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The Best Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Every episode of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy!

Binge this in 6h 28mPeaking at 8.4/10

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a seven-part BBC Two spy drama written by Arthur Hopcraft, adapted from John le Carré's eponymous 1974 novel. The serial, which stars Alec Guinness, Alexander Knox, Ian Richardson, Michael Jayston,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 7 - Flushing Out the Mole
    8.4/10(328 votes)

    #1 - Flushing Out the Mole

    S1:E7

    Smiley springs his trap and catches the mole, who confesses how and why it happened, and the answers ultimately robs Smiley of any sense of victory.

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  2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 5 - Tinker Tailor
    8.3/10(387 votes)

    #2 - Tinker Tailor

    S1:E5

    Smiley calls on ex-Circus spu San Collins, who was the duty officer the night Jim Prideaux was shot. Collins confirms the events as Smiley understands them and that Prideaux's good friend Bill Hayden is the senior officer who took charge of the case after all hell broke loose. Smiley subsequently meets with Prideaux to get a firsthand account of the events during the disastrous Operation Testify in Czechoslovakia.

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  3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 6 - Smiley Sets a Trap
    8.3/10(321 votes)

    #3 - Smiley Sets a Trap

    S1:E6

    Smiley confronts one of his suspects and gives him the results of his investigations, which could prove a considerable embarrassment to those concerned.

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  4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 2 - Tarr Tells His Story
    8.1/10(368 votes)

    #4 - Tarr Tells His Story

    S1:E2

    British agent Ricki Tarr, believed to have defected, resurfaces with sensational information: confirmation of a Russian mole in the Service.

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  5. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 3 - Smiley Tracks the Mole
    8.1/10(354 votes)

    #5 - Smiley Tracks the Mole

    S1:E3

    The investigation begins, with Peter Guillam burgling the archives for information, while Smiley visits an old comrade whose past knowledge could prove vital to locating the spy.

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  6. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 4 - How It All Fits Together
    8.1/10(340 votes)

    #6 - How It All Fits Together

    S1:E4

    While Guillam and Tarr come under pressure, Smiley recounts his one meeting with Soviet master spy Karla, who is undoubtedly running the mole inside MI6.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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  8. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 1 - Return to the Circus
    7.9/10(423 votes)

    #7 - Return to the Circus

    S1:E1

    Retired espionage veteran George Smiley is called out on a top secret mission: to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Flushing Out the Mole" is the best rated episode of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy". It scored 8.4/10 based on 328 votes. Directed by John Irvin and written by Arthur Hopcraft, it aired on 10/22/1979. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Tinker Tailor".