The WORST episodes of Black Gold

Every episode of Black Gold ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Black Gold!

Wildcatters and their crews race each other from location to location as they try to be the first to tap into some of the last remaining oil reserves in Texas. The stakes are higher than they've ever been with the dwindling supply of oil and the risk involved in striking oil in Black Gold.

Last Updated: 8/18/2026Network: truTVStatus: Ended
star
0.00
0 votes

#1 - There's A Storm Brewing

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/28/2011

Cheston tries to get his job back but Brandon is reluctant to rehire him. Meanwhile, a $50,000 bit goes missing and drilling is shut down, but Oscar has an idea of who took it; and there's an instance of roughneck betrayal that causes problems.

star
0.00
0 votes

#2 - Banged Up and Run Off

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/23/2009

Driller Pee Wee may find himself without a job after pushing the rig too hard. Plus, veteran Gerald makes a poor decision that could change the course of his life. Then, when Ron takes things too far with Travis, the roughneck walks off the job and it could be for good. And, Tool pusher Jerry takes over for Freddy, but when he goes to lend a hand on the rig floor, he literally comes face-to-face with the force of the spinning chain.

star
0.00
0 votes

#3 - As the Rotary Turns

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/30/2009

Disaster strikes Big Dog 28 when a snapped chain leaves tool pusher Jerry blind in one eye. Plus, after being fired, Gerald finds an unlikely source of income. Then, Pee wee kicks Cheston off the day crew for mouthing off to the other hands, while Tank's reckless attitude puts the night crew in danger. When the fighting becomes too much, Supervisor David Kiser must decide who stays and who goes.

star
0.00
0 votes

#4 - Do Or Die

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/7/2009

The roughnecks have only three days left to finish the final hole when all hell breaks loose. Two of the most troubled roughnecks swap shifts; one of the most experienced hands takes a pipe spinner to the head and is rushed to the hospital; and an unscheduled drug test sends panic through one roughneck's veins. As if that isn't enough, rig owners lose confidence and contemplate handing out pink slips.

star
0.00
0 votes

#5 - Cheston vs. Tank

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/27/2010

Tank and Cheston get into a brutal fight. And when Cheston returns to the rig, Tank comes looking for revenge. Plus, Peggy confronts Oscar who is in over his head.

star
0.00
0 votes

#6 - The Aftermath

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/3/2010

Peggy fires her gun at a roughneck's truck. And, still reeling from his fight with Tank, Cheston may quit the rig.

star
0.00
0 votes

#7 - A Score to Settle

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/10/2010

The roughnecks scramble to hit oil as the lease on Peggy's land is about to expire. Tank tries to settle the score with Cheston.

star
0.00
0 votes

#8 - A Roughneck Mission

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/30/2011

Hot-headed Driller, Brandon Watson, has new marching orders: find a top secret oil reserve and protect it from hungry competitors at all costs. When he tries assembling a crack team, they immediately get off to a rocky start. Plus, a power outage and the appearance a mysterious truck raises suspicions of sabotage.

star
0.00
0 votes

#9 - Cheston vs the Wheelers

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/7/2011

Tension rises between Cheston and the Wheeler twins, and after a long day of arguing, things get physical. While on his way to a DWI class, Brandon has a run-in with the law, which could land him in jail

star
0.00
0 votes

#10 - Hotheads and Hair Triggers

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/14/2011

The long arm of the law catches up with Brandon Watson, and the Big Dog driller could face hard time. Brandon finds trouble on the job too when a slacker crew sent to help with the rig move mouths off - forcing him to challenge them to an afterhours fight.

star
0.00
0 votes

#11 - Cheston on the Chopping Block

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/21/2011

Cheston guns for a promotion but his plan ends up backfiring when he finds himself fighting to keep his job; drilling on the rig comes to a stop with the arrival of a competitor's rig; Brandon finds himself in a pickle after a petty incident involving a sandwich mix-up.

Watch Now:Apple TV
star
0.00
0 votes

#12 - No Bones About It

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/16/2009

When the rig isn't drilling Big Dog owner Autry Stephens is on the verge of firing the crew. Worm Cheston finally gets in the good graces of his hotheaded driller Pee Wee, but learns it's sometimes dangerous to get what you wish for. And, night driller Ron finds Tank's attitude harder to manage as the ex prizefighter struggles with keeping his tank-sized ego from exploding.

star
0.00
0 votes

#13 - Brandon's Battle

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/4/2012

In the most dramatic episode of Black Gold yet, Brandon's demons catch up with him, leaving Aaron Wheeler a victim of a brutal assault. With felony assault charges looming overhead, Driller Brandon Watson is forced to turn himself in to the Federal Marshalls.

star
0.00
0 votes

#14 - Renegades & Rodeo

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/11/2012

Brandon's absence makes things difficult on Rig 28; Josh's rodeo ride could get him tossed from the job; Tank seeks a barroom brawl rematch with Cheston.

star
0.00
0 votes

#15 - Sabotage

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/18/2012

A rival driller pays a visit to Oscar and his crew on Rig 28; competition intensifies as the crew finishes the third and final leg of Big Dog's challenge. Later, the remaining roughnecks await news of their long-awaited bonuses.

star
0.00
0 votes

#16 - Under Pressure

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/19/2012

The 5th season of Black Gold gets off to a hot start with temps - and tempers - rising, with no end in sight. Brandon struggles to keep a crew on Rig 28, and puts his hands at risk by running a bare bones operation. When a worm hits the dirt, it could be the end of his drilling days. Cheston's found a new gig with plenty of perks, but gets lonely on his own. Will a heartfelt plea from his pal be enough to get him back with Big Dog?? And when a gas leak sends the roughnecks running, will they all make it out alive??

star
0.00
0 votes

#17 - Home Sweet Homelessness

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/26/2012

Brandon does not show up for work and is kicked out by his girlfriend; the crew gets some much needed reinforcement.

star
0.00
0 votes

#18 - Growing Pains

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/2/2013

Brandon gives Cheston a lesson in drilling; Cheston risks his friendship with Brandon; the landowner reiterates a deadline to Oscar; Brandon has legal troubles.

Watch Now:Apple TV
star
0.00
0 votes

#19 - Drilling Lessons

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/9/2013

Cheston walks a fine line between loyalty and self preservation when Brandon lets him down yet again, and he must seek out the help of a rival driller - behind his best friend's back. Brandon is put on final notice by Oscar when his own job is threatened. And, a worm's butterfingers might cost the rig big time, as a small mistake halts drilling - and could spell a stack out for the rough necks.

star
0.00
0 votes

#20 - Double Cross

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/16/2013

A deadly gas build up threatens the crew, and it's up to Brandon to soar high above the rig to try and relieve the pressure. Things turn tense when Freddie comes by for an impromptu rig inspection, and the friction between the boys builds up at couples therapy.? They try at let loose with some lakeside R&R, but the law is not far behind.?

Watch Now:Apple TV
star
0.00
0 votes

#21 - Aftermath

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/30/2013

Competition for the driller position heats up; Freddie doubts Cheston's ability; Brandon's antics catch the attention of the police; Oscar and the crew are unhappy when Freddie sends in some help.

star
0.00
0 votes

#22 - Showdown on Rig 28

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/20/2013

Oscar takes out frustrations on his slacking crew; Cheston's girlfriend distracts him while he's working; Mitch risks a parole violation.

star
0.00
0 votes

#23 - Tanks for the Memories

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/9/2009

Cheston pushes Pee Wee to his breaking point, and even Gerald's had enough of the rig's worm. Meanwhile, Ron's evening crew loses a roughneck to another company and is forced to break in a new hand who calls himself "Tank." Plus, the roughnecks are faced with "The Hole from Hell."

star
6.00
30 votes

#24 - Digging Deep

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/13/2013

When a pressure spike causes a cave in and brings the rig to a screeching halt, Oscar steps up to the drilling slot to keep the rig running. A visit from his family reminds him of what is truly at stake. With their competition to become a Big Dog driller on hold, Mitch and Cheston have a spitting contest of sorts - roughneck style. Cheston's attempt to earn bonus points with Oscar by helping out with rig repairs backfires - big time. And a heart to heart with his father brings Brandon to tears - and closer to the root of his anger issues.

star
6.00
30 votes

#25 - The Final Countdown

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/6/2013

A dangerous explosion rocks the roughnecks of Rig 28, and it's an all-out sprint to finish the fourth and final hole before the looming deadline. With no driller to take charge, Freddie commands Oscar to do it himself. That doesn't sit well with Mitch, who's been gunning for the job. A battle between the two leaves only one man standing - but not for long, as an injury takes out a key player. And finally, Brandon's long awaited day in court arrives, and he must face the consequences of last year's brutal assault.