The Detectives backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of The Detectives

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

Binge this in Unknown•Peaking at 8.9/10

The absurd adventures of two defective detectives, who - despite unbelievable incompetence - somehow manage to solve their cases (or be nearby when the cases are solved) and retain their jobs.

Airs on
BBC One
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Detectives Season 1 Episode 2 - Hostage
    8.9/10(69 votes)

    S1:E2

    A fanatical murderer has escaped from prison and Superintendent Cottam orders Briggs and Louis to catch him but the two detectives would rather be watching the F.A. Cup Final.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Detectives Season 2 Episode 1 - Collared
    8.9/10(47 votes)

    S2:E1

    Suspended after an unfortunate incident involving a suspected bomb in a briefcase, Briggs and Louis decide to gain favour by nicking some serious East End villains.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Detectives Season 1 Episode 5 - Studs
    8.4/10(48 votes)

    S1:E5

    Briggs and Louis find themselves on an assignment in Jersey. It isn't long before they get on the wrong side of Jim Bergerac.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Detectives Season 2 Episode 4 - Dutch Cops
    8.3/10(39 votes)

    S2:E4

    On Customs and Excise duty, Briggs and Louis find themselves trapped in the back of a pilchard lorry - with a large quantity of diamonds.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Detectives Season 2 Episode 6 - Rear Window
    8.3/10(43 votes)

    S2:E6

    Louis witnesses a brutal crime of passion while confined to a wheelchair, but has trouble convincing Briggs that it wasn't all in his mind.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Detectives Season 3 Episode 1 - D.C. Of Love
    8.3/10(35 votes)

    S3:E1

    As a lonely and meaningless retirement beckons after 25 years on the force, the boys are given the task of finding 'The Black Widow' after a series of gruesome lonely hearts murders.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Detectives

    READ
  7. The Detectives Season 4 Episode 2 - Fur Coat, No Knickers
    8.3/10(41 votes)

    S4:E2

    Louis and Briggs are called in to investigate a murder that has taken place during the re-creation of a medieval battle scene. However they are more concerned with the police football quiz.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Detectives Season 2 Episode 5 - Sparring Partners
    8.2/10(35 votes)

    S2:E5

    Briggs and Louis masquerade as the manager and trainer of a boxer as they investigate a steroid that promotes raw aggression - and enhances sexual prowess.

    Director:Ed Bye
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Detectives Season 3 Episode 5 - Between A Rock And A Hard Place
    8.2/10(38 votes)

    S3:E5

    After 30 years of watching and waiting, Superintendent Cottam ropes the boys into helping him catch notorious bullion thief, Ronnie Richardson.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Detectives Season 4 Episode 1 - The Great Escaper
    8.2/10(35 votes)

    S4:E1

    Louis and Briggs are cuffed to a notoriously slippery customer as they escort him to his latest prison by train. So how do they end up crossing the Yorkshire moors carrying a toilet door?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Detectives Season 1 Episode 6 - Strangers In Paradise
    8.1/10(48 votes)

    S1:E6

    Gangster Tony Mazola has been murdered. Superintendent Cottam thinks that gang warfare may be about to start. He sends Briggs and Louis on an undercover assignment to the Paradise Club in the East End of London.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Detectives Season 2 Episode 2 - Witness
    8.1/10(38 votes)

    S2:E2

    Two tough detectives are required to go undercover at a monastery. Unable to find any, the Super employs Briggs and Louis.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Detectives Season 5 Episode 4 - The Curse Of The Comanches
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    S5:E4

    When Briggs and Louis, helped by a mysterious Commanch Chief, go on the hunt for a sacred Indian carving, they soon find themselves on the trail of tragedy, death and disaster...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Detectives Season 4 Episode 4 - Sacked
    7.9/10(33 votes)

    S4:E4

    Briggs and Louis mistake the new Superintendent for a stripper at Cattams farewell party.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Detectives Season 1 Episode 1 - What The Butler Saw
    7.8/10(52 votes)

    S1:E1

    When the Earl of Lisson is murdered, Briggs and Louis try to discover ""who dunnit"".

    Director:Ed Bye
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Detectives Season 1 Episode 3 - Teed Off
    7.8/10(45 votes)

    S1:E3

    Johnny McKenna is an arms dealer and a keen golfer. Briggs and Louis have to get evidence of his illegal activities.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Detectives Season 5 Episode 2 - Cardiac Arrest
    7.8/10(37 votes)

    S5:E2

    When a gang member is shot during a getaway, Briggs and Louis are dispatched to the hospital. But with so many sick people, doctors and nurses around, Louis' hypochondria knows no bounds...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Detectives Season 1 Episode 4 - Acting Constables
    7.7/10(46 votes)

    S1:E4

    Briggs and Louis are assigned to act as advisors for a TV police drama.

    Director:Ed Bye
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Detectives Season 2 Episode 3 - Never Without Protection
    7.7/10(39 votes)

    S2:E3

    A Duchess keeps appearing in the tabloids canoodling withher police bodyguards. What the Super needs are two completely unappealing detectives...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Detectives Season 3 Episode 2 - Flash
    7.7/10(32 votes)

    S3:E2

    After mixing their drinks at the policemen's ball, Louis and Briggs confront a new horror involving a flasher, a Marquess and the commissioner's wife.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Detectives Season 4 Episode 5 - The Wembley Stadium Mystery
    7.7/10(35 votes)

    S4:E5

    Although Louis and Briggs have been assigned to a security operation at Wembley Stadium, they have their minds on winning the police table football tournament.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Detectives Season 5 Episode 3 - The Beast Of Hackney Marshes
    7.7/10(33 votes)

    S5:E3

    A night patrolling the marshes, on the lookout for an escaped bear, is really not what our heroes had in mind - particularly when their umbrella act for the Super's variety show is really coming together.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Detectives Season 5 Episode 6 - Mine's A Large One
    7.7/10(35 votes)

    S5:E6

    Briggs and Louis have found their true vocation - the river police. With peace, quiet and the total absence of any type of crime, it seems like paradise. Then the boat runs into an unexploded WWII river mine...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Detectives Season 3 Episode 3 - Art Attack
    7.6/10(34 votes)

    S3:E3

    When forced to transfer into the Fine Arts Squad, our heroes are despatched to recover the latest artistic creation of 'enfant terrible' Hadyn Smailes - a pair of maracas, a tin of peaches and a fish tank of the artist's own urine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Detectives Season 3 Episode 6 - Twitchers
    7.6/10(35 votes)

    S3:E6

    Briggs and Louis are assigned a case protecting the eggs of a newly-discovered breeding pair of red kites. Teir lack of enthusiasm soon turns to panic as the eggs are stolen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Hostage" is the best rated episode of "The Detectives". It scored 8.9/10 based on 69 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/3/1993. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Collared".