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The Worst Episodes of Transparent

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

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An LA family with serious boundary issues have their past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone's secrets to spill out.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Transparent Season 5 Episode 1 - Musicale Finale
    6.2/10(524 votes)

    #1 - Musicale Finale

    S5:E1

    A dazzling two-hour movie musical fantasia. When the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they begin a journey hilarious and melancholy, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writers:Faith Soloway, Joey Soloway

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  2. Transparent Season 4 Episode 1 - Standing Order
    7.1/10(247 votes)

    #2 - Standing Order

    S4:E1

    An exciting offer draws Maura to Tel Aviv. Hoping for a fresh start, Shelly sells her condo and shacks up with Josh. Grappling with their family's weird intimacy issues, Sarah, Ali, and Josh attend a sex and love addicts meeting together. Ali rents out the Pfefferman house and contends with weird AirBnBers.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Faith Soloway

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  3. Transparent Season 4 Episode 3 - Pinkwashing Machine
    7.3/10(225 votes)

    #3 - Pinkwashing Machine

    S4:E3

    Sarah tests a new parenting style and is shocked to discover that it works. Josh reconnects with Dr. Steve as tensions rise at home with Shelly. Drawn in by an intriguing new friend, Ali travels to Palestine. Maura makes a life-changing discovery about her family history.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Yona Speidel

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  4. Transparent Season 4 Episode 7 - Babar the Borrible
    7.3/10(202 votes)

    #4 - Babar the Borrible

    S4:E7

    Sarah and Len divert a family outing to visit Lila's mom, leading to a blowup between the siblings. Ali breaks off from the group to visit her friend Lyfe in Ramallah while the other Pfeffermans engage in some questionably authentic tourism of desert life.

    Director:Gaby Hoffmann
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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  5. Transparent Season 2 Episode 6 - Bulnerable
    7.4/10(335 votes)

    #5 - Bulnerable

    S2:E6

    Ali finds herself a little too close to Leslie when she seeks Leslie's advice on her UCLA application; Josh confronts Shelly about the past; Sarah uses a hard-won date night to explore some of her sexual fantasies.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  6. Transparent Season 4 Episode 2 - Groin Anomaly
    7.4/10(231 votes)

    #6 - Groin Anomaly

    S4:E2

    Ali is blindsided when Leslie goes public with the details of their relationship. Sarah is ignited by a new connection with her daughter's former teacher, Lila. Josh unexpectedly encounters an ex. Shelly takes up improv. Ali joins Maura on her trip to Israel and their journey gets off to a bumpy start.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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  7. Transparent Season 4 Episode 6 - I Never Promised You a Promised Land
    7.4/10(210 votes)

    #7 - I Never Promised You a Promised Land

    S4:E6

    The family convenes for an unusual vacation and encounters a tribe of long-lost Pfeffermans. Ali pulls away from the rest of the family as her political convictions drive her to challenge the binary.

    Director:Jim Frohna
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  8. Transparent Season 4 Episode 10 - House Call
    7.4/10(207 votes)

    #8 - House Call

    S4:E10

    Feeling compelled to learn more about herself in Israel, Ali stays back as the rest of the family returns to Los Angeles. Sarah, Len, and Lila reevaluate their complicated relationship. Josh confronts his sex and love issues head on. Maura and Davis reclaim the Pfefferman house from an unwanted guest.

    Director:Rhys Ernst
    Writer:Ethan Kuperberg

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  9. Transparent Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.5/10(1106 votes)

    #9 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    An LA family with serious boundary issues have their past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone's secrets to spill out. Starring Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, and Gaby Hoffmann.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  10. Transparent Season 1 Episode 3 - Rollin
    7.5/10(543 votes)

    #10 - Rollin

    S1:E3

    Maura moves out of the family house and into a lively new apartment complex, just as Sarah needs a new home after dismantling her perfect life. Josh has to reconsider his sudden vision of starting a family, while Ali finds some new boundaries to cross.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  11. Transparent Season 2 Episode 3 - New World Coming
    7.5/10(373 votes)

    #11 - New World Coming

    S2:E3

    Josh and Raquel ask Colton to move in; Maura and Ali meet a feminist scholar—and Maura's former nemesis—at UCLA; Sarah launches a sexual fantasy life with a domineering figure from her past.

    Director:Marielle Heller
    Writer:Faith Soloway

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  12. Transparent Season 3 Episode 2 - When the Battle is Over
    7.5/10(305 votes)

    #12 - When the Battle is Over

    S3:E2

    After a health scare, Maura confronts death and her relationship to her body. Sarah hopes to join the MidCity Temple board. Shelly plans a onewoman show with Buzzy. Dissatisfied with their lives, Josh and Ali play married couple.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writer:Jessi Klein

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  13. Transparent Season 3 Episode 4 - Just the Facts
    7.5/10(288 votes)

    #13 - Just the Facts

    S3:E4

    Maura gets an exciting peek at the future with a visit to the plastic surgeon's office but fails to muster the same enthusiasm from Vicki on a fun night out. Josh visits an unusually upbeat Rita while Ali and Leslie struggle with intimacy. Sarah finds distraction from her personal troubles by spearheading an unorthodox approach to Judaism.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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  14. Transparent Season 4 Episode 9 - They Is on the Way
    7.5/10(199 votes)

    #14 - They Is on the Way

    S4:E9

    Back in Los Angeles, Davina's stay at the Pfeffermanhouse is rudely interrupted. The Pfeffermans float in the Dead Sea and Ali rushes to meet them but is waylaid at an Israeli checkpoint.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  15. Transparent Season 1 Episode 2 - The Letting Go
    7.6/10(624 votes)

    #15 - The Letting Go

    S1:E2

    Maura embraces her new journey, but nothing about life as a woman is easy -- making friends, finding a new community, and above all, coming out to her children. Sarah introduces her husband (Rob Huebel) to her ex-girlfriend Tammy (Melora Hardin). Josh pays a visit to his ex-babysitter Rita, as Ali gets closer to her trainer.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  16. Transparent Season 2 Episode 4 - Cherry Blossoms
    7.6/10(355 votes)

    #16 - Cherry Blossoms

    S2:E4

    Josh's bonding with Colton comes at a price; Sarah feels more like an outsider than ever following a disastrous school gala; a visit to Grandma Rose leaves Ali and Syd with questions; Maura searches for autonomy.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Arabella Anderson

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  17. Transparent Season 3 Episode 9 - Off the Grid
    7.6/10(279 votes)

    #17 - Off the Grid

    S3:E9

    After reconnecting with Colton, Josh decides to move to Overland Park, until a concerned Ali travels to him, intending to bring him home. Feeling abandoned, Sarah has trouble controlling her rage. Shelly confronts Buzzy about his spending, leading to some unforeseen revelations. Newly single Maura has an exciting, surprising night out.

    Director:So Yong Kim
    Writers:Bridget Bedard, Stephanie Kornick

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  18. Transparent Season 4 Episode 5 - Born Again
    7.6/10(213 votes)

    #18 - Born Again

    S4:E5

    Maura revisits the night that Ali was born. Davina recalls memories of her youth and comes to terms with her troubled relationship with Sal. Davina and Maura each make a deal with God.

    Director:Marta Cunningham
    Writer:Stephanie Kornick

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  19. Transparent Season 2 Episode 8 - Oscillate
    7.7/10(344 votes)

    #19 - Oscillate

    S2:E8

    Maura learns more about the trans experience; Josh heads down a reckless path; Ali and Sarah take Maura to the Idyllwild Wimmin's Music Festival.

    Director:Andrea Arnold
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  20. Transparent Season 4 Episode 4 - Cool Guy
    7.7/10(223 votes)

    #20 - Cool Guy

    S4:E4

    Maura and Ali uncover new truths about their family. Shelly gets bold in her improv class. Sparks fly between Sarah, Lila, and Len and they set off to hatch a plan. Josh is haunted by the past.

    Director:Sarah Gavron
    Writer:Gabe Liedman

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  21. Transparent Season 1 Episode 5 - Wedge
    7.8/10(505 votes)

    #21 - Wedge

    S1:E5

    When Shelly's husband Ed goes missing, Sarah, Josh and Ali set out to find him, and instead find themselves lost in their past. Ali can no longer keep Maura's secret from Josh, which sends him into a tailspin. When Maura runs into a Pfefferman family friend she takes a stand for her new identity.

    Director:Nisha Ganatra
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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  22. Transparent Season 1 Episode 9 - Looking Up
    7.8/10(463 votes)

    #22 - Looking Up

    S1:E9

    Maura finds solace with ex-wife Shelly, and the two hatch a plot to help Ed realize his wishes. Sarah spends time with her ex-husband and begins to question their breakup, while Raquel finally breaks through to Josh. And when the entire family is summoned to Shelly's, they are in for a few surprises.

    Director:Nisha Ganatra
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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  23. Transparent Season 2 Episode 7 - The Book of Life
    7.8/10(340 votes)

    #23 - The Book of Life

    S2:E7

    On Yom Kippur, Sarah tries to make amends with Tammy; Maura tries to communicate with Davina; Josh tries to make peace with Raquel; Ali and Syd host a break-the-fast party.

    Director:Jim Frohna
    Writer:Ethan Kuperberg

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  24. Transparent Season 3 Episode 6 - The Open Road
    7.8/10(301 votes)

    #24 - The Open Road

    S3:E6

    Josh hits the road with an unlikely copilot, stirring up some undeniable chemistry along the way. Back at home, Shelly becomes wary of Buzzy's outlandish spending while Ali sees God during a nitrous induced trip at the dentist's office.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  25. Transparent Season 3 Episode 7 - Life Sucks and Then You Die
    7.8/10(287 votes)

    #25 - Life Sucks and Then You Die

    S3:E7

    Josh arrives in Overland Park and delivers difficult news to Colton. Sarah oversteps her boundaries with Raquel, putting the Hineni Seder in danger. A tough conversation with Bryna brings up some big issues between Maura and Vicki.

    Director:Shira Piven
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Musicale Finale" is the worst rated episode of "Transparent". It scored 6.2/10 based on 524 votes. Directed by Joey Soloway and written by Faith Soloway, Joey Soloway, it aired on 9/27/2019. This episode scored 0.9 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Standing Order".