The BEST episodes of Prodigal Son

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

Malcolm Bright has a gift that gives him the ability to know how killers think, how their minds work. Why? Back in the ‘90s, Malcolm Bright's father was one of the worst—a notorious serial killer called 'The Surgeon'. With the ability to know how killers' minds work, Malcolm is now the best criminal psychologist around. Malcolm uses his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with a manipulative mother, annoyingly normal sister, a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son, and his own constantly-evolving neuroses.

Last Updated: 2/18/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
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Like Father...
star
8.26
640 votes

#1 - Like Father...

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/27/2020

Malcolm continues to unravel as the mystery of the girl in the box comes to a head. As Nicholas Endicott's true colors continue to show, the Whitlys must decide to what lengths they are willing to go in order to take him down.

Directors: Adam Kane
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Last Weekend
star
7.94
455 votes

#2 - The Last Weekend

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/18/2021

The search for a serial killer known as 'The Woodsman' might help the NYPD find one of their own.

Directors: Chris Grismer
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Alone Time
star
7.92
726 votes

#3 - Alone Time

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/20/2020

The FBI and NYPD collaborate to save Malcolm from the 'Junkyard Killer'—aka John Watkins—who reveals shocking details about his involvement in the camping trip memories that have been plaguing his psyche. Gil looks for answers from The Surgeon. Ainsley and Jessica search through their memories of the past, hoping to find some sort a clue to where Malcolm could be hidden.

Directors: Adam Kane
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
You Can Run...
star
7.91
473 votes

#4 - You Can Run...

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/4/2021

After a terrifying incident at Claremont, Malcolm is in a race against time to track down multiple killers. The NYPD realizes someone close to home might be the key to finding them.

Directors: Marisol Adler
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Exit Strategy
star
7.88
473 votes

#5 - Exit Strategy

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/27/2021

As Malcolm distances himself from Martin, Jessica does the opposite, diving head-first into the past for the sake of her tell-all book. Meanwhile, Martin is desperate to get in touch with his son ahead of his imminent plans, as Dr. Vivian Capshaw grows increasingly suspicious. Meanwhile, the NYPD investigates a crime of passion.

Directors: Satya Bhabha
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Q&A
star
7.87
895 votes

#6 - Q&A

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/4/2019

Bright’s quest for answers about his childhood leads him to a junkyard, where he’s bombarded with gunshots. Narrowly escaping, Bright and the NYPD discover multiple bodies on the scene, with victims spanning decades. Gil, Dani, Frank and Bright must investigate this serial killer who Bright suspects has something to do with “The Surgeon.” Meanwhile, Ainsley’s exclusive interview with Martin takes an unexpected turn, forcing her to team up with Bright.

Directors: Adam Kane
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Scheherazade
star
7.86
628 votes

#7 - Scheherazade

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/30/2020

When an up-and-coming ballet dancer is mysteriously poisoned, the NYPD dives deep into the rigorous world of dance. Jessica reunites with an old friend. Bright and Eve turn to Martin for answers regarding the girl in the box.

Directors: Dermott Downs
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sun and Fun
star
7.86
477 votes

#8 - Sun and Fun

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/11/2021

As the search intensifies for a serial killer on the run, so does Malcolm's tenacity, causing U.S. Marshal Emily Ruiz to kick him off the case. However, Malcolm doesn't back down that easily.

Directors: Chris Grismer
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ouroboros
star
7.85
510 votes

#9 - Ouroboros

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/13/2021

When world-famous Europol profiler Simon Hoxley shows up in New York and claims that Major Crimes’ current case is connected to the discovery of Endicott’s body overseas, Bright fears he and Ainsley’s secret is about to be exposed. Meanwhile, Martin gets to know Dr. Vivian Capshaw.

Directors: Chris Grismer
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Professionals
star
7.84
630 votes

#10 - The Professionals

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/20/2020

After a catastrophic turn of events, Malcolm and Ainsley are convinced there's more to Nicholas Endicott than meets the eye. Their only hope just might be an impromptu Whitly family reunion.

Directors: Lily Mariye
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Stranger Beside You
star
7.84
621 votes

#11 - Stranger Beside You

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/23/2020

The NYPD dives into a case surrounding a famous blogger, whose husband was mysteriously stabbed just days after their baby was born. Bright finds his way back to Eve, but can't shake his paranoia that there's more to her than meets the eye. To help ease his nerves, Ainsley helps him do some investigating and uncovers a secret she has been keeping.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Face Value
star
7.82
488 votes

#12 - Face Value

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/2/2021

Malcolm, still reeling from the latest events with Ainsley, focuses on the next case, in which a famous plastic surgeon is murdered. Meanwhile, Martin gets a new job working in the infirmary with resident MD Dr. Vivian Capshaw. Then, Jessica is surprised to learn her younger sister is in town.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Silent Night
star
7.82
773 votes

#13 - Silent Night

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/2/2019

Knowing that the “Junkyard Killer” was in cahoots with his father, Malcolm goes against the FBI’s wishes and continues to investigate. His findings reconnect him with a disgruntled ex-detective who was once heavily involved in the search for “The Surgeon,” delivering them both into danger. Meanwhile, the holidays are anything but jolly for the Whitly family, when an epic blowout with Ainsley leads Jessica to take matters into her own hands. Also, Colette Swanson, the steadfast FBI detective who’s now in charge of the case, seems to have a personal vendetta against Malcolm.

Directors: Valerie Weiss
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Take Your Father to Work Day
star
7.80
510 votes

#14 - Take Your Father to Work Day

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/2/2021

Martin is delighted when a murder at Claremont Psychiatric brings the NYPD into his territory, allowing him direct involvement with one of Malcolm's cases. While working the same job, Ainsley's suspicion grows when she feels Malcolm may be hiding something from her. Malcolm and Ainsley must dodge their mother, who's wondering why they got rid of her favorite rug.

Directors: Omar Madha
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Eye of the Needle
star
7.80
685 votes

#15 - Eye of the Needle

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/10/2020

Jessica continues to search for more information on the 'Girl in the Box', but is confronted by the 'Carousel Killer'. While the NYPD investigates families tied to Martin's victims, it's ultimately up to Malcolm and Jessica to track down the tip-line caller—turned killer—who is blackmailing her. Ainsley receives a big promotion at work, but quickly realizes she may never escape the high demand for serial killer reports.

Directors: Lisa Robinson
Writer: Wyatt Cain
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Death's Door
star
7.78
683 votes

#16 - Death's Door

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/17/2020

When a body is found professionally preserved and embalmed, the NYPD teams up with Edrisa to go undercover at a convention of funeral directors. Martin revisits his past through a series of hallucinations.

Directors: Adam Kane
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Head Case
star
7.77
504 votes

#17 - Head Case

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/16/2021

While the team investigates the murder of an architect who was tasked with renovating a supposedly haunted hotel, Bright is knocked out and falls into an elevator shaft. Trapped and unconscious, he imagines an alternate reality that finds him leading a semi-normal life in which his father, who is not a serial killer, helps him solve the case.

Directors: Lisa Robinson
Writer: Wyatt Cain
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Wait & Hope
star
7.75
692 votes

#18 - Wait & Hope

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/3/2020

Malcolm takes a detour from his mandated vacation time when he finds out a killer on the loose is mimicking homicides from one his favorite children’s books. With added help from a very excited Martin Whitly, the NYPD trace the case to a high-society family planning one of the biggest weddings of the season. Jessica scores an invitation and is eager to make her return to the New York elite.

Directors: Glen Winter
Writer: Sam Sklaver
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pied-A-Terre
star
7.75
826 votes

#19 - Pied-A-Terre

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/25/2019

When Martin is locked away in solitary confinement and the FBI takes over the Junkyard Killer case, Malcolm uses his spare time as an excuse to try out a 'normal' lifestyle. Things go well, until he accepts a challenge to 'profile' his date. The NYPD tracks a new homicide that’s linked to an elite underground sex club.

Directors: Antonio Negret
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Job
star
7.75
629 votes

#20 - The Job

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/16/2020

When a motorcycle gang robbery turns into a murder, Malcolm and team are called to the scene to investigate. While he's working on a profile, he runs into an old friend from boarding school—a licensed insurance investigator. Martin blackmails Jessica, exchanging his silence about who stabbed him for more quality time with his son.

Directors: Satya Bhabha
Writer: Justin W. Lo
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Alma Mater
star
7.73
508 votes

#21 - Alma Mater

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/26/2021

When the headmaster of Bright's alma mater is found murdered, he is forced to face a troubling secret from his past. Meanwhile, Jessica struggles with her decision to end things with Gil, Martin grows closer to Friar Pete and JT eagerly anticipates the birth of his baby.

Directors: Omar Madha
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Family Friend
star
7.72
824 votes

#22 - Family Friend

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/11/2019

As the NYPD digs into the “Junkyard Killer” case, Malcolm realizes the main suspect may have had a connection to his father. As news regarding this serial killer spreads, Ainsley itches to be the first one on the case, while Jessica panics, fearing she may never be able to leave the past behind.

Directors: Rob Hardy
Writer: Wyatt Cain
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Internal Affairs
star
7.72
683 votes

#23 - Internal Affairs

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/27/2020

Following a mysterious and catastrophic incident in the precinct, Bright faces an internal affairs review as Gil and the team worry about his mental health.

Directors: David S. Tuttman
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bad Manners
star
7.70
501 votes

#24 - Bad Manners

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/9/2021

Malcolm and Ainsley both race to find the killer in the so-called 'Debutante Slayings', but Ainsley's persistence has Malcolm worried about what her actual motive might be. While Martin is thrilled to see his daughter's passion in the field, Jessica suggests she and Ainsley take a vacation. JT meets with his union rep to decide if he should file an official complaint against the cop who discriminated against him.

Directors: Chris Grismer
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Killabustas
star
7.66
483 votes

#25 - The Killabustas

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/20/2021

Despite Gil's fatherly concerns, Bright throws himself into a new case involving an escalating killer that has Edrisa's online vigilante group, known as the "Killabustas," trying to stop him. Meanwhile, Jessica realizes that she must dive deep into her past traumas in order to write a book and may need Gil's help to do it. Then, Martin's relationship with Dr. Capshaw intensifies.

Directors: Dermott Downs
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV