The Strain backdrop
Sci-Fi & Fantasy•Drama•Mystery

The Worst Episodes of The Strain

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

Binge this in 1d 9h•Peaking at 7.6/10

A high concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate

Airs on
FX
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons4

All1234

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    The Strain Season 3 Episode 2 - Bad White
    5.6/10(1093 votes)

    #1 - Bad White

    S3:E2

    The Master’s offer to return Zack plagues Eph as he considers taking the deal. Dutch reunites with an old group of friends but begins to question if her safety is better with them or with Fet, Eph and Setrakian. Palmer strives for answers to Setrakian’s secret strigoi blood treatments and discovers he may have a way to acquire it.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Strain Season 2 Episode 12 - Fallen Light
    6.1/10(1157 votes)

    #2 - Fallen Light

    S2:E12

    Eph must choose between Zack's safety and the safety of the citizens of NYC. Meanwhile, his relationship with Nora reaches a critical impasse, and Gus and Angel assemble an unlikely gang of Sun-hunters.

    Director:Vincenzo Natali
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Strain Season 3 Episode 5 - Madness
    6.1/10(1022 votes)

    #3 - Madness

    S3:E5

    New information from the Lumen forces Setrakian to seek help from his lifelong nemesis, Eldritch Palmer. Eph's new experiments to understand strigoi communication seemingly take him to the brink of madness while Fet is on a mission to discover strigoi movements across New York City.

    Director:Deran Sarafian
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Strain Season 2 Episode 7 - The Born
    6.2/10(1274 votes)

    #4 - The Born

    S2:E7

    Setrakian and Fet use Fitzwilliam's info to attack the Master. Eph returns to NYC frustrated but energized to go after the one person responsible for killing his friends.

    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Strain Season 2 Episode 2 - By Any Means
    6.3/10(1377 votes)

    #5 - By Any Means

    S2:E2

    Eph and Nora experiment on their newfound patients. Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear out the neighborhood buildings, and Kelly begins her hunt for Zack.

    Director:T.J. Scott
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Strain Season 2 Episode 1 - BK, NY
    6.4/10(1669 votes)

    #6 - BK, NY

    S2:E1

    Eph and Nora work on a biological weapon to kill the strigoi, and Setrakian risks the lives of the entire group to find information about a closely guarded secret text. The Master begins the next phase of his own plan, by creating a terrifying new breed of creature and placing them under the control of Kelly.

    Director:Gregory Hoblit
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Strain

    READ
  7. The Strain Season 2 Episode 4 - The Silver Angel
    6.4/10(1269 votes)

    #7 - The Silver Angel

    S2:E4

    Eph and Nora finally see their lethal virus in action. Fet takes the security of Red Hook into his own hands while Dutch and Setrakian set off for Staten Island to question Fitzwilliam, Palmer's former body guard.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Strain Season 1 Episode 2 - The Box
    6.6/10(2446 votes)

    #8 - The Box

    S1:E2

    The four survivors begin manifesting strange symptoms, but Eph and Nora's attempt to quarantine them is thwarted as the disinformation campaign begins. Meanwhile, in jail, Setrakian receives a surprise visit from an old - a very old - acquaintance.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Strain Season 1 Episode 9 - The Disappeared
    6.6/10(1807 votes)

    #9 - The Disappeared

    S1:E9

    Eph races to safeguard his family, only to learn that Kelly is missing. Dutch reveals her role in Palmer’s plan, and Gus is forced to make a difficult decision about Felix.

    Director:Charlotte Sieling
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Strain Season 2 Episode 3 - Fort Defiance
    6.6/10(1314 votes)

    #10 - Fort Defiance

    S2:E3

    Gus and Vaun wage an attack on Palmer as Eph struggles to connect with Zack. Councilwoman Justine Faraldo vows to bring her extermination policies to the other boroughs.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Regina Corrado

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Strain Season 2 Episode 9 - The Battle for Red Hook
    6.6/10(1257 votes)

    #11 - The Battle for Red Hook

    S2:E9

    Justine takes drastic measures to counter a surprise invasion. Nora and Fet perform a useful mission while Eph and Setrakian face off against an old foe.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writer:Regina Corrado

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Strain Season 3 Episode 3 - First Born
    6.7/10(1148 votes)

    #12 - First Born

    S3:E3

    The Occido Lumen is gone. Stolen. Setrakian and Fet race to recover it. Gus and Angel try to hide a secret houseguest while avoiding a police sweep, and Quinlan's thirst for vengeance is revealed.

    Director:Ken Girotti
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Strain Season 3 Episode 4 - Gone But Not Forgotten
    6.7/10(1047 votes)

    #13 - Gone But Not Forgotten

    S3:E4

    Things have changed. The infection enters a new phase. Fet wants to celebrate, but Setrakian and Eph are worried there's more work to be done. Justine conscripts a new, unwilling army in the fight while Eichhorst angrily lashes out with a plan to strike back.

    Director:Ken Girotti
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Strain Season 1 Episode 4 - It's Not for Everyone
    6.8/10(2066 votes)

    #14 - It's Not for Everyone

    S1:E4

    A secret autopsy demonstrates the bizarre progression of the mystery virus, prompting Jim to make a startling confession. Eph and Nora race to find the father of the youngest victim of the plane tragedy, but someone unexpected beats them to it. Ansel, in the grip of disease, takes desperate measures to protect his family.

    Director:Keith Gordon
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Strain Season 2 Episode 8 - Intruders
    6.8/10(1203 votes)

    #15 - Intruders

    S2:E8

    Eph must protect Zack against a surprise intruder into Red Hook. Gus convinces the Guptas to make a difficult choice. Fet and Setrakian set out to acquire the Lumen.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writers:David Weddle, Bradley Thompson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Strain Season 2 Episode 13 - Night Train
    6.9/10(1359 votes)

    #16 - Night Train

    S2:E13

    Setrakian and Fet battle for possession of the Occido Lumen, and gain a surprising new ally. A massive attack imperils Eph, Nora, and Zack's escape from New York.

    Director:Vincenzo Natali
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Strain Season 3 Episode 1 - New York Strong
    6.9/10(1210 votes)

    #17 - New York Strong

    S3:E1

    The strigoi are evolving, becoming faster. Smarter. Eph struggles to improve his failing bioweapon while trying to work through the emotional fallout of the abduction of his son, Zack. As Setrakian and Quinlan attempt to crack the Lumen's deepest-held secrets, Fet helps a Navy SEAL team in a deadly mission: search for the Master through the underground tunnels of New York.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Strain Season 1 Episode 10 - Loved Ones
    7.0/10(1768 votes)

    #18 - Loved Ones

    S1:E10

    Eph investigates Kelly’s disappearance and struggles with what he finds. Dutch pursues a plan to retaliate against Palmer, and Fitzwilliam makes a surprising choice.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Strain Season 2 Episode 5 - Quick and Painless
    7.0/10(1269 votes)

    #19 - Quick and Painless

    S2:E5

    Eph changes his appearance to leave the city while Nora is left as the reluctant parent for Zack. Dutch and Nora make a deal with Justine to secure Fet's release from jail.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Liz Phang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Strain Season 2 Episode 6 - Identity
    7.0/10(1281 votes)

    #20 - Identity

    S2:E6

    Eph concocts a plan to make and distribute a bioweapon. Gus realizes Angel can be an unlikely ally, and Kelly comes after Nora and Zack.

    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Strain Season 3 Episode 7 - Collaborators
    7.0/10(1013 votes)

    #21 - Collaborators

    S3:E7

    Setrakian offers hope in a new plan to trap the Master while Eph and Dutch seek out the Master's “voice.” Palmer needs Setrakian's access to the white to hold up his end of their bargain.

    Director:T.J. Scott
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Strain Season 4 Episode 3 - One Shot
    7.0/10(962 votes)

    #22 - One Shot

    S4:E3

    Quinlan and Fet discover that stealing a nuclear warhead isn’t easy when they encounter an unexpected enemy. Eph and Alex concoct a new weapon to use against the strigoi. Frustrated with his seclusion, Zack discovers a love interest.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Strain Season 1 Episode 1 - Night Zero
    7.1/10(3527 votes)

    #23 - Night Zero

    S1:E1

    When a plane lands in New York City with everyone on board dead, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, head of the CDC’s Canary Project, and his team are called upon to investigate. Harlem pawnbroker Abraham Setrakian races to the airport, convinced that what looks at first like a mysterious viral outbreak might be the beginning of something infinitely more sinister.

    Director:Guillermo del Toro
    Writer:Chuck Hogan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Strain Season 4 Episode 2 - The Blood Tax
    7.1/10(977 votes)

    #24 - The Blood Tax

    S4:E2

    Imprisoned as a subject in a strigoi breeding program, Dutch is desperate to escape and find Setrakian. Gus recruits his cousin for the inside job that will put his gang at the top of the new world’s underground economy, but Creem is suspicious of his business partner’s ambitions.

    Director:J. Miles Dale
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Strain Season 1 Episode 3 - Gone Smooth
    7.2/10(2186 votes)

    #25 - Gone Smooth

    S1:E3

    Eph and Nora fight to save Captain Redfern's life before coming face-to-face with the horrifying effects of the virus. A spike in rat attacks signals Fet that something inexplicable is happening deep below the city. Released from jail, Setrakian begins his own merciless plan to stop the spread of the disease.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Bad White" is the worst rated episode of "The Strain". It scored 5.6/10 based on 1093 votes. Directed by J. Miles Dale and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/4/2016. This episode scored 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Fallen Light".