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The Worst Episodes of The Fosters

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

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Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Fosters Season 4 Episode 12 - Dream a Little Dream
    6.9/10(197 votes)

    #1 - Dream a Little Dream

    S4:E12

    As Stef and Lena stand vigil over an unconscious Jesus, he dreams of an alternate world wherein he tries to save Mariana but can’t get to her. Already stretched thin, the moms receive news that Callie is in serious legal trouble. Mariana seeks comfort in Mat’s arms, while Brandon tries to hold the family together.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 12 - Mixed Messages
    7.1/10(230 votes)

    #2 - Mixed Messages

    S3:E12

    Brandon is upset when he learns that his shared secret with Callie is in jeopardy. Lena and Stef’s mother, Sharon, disagrees over how Stef should handle her diagnosis. Meanwhile, Mariana’s run for junior class president heats up as the simmering resentment between her and Lexi comes to a head.

    Director:Rich Newey
    Writer:Thomas Higgins

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  3. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 7 - Highs & Lows
    7.1/10(221 votes)

    #3 - Highs & Lows

    S4:E7

    When Jesus’s birth father, Gabe, doesn’t show up to work on Stef and Lena’s garage, Jesus takes on the job himself and gets injured in the process. An exhausted Mariana, deep into her robotics STEAM project, takes Jesus’ ADHD medicine for a boost. Callie and AJ find themselves in an awkward situation when Mike and Brandon unexpectedly come home early. Meanwhile, Stef lets Mike know that Brandon gave his hand injury settlement money to Cortney.

    Director:Chandra Wilson
    Writer:Kris Q. Rehl

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  4. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 8 - Girl Code
    7.1/10(206 votes)

    #4 - Girl Code

    S4:E8

    Mariana and Jesus compete in the First Robotics Southern California Regionals, but when Mariana gets too competitive under the stress, Lena grows alarmed. Callie gets a warning from the police to stop harassing Patrick Molloy. Brandon practices for his fast-approaching Julliard audition.

    Director:Aprill Winney
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 7 - Faith, Hope, Love
    7.2/10(275 votes)

    #5 - Faith, Hope, Love

    S3:E7

    Stef and Lena hesitate to give their blessing when Mariana’s biological grandfather tells her she must be baptized in order to be her new half-sister Isabella’s godmother. Callie’s actions at her birthday party are called out by Stef, and they make a big decision in order to avoid jeopardizing her adoption.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writers:Kris Q. Rehl, Cristian Martinez

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  6. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 11 - First Impressions
    7.2/10(261 votes)

    #6 - First Impressions

    S3:E11

    Callie is now officially adopted into the Adams Foster family and must put aside any romantic feelings for Brandon. She does so by throwing herself into her “Fost and Found” website, even drawing the interest of an investor.

    Director:Peter Paige
    Writers:Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

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  7. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 15 - Minor Offenses
    7.2/10(227 votes)

    #7 - Minor Offenses

    S3:E15

    While Stef recovers from surgery, she and Lena grow concerned when they find out Justina wants Callie to support a legislation that they know nothing about.

    Director:Rob Morrow
    Writer:Michael MacLennan

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  8. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 14 - Doors and Windows
    7.2/10(175 votes)

    #8 - Doors and Windows

    S4:E14

    After Brandon confesses to Stef that he didn’t get into Juilliard, she decides she’s fed up with all of the kids’ secrets and removes their bedroom doors. Mariana starts seeing a therapist to deal with the trauma of Nick’s actions. While Jesus struggles with physical therapy, Brandon realizes that music might be a good way to help get through to him. Callie’s biological father Robert brings in his highly paid attorneys to handle Callie’s case, which causes a conflict with Stef and Lena.

    Director:Susan Flannery
    Writer:Constance M. Burge

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  9. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 16 - Giving Up the Ghost
    7.2/10(140 votes)

    #9 - Giving Up the Ghost

    S5:E16

    Stef confronts her demons and finally comes clean to Lena about what’s been troubling her. Mariana and Emma find themselves going head to head, putting Poppy and Jesus in an awkward position.

    Director:Michael Medico
    Writers:Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

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  10. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 13 - If And When
    7.3/10(233 votes)

    #10 - If And When

    S3:E13

    Callie is surprised to find that Jude is spending time with Jack, a quirky foster teen they met at a foster youth event. Brandon and Mat decide to write a Romeo & Juliet rock musical as their senior thesis project, but they disagree over who should play Juliet. Meanwhile, Jesus asks Ana about the identity of his and Mariana's birth father.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Anne Meredith

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  11. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 3 - Trust
    7.3/10(235 votes)

    #11 - Trust

    S4:E3

    In the aftermath of the school lockdown, Mariana is called out by other students who blame her for Nick’s actions. Callie is also taunted at school and her inappropriate reaction gets her suspended. But what starts off as a punishment turns into an adventure when she meets Aaron, a handsome young law student who knows nothing about her or her past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 4 - Now for Then
    7.3/10(239 votes)

    #12 - Now for Then

    S4:E4

    Callie starts her senior project of photographing the outside of her and Jude’s seven former foster homes. But, when an unexpected encounter with a former foster mother brings her inside, Callie decides to reach out to other people who have fostered her and is shocked to learn that a 17-year-old former foster brother has been convicted of murder. Stressed out by the hardships of supporting himself and Cortney, Brandon throws a house party and things take a turn for the worse. Stef and Lena offer to pay for an attorney to help get Gabe off of the sex offender registry, which is currently putting Lena’s job at risk and causing friction between Mike and Ana. Meanwhile, Mariana tells her moms that, in order to feel safe again, she wants to visit Nick and put an end to their relationship once and for all.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writer:Constance M. Burge

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  13. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 7 - Chasing Waterfalls
    7.3/10(159 votes)

    #13 - Chasing Waterfalls

    S5:E7

    Lena’s parents are back in town for a visit, while Callie and Aaron get closer than ever before. Mariana tries to get closer to Logan, but it backfires when his girlfriend catches wind of it.

    Director:Chandra Wilson
    Writers:Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

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  14. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 6 - Justify
    7.4/10(226 votes)

    #14 - Justify

    S4:E6

    Lena is shocked by the news that her dad has been hiding something that directly puts them all in jeopardy. Additionally, she uncovers a major secret that Brandon has been keeping. Mariana continues to be pressured by Nick and must deal with direct opposition from the male members on her STEAM team. Meanwhile, Jesus grows resentful of Emma’s behavior, and Jude discovers Noah has a medical marijuana card.

    Director:Kelli Williams
    Writer:Cristian Martinez

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  15. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 13 - Cruel and Unusual
    7.4/10(183 votes)

    #15 - Cruel and Unusual

    S4:E13

    Callie tries to keep to herself and focus on getting out of juvenile hall, but when she refuses a guard’s propositions, she ends up making an enemy. As Stef and Lena work to get Callie out of juvie, her biological father Robert turns up, angry for being kept in the dark. Meanwhile, Brandon’s questioning of a situation has consequences for Mariana. Jude gets a second chance with Noah, and Mike makes several life-changing decisions.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 15 - Sex Ed
    7.4/10(189 votes)

    #16 - Sex Ed

    S4:E15

    Jude feels uneducated about gay sex ed, so he tries to gain some personal experience through a phone app. Callie presents her senior project to her class, but the school admin disapproves of the concept.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 17 - Diamond in the Rough
    7.4/10(175 votes)

    #17 - Diamond in the Rough

    S4:E17

    Stef starts a new assignment in human trafficking where she meets a teenaged girl named Diamond who is turning tricks on the streets. Lena deals with repercussions for holding an off-campus LGBTQ sex ed class for Anchor Beach students. Callie’s relentless pursuit of justice starts to impact her relationship with AJ. Meanwhile, Mariana tries to cheer up Jesus with a special project after he’s prescribed a special pair of glasses due to his traumatic brain injury.

    Director:Lily Mariye
    Writer:Cristian Martinez

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  18. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 2 - Exterminate Her
    7.4/10(171 votes)

    #18 - Exterminate Her

    S5:E2

    Callie gets control of her life and applied to audit art classes at a local college. Jesus distances himself from Mariana and Brandon so he can build his treehouse with Gabe alone. The Fosters get a new neighbor.

    Director:Danny Nucci
    Writer:Joanna Johnson

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  19. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 3 - Contact
    7.4/10(163 votes)

    #19 - Contact

    S5:E3

    Callie and Aaron go on their first official date. Mariana and Jude spearhead an underground school newspaper. Noah and Jude question their compatibility, while Brandon and Grace take their relationship to the next level. The moms have their new neighbors over for a family dinner party.

    Director:Aprill Winney
    Writer:Anne Meredith

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  20. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 4 - Too Fast, Too Furious
    7.4/10(161 votes)

    #20 - Too Fast, Too Furious

    S5:E4

    Callie and Aaron discuss taking their relationship to the next level. Mariana finds fulfillment training with the Latina derby team. Brandon’s new girlfriend Grace catches him playing hero to his ex-girlfriend Courtney.

    Director:Tate Donovan
    Writer:Cristian Martinez

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  21. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 5 - Telling
    7.4/10(163 votes)

    #21 - Telling

    S5:E5

    The Fosters kids attend a party at the Derby warehouse, but things escalate quickly when the cops show up. Lena struggles when Stef starts to become obsessed with an ongoing case at work, meanwhile Brandon’s relationship with Grace is put into jeopardy with Courtney back in his life.

    Director:Anne Renton
    Writer:Kris Q. Rehl

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  22. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 6 - Welcome to the Jungler
    7.4/10(162 votes)

    #22 - Welcome to the Jungler

    S5:E6

    Callie is torn with turning over a new leaf or supporting a cause that means a lot to her, while Jude and Taylor begin making gaming videos that earn them unwanted notoriety. Stef makes major headway in her case.

    Director:Kelli Williams
    Writers:Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

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  23. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 20 - Meet The Fosters
    7.4/10(164 votes)

    #23 - Meet The Fosters

    S5:E20

    One year later, the Adams Fosters comes together for some major celebrations.

    Director:Michael Medico
    Writers:Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

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  24. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 5 - Going South
    7.5/10(285 votes)

    #24 - Going South

    S3:E5

    Callie convinces Brandon to head out on a mysterious trip that brings them to Mexico. Stef and Lena discover an empty pregnancy test box in the trash and wonder if someone in the house is worried they are pregnant.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Michael MacLennan

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  25. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 6 - It's My Party
    7.5/10(262 votes)

    #25 - It's My Party

    S3:E6

    Callie thinks she's celebrating her 17th birthday with just the family, but Jude surprises her with a house party. Jude's surprise risks exposing both Callie's and Mariana's secrets when he innocently invites Rafael and Wyatt to attend. Meanwhile, Brandon's suspicions about AJ's behavior come to a head, and Mariana and Callie decide to buy a car together without telling their moms.

    Director:Kees Van Oostrum
    Writers:Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Dream a Little Dream" is the worst rated episode of "The Fosters". It scored 6.9/10 based on 197 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/7/2017. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Mixed Messages".