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The Best Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected

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

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A British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented by Roald Dahl, the series featured a plethora of big

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Tales of the Unexpected Season 3 Episode 1 - The Flypaper
    8.2/10(595 votes)

    #1 - The Flypaper

    S3:E1

    With a 12-year-old found dead and a killer perhaps on the loose, a young girl becomes paranoid.

    Director:Graham Evans
    Writers:Elizabeth Taylor, Robin Chapman

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  2. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 9 - A Harmless Vanity
    7.6/10(315 votes)

    #2 - A Harmless Vanity

    S5:E9

    When Mary learns her husband is having an affair, she invites her rival to a beach party.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  3. Tales of the Unexpected Season 9 Episode 1 - Skeleton in the Cupboard
    7.6/10(246 votes)

    #3 - Skeleton in the Cupboard

    S9:E1

    Robert Smythe is a ruthless executive with a dangerous twenty year old secret. An echo from the past prompts him into a new cover up of the truth, but his wife becomes suspicious.

    Director:Paul Annett
    Writer:Tony Wilmot

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  4. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 1 - The Man From the South
    7.3/10(709 votes)

    #4 - The Man From the South

    S1:E1

    A young American couple on holiday meet a mysterious old gentleman who makes them a macabre wager.

    Director:Michael Tuchner
    Writer:Kevin Goldstein-Jackson

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  5. Tales of the Unexpected Season 3 Episode 7 - The Stinker
    7.3/10(316 votes)

    #5 - The Stinker

    S3:E7

    When millionaire Jack runs into Harold, a boy he bullied at school, he gives him a job. But Harold soon suspects his wife of having an affair with his new boss.

    Director:Alan Gibson
    Writer:Julian Bond

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  6. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 3 - Operation Safecrack
    7.3/10(266 votes)

    #6 - Operation Safecrack

    S5:E3

    In an attempt to prove their safes are impregnable, a company challenges ex-safebreaker Sam to crack one for a cash prize. But are his skills sharp enough?

    Director:Alan Gibson
    Writer:Robin Chapman

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected

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  7. Tales of the Unexpected Season 9 Episode 4 - The Verger
    7.3/10(242 votes)

    #7 - The Verger

    S9:E4

    When devoted verger Albert is forced to resign, he sets out to build a new life. But can he succeed in a modern world that has little time for his old-fashioned ways?

    Director:Rodney Bennett
    Writer:Denis Cannan

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  8. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 4 - Lamb to the Slaughter
    7.2/10(580 votes)

    #8 - Lamb to the Slaughter

    S1:E4

    An enraged detective's wife kills her husband by smashing in his skull with a heavy blunt instrument - but no murder weapon can be found, and the police are baffled.

    Director:John Howard Davies
    Writers:Robin Chapman, Roald Dahl

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  9. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 5 - The Landlady
    7.2/10(566 votes)

    #9 - The Landlady

    S1:E5

    When a young man arrives in Bath, he is shocked to find his seemingly charming landlady has a dark side.

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writers:Robin Chapman, Roald Dahl

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  10. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 4 - The Hitch-Hiker
    7.2/10(412 votes)

    #10 - The Hitch-Hiker

    S2:E4

    When a driver picks up a hitch-hiker in his car, his journey turns into a thrilling ride.

    Director:Alastair Reid
    Writer:Robin Chapman

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  11. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 7 - Taste
    7.2/10(405 votes)

    #11 - Taste

    S2:E7

    A dinner party takes a surprising turn when one pretentious guest is challenged to a wine tasting contest.

    Director:Alastair Reid
    Writers:Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl

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  12. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 2 - Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat
    7.1/10(552 votes)

    #12 - Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

    S1:E2

    Unable to show her dentist husband, Cyril, the fur coat her lover has given her, Mrs Bixby pawns it and pretends that she found the ticket.

    Director:Simon Langton
    Writers:Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl

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  13. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 9 - The Way Up to Heaven
    7.1/10(415 votes)

    #13 - The Way Up to Heaven

    S1:E9

    Mrs Foster exacts an intriguing revenge on her husband after his dawdling causes her to miss a flight.

    Director:Simon Langton
    Writers:Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl

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  14. Tales of the Unexpected Season 3 Episode 6 - Parson's Pleasure
    7.1/10(307 votes)

    #14 - Parson's Pleasure

    S3:E6

    Cyril makes a profitable living as a rogue antiques dealer, but when he buys a farmer’s valuable furniture item, his luck may be about to run out.

    Director:John Bruce
    Writer:Ronald Harwood

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  15. Tales of the Unexpected Season 3 Episode 8 - I'll Be Seeing You
    7.1/10(278 votes)

    #15 - I'll Be Seeing You

    S3:E8

    When Roland leaves his cruel, millionairess wife Vivien for a fresh start with his mistress Anna, the snubbed spouse plans to make his life a living hell.

    Director:Philip Dudley
    Writer:Julian Bond

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  16. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 2 - The Eavesdropper
    7.1/10(264 votes)

    #16 - The Eavesdropper

    S5:E2

    Moira hears a woman discussing a trip to Paris with her lover Donald. Is her husband, also called Donald, having an affair?

    Director:John Gorrie
    Writer:Robin Chapman

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  17. Tales of the Unexpected Season 8 Episode 3 - Nothin' Short of Highway Robbery
    7.1/10(225 votes)

    #17 - Nothin' Short of Highway Robbery

    S8:E3

    On a long drive through the desert, a couple get their car serviced and are handed an extortionate bill. But they plan on turning the tables.

    Director:John Peyser
    Writer:Luther Murdoch

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  18. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 11 - The Umbrella Man
    7.0/10(343 votes)

    #18 - The Umbrella Man

    S2:E11

    A con man arrives in town and starts his scam.

    Director:Claude Whatham
    Writer:Ronald Harwood

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  19. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 14 - Back for Christmas
    7.0/10(321 votes)

    #19 - Back for Christmas

    S2:E14

    A philandering physician with an obsession for orchids cultivates a deadly plot to see off his wife.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Denis Cannan, John Collier

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  20. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 4 - The Best of Everything
    7.0/10(258 votes)

    #20 - The Best of Everything

    S4:E4

    Desperate to win the affections of his boss’s daughter, Arthur accepts the help of his friend Charlie. But is he ready to count the true cost of love?

    Director:John Bruce
    Writer:Denis Cannan

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  21. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 6 - Shatterproof
    7.0/10(263 votes)

    #21 - Shatterproof

    S4:E6

    Property tycoon Gerry Williams is married to the beautiful but unhappy Ellen, and somewhere the marriage has gone terribly wrong. Then an assassin is hired to kill Gerry, and he makes the mistake of getting too friendly with his target.

    Director:John Jacobs
    Writer:Pat Hoddinott

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  22. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 5 - Stranger in Town
    7.0/10(297 votes)

    #22 - Stranger in Town

    S5:E5

    A stranger arrives in town and soon endears himself to the local community – although his motives prove sinister.

    Director:Wendy Toye
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Tales of the Unexpected Season 6 Episode 4 - Clerical Error
    7.0/10(225 votes)

    #23 - Clerical Error

    S6:E4

    While winding up his late father's affairs, Paul finds a bill demanding over £1,000 for pornography.

    Director:Graham Evans
    Writer:Peter Ransley

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  24. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 17 - Hijack
    6.9/10(242 votes)

    #24 - Hijack

    S4:E17

    A hijacker on an aeroplane takes a stewardess hostage before demanding a million dollars and a parachute. Will the captain give in to his demands?

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writer:Denis Cannan

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  25. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 8 - Pattern of Guilt
    6.9/10(219 votes)

    #25 - Pattern of Guilt

    S5:E8

    Police doctor Keith Briscoe is desperate to leave his wife for an ex but loses hope when she refuses to divorce him.

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Flypaper" is the best rated episode of "Tales of the Unexpected". It scored 8.2/10 based on 595 votes. Directed by Graham Evans and written by Elizabeth Taylor, Robin Chapman, it aired on 8/9/1980. This episode scored 0.6 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Harmless Vanity".