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: 12/2/2024Network: truTVStatus: Ended
star
5.91
35 votes

#1 - 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.

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star
6.20
5 votes

#2 - 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.

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star
6.20
10 votes

#3 - 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.

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star
6.22
41 votes

#4 - End of the Line

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/23/2013

Brandon runs into legal problems and is upset when Cheston doesn't bail him out; and to compound matters, Oscar is tiring of Brandon's all-too-frequent no-shows. Later, Cheston squares off against Mitch in a battle for the vacant driller position.

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star
6.27
15 votes

#5 - 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??

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Blood and Guts
star
6.32
41 votes

#6 - Blood and Guts

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/9/2008

Tempers flare on the West Texas oil rigs. The mighty Big Dog driller, Justin, is beginning to lose patience with his rookie Derek - planting the seeds for an explosive showdown. A tiny substance causes devastating problems for Wayne and the Viking crew, as they struggle to find oil. And, Gerald gets tough with his Longhorn crew but things get tougher when one of his roughnecks get seriously hurt.

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star
6.33
40 votes

#7 - 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.

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star
6.42
43 votes

#8 - Boiling Point

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/19/2009

Oilfield veteran, Gerald Williams attempts to show rookie Cheston the ropes. Plus, on the night shift, driller Ron is forced to deal with the flaring tempers of his crew. And, when Travis the new guy on the rig shows up late on his first day, hothead Brandon challenges him to a good ol' fashion throwdown.

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star
6.50
10 votes

#9 - 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.

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star
6.57
7 votes

#10 - 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.

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star
6.58
73 votes

#11 - Wild Cats

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/15/2010

Landowner Peggy welcomes the roughnecks with an apple pie and a threat. Then, legendary roughneck Gerald strips down to his underwear when he gets ants in his pants. Plus, Cheston and Brandon have another fight. And, Tank receives devastating news.

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star
6.67
9 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.

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star
6.70
10 votes

#13 - 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.

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star
6.78
9 votes

#14 - 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.

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An Accident Waiting to Happen
star
6.78
41 votes

#15 - An Accident Waiting to Happen

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/23/2008

The pressure is on as time begins to run out for the crews racing to strike oil. In dead-last place, the brawny Big Dog rig completes one hole and moves on to the next, but old tensions flare between Derek and Justin, threatening their progress. The Viking crew overcomes all obstacles to reach pay dirt on hole number two. And, a change in the Longhorn rig could put the entire crew in danger.

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star
6.88
8 votes

#16 - 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.

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star
6.89
9 votes

#17 - 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.

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star
6.92
38 votes

#18 - Freddy's List

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/6/2010

First, Peggy catches a roughneck relieving himself on her property. Then, Freddy clashes with the roughnecks over an annoying to-do list. Plus, Tank is mysteriously AWOL from work. And, a vicious lightning storm cripples the rig.

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star
6.93
14 votes

#19 - 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.

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star
6.95
38 votes

#20 - Judgment Day

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/13/2010

It's Judgement Day for Rig 28, and the threat of being shut down has the roughnecks at each other’s throats. Plus, Gerald trespasses on private property, and faces Peggy the landowner's wrath.

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star
7.00
10 votes

#21 - 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.

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star
7.00
7 votes

#22 - 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.?

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star
7.00
11 votes

#23 - 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

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star
7.01
71 votes

#24 - Favor for a Favor

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/29/2010

First, Freddy tries to bribe landowner Peggy. Then, Tank goes to the airport to get his wife back before it’s too late. Plus, Cheston is the victim of a terrifying accident.

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star
7.03
39 votes

#25 - The Test

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/20/2010

First, a promotion shakes things up on the rig. Then, a drug test may end Tank's career. And, Freddy and Jerry's power struggle explodes into an all out fight.

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