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The Best Episodes of The Singing Detective

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

Binge this in 7h 0m•Peaking at 8.1/10

Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Singing Detective Season 1 Episode 1 - Skin
    8.1/10(188 votes)

    #1 - Skin

    S1:E1

    Pulp thriller writer Philip Marlow is in hospital with the skin complaint psoriasis, tormented by his past and threatened by his future. His memories, his 1930s-style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Dennis Potter

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  2. The Singing Detective Season 1 Episode 2 - Heat
    8.1/10(151 votes)

    #2 - Heat

    S1:E2

    Dennis Potter's drama about a patient struggling to keep his sanity, with the help of his alter ego, the singing private eye. Marlow faces a talking cure with a psychologist.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Dennis Potter

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  3. The Singing Detective Season 1 Episode 6 - Who Done It
    8.1/10(117 votes)

    #3 - Who Done It

    S1:E6

    The young Philip Marlow returns to the country railway station following his mother's death in London. Forty years on, Marlow the hospital patient still dreams about the homecoming and the frightening figure of the scarecrow that now erupts into the ward.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Dennis Potter

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  4. The Singing Detective Season 1 Episode 3 - Lovely Days
    7.9/10(131 votes)

    #4 - Lovely Days

    S1:E3

    While in hospital with psoriasis, Marlow thinks back to the war when he was a little boy, and remembers seeing his mother having illicit sex in the Forest of Dean. His memories, his 30s style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Dennis Potter

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  5. The Singing Detective Season 1 Episode 5 - Pitter Patter
    7.9/10(113 votes)

    #5 - Pitter Patter

    S1:E5

    Marlow is getting better and the different strands of his fiction and reality begin to occupy the same time and place.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Dennis Potter

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  6. The Singing Detective Season 1 Episode 4 - Clues
    7.8/10(115 votes)

    #6 - Clues

    S1:E4

    Marlow as a child visits London, but is not impressed. A film option on Marlow's novel thickens the plot. His memories, his 30s style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality.

    Director:Jon Amiel
    Writer:Dennis Potter

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Singing Detective

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Best Episodes Summary

"Skin" is the best rated episode of "The Singing Detective". It scored 8.1/10 based on 188 votes. Directed by Jon Amiel and written by Dennis Potter, it aired on 11/16/1986. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Heat".