The WORST episodes of Bringing Up Bates
Every episode of Bringing Up Bates ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Bringing Up Bates!
Twenty-seven years ago Gil and Kelly Jo Bates tied the knot with no plans to have kids. Fast forward 19 kids later and this tight-knit family, seemingly too good to be true, has a tremendous bond but are far from perfect. As you will see, when you have a house full of 19 children, from ages two to 25, daily chaos is multiplied exponentially, but so are the joyful and poignant moments that life can bring.
#1 - Training Wheels and Trick Saddles
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/18/2016
Judson turns five and gets a brand new bike for his birthday; Erin heads to Nashville to record a Christmas album; Lawson, Nathan, and Trace get a visit from a couple of The Dixie Stampede trick riders and learn some tricks of their own.
#2 - Two By Two, I Love You
Season 10 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/3/2021
Let the "I Love You Day" Festivities begin! Bates Sisters' Boutique holds their first photo shoot in their newly renovated space, and two of the models might become sister-in-laws one day! Later, things are heating up in the kitchen as Nathan's love, Esther, is prepping the entire meal for the couples' dinner. Finally, the family gathers two by two for their most beloved holiday!
#3 - Due Dates & An Engagement Getaway!
Season 10 - Episode 14 - Aired 6/24/2021
With Whitney and Josie's due dates quickly approaching, the expecting moms meet up to dish about motherhood and work on a project for their nurseries. Nathan confides in Lawson that he's hoping to propose to Esther very soon! But, with Nathan leaving the bachelor squad, will Lawson be on the fast track to settle down? Meanwhile, Travis is hoping to surprise Katie with a destination engagement.
#4 - Never Before Seen on TV! - Summertime Special
Season 10 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/17/2021
A collection of never before seen on TV moments, along with some summertime classics.
#5 - Bobby's Movin' In
Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/15/2017
Bobby and Tori make plans for the future, which includes Bobby moving to Tennessee after graduation; Kelly Jo takes Jud and Jeb to a martial-arts class in order to add structure to their roughhousing; Bobby and Tori have dinner with Gil and Kelly Jo.
#6 - Love is in the Heir
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/31/2016
Whitney and Zach have their first ultrasound; Gil and Kelly celebrate their wedding anniversary with a romantic dinner; Nathan calls a family meeting to share some exciting news.
#7 - Hello Dollywood!
Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 9/3/2015
Lawson gets the opportunity of a lifetime – to perform at the world famous ‘Dollywood,’ in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. While he does his sound check on stage, the rest of the family enjoys the theme park and keeps an eye out for Dolly herself!
#8 - Headed to the Altar
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/28/2016
The wedding of Brandon and Michaella is just days away; a look back at Brandon and Michaella's relationship and courtship, from their first days together to the romantic proposal.
#9 - Movin' in with Meema
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/25/2015
Gil and Kelly Jo take Trace and Josie to the orthodontist to get braces, and Gil reveals how he can afford orthodontia for so many kids. Later, Kelly Jo’s mother Meema announces that she wants to live closer to the kids. So Kelly Jo takes her house hunting, but the task proves tougher than anyone could have imagined.
#10 - The Big Apple of Nathan's Eye
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/7/2016
A few of the Bates head to visit their friends, Ashley and Anastasia at the Big Apple; exploring Time Square and the Brooklyn Bridge.
#11 - A Big Bates Thanksgiving
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/5/2015
Get ready to give thanks... Bates style! The whole family heads to Gil's parents' farm for a super-sized family dinner. The family joins hands to say what they're thankful for. Someone reveals a surprise.
#12 - Time to Renobate!
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/17/2016
With the three eldest sisters out of the house, the remaining girls decide it’s time to redecorate their bedroom. And Zach and Whitney are doing a little redecorating of their own as they head out to shop for a new couch to spruce up their home. Later the girls test out a new recipe for dinner.
#13 - 15 Kids and an Empty Nest
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/21/2016
With the big wedding just days away the family is busier than ever. Gil and Kelly take the kids to the park for some rollerblading and playground exploring. Erin hosts a laughter filled candle making party for Michaella and her bridesmaids. Nathan, Lawson, and Trace take Brandon on an outing to the skating rink, but an accident on the ice could put the wedding in jeopardy.
#14 - Bringing Up Bradley
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/24/2016
Time is flying and the Bates’ first grandbaby, Bradley, is turning one! Kelly Jo and the girls look for gifts, but their outing goes overboard and quickly turns into a shopping spree. Lawson puts his best face forward at a photoshoot for his new album. Later, the family gathers for Bradley’s birthday party and Whitney shares a big announcement.
#15 - Welcome Grandbaby Bates
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/12/2015
Zach and Whitney's baby is due in less than 2 weeks, but the nursery is nowhere near ready! Lucky for them, there are plenty of Bates to lend a hand. As Whitney's due-date nears (and passes!) the whole family gets anxious to meet the newest addition to the ever-growing clan. Later, Erin shares surprising news with her parents.
#16 - The Webster's New Home and Nathan's Next Move
Season 10 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/10/2021
Now that Tori and Whitney are neighbors and both expecting another baby, they meet up to swap baby clothes, while their hubbies are in charge of cooking dinner! Alyssa and John have their hands full moving out of their old house and renovating their new home just weeks after the birth of their fourth daughter. Nathan returns to the jewelry store to purchase his girlfriend's dream engagement ring.
#17 - The Bates go to Florida
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/12/2015
The family heads to Florida to visit John and Alyssa.
#18 - A LOVEly Day
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/16/2016
#19 - Taking Care of Business & Florida Fun
Season 9 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/7/2020
Given Gil's recent rotator cuff surgery, the older Bates boys help their father on a tree job; Erin and Chad discuss their living arrangements; Gil and Kelly Jo head to Florida to spend some quality time with Alyssa, John and their children.
#20 - Brandon and Michaella
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/16/2015
Brandon comes for an extended stay. Could his visit could mean bigger things for Michaella and him?
#21 - All About the Bates
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/19/2015
Find out everything you want to know (and then some!) about the Bates as they answer viewer questions and show some hilarious never-before-seen footage.
#22 - The Purity Ring
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/19/2015
Carlin gets a night out alone with her parents and they have a special surprise for her. Later, the Bates family visits Zach and Whitney as they adjust to being first-time parents. Then, Lawson sings the National Anthem in front of 15,000 people.
#23 - Blessings... and New Beginnings?
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/2/2015
With Erin and Chad’s due date looming, the whole family gathers for their baby shower. Erin’s friend Kelsey comes for the occasion and helps put together a sentimental surprise that leaves Erin speechless. Nathan and Lawson’s friends from New York, Ashley and Anastasia, also visit and the kids have fun showing these city folk a real country adventure!
#24 - Surgery and Surprises
Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/9/2020
No more one handed push-ups for Gil, because with Kelly Jo by his side, Gil heads to an orthopedic center for rotator cuff surgery; Gil's anxiety about the procedure might get the best of him; Josie and Kelton celebrate their first anniversary.
#25 - First Home and Strict Chaperones!
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/19/2020
New parents Josie and Kelton are bringing home baby and the first time homeowners call in family favors to complete renovations on their fixer-upper; Carlin, Erin and Whitney recruit Trace's friend Chaney to model for their online dress boutique.