Joan of Arcadia backdrop
Sci-Fi & Fantasy•Mystery•Drama

The Best Episodes of Joan of Arcadia

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

Binge this in 1d 9h•Peaking at 9.1/10

Joan Girardi has begun acting a little strange since her family moved to the city of Arcadia. No one knows that various people keep introducing themselves as God, and then giving the teenager specific directions

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 11 - The Uncertainty Principle
    9.1/10(106 votes)

    #1 - The Uncertainty Principle

    S1:E11

    God instructs Joan to ask a troublemaker to the winter formal. Will uncovers secrets that could prove unfavorable to the former Chief of Police and other members of the city's government.

    Director:Helen Shaver
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 11 - Dive
    9.1/10(111 votes)

    #2 - Dive

    S2:E11

    As Joan tries to work her way up to the high dive despite her acrophobia, Luke attempts to overcome his paralyzing fear of undertaking an activity at which he might fail. Meanwhile, Will continues his quest to find Judith's killer, and Kevin goes on a date with Beth. Additionally, while reflecting on Judith's death and Kevin's accident, Helen becomes overwhelmed with concern about her family being in harm's way.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 12 - Jump
    9.0/10(104 votes)

    #3 - Jump

    S1:E12

    Joan is saddened when she learns Rocky (Death Be Not Whatever) has passed away, causing her to further question God about life and death. Will loses his job when his discovery, and whistle blowing, of a political conspiracy causes the town government, and police department, to be desolved. While Luke continues to work on his science project and his growing attraction to Grace and Kevin is injured in a game of basketball.

    Director:Timothy Busfield
    Writer:Hart Hanson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 8 - Friday Night
    9.0/10(90 votes)

    #4 - Friday Night

    S2:E8

    After being prodded by Judith to go on a real date, Joan and Adam nervously prepare for a romantic night at a fancy French restaurant. Little do they know that Judith has subsequently made some misguided plans for herself for that evening, which later causes the guilt-ridden Joan to wonder if she could have prevented her friend's misfortune.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Stephen Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 19 - Trial and Error
    8.9/10(66 votes)

    #5 - Trial and Error

    S2:E19

    Joan prepares to prosecute a case for a mock trial at school, per God's request, while enthusiastically planning a way to celebrate her one-year anniversary with Adam, who has secretly betrayed her. Joan surprises everyone with her passion in prosecuting a mock case against the equally motivated defense attorney, Grace. Meanwhile, while trying to hide his guilt from Joan as she plans a special anniversary night out with him, Adam decides to confess his wrongdoing to an appalled Grace. Meanwhile, Will investigates the murder of an eight-year-old girl and Helen continues her study of catholicism.

    Director:Neal Israel
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 17 - Shadows and Light
    8.8/10(59 votes)

    #6 - Shadows and Light

    S2:E17

    Joan is convinced that she's meant to help Stevie keep her part-time job with Adam, despite Stevie's mother's order that she quit. In an effort to supply Stevie with the Social Security number that Stevie's mother is withholding, Joan gets Kevin to use his investigative reporting skills. Kevin's findings end up leading Will to make a discovery that quickly turns Stevie's world upside-down. Meanwhile, Adam is upset with Joan for telling Helen that he tried to have sex with her, and Kevin is conflicted when the local television station asks him to do a report that pertains to paralysis.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writer:Tom Garrigus

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Joan of Arcadia

    READ
  7. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 23 - Silence
    8.7/10(91 votes)

    #7 - Silence

    S1:E23

    When the hospitalized Joan is diagnosed with Lyme disease, she begins to question if she's been seeing God or merely experiencing the hallucinations that can be symptomatic of her condition... Upon hearing that Joan may have been suffering from the symptoms of Lyme Disease for months, a somewhat relieved Will and Helen believe this news may explain Joan's mood swings and atypical behavior, while a concerned Adam wonders if Joan will be different upon her recovery. Meanwhile, the hospitalized Joan experiences a crisis of faith -- and considers revealing to someone close to her that she's been talking to God. In separate circumstances, Helen and Will begin to rethink their belief systems after, respectively, experiencing spiritual dreams and miraculous events.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 14 - The Rise & Fall of Joan Girardi
    8.7/10(106 votes)

    #8 - The Rise & Fall of Joan Girardi

    S2:E14

    After saving a girl's life Joan suddenly becomes famous but she soon learns fame is fleeting and can even turn against you; Adam has a job interview that doesn't quite go the way he wants; tension builds between Lucy and Will; as Luke prepares to get his drivers license Grace tries to educate him on the harmful impact vehicles have on the enviroment.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 6 - Bringeth It On
    8.6/10(105 votes)

    #9 - Bringeth It On

    S1:E6

    Joan gets a lesson in popularity when God tells her to try out for the cheerleading squad, and her efforts to impress two pom-pom girls pay off with an invite to hang out together outside of school. Meanwhile, Will's first case working with Det. Toni Williams involves an abandoned newborn left in a trash bin, presumably by a student from Arcadia High. Another story line has a classmate sensing a gay vibe in Luke.

    Director:David Petrarca
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 7 - Death Be Not Whatever
    8.6/10(105 votes)

    #10 - Death Be Not Whatever

    S1:E7

    Joan baby-sits for a 6-year-old boy who is obsessed with death; officers assault a black man at a gas station.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 9 - St. Joan
    8.6/10(99 votes)

    #11 - St. Joan

    S1:E9

    God wants Joan to score an ""A"" on a test about French saint Joan of Arc. As the teen hits the books, she draws comparisons to the life of the young heroine who claimed to hear divine voices and was burnt at the stake. Helen finds her daughter's newest obsession troublesome and urges Will to have the entire family visit a therapist. Meanwhile, Will is unjustly raked over the coals for shutting down a crack house.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 22 - Something Wicked This Way Comes
    8.6/10(97 votes)

    #12 - Something Wicked This Way Comes

    S2:E22

    God tells Joan that the last two years were a spiritual boot camp for her greatest challenge yet, pitting her against a man with a sinister agenda.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 14 - State of Grace
    8.5/10(86 votes)

    #13 - State of Grace

    S1:E14

    God tells Joan to join the debate team, where her partner has a stuttering problem. A new security system is implemented at Arcadia High School. After the art teacher quits, Helen wonders if she would be right for the job. Both Kevin and Luke seperately deal with the aftermath of a kiss. And Will and Toni deal with a case involving a reverend accussed of child molestation.

    Director:Steve Gomer
    Writer:Joshua Ravetch

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 13 - Queen of the Zombies
    8.5/10(71 votes)

    #14 - Queen of the Zombies

    S2:E13

    Joan gets a chorus role in the school musical per God's request and is elated when Adam agrees to design and build the play's elaborate sets.

    Director:Graeme Clifford
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 10 - Drive, He Said
    8.4/10(84 votes)

    #15 - Drive, He Said

    S1:E10

    Each of the Girardis deal with crises of varying seriousness, the worst of which puts Will at the mercy of a crazed gunman. The day also finds Helen reacting with mixed emotions after getting a positive result on a home-pregnancy test. Meanwhile, Joan dreads having to take her driver's exam, and Luke is presented with a major distraction just before he's supposed to compete in a high-stakes competition.

    Director:Ron Lagomarsino
    Writer:Tom Garrigus

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 19 - Do the Math
    8.3/10(72 votes)

    #16 - Do the Math

    S1:E19

    God tells Joan to take piano lessons; Joan helps her piano teacher deal with her past; Joan learns a painful secret Will and Helen have been keeping from the family; Iris becomes suspicious of Adam and Joan closeness.

    Director:Rob Morrow
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 4 - The Cat
    8.3/10(89 votes)

    #17 - The Cat

    S2:E4

    God has Joan adopt a wild cat; Helen's Aunt Olive has a stroke while visiting; Will calls Internal Affairs to investigate for corrupt cops.

    Director:Steve Gomer
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 5 - The Election
    8.3/10(83 votes)

    #18 - The Election

    S2:E5

    Things get dirty in a student council election as God instructs Joan to support a candidate; Helen must deal with a student who protests another students work of art.

    Director:Rob Morrow
    Writer:Ellie Herman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 15 - Romancing the Joan
    8.3/10(69 votes)

    #19 - Romancing the Joan

    S2:E15

    God tells Joan to do an extra credit English assignment on romance poets, which causes her to question her own love life.

    Director:Joanna Kerns
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Joan of Arcadia Season 2 Episode 18 - Secret Service
    8.3/10(61 votes)

    #20 - Secret Service

    S2:E18

    After Price discovers Joan holding an empty egg carton near his freshly egged car, he wrongly assumes she's the culprit and punishes her with a weekend of community service. Without more direction from God than to rise above the injustice, Joan tries to figure out if she's meant to help a bitter former nun, Lilly, who is overseeing the service project, or one of the social outcasts who are serving as a result of their own offenses. Meanwhile, Joan's also upset that her reluctance to begin a sexual relationship with Adam is driving a wedge between them. Also, Adam meets a troubled artist at the community center; Joan gets Luke a job at the bookstore; Kevin has another car accident.

    Director:Michael Fresco
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 2 - The Fire and the Wood
    8.2/10(115 votes)

    #21 - The Fire and the Wood

    S1:E2

    Joan enrolls in advanced-placement chemistry, after God asks her to stop being an underachiever; Will ruffles feathers during an arson investigation.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Hart Hanson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 4 - The Boat
    8.2/10(100 votes)

    #22 - The Boat

    S1:E4

    Helen fears Joan is becoming eccentric when she enthusiastically tackles her boat-building project; Will encourages Kevin to join a wheelchair basketball team.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 5 - Just Say No
    8.2/10(94 votes)

    #23 - Just Say No

    S1:E5

    Joan learns from God that she's holding a garage sale on Saturday, which doesn't leave her much time to sort through her family's unwanted belongings. Among the items she unearths are paintings created by Helen during a dark period in her life. Elsewhere, Will goes to bat for a rape victim even though the district attorney feels the case isn't strong enough. Also, Joan catches the interest of a class charmer and a newspaper job falls right into Kevin's lap.

    Director:Steve Gomer
    Writer:Tom Garrigus

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 13 - Recreation
    8.2/10(83 votes)

    #24 - Recreation

    S1:E13

    At Helen's insistance, she and Will take a getaway to a spa, but all does not go well when Will cannot forget about his job. And with the parents away, the kids are up to a little recreation of their own; Kevin and his boss, Rebecca, find it hard to ignore their mutual attraction; Joan, as she is trying to sort out her feelings for Adam, is instructed by God to throw a party while her parents are way; Luke helps Joan pull off a successful party.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Joan of Arcadia Season 1 Episode 20 - Anonymous
    8.2/10(77 votes)

    #25 - Anonymous

    S1:E20

    Joan joins the yearbook staff, per God's request, and decides to use this assignment as a means of impressing Adam... Feeling threatened that Iris and Adam continue to share a bond over their passion for art, Joan vows to discover a hidden talent that Adam will admire. However, her disastrous attempt to be the yearbook's star photographer soon adds to her insecurities about losing him. Meanwhile, Will and Toni attempt to set up a sting for a man who is planning to hire a hitman to murder his wife.

    Director:Steve Gomer
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"The Uncertainty Principle" is the best rated episode of "Joan of Arcadia". It scored 9.1/10 based on 106 votes. Directed by Helen Shaver and written by Joy Gregory, it aired on 12/12/2003. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dive".