War & PoliticsDramaMystery1979BBC Two

The Best Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Every episode of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy!

Best episode
S1E7 Flushing Out the Mole
8.4351 votes
Worst episode
S1E1 Return to the Circus
7.9469 votes
Top season
Season 1
8.1avg
Binge time
5h 18m
7 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons1

All1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 7 - Flushing Out the Mole
    8.4/10(351 votes)

    S1:E7

    Smiley springs his trap and catches the mole, who confesses how and why it happened, and the answers ultimately rob Smiley of any sense of victory.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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  2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 5 - Tinker Tailor
    8.3/10(412 votes)

    S1:E5

    Smiley calls on ex-Circus spy San Collins, who was the duty officer the night Jim Prideaux was shot. Collins confirms the events as Smiley understands them and that Prideaux's good friend Bill Hayden is the senior officer who took charge of the case after all hell broke loose. Smiley subsequently meets with Prideaux to get a firsthand account of the events during the disastrous Operation Testify in Czechoslovakia.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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  3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 6 - Smiley Sets a Trap
    8.2/10(345 votes)

    S1:E6

    Smiley confronts one of his suspects and gives him the results of his investigations, which could prove a considerable embarrassment to those concerned.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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  4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 4 - How It All Fits Together
    8.1/10(366 votes)

    S1:E4

    While Guillam and Tarr come under pressure, Smiley recounts his one meeting with Soviet master spy Karla, who is undoubtedly running the mole inside MI6.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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  5. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 3 - Smiley Tracks the Mole
    8.1/10(381 votes)

    S1:E3

    The investigation begins, with Peter Guillam burgling the archives for information, while Smiley visits an old comrade whose past knowledge could prove vital to locating the spy.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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  6. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 2 - Tarr Tells His Story
    8.0/10(395 votes)

    S1:E2

    British agent Ricki Tarr, believed to have defected, resurfaces with sensational information: confirmation of a Russian mole in the Service.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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  7. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 1 - Return to the Circus
    7.9/10(469 votes)

    S1:E1

    Retired espionage veteran George Smiley is called out on a top-secret mission: to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.

    Director:John Irvin
    Writer:Arthur Hopcraft

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Best Episodes Summary

"Flushing Out the Mole" is the best rated episode of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It scored 8.4/10 from 351 votes. Directed by John Irvin and written by Arthur Hopcraft, it aired on October 22, 1979. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Tinker Tailor".

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