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The Best Episodes of The Pretender Season 1

Every episode of The Pretender Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Pretender Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 46m•Peaking at 8.5/10

Raised in a secret facility built for experimenting on children, Jarod is a genius who can master any profession and become anyone he has to be. When he realizes as an adult that he's actually

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Pretender Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    New York, New York - Miss Parker and Sydney find they had just missed Jarod helping a tanker ship in Alaska. Jarod is now posing as a doctor to uncover the truth behind an operation that resulted in a boy becoming paraplegic. Jarod also befriends a sicilian woman who has trouble with (ahem) bowel movements.

    Director:Rick Wallace
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  2. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 2 - Every Picture Tells A Story
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #2 - Every Picture Tells A Story

    S1:E2

    San Diego - California. Miss Parker and Sydney once again miss Jarod at the Y.M.C.A., who is now posing as a member of the Coast Guard trying to figure out the truth behind the death of a man who died at sea waiting for rescue. Jarod also befriends a hermit who lives out at sea and refuses to come back to land.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  3. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 3 - Flyer
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Flyer

    S1:E3

    Arizona - Sydney and Miss Parker survey a wind farm in Baja, CA where Jarod was last seen testing aerodynamics. Jarod is now flying jets for Skyvionics, which is testing a defense contractor's new computer system, while trying to figure out why a test pilot died during one of the tests. Jarod also befriends Mr. Hollis, a conspirator who was involved in the Manhattan Project.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  4. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 4 - Curious Jarod
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - Curious Jarod

    S1:E4

    Las Vegas, Nevada - After spending some time studying mathematics and science, Jarod becomes head of security at a the Marquee Casino in Las Vegas. While there, he attempts to solve the mystery behind the death of a showgirl. Jarod also befriends a down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker resort to finding Jarod through the mob.

    Director:Jesús Salvador Treviño
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 5 - The Paper Clock
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #5 - The Paper Clock

    S1:E5

    Los Angeles, California - Aiming to help a man wrongly sentenced for murder, Jarod becomes a lawyer and goes after the arrogant attorney protecting the real killer. Meanwhile, Sydney is trying to reach an agreement with The Centre to make a trade with Jarod: A piece of Jarod's past for some of the simulations.

    Director:Gabrielle Beaumont
    Writer:Javier Grillo-Marxuach

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  6. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 6 - To Protect and Serve
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #6 - To Protect and Serve

    S1:E6

    Miami Beach, Florida - Jarod, suspecting corruption in a police department, becomes an officer himself to solve the death of a boy who had recently been reunited with his father. He also befriends an aging lady who's young at heart, but is afraid of losing her wildside due to her fading eyesight. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is spending time in jail for violating criminal code 369.7 - Unlawful Carrying and Possession of Concealed Weapon, thanks to a tip from Jarod. With her in jail, Jarod uses that window of opportunity to hire a private investigator to aid in finding information about his mother.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Tommy Thompson

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Pretender

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  7. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 7 - A Virus Among Us
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - A Virus Among Us

    S1:E7

    Chicago, Illinois - Miss Parker finds that she just missed Jarod posing as a High School biology teacher, and is then subjected to the flu virus. Jarod now poses as a virologist at an infectious disease laboratory trying to figure out the story behind the disappearance of another virologist. He also befriends Ben, a musician who is trying to prefect his musical talent on various instruments, although his neighbors don't care for it.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Lawrence Meyers

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  8. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 8 - Not Even A Mouse
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Not Even A Mouse

    S1:E8

    Baltimore, Mariland - Jarod investigates the mystery behind a hit-and-run death of a homeless man known as 'Christmas George' while simultaneously trying to identify a Jane Doe before Christmas. Meanwhile, Sydney anxiously awaits word from Jarod and Miss Parker gets her hopes up spending Christmas with her father.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  9. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 9 - Mirage
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Mirage

    S1:E9

    Hudspeth County, Texas - Jarod pretends to be a skydiving instructor looking into the death of a survivalist who died on his annual trip into the desert. Jarod is also visited by Ernie Two Feathers, a man who may (or may not) be a spirit guide. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is given a birthday present from Jarod that leads her to information about her mother.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Tommy Thompson

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  10. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 10 - Better Part Of Valor
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #10 - Better Part Of Valor

    S1:E10

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Jarod works as a firefighter while investigating the murder of another smoke-eater; Miss Parker tries to seduce a married man.

    Director:Anson Williams
    Writer:Javier Grillo-Marxuach

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  11. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 11 - Bomb Squad
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #11 - Bomb Squad

    S1:E11

    Detroit, Michigan - Jarod poses as a member of the bomb squad, searching for a serial bomber who left a woman blind from one of his attacks. Meanwhile, the Centre puts Mr. Reines in charge of finding the person who's leaking information to Jarod. By utilizing Angelo, he puts Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots to the test.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Javier Grillo-Marxuach

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  12. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 12 - Prison Story
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #12 - Prison Story

    S1:E12

    MARYLAND OAKFIELD PENITENTIARY - Jarod pretends to be a prison guard who is trying to prove a man on death row didn't commit the crime he's sentenced to death for. Meanwhile, Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots all get a clue that makes them believe they're now one step ahead of Jarod.

    Director:Steven Long Mitchell
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  13. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 13 - Bazooka Jarod
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #13 - Bazooka Jarod

    S1:E13

    LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - Jarod joins the Navy to investigate the drowning of a ship's engineer, but he must outwit a security officer who doubts his credentials. Meanwhile, the latest lead on Jarod pushes Miss Parker to follow clues regarding the children her mother saved.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 14 - Ranger Jarod
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #14 - Ranger Jarod

    S1:E14

    TOLUCA NATIONAL FOREST, OREGON - Jarod falls in love with his hiking partner while on a seach-and-rescue for a boy who disappeared in the mountains. Jarod also befriends a man named Big Bob who has many stooge-ish qualitites. Back at The Centre, Miss Parker reminisces about how she loved Jarod when they were children.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  15. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 15 - Jaroldo!
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - Jaroldo!

    S1:E15

    SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - Jarod becomes a TV news cameraman to investigate a gang shoot-out that badly injured another cameraman. Jarod also befriends a man who lost his job and his family. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker get trapped in a condemned building.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Lawrence Meyers

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  16. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 16 - Under The Reds
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #16 - Under The Reds

    S1:E16

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Jarod checks into a fellow paramedic whom he believes is responsible for a graduate student's coma. But he first has to outsmart a pushy, investigative tax official who won't stop digging up everything on Jarod. After their follow-up to a lead on Jarod, Sydney disappears from the Centre. He holes himself up with his twin brother Jacob using a technique Jarod discovered in an attempt to bring him out of his coma. Miss Parker is put in charge of finding Syd and when she does, to make matters worst, Mr. Raines commands her to do eliminate Jacob.

    Director:Charles Siebert
    Writers:Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Lawrence Meyers

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  17. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 17 - Keys
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - Keys

    S1:E17

    MIAMI, FLORIDA - During a hurricane, Jarod is getting revenge for the deaths of a refugee's parents. He figures no one will pursue him since, after all, he's in the middle of a hurricane. But he's caught off guard when Miss Parker suddenly shows up. Even further caught off guard when his revenge backfires. Meanwhile, Miss Parker recalls the Thanksgiving before her mother's death. But she's blocked out certain details and Jarod makes her confront them.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  18. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 18 - Unhappy Landings
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #18 - Unhappy Landings

    S1:E18

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - Jarod takes the role of a U.S. marshal trying to find and protect a vital witness with information about drug bosses connected to crooked marshals. Meanwhile, Miss Parker puts Broots in charge of digging up any information on the children her mother rescued. And Sydney seeks counseling for his rage against Mr. Raines.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writers:Juan Carlos Coto, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Lawrence Meyers

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  19. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 19 - Jarod's Honor
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #19 - Jarod's Honor

    S1:E19

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - After completing a pretend, Jarod receives an email offering answers to his past. While investigating the lead, Jarod unexpectedly stubbles upon a dying hitman. When the hitman's last job comes calling, Jarod takes it. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker, following a lead from Jarod, attend a Twins Convention. And Broots covers for them from Mr. Raines.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writers:Tommy Thompson, Chris Ruppenthal

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  20. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 20 - Baby Love
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Baby Love

    S1:E20

    WYOMING(?) - After a close call with getting caught by Miss Parker, Jarod stumbles upon a baby who was thrown into a dumpster. Jarod takes the child and nurses it until he can find his parents while avoiding sinister authorities. At the same time, Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots all follow clues that Jarod has dug up in reference to the meaning of SL-27.

    Director:Joe Napolitano
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 21 - The Dragon House (1)
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #21 - The Dragon House (1)

    S1:E21

    FORT REXFORD, NEW YORK - Jarod becomes aware that Kyle, another pretender from The Centre, is on the run from the law. Eager to find him, he becomes an F.B.I. agent to aid the investigation. But he discovers that Kyle may have something to do with his mother. Meanwhile, Miss Parker and Sydney recruit Angelo to go through all of Jarod's red notebooks. They figure he can become Jarod and thus aiding in his capture.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  22. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 22 - The Dragon House (2)
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #22 - The Dragon House (2)

    S1:E22

    UPSTATE NEW YORK - Jarod discovers more about his family through Harriet, and decides that he must return to The Centre to free his brother Kyle. Meanwhile, Miss Parker convinces Broots and Sydney in helping her find the answers to her mother's death and believes Kyle may be the key. Finally, Jarod gets the opportunity to reunite with his family, including his sister. But The Centre becomes aware of the rendezvous and intends to stop it.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "The Pretender" season 1. It scored 8.5/10 based on 4 votes. Directed by Rick Wallace and written by Craig W. Van Sickle, it aired on 9/19/1996. This episode is rated 1.0 points higher than the second-best, "Every Picture Tells A Story".