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The Best Episodes of The River

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

Binge this in 5h 44m•Peaking at 7.7/10

Wildlife expert and TV personality Emmet Cole sets course around the world with his wife, Tess, and son, Lincoln, while filming what would become one of the most popular shows in television. After he goes

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The River Season 1 Episode 6 - Doctor Emmet Cole
    7.7/10(300 votes)

    S1:E6

    The Magus crew arrive at Sahte Falls and find footage that Emmet filmed of the days leading up to his disappearance. Lincoln and Tess have no choice but to watch as Emmet battles for survival on his way to the mysterious Source of all magic. Meanwhile, Lena has a confession to make to one of her crewmates.

    Director:Michelle MacLaren
    Writer:Michael Green

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  2. The River Season 1 Episode 7 - The Experiment
    7.7/10(320 votes)

    S1:E7

    The Magus crew find themselves in a stark predicament as they're stalked by a cannibalistic terror while searching through an abandoned research facility following mysterious clues that suggest Dr. Emmet Cole may still be alive. Meanwhile, security force leader Kurt is forced to make a heavy personal sacrifice when it comes to the safety of the crew.

    Director:Kenneth Fink
    Writer:Soo Hugh

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  3. The River Season 1 Episode 5 - Peaches
    7.6/10(315 votes)

    S1:E5

    The Magus crew are run aground by another vessel, and soon learn that the seemingly welcoming crew members of a ship claiming to have come to their rescue have in fact a very different agenda, causing a dire, life-and-death situation. The crew also make a shocking discovery that will leave one of them in tears.

    Director:Rob Bailey
    Writer:Wendy Battles

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  4. The River Season 1 Episode 8 - Row, Row, Row Your Boat
    7.5/10(326 votes)

    S1:E8

    With a course now plotted for their final destination, the Magus crew suddenly finds itself in complete chaos when a member of their own is shot dead, leading Jahel to call upon the spirit of the Boiúna to help, against the wishes of her father. The crew's quest is threatened further by the unknown killer, as the situation continues to spiral out of control.

    Director:Gary Fleder
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The River Season 1 Episode 3 - Los Ciegos
    7.1/10(366 votes)

    S1:E3

    When the crew of the Magus goes blind from tree spores, lone holdout AJ must overcome his most-paralyzing fear to find a cure before the blindness becomes permanent; the local tribe stalks the crew and judges if they are worthy to stay in the jungle.

    Director:Michael Katleman
    Writer:Glen Morgan

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  6. The River Season 1 Episode 4 - A Better Man
    7.1/10(317 votes)

    S1:E4

    The Magus team encounters one of Emmet's colleagues who disappeared six months ago and discover he's been the victim of a mystical curse that is a life or death matter. But when the others plan to leave and continue the mission, Lincoln must face this challenge and be the moral compass.

    Director:Dean White
    Writer:Aron Eli Coleite

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The River

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  7. The River Season 1 Episode 2 - Marbeley
    7.0/10(434 votes)

    S1:E2

    The spirit of Dr. Emmet gets into Jahel, the message is clear, go home! Tess then is determined to go and find clues to Cole's whereabouts. While on the mission, they discover a tree with children dolls that is suspected to guard of the "spirit of the abandoned girl" who drowned in the river. Then, a member of the crew goes missing and they realize they have to survive the nightmare of an angry spirit.

    Director:Jaume Collet-Serra
    Writers:Michael Green, Zack Estrin

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  8. The River Season 1 Episode 1 - Magus
    6.8/10(569 votes)

    S1:E1

    Dr. Emmet Cole, adventurer and TV personality goes missing deep in the Amazon. After a string search for him, his family and friends hold a memorial service in his honor. His wife, Tess, tries to face the reality of her husband death, while her son, Lincoln, is more than ready to move on. Six months later Emmet's location beacon catches a mysterious signal. Tess and Lincoln join her and Emmet's film crew on a journey through the Amazon to find him.

    Director:Jaume Collet-Serra
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Doctor Emmet Cole" is the best rated episode of "The River". It scored 7.7/10 based on 300 votes. Directed by Michelle MacLaren and written by Michael Green, it aired on 3/6/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Experiment".