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The Worst Episodes of United States of Tara

Every episode of United States of Tara ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of United States of Tara!

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Tara's multiple personalities include "T" the wild-child teenager, "Buck" the rough and tumble biker dude, and "Alice" the type-A homemaker. But with a family that loves her just the way she is, Tara never gives

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 3 - Work
    7.4/10(349 votes)

    #1 - Work

    S1:E3

    When Tara and Max can’t connect in the bedroom, Tara worries Max may be more interested in her alters than her. After gaining reassurance from her therapist Dr. Ocean,Tara plans a “sex date” with Max to get them back on track. Tara’s sister Charmaine recommends she meet her new boss for a potential mural project. As Tara prepares for her “sex date” with Max, the pressure becomes too much and she becomes “Buck.” That night, “Buck” doles out advice on women and Max ends up male-bonding with his own wife.

    Director:Craig Gillespie
    Writer:Diablo Cody

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  2. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 2 - Aftermath
    7.5/10(395 votes)

    #2 - Aftermath

    S1:E2

    Tara feels like a failure as a mother when she is unable to counsel her children about school and sex, so she turns to her perfect-homemaker personality "Alice" for help.

    Director:Craig Gillespie
    Writer:Diablo Cody

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  3. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 8 - Explosive Diorama
    7.5/10(205 votes)

    #3 - Explosive Diorama

    S2:E8

    Tara and Lynda make preparations for their art show. Kate sets up a new business, while Lionel and Marshall's friendship deepens. In the meantime, Charmaine struggles trying to balance Neil and Nick.

    Director:Penny Marshall
    Writers:Diablo Cody, Joey Soloway

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  4. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 6 - The Road to Hell is Paved with Breast Intentions
    7.5/10(191 votes)

    #4 - The Road to Hell is Paved with Breast Intentions

    S3:E6

    Tara seems to be making progress with her new contract but Dr. Hattaras discovers something disturbing in a tape from one her therapy sessions; much to the sisters' chagrin, Neil invites Tara and Charmaine's mother to visit her grandchild; Max is unhappy at his new job but can't talk to Tara about it; Kate is surprised when a handsome flyer rebuffs her flirting.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 5 - Doin' Time
    7.6/10(211 votes)

    #5 - Doin' Time

    S2:E5

    Max’s violent outburst comes back to haunt him. Tara learns she is now able to be aware of what her newest alternate personality, Shoshana, does. Kate’s music video is an internet success. Marshall decides he has to break up with Courtney. The doctor gives Charmaine surprising news about her pregnancy.

    Director:Craig Gillespie
    Writer:Sheila Callaghan

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  6. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 7 - The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp
    7.6/10(195 votes)

    #6 - The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp

    S3:E7

    Tara motivates Max to relive his old rock band Beaverlamp. Meanwhile, a depressed Dr. Hattaras makes her take a break from their therapy sessions and Marshall and Noah interview Max for their film festival project.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Sheila Callaghan

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of United States of Tara

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  7. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.7/10(537 votes)

    #7 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Suburban mother and wife Tara Gregson does her best to lead a normal life while dealing with multiple personalities that include a spirited teenager called "T," a Vietnam vet named "Buck," and the perennial 1950's-style housewife, "Alice."

    Director:Craig Gillespie
    Writers:Diablo Cody, Steven Spielberg

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  8. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 4 - Inspiration
    7.7/10(328 votes)

    #8 - Inspiration

    S1:E4

    Tara feels the best she’s felt in a long time. She loves the mural she is working on and feels she’s found a new friend in Tiffany. That night, while Charmaine, Tara, and Tiffany are out for drinks, Tiffany decides she wants to see one of Tara’s alternate personalities and begins probing Tara in a way that turns ugly. Tiffany wakes up the next morning horrified when she finds the mural is destroyed and she suspects Tara.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  9. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 5 - Revolution
    7.7/10(308 votes)

    #9 - Revolution

    S1:E5

    Tara turns into “T” and takes off in her car. Max and Charmaine go after her, creating the perfect opportunity for Marshall to throw a party as an excuse to be near his crush, Jason. Charmaine, Max, and “T” all return to the house to discover a raging party going on -- the buzz gets killed in more ways than one.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  10. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 3 - The Truth Hurts
    7.7/10(221 votes)

    #10 - The Truth Hurts

    S2:E3

    The family discovers the truth -- Tara’s alternate personalities are back. Buck’s actions have brought serious consequences that unleash a new side of Max. Neil finds out about Charmaine’s engagement. Marshall and Courtney begin to experiment as Kate grows closer to Lynda.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Tracy McMillan

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  11. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 9 - The Family Portrait
    7.7/10(201 votes)

    #11 - The Family Portrait

    S2:E9

    Tara starts working on a family portrait in order to re-connect with her family while Max tries to get away from Pammy.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Craig Wright

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  12. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 5 - Dr. Hatteras' Miracle Elixir
    7.7/10(197 votes)

    #12 - Dr. Hatteras' Miracle Elixir

    S3:E5

    Tara tries to drop her Abnormal Psychology class but instead receives an intriguing pitch from her instructor, Dr. Hattaras; Charmaine and Neil find parenthood a struggle but still refuse Tara's help; Max finds himself at odds with his boss at his new job; Kate prepares for flight attendant training; Lionel catches Marshall with Noah, jeopardizing their student film project.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Elizabeth Benjamin

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  13. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 7 - Alterations
    7.8/10(286 votes)

    #13 - Alterations

    S1:E7

    Charmaine has decided to get her breasts re-done and has asked Tara to be her caretaker while she recovers. Kate gives Marshall Love advice, telling him to play hard to get with Jason. When Charmaine wakes after her surgery, she is surprised to see “Buck” at her bedside, not Tara. While “Buck” takes care of Charmaine, she comes to appreciate him in a way she never has before.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Diablo Cody

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  14. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 1 - Yes
    7.8/10(243 votes)

    #14 - Yes

    S2:E1

    Season two opens with a bang as the Gregsons' neighbor commits suicide and the family unexpectedly is given responsibility of the house. Now well and dissociation-free for several months, Tara sets out to make new friends with Max's help. Marshall struggles to fit in at school while Kate lands a new job. Nick pops the question to Charmaine

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Diablo Cody

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  15. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 2 - Trouble Junction
    7.8/10(232 votes)

    #15 - Trouble Junction

    S2:E2

    Tara realizes her alternate personalities are emerging again, but keeps it a secret. Newly engaged Charmaine asks to move in with Tara and her family. Max decides to take on a new project by buying the neighbor’s house to flip it. Kate meets a mysterious older woman, Lynda (Viola Davis), while Marshall begins a new relationship… with a girl

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  16. United States of Tara Season 2 Episode 4 - You Becoming You
    7.8/10(220 votes)

    #16 - You Becoming You

    S2:E4

    Tara sets out to find a new therapist as Max struggles to come to terms with Buck’s affair. Marshall and Courtney take their relationship to the next level. Tara and Max disapprove of Kate’s friendship with Lynda. Charmaine tells the family some big news. A new alternate personality is born.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writers:Brett Baer, Dave Finkel

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  17. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 1 - ...youwillnotwin...
    7.8/10(217 votes)

    #17 - ...youwillnotwin...

    S3:E1

    Max is worried when Tara returns to college to finish her college degree. Meanwhile, Charmaine with a baby on the way is avoiding a commitment to Neil, Kate tries to figure out a plan for her future and Marshall and Lionel sign up for a filmmaking class.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Diablo Cody

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  18. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 2 - Crackerjack
    7.8/10(203 votes)

    #18 - Crackerjack

    S3:E2

    Her psychology professor humiliates Tara when she transitions in his class. Meanwhile, Kate considers giving English lessons in Japan and Max gets a business offer.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Brett Baer, Dave Finkel

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  19. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 8 - Abundance
    7.9/10(279 votes)

    #19 - Abundance

    S1:E8

    Max has his hands full while “Alice” is out again. Marshall fears Jason’s father knows about his crush on Jason. The boys grow closer, albeit platonically. Max decides to embrace his time with “Alice,” even though he misses his wife.

    Director:Brian Dannelly
    Writers:Alexa Junge, Joey Soloway

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  20. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 3 - The Full Fuck You Finger
    7.9/10(202 votes)

    #20 - The Full Fuck You Finger

    S3:E3

    The stress of juggling school and Charmaine's baby shower causes Tara to transition, with negative consequences for Charmaine. To sell the family business, Max must get the approval of his eccentric mother. Kate meets a flight attendant who inspires a new idea about her future.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Rolin Jones

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  21. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 4 - Wheels
    7.9/10(204 votes)

    #21 - Wheels

    S3:E4

    Tara and Charmaine are rushed to the hospital in the same ambulance, where Charmaine declares her baby off limits to her crazy sister; Tara attempts to make a deal with her alters, which intrigues her Abnormal Psychology professor; Marshall, Lionel and Noah put Charmaine's empty house to some creative uses; Kate is embarrassed to confess that she backed out of going to Japan.

    Director:Penny Marshall
    Writer:Ron Fitzgerald

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  22. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 8 - Chicken 'n' Corn
    7.9/10(198 votes)

    #22 - Chicken 'n' Corn

    S3:E8

    A new alter comes to light that put Charmaine's new baby at risk. Soon later, Alice visits Dr. Hattaras and intrigues him in Tara's case again. Kate, Max and Marshall fly to New York where they get to meet Kate's new friend Evan and his son.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Brett Baer, Dave Finkel

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  23. United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 10 - Train Wreck
    7.9/10(191 votes)

    #23 - Train Wreck

    S3:E10

    Max and Marshall return home from New York to bad news on all sides. Max learns of the new alter, Bryce, but a highly medicated Tara assures him all in under control. Marshall learns that a close friend has been killed in an accident. Tara offers support, which he gladly accepts, but on the day of the funeral Bryce emerges and apparently will not go away. It's all too much for Kate and Marshall who look to strike out on their own.

    Director:Bille Eltringham
    Writers:Sheila Callaghan, David Iserson

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  24. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 6 - Transition
    8.0/10(310 votes)

    #24 - Transition

    S1:E6

    The family is under the impression that Tara’s parents, Bev and Frank, are visiting to celebrate Charmaine’s birthday but when Frank approaches Max about taking the kids to live with them, Max does everything he can to prevent Tara from switching. At the party that night, Tara learns of her parents’ plan and is hurt that they think she is an unfit parent. Sweeping her feelings under the rug, she remains calm however, later that evening, Max wakes to find something that changes everything.

    Director:Brian Dannelly
    Writers:Brett Baer, Dave Finkel

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  25. United States of Tara Season 1 Episode 9 - Possibility
    8.0/10(288 votes)

    #25 - Possibility

    S1:E9

    Needing a break from real life, Kate and Tara head out on an impromptu road trip. Max uses this time away from Tara to search for answers about her past. That night, Tara and Kate get into an argument causing Tara to transition into “T.” “T” heads to the nearest tattoo parlor and Kate tries to stop her before she makes a permanent mistake.

    Director:Tommy O'Haver
    Writers:Dave Finkel, Alexa Junge

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Work" is the worst rated episode of "United States of Tara". It scored 7.4/10 based on 349 votes. Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Diablo Cody, it aired on 2/1/2009. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Aftermath".