S1:E9

    Harlee's collaboration with Stahl (Warren Kole) uncovers Wozniak's secret relationship with Donnie.  Wozniak decides to take charge of the big job after picking up a package that turns out to be a kidnapped man.  A mysterious call to Saperstein's desk forces the crew to face their mixed feelings about their fallen friend and ultimately decide to preserve his memory.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Shades of Blue Season 2 Episode 4 - Daddy's Girl
    7.8/10(236 votes)

    #16 - Daddy's Girl

    S2:E4

    Realizing that Stahl will stop at nothing to arrest Julia Ayre, Harlee decides to investigate on her own and determine whether there's any truth in his allegations of Ayers active business with the mob. Wozniak is confronted with a drug case that forces him to face the darkest demons from his past, his daughter's death, while exposing the origin of his loyalty.

    Director:Paul McCrane
    Writers:Michael C. Martin, Marta Gene Camps

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 5 - The Blue Wall
    7.8/10(185 votes)

    #17 - The Blue Wall

    S3:E5

    Harlee discovers that the intelligence unit’s involvement in criminal enterprises goes deeper than she thought. Ramsey strikes back. Tufo pulls away from the crew. Loman meets a girl.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 10 - By Virtue Fall
    7.8/10(200 votes)

    #18 - By Virtue Fall

    S3:E10

    Harlee faces a police commission as Wozniak and the crew scramble to help her from the outside.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Shades of Blue Season 2 Episode 1 - Unforgiven
    7.9/10(299 votes)

    #19 - Unforgiven

    S2:E1

    Harlee Santos takes drastic measures to cover up the murder of her abusive ex, Miguel. Lieutenant Matt Wozniak makes a deal with FBI Agent Robert Stahl to keep himself and his crew out of jail but soon discovers Stahl has led him into an impossible trap. As the crew deals with the fall-out from the failed heist, Tess struggles to keep her painful gunshot wound under wraps.

    Director:Thomas Carter
    Writers:Jack Orman, Wolfe Coleman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 1 - Good Police
    7.9/10(234 votes)

    #20 - Good Police

    S3:E1

    Harlee and Wozniak, still dealing with the fallout from their near death experiences, discover a grisly crime scene riddled with mystery.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Shades of Blue Season 1 Episode 6 - Fall of Man
    8.0/10(392 votes)

    #21 - Fall of Man

    S1:E6

    Wozniak's suspicions land on Saperstein, forcing Harlee to convince Stahl to arrest Saperstein in order to keep him safe. Harlee visits her abusive ex, Miguel, who tasks her with tracking down the man who committed the murder for which he is imprisoned.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Shades of Blue Season 2 Episode 3 - Ghost Hunt
    8.0/10(232 votes)

    #22 - Ghost Hunt

    S2:E3

    After Wozniak refuses to play ball with the FBI, Stahl turns up the heat on Harlee who lands in the middle of Wozniak's dangerous plan to free himself from the Feds by reeling in a bigger fish. Meanwhile, Internal Affairs Officer Verco applies pressure to each member of the crew to discover what really happened to Donnie Pomp.

    Director:Christopher Misiano
    Writers:Niceole R. Levy, Rashad Raisani

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Shades of Blue Season 2 Episode 5 - Sweet Caroline
    8.0/10(229 votes)

    #23 - Sweet Caroline

    S2:E5

    The mafia seeks revenge on Harlee by framing her for murder. As Harlee works against the clock and her own crew to cover her tracks as Wozniak fights to keep his cop family together when evidence of an old crime puts pressure on the already splintering team. Stahl cozies up to Cristina getting one step closer to the truth about Miguel.

    Director:Paul McCrane
    Writers:Jessica Grasl, Wolfe Coleman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Shades of Blue Season 2 Episode 6 - Fracture
    8.0/10(229 votes)

    #24 - Fracture

    S2:E6

    Harlee and Wozniak investigate Caroline's murder, putting Harlee and Nava's relationship in an awkward place because she can't reveal her connection to the crime or the methods she will use to solve it. Wozniak focuses on determining which member of his crew is informing to Verco as Loman uncovers a much deeper secret.

    Director:Peter Weller
    Writers:Jessica Grasl, Niceole R. Levy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Shades of Blue Season 3 Episode 8 - Cry Havoc
    8.0/10(171 votes)

    #25 - Cry Havoc

    S3:E8

    Wozniak enlists the crew to make a dangerous move against the Intelligence unit as Harlee struggles to stay on her new path.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Who Can Tell Me Who I Am?" is the worst rated episode of "Shades of Blue". It scored 7.2/10 based on 417 votes. Directed by Dan Lerner and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/28/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Equal & Opposite".