The Worst Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Worst Episode
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   7.9/10(465 votes)

   #1 - Return to the Circus

   S1:E19/10/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft
2. 

   8.0/10(392 votes)

   #2 - Tarr Tells His Story

   S1:E29/17/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft
3. 

   8.1/10(378 votes)

   #3 - Smiley Tracks the Mole

   S1:E39/24/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft
4. 

   8.1/10(363 votes)

   #4 - How It All Fits Together

   S1:E410/1/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft
5. 

   8.2/10(342 votes)

   #5 - Smiley Sets a Trap

   S1:E610/15/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft
6. 

   8.3/10(409 votes)

   #6 - Tinker Tailor

   S1:E510/8/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft
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7. 

   8.4/10(349 votes)

   #7 - Flushing Out the Mole

   S1:E710/22/1979

   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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   Director:John Irvin

   Writer:Arthur Hopcraft