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The Best Episodes of Bored to Death

Every episode of Bored to Death ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Bored to Death!

Binge this in 10h 27m•Peaking at 8.1/10

Jonathan Ames, a young Brooklyn writer, is feeling lost. He's just gone through a painful break-up, thanks in part to his drinking, can't write his second novel, and carouses too much with his magazine editor.

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 6 - The Case of the Beautiful Blackmailer
    8.1/10(548 votes)

    #1 - The Case of the Beautiful Blackmailer

    S1:E6

    Jonathan is enlisted to retrieve a sex tape that a female escort is using to extort money from a married New Jersey man. With Ray and George in tow, Jonathan ends up in a motel room with the escort, who attempts to blackmail him as well. Can the very stoned Ray and George save Jonathan's neck before the woman's enraged brother breaks it?

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Martin Gero

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  2. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 8 - Nothing I Can't Handle by Running Away
    7.9/10(337 votes)

    #2 - Nothing I Can't Handle by Running Away

    S3:E8

    In the Season 3 finale, George celebrates Emily and Bernard’s wedding; and Ray is comforted by his son, Spencer. Meanwhile, Jonathan considers breaking up with his new girlfriend, but when he’s kidnapped, an army of Super Ray fans spring into action.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 3 - The Gowanus Canal has Gonorrhea!
    7.8/10(385 votes)

    #3 - The Gowanus Canal has Gonorrhea!

    S2:E3

    George worries about remaining “intact” after getting some sobering news from his new urologist, Dr. Kenwood. A bad day for Jonathan gets worse when a pair of S&M henchmen kidnap him. They demand a ransom which calls “GI” George & Ray to action.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Martin Gero

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  4. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 4 - I've Been Living Like a Demented God!
    7.8/10(445 votes)

    #4 - I've Been Living Like a Demented God!

    S2:E4

    A professor hires Jonathan to track down a valuable item. George finds an alibi to explain the results of his drug test. Flushed with cash from his “Super Ray” comic book, Ray heads to the bar – and meets a familiar barfly.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  5. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 2 - Make it Quick, Fitzgerald!
    7.7/10(389 votes)

    #5 - Make it Quick, Fitzgerald!

    S2:E2

    Jonathan is hired by Richard Antrem, George's nemesis and boxing foe, to investigate Richard's suspicions that his wife Priscilla, George's ex, is having an affair. Jonathan's insecurities resurface when Stella announces she's not over her first love. George has a new female urologist; Ray plots to win back Leah by penning a comic book.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Jonathan Ames

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  6. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 7 - Forget the Herring
    7.7/10(326 votes)

    #6 - Forget the Herring

    S3:E7

    Rose Hiney connects with Jonathan on new leads. George and Ray attempt to right their unrightable wrongs.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Rachel Axler

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Bored to Death

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  7. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 7 - The Case of the Stolen Sperm
    7.6/10(432 votes)

    #7 - The Case of the Stolen Sperm

    S1:E7

    Concerned over the sudden disappearance of the two lesbians who have been buying his sperm, Ray enlists Jonathan to help him track the couple down. After breaking into their apartment, Jonathan learns the pair has flown the coop--but not without leaving behind a clue that both shocks and intrigues Ray. Meanwhile, George ignores Jonathan's warnings by publishing a disparaging editorial about Richard Antrem (Oliver Platt), sending his publishing rival into a fit of rage at the local watering hole.

    Director:Nicole Holofcener
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  8. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 1 - Escape From the Dungeon
    7.6/10(400 votes)

    #8 - Escape From the Dungeon

    S2:E1

    Jonathan is hired by a police officer to erase the hard drive of an S&M club computer to prevent potentially embarrassing information from coming out as the officer has received word that the club is about to be raided. Leah breaks it off with Ray. George is asked to cut back on expensive meals to prevent the Magazine from going under.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 6 - The Case of the Grievous Clerical Error!
    7.6/10(414 votes)

    #9 - The Case of the Grievous Clerical Error!

    S2:E6

    Leah hires Jonathan to help find her new dog, “Little Ray.” Ray joins Jonathan in the search for the dog, getting some inside help. A reflective George heads to the hospital for surgery.

    Director:Tristram Shapeero
    Writers:Jonathan Ames, Sam Sklaver

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  10. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 7 - Escape From the Castle!
    7.6/10(354 votes)

    #10 - Escape From the Castle!

    S2:E7

    A dermatologist enlists Jonathan to deliver a letter to his intended at an Asian health spa. Jonathan takes Ray to the spa for his birthday, with George and his new chauffeur Vikram in tow.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  11. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 2 - Gumball!
    7.6/10(320 votes)

    #11 - Gumball!

    S3:E2

    On the run from the police, Jonathan and Ray turn to Howard for help with trying to find out who framed Jonathan for murder, while George runs interference for them in his own inimitable, marijuana-induced way.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Martin Gero

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  12. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 3 - The Black Clock of Time
    7.6/10(318 votes)

    #12 - The Black Clock of Time

    S3:E3

    Already nervous about his appearance on "The New Dick Cavett Show," Jonathan is thrown for a loop when another scheduled guest happens to be his nemesis, Louis Greene. Meanwhile, Ray's attentiveness as a father is tested; and George is floored by Emily and Bernard's latest news.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 3 - The Case of the Missing Screenplay
    7.5/10(552 votes)

    #13 - The Case of the Missing Screenplay

    S1:E3

    While attending a New York film society function, George introduces Jonathan to a filmmaker, who asks him to rewrite a screenplay. Later, he goes out with a party girl and leaves the script at her home, which happens to be a shrink's office. Jonathan asks Ray to pose as a patient to recover the script. Meanwhile, George encounters his ex-wife and her smug new husband.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Jonathan Ames

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  14. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 8 - Take a Dive
    7.5/10(434 votes)

    #14 - Take a Dive

    S1:E8

    Having picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Richard – and having thwarted a blackmail bid aimed at getting Jonathan to take a dive – the Edition team gear up for a tripleheader boxing challenge against their GQ rivals. But with the bouts only hours away, the women in their lives offer some compelling reasons why winning isn’t everything.

    Director:Paul Feig
    Writers:Martin Gero, Jonathan Ames

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  15. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 5 - Forty-Two Down!
    7.5/10(356 votes)

    #15 - Forty-Two Down!

    S2:E5

    Jonathan attempts to repair the relationship between a poet/limousine driver and his wife. Ray has a meeting with Kevin Bacon.

    Director:Troy Miller
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Bored to Death Season 2 Episode 8 - Super Ray is Mortal!
    7.5/10(348 votes)

    #16 - Super Ray is Mortal!

    S2:E8

    A mad stalker imperils Ray on the eve of the Brooklyn Comic Con. With the help of Officer Drake, he and Jonathan piece together leads to track down the perp. George decides to make a stand at work. Jonathan has another battle with his nemesis, Louis Greene.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Martin Gero

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  17. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 1 - The Blonde in the Woods
    7.5/10(353 votes)

    #17 - The Blonde in the Woods

    S3:E1

    After celebrating the release of his new book, Jonathan learns some distressing familial news. George reunites with his daughter Emily and Ray spends time with his biological son Spencer. Meanwhile, Jonathan's latest case leaves him in a precarious position.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 6 - Two Large Pearls and a Bar of Gold
    7.4/10(307 votes)

    #18 - Two Large Pearls and a Bar of Gold

    S3:E6

    Jonathan's college sweetheart hires him to guard her wedding jewels and remind her of their prenuptial pact.

    Director:Tristram Shapeero
    Writer:Mike Schwartz

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  19. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 4 - We Could Sing a Duet
    7.3/10(310 votes)

    #19 - We Could Sing a Duet

    S3:E4

    George urges Jonathan to show Emily what it's like to be out with a younger man, but they wind up on a stakeout with a wannabe gumshoe impersonating Jonathan. Meanwhile, George goes out on the town with Bernard, but is shocked to learn that Richard Antrem is a competing restaurateur; and Ray is drawn to an older woman after a fight with Leah.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Bored to Death Season 3 Episode 5 - I Keep Taking Baths Like Lady MacBeth
    7.3/10(302 votes)

    #20 - I Keep Taking Baths Like Lady MacBeth

    S3:E5

    Jonathan and George see a "friendship" counselor. George begins taking singing lessons from Josephine, a delightful pothead. Jonathan attempts to win back George's affection. Ray becomes irresistible to women.

    Director:Tristram Shapeero
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 2 - The Alanon Case
    7.2/10(567 votes)

    #21 - The Alanon Case

    S1:E2

    As Jonathan tries to mend his relationship with Suzanne, another case falls onto his lap. This time, he is tasked by a woman named Jennifer to gather proof of her boyfriend Gary's infidelity. Jonathan, who learns his new client loves to drink as much as he does, tracks down Gary and stumbles upon an unsatisfying outcome.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 1 - Stockholm Syndrome
    7.1/10(732 votes)

    #22 - Stockholm Syndrome

    S1:E1

    Broken up after his breakup with his girlfriend Suzanne, Jonathan Ames reads through Farewell My Lovely, his favorite book by Raymond Chandler. Enlivened by the novel, Ames places an online advertisement as an unlicensed private investigator. His first unwitting client who seeks his services is a 19-year-old girl looking for her missing sister.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 5 - The Case of the Lonely White Dove
    7.1/10(467 votes)

    #23 - The Case of the Lonely White Dove

    S1:E5

    A recently-paroled Russian enlists the services of Jonathan to search for the object of his infatuation, a songstress known only as "The Lonely White Dove." He checks out the bar where she sings and convinces Suzanne, Ray, and Leah to have dinner there the following night without revealing his primary intention. George gets in touch with his feminine side to boost his magazines' dipping sales.

    Director:Paul Feig
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  24. Bored to Death Season 1 Episode 4 - The Case of the Stolen Skateboard
    7.0/10(485 votes)

    #24 - The Case of the Stolen Skateboard

    S1:E4

    Jonathan is hired to reclaim a kid's stolen skateboard from the neighborhood bully while Ray helps out a lesbian couple who wants to start a new family. George tries to woo a young publicist at the opening of a new restaurant in Brooklyn.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Case of the Beautiful Blackmailer" is the best rated episode of "Bored to Death". It scored 8.1/10 based on 548 votes. Directed by Adam Bernstein and written by Martin Gero, it aired on 10/25/2009. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Nothing I Can't Handle by Running Away".