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The Best Episodes of The Pretender

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

Binge this in 1d 7h•Peaking at 9.0/10

Raised in a secret facility built for experimenting on children, Jarod is a genius who can master any profession and become anyone he has to be. When he realizes as an adult that he's actually

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Pretender Season 2 Episode 22 - Bloodlines (2)
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Bloodlines (2)

    S2:E22

    BLUE COVE, DELAWARE - Jarod, along with Angelo (Timmy), try to find a way to rescue the kidnapped child. Miss Parker confronts her father about her discovery that she has a twin. Sydney plots to finally have his revenge against Mr. Raines, but his plan backfires...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  2. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    New York, New York - Miss Parker and Sydney find they had just missed Jarod helping a tanker ship in Alaska. Jarod is now posing as a doctor to uncover the truth behind an operation that resulted in a boy becoming paraplegic. Jarod also befriends a sicilian woman who has trouble with (ahem) bowel movements.

    Director:Rick Wallace
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  3. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 14 - Ranger Jarod
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Ranger Jarod

    S1:E14

    TOLUCA NATIONAL FOREST, OREGON - Jarod falls in love with his hiking partner while on a seach-and-rescue for a boy who disappeared in the mountains. Jarod also befriends a man named Big Bob who has many stooge-ish qualitites. Back at The Centre, Miss Parker reminisces about how she loved Jarod when they were children.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  4. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 20 - Baby Love
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #4 - Baby Love

    S1:E20

    WYOMING(?) - After a close call with getting caught by Miss Parker, Jarod stumbles upon a baby who was thrown into a dumpster. Jarod takes the child and nurses it until he can find his parents while avoiding sinister authorities. At the same time, Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots all follow clues that Jarod has dug up in reference to the meaning of SL-27.

    Director:Joe Napolitano
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 22 - The Dragon House (2)
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #5 - The Dragon House (2)

    S1:E22

    UPSTATE NEW YORK - Jarod discovers more about his family through Harriet, and decides that he must return to The Centre to free his brother Kyle. Meanwhile, Miss Parker convinces Broots and Sydney in helping her find the answers to her mother's death and believes Kyle may be the key. Finally, Jarod gets the opportunity to reunite with his family, including his sister. But The Centre becomes aware of the rendezvous and intends to stop it.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  6. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 2 - Scott Free
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #6 - Scott Free

    S2:E2

    MIDDLETOWN, DELAWARE - Jarod intercepts the role of a real safecracker to help a man who's being forced to participate in one more heist. Jarod also starts to feel the need of a father figure and turns to Sydney. Meanwhile, Brigitte tries to take control over Miss Parker's role in the capture of Jarod.

    Director:Joe Napolitano
    Writer:Tommy Thompson

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Pretender

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  7. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 3 - Over The Edge
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Over The Edge

    S2:E3

    SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - Jarod becomes a member of the emergency search and rescue team, trying to figure out the true cause of another member's supposed suicide-attempt. Jarod also tries to reunite him with his estranged mother. Meanwhile, at The Centre, a criminal behaviorist is brought in to interrogate and find the person who shot Mr. Raines' oxygen tank. Finally, Jarod utilizes a sensory deprivation tank to simulate closeness to his mother.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writers:Tony Blake, Paul Jackson

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  8. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 7 - Collateral Damage
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Collateral Damage

    S2:E7

    LOST HILLS, VIRGINIA - Jarod becomes a Special Forces soldier to help the daughter of a Vietnam veteran get her father's name added to the War Memorial. Back at The Centre, Miss Parker reluctantly babysits Debbie while Broots is in Florida on an assignment.

    Director:Vern Gillum
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 20 - Bank
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Bank

    S2:E20

    DOVER, DELAWARE - Jarod tricks Miss Parker to meet him at a bank, where they come face to face with the mysterious Mr. Fenigor. But this arrangement gets complicated when there's a robbery the same day. When The Centre gets news that Jarod is trapped in this hostage situation, they close in and make sure he'll not slip through their fingers this time.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 17 - Keys
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #10 - Keys

    S1:E17

    MIAMI, FLORIDA - During a hurricane, Jarod is getting revenge for the deaths of a refugee's parents. He figures no one will pursue him since, after all, he's in the middle of a hurricane. But he's caught off guard when Miss Parker suddenly shows up. Even further caught off guard when his revenge backfires. Meanwhile, Miss Parker recalls the Thanksgiving before her mother's death. But she's blocked out certain details and Jarod makes her confront them.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  11. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 19 - Jarod's Honor
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #11 - Jarod's Honor

    S1:E19

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - After completing a pretend, Jarod receives an email offering answers to his past. While investigating the lead, Jarod unexpectedly stubbles upon a dying hitman. When the hitman's last job comes calling, Jarod takes it. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker, following a lead from Jarod, attend a Twins Convention. And Broots covers for them from Mr. Raines.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writers:Tommy Thompson, Chris Ruppenthal

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  12. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 21 - The Dragon House (1)
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #12 - The Dragon House (1)

    S1:E21

    FORT REXFORD, NEW YORK - Jarod becomes aware that Kyle, another pretender from The Centre, is on the run from the law. Eager to find him, he becomes an F.B.I. agent to aid the investigation. But he discovers that Kyle may have something to do with his mother. Meanwhile, Miss Parker and Sydney recruit Angelo to go through all of Jarod's red notebooks. They figure he can become Jarod and thus aiding in his capture.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  13. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 1 - Back From The Dead Again
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Back From The Dead Again

    S2:E1

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - Jarod morns the death of his brother. He then takes on the identity of a anatomy professor trying to find a boy who has been missing since Halloween of the previous year. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is startled to find that her father has disappeared and has been replaced by a Mr. Lyle. With him comes Brigitte, a myseterious girl who is more thorough in finding Jarod then Miss Parker. And Sydney, at Jarod's request, researches why there's no DSA for the last three weeks of October prior to his escape.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  14. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 5 - Nip and Tuck
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #14 - Nip and Tuck

    S2:E5

    BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - Jarod becomes a plastic surgeon to find out who deliberately ruined the face of a bright young student. Meanwhile, at The Centre, Broots is paranoid that someone is following him where ever he goes. Brigitte offers help, but at a price.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Eric Morris

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  15. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 6 - Past Sim
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - Past Sim

    S2:E6

    BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - While watching the news, Jarod finds that one of his old simulations he preformed has just been utilized in kidnapping a witness in a murder trial against the Yakuza clan. Outraged, Jarod sets out to reverse the outcome of the situation he's created. Meanwhile, Miss Parker suspects the sale of the simulation came from Mr. Lyle, and begins to apply pressure in hopes of finding any other connections to Jarod.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tommy Thompson

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  16. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 9 - FX
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #16 - FX

    S2:E9

    HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - Jarod becomes a special effects coordinator to find out why a stuntman was seriously injured during the filming of a beer commercial. Back at the Centre, following clues left by Jarod, Miss Parker begins her search for a Dr. Fenigor and a boy named 'Timmy'.

    Director:Vern Gillum
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 19 - Red Rock Jarod
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - Red Rock Jarod

    S2:E19

    DRY RIVER, ARIZONA - Responding to an email he believes was sent to him by Sydney, Jarod finds himself in the hands of someone he once thought dead. Jarod also meets a boy who is in need of a heart transplant. Meanwhile, Miss Parker closes in on Jarod. But she's in for a surprise when she meets his captor.

    Director:Scott Lautanen
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  18. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 21 - Bloodlines (1)
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #18 - Bloodlines (1)

    S2:E21

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Jarod recieves a letter from an anonymous source and believes The Centre is going to kidnap another boy-genius. Sydney creates a serum that allows Angelo to become a normal person again, provided he takes all the doses at the right time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  19. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 2 - Every Picture Tells A Story
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #19 - Every Picture Tells A Story

    S1:E2

    San Diego - California. Miss Parker and Sydney once again miss Jarod at the Y.M.C.A., who is now posing as a member of the Coast Guard trying to figure out the truth behind the death of a man who died at sea waiting for rescue. Jarod also befriends a hermit who lives out at sea and refuses to come back to land.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Craig W. Van Sickle

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  20. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 3 - Flyer
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Flyer

    S1:E3

    Arizona - Sydney and Miss Parker survey a wind farm in Baja, CA where Jarod was last seen testing aerodynamics. Jarod is now flying jets for Skyvionics, which is testing a defense contractor's new computer system, while trying to figure out why a test pilot died during one of the tests. Jarod also befriends Mr. Hollis, a conspirator who was involved in the Manhattan Project.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  21. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 5 - The Paper Clock
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #21 - The Paper Clock

    S1:E5

    Los Angeles, California - Aiming to help a man wrongly sentenced for murder, Jarod becomes a lawyer and goes after the arrogant attorney protecting the real killer. Meanwhile, Sydney is trying to reach an agreement with The Centre to make a trade with Jarod: A piece of Jarod's past for some of the simulations.

    Director:Gabrielle Beaumont
    Writer:Javier Grillo-Marxuach

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  22. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 8 - Not Even A Mouse
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #22 - Not Even A Mouse

    S1:E8

    Baltimore, Mariland - Jarod investigates the mystery behind a hit-and-run death of a homeless man known as 'Christmas George' while simultaneously trying to identify a Jane Doe before Christmas. Meanwhile, Sydney anxiously awaits word from Jarod and Miss Parker gets her hopes up spending Christmas with her father.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Juan Carlos Coto

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  23. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 10 - Better Part Of Valor
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #23 - Better Part Of Valor

    S1:E10

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Jarod works as a firefighter while investigating the murder of another smoke-eater; Miss Parker tries to seduce a married man.

    Director:Anson Williams
    Writer:Javier Grillo-Marxuach

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  24. The Pretender Season 1 Episode 16 - Under The Reds
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Under The Reds

    S1:E16

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Jarod checks into a fellow paramedic whom he believes is responsible for a graduate student's coma. But he first has to outsmart a pushy, investigative tax official who won't stop digging up everything on Jarod. After their follow-up to a lead on Jarod, Sydney disappears from the Centre. He holes himself up with his twin brother Jacob using a technique Jarod discovered in an attempt to bring him out of his coma. Miss Parker is put in charge of finding Syd and when she does, to make matters worst, Mr. Raines commands her to do eliminate Jacob.

    Director:Charles Siebert
    Writers:Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Lawrence Meyers

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  25. The Pretender Season 2 Episode 4 - Exposed
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #25 - Exposed

    S2:E4

    MIAMI, FLORIDA - Jarod takes on the role of a fashion photographer in order to stop a stalker who has already claimed the life of one of his victims. Meanwhile, Miss Parker follows Jarod's clues that lead her to Rock Cove, Maine and uncovers more information about her mother.

    Director:Jim Charleston
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Bloodlines (2)" is the best rated episode of "The Pretender". It scored 9/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Craig W. Van Sickle, it aired on 5/16/1998. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Pilot".