What are the best episodes of Carnivàle?

The best rated episodes of Carnivàle are: The Day That Was the Day - S1E12 rated 8.3, New Canaan, CA - S2E12 rated 8.2, Outside New Canaan - S2E11 rated 8.0, Outskirts, Damascus, NE - S2E8 rated 8.0, Lincoln Highway, UT - S2E9 rated 8.0, Damascus, NE - S2E7 rated 7.9, Day of the Dead - S1E11 rated 7.9

What are the worst episodes of Carnivàle?

The lowest rated episodes of Carnivàle are: Black Blizzard - S1E4 rated 7.5, Ingram, TX - S2E3 rated 7.5, Tipton - S1E3 rated 7.5, Babylon - S1E5 rated 7.6, After the Ball Is Over - S1E2 rated 7.6, Milfay - S1E1 rated 7.7, Pick a Number - S1E6 rated 7.7

Carnivàle Episode Rating Graph

Sep 2003 - Mar 2005

8.3

Click the chart for info!

Browse episode ratings trends for Carnivàle. Simply click on the interactive rating graph to explore the best and worst of Carnivàle's 24 episodes.

Best Episodes of Carnivàle

The Day That Was the Day
S1 Ep12
8.3
30th Nov 2003
A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.
New Canaan, CA
S2 Ep12
8.2
27th Mar 2005
Samson tries to stay a step ahead of impending chaos. Stroud does his best to protect Justin. Ben's powers face the ultimate test.
Outside New Canaan
S2 Ep11
8.0
20th Mar 2005
Lila voices her opposition to Samson's itinerary for the troupe. Justin's baptism of the faithful coincides with another tragedy and a startling event in the migrant camp. Libby pleads with Jones to reveal his secret. Sofie sees a familiar face.
Outskirts, Damascus, NE
S2 Ep8
8.0
27th Feb 2005
A local politician receives Iris and Justin's support. Ruthie tries to hide from her visions. Rita Sue takes charge of Stumpy's debt. Smith sees trouble for Justin. Sofie gets new work. Libby has shocking news for her parents.
Lincoln Highway, UT
S2 Ep9
8.0
6th Mar 2005
Ruthie's latest vision leaves evidence behind. Lila hasn't given up her search for the missing Lodz. Eleanor goes on a picnic with Iris. Justin's powers calm a chaotic gathering.
Damascus, NE
S2 Ep7
7.9
20th Feb 2005
Stroud is closing in on Ben, who pays a visit to a run-down hotel. Justin and Iris pacify a bishop with a good meal. Sabina shares her secrets with Libby; the troupe is concerned about Sofie. Jones gets a favor from Libby.
Day of the Dead
S1 Ep11
7.9
23rd Nov 2003
Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade. Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations. Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.

Worst Episodes of Carnivàle

Black Blizzard
S1 Ep4
7.5
5th Oct 2003
Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.
Ingram, TX
S2 Ep3
7.5
23rd Jan 2005
Dolan continues his quest to get to the bottom of the Ministry arson. Gabriel gets into the act with Ruthie, who experiences another supernatural vision. Ben happens upon some distant relatives.
Tipton
S1 Ep3
7.5
28th Sep 2003
Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.
Babylon
S1 Ep5
7.6
12th Oct 2003
Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry. Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft. A group of miners is anxious for entertainment.
After the Ball Is Over
S1 Ep2
7.6
21st Sep 2003
Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.
Milfay
S1 Ep1
7.7
14th Sep 2003
Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.
Pick a Number
S1 Ep6
7.7
19th Oct 2003
Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution. Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery. Ben returns from another strange experience.

Carnivàle Episode Guide

Milfay
S1 Ep1
7.7
14th Sep 2003
Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.
After the Ball Is Over
S1 Ep2
7.6
21st Sep 2003
Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.
Tipton
S1 Ep3
7.5
28th Sep 2003
Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.
Black Blizzard
S1 Ep4
7.5
5th Oct 2003
Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.
Babylon
S1 Ep5
7.6
12th Oct 2003
Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry. Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft. A group of miners is anxious for entertainment.
Pick a Number
S1 Ep6
7.7
19th Oct 2003
Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution. Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery. Ben returns from another strange experience.
The River
S1 Ep7
7.8
26th Oct 2003
After a recent tragedy, Stumpy and Rita Sue debate their future in the carnival. In her brother's absence, Iris receives help from a radio reporter. Ben helps Ruthie with her act.
Lonnigan, Texas
S1 Ep8
7.8
2nd Nov 2003
Lodz disagrees with Samson's decision to send Ben on a business trip for the carnival. A radio-show host tries to help find a wandering Justin. Sofie considers a career change.
Insomnia
S1 Ep9
7.7
9th Nov 2003
Ben tries to escape his dreams by staying awake. Iris uses a radio ally to help locate Justin. Samson goes back to the drawing board to increase business.
Hot and Bothered
S1 Ep10
7.8
16th Nov 2003
Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben for fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.
Day of the Dead
S1 Ep11
7.9
23rd Nov 2003
Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade. Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations. Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.
The Day That Was the Day
S1 Ep12
8.3
30th Nov 2003
A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.