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The Worst Episodes of The Pretender

Every episode of The Pretender ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Pretender!

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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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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Pretender Season 1 Episode 15 - Jaroldo!
    7.2/10(182 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 12 - Prison Story
    7.3/10(190 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 9 - Mirage
    7.4/10(201 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 13 - Bazooka Jarod
    7.4/10(183 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 3 - Flyer
    7.5/10(219 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 7 - A Virus Among Us
    7.5/10(202 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 10 - Better Part Of Valor
    7.5/10(201 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 11 - Bomb Squad
    7.5/10(194 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 18 - Unhappy Landings
    7.5/10(164 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 19 - Jarod's Honor
    7.5/10(161 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 4 - Exposed
    7.5/10(169 votes)

    #11 - Exposed

    S2:E4

    MIAMI, FLORIDA - Jarod takes on the role of a fashion photographer in order to stop a stalker who has already claimed the life of one of his victims. Meanwhile, Miss Parker follows Jarod's clues that lead her to Rock Cove, Maine and uncovers more information about her mother.

    Director:Jim Charleston
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 2 - Every Picture Tells A Story
    7.6/10(230 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 5 - The Paper Clock
    7.6/10(216 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 20 - Baby Love
    7.6/10(167 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 1 - Back From The Dead Again
    7.6/10(175 votes)

    #15 - Back From The Dead Again

    S2:E1

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - Jarod morns the death of his brother. He then takes on the identity of a anatomy professor trying to find a boy who has been missing since Halloween of the previous year. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is startled to find that her father has disappeared and has been replaced by a Mr. Lyle. With him comes Brigitte, a myseterious girl who is more thorough in finding Jarod then Miss Parker. And Sydney, at Jarod's request, researches why there's no DSA for the last three weeks of October prior to his escape.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  16. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 2 - Scott Free
    7.6/10(165 votes)

    #16 - Scott Free

    S2:E2

    MIDDLETOWN, DELAWARE - Jarod intercepts the role of a real safecracker to help a man who's being forced to participate in one more heist. Jarod also starts to feel the need of a father figure and turns to Sydney. Meanwhile, Brigitte tries to take control over Miss Parker's role in the capture of Jarod.

    Director:Joe Napolitano
    Writer:Tommy Thompson

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  17. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 11 - Gigolo Jarod
    7.6/10(162 votes)

    #17 - Gigolo Jarod

    S2:E11

    DETROIT, MICHIGAN - Jarod takes on the role of paid escort to get close to a housing developer who has plans to displace a low-income neighborhood for a high-rise. Jarod also is hired by another woman, in a seperation period, who thinks her husband doesn't love her anymore. Meanwhile, Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots are following Jarod's latest trail, which leads them to a book (The Saddest Little Valentine) that Jarod has published.

    Director:Rodney Charters
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Pretender Season 4 Episode 13 - Ghosts From The Past
    7.6/10(134 votes)

    #18 - Ghosts From The Past

    S4:E13

    Jarod infiltrates a white supremacist group to stop the bombing of a Unity event. Meanwhile, Angelo fights his way through Jarod's past to find the old enemy currently threatening Jarod's life.

    Director:Michael T. Weiss
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 4 - Curious Jarod
    7.7/10(217 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 6 - To Protect and Serve
    7.7/10(210 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 16 - Under The Reds
    7.7/10(173 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 17 - Keys
    7.7/10(180 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 5 - Nip and Tuck
    7.7/10(157 votes)

    #23 - Nip and Tuck

    S2:E5

    BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - Jarod becomes a plastic surgeon to find out who deliberately ruined the face of a bright young student. Meanwhile, at The Centre, Broots is paranoid that someone is following him where ever he goes. Brigitte offers help, but at a price.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Eric Morris

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  24. The Pretender Season 3 Episode 10 - Mr. Lee
    7.7/10(166 votes)

    #24 - Mr. Lee

    S3:E10

    A blind man and his assistant piece together Jarod's personality so they can kidnap him.

    Director:Steven Long Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Pretender Season 4 Episode 12 - Lifeline
    7.7/10(122 votes)

    #25 - Lifeline

    S4:E12

    Jarod becomes a bodyguard to reunite an undercover ATF agent and her daughter. Meanwhile. Miss Parker sets out to prove Raines' religious 'conversion' is nothing of the kind.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Jaroldo!" is the worst rated episode of "The Pretender". It scored 7.2/10 based on 182 votes. Directed by Terrence O'Hara and written by Lawrence Meyers, it aired on 3/8/1997. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Prison Story".