Tales of the Unexpected backdrop
Drama

The Worst Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected

Every episode of Tales of the Unexpected ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected!

Binge this in 1d 23h•Peaking at 8.5/10

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

Airs on
ITV1
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons9

All123456789

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 5 - Stranger in Town
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 12 - Death in the Morning
    3.2/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Death in the Morning

    S5:E12

    Karen marries a rich landowner with a huge house in the country. But after moving in, she senses an evil spirit.

    Director:John Gorrie
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 Episode 8 - Wet Saturday
    3.3/10(3 votes)

    #3 - Wet Saturday

    S7:E8

    George Princey has a high standing in the community, and when his daughter kills a man, he endeavours to cover it up to prevent a scandal.

    Director:Norman Lloyd
    Writer:John Collier

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 13 - There's One Born Every Minute
    3.5/10(4 votes)

    #4 - There's One Born Every Minute

    S4:E13

    Arthur and Margaret are a quiet couple. When she inherits £50,000, he reluctantly agrees to gamble it all on a dubious property deal.

    Director:Alan Gibson
    Writer:Chaim Bermant

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 Episode 4 - Have a Nice Death
    3.5/10(4 votes)

    #5 - Have a Nice Death

    S7:E4

    A writer is being hounded by the feminist movement over his books. If only he was at home with his wife everything would be all right. Wouldn't it?

    Director:William Slater
    Writer:Wolf Mankowitz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 15 - A Glowing Future
    3.7/10(3 votes)

    #6 - A Glowing Future

    S4:E15

    Jack and Betsy are lovers. That is until Jack decides to go halfway across the world to be with his new Australian girlfriend. But Betsy isn't going to make it easy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Ross Thomas

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected

    READ
  7. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 5 - Poison
    3.8/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Poison

    S2:E5

    A poisonous snake keeps a teacher prisoner in India. How can he escape from its evil glare?

    Director:Graham Evans
    Writer:Robin Chapman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 9 - Georgy Porgy
    3.8/10(5 votes)

    #8 - Georgy Porgy

    S2:E9

    George has problems with female attention, but when a beautiful woman joins his congregation things are set to change.

    Director:Graham Evans
    Writer:Robin Chapman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Tales of the Unexpected Season 3 Episode 8 - I'll Be Seeing You
    4.0/10(4 votes)

    #9 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 3 - The Boy Who Talked with Animals
    4.0/10(3 votes)

    #10 - The Boy Who Talked with Animals

    S4:E3

    When David rescues a giant turtle, it looks as though he's found a new friend, but there could be more to his pet than meets the eye.

    Director:Alan Gibson
    Writer:Robin Chapman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Tales of the Unexpected Season 5 Episode 9 - A Harmless Vanity
    4.0/10(4 votes)

    #11 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 2 - Skin
    4.2/10(5 votes)

    #12 - Skin

    S2:E2

    An old street beggar, a former tattooist, was a friend of the famous artist, Soutine. On his back, he has a tattoo by the artist, which is now priceless.

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 2 - Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat
    4.3/10(6 votes)

    #13 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Tales of the Unexpected Season 1 Episode 6 - Neck
    4.7/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Neck

    S1:E6

    A lady is cut down to size by her husband’s loyal butler when it is discovered she is having an affair.

    Director:Christopher Miles
    Writers:Robin Chapman, Roald Dahl

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 9 - The Best Policy
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - The Best Policy

    S4:E9

    Harry Flock has had a temporary promotion as acting manager of a branch bank. He is honest and meticulous to a fault, but in danger of losing his job when head office gets anonymous complaints about alleged embezzlements. His accounts are immaculate - in fact, they seem too good to be true.

    Director:Ray Danton
    Writers:David Scott Milton, Ferenc Molnár

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Tales of the Unexpected Season 6 Episode 5 - Heir Presumptuous
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #16 - Heir Presumptuous

    S6:E5

    George Devon, a wealthy rancher, is found murdered. His identical twin nephews stand to inherit his fortune, but one of them was seen at the scene of the crime. Both have alibis and no one can tell them apart.

    Director:Philip Leacock
    Writer:Ross Thomas

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Tales of the Unexpected Season 6 Episode 10 - The Luncheon
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - The Luncheon

    S6:E10

    Tony eats a pricey meal with Susan Mandeville, the extravagant wife of a filmmaker who wants the rights to his book.

    Director:Graham Evans
    Writer:Gerald Savory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Tales of the Unexpected Season 6 Episode 11 - The Tribute
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #18 - The Tribute

    S6:E11

    Three aristocratic women hear of the death of a woman who once served them as a nanny. They agree to go for lunch in her memory.

    Director:Graham Evans
    Writer:Alan Seymour

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Tales of the Unexpected Season 6 Episode 14 - The Turn of the Tide
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #19 - The Turn of the Tide

    S6:E14

    Criminal lawyer Slade has his reasons for wanting his colleague dead. He meticulously plans the perfect murder.

    Director:Ray Danton
    Writer:Ross Thomas

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 Episode 3 - Proxy
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Proxy

    S7:E3

    Three men are being blackmailed by a woman for money. One day she is found murdered and the three worry that they will be suspected.

    Director:Bert Salzman
    Writer:Bert Salzman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 Episode 9 - Sauce for the Goose
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #21 - Sauce for the Goose

    S7:E9

    Olivia starts a relationship with a younger man on the basis that she has killed her husband and gained his fortune. Her lover, however, still sees himself as a free agent and has an affair with another woman.

    Director:Bert Salzman
    Writer:Bert Salzman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 Episode 11 - I Like it Here in Wilmington
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #22 - I Like it Here in Wilmington

    S7:E11

    When a clothing manufacturer finds himself on the verge of bankruptcy, he ponders the idea of murdering his wife for the insurance money.

    Director:John Peyser
    Writer:David Scott Milton

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 Episode 15 - The Open Window
    5.0/10(2 votes)

    #23 - The Open Window

    S7:E15

    When a young man climbs through the window of a Connecticut hunting lodge, he emerges on the other side in a strange new world.

    Director:Christopher Lukas
    Writer:David Trainer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Tales of the Unexpected Season 2 Episode 10 - Depart in Peace
    5.5/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Depart in Peace

    S2:E10

    An art collector finds himself drawn into an unusual struggle with two beautiful women.

    Director:Alan Gibson
    Writers:Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 Episode 7 - The Sound Machine
    5.5/10(2 votes)

    #25 - The Sound Machine

    S4:E7

    A botanist has invented a machine that translates the sound of plants into speech. What he hears gives him a shock.

    Director:John Gorrie
    Writers:Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Stranger in Town" is the worst rated episode of "Tales of the Unexpected". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Wendy Toye and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/23/1982. This episode scored 3.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Death in the Morning".