The BEST episodes of Prodigal Son season 1
Every episode of Prodigal Son season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Prodigal Son season 1!
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.
#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.
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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.
#4 - 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.
#5 - 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.
#6 - 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.
#7 - 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.
#8 - 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.
#9 - 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.
#10 - 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.
#11 - 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.
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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.
#15 - Pilot
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2019
Malcom Bright knows how killers think and how their minds work, because his father, Dr. Martin Whitly, was one of the most notorious serial killers, called "The Surgeon." Alongside his longtime mentor, Gil Arroyo, and detectives Dani Powell and JT Tarmel, he helps the NYPD solve crimes by profiling killers, while also dealing with a manipulative mother, Jessica Whitly, an annoyingly normal sister, Ainsley Whitly and a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son.
#16 - All Souls and Sadists
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/28/2019
When Bright uncovers a photo of himself and Martin from when he was a kid, he is forced to focus on the repressed memories from his childhood psyche. He also finds himself bonding with a young boy connected to the NYPD’s latest homicide. Jessica and Malcolm finally agree on one thing—they must put a stop to Ainsley’s idea to interview 'The Surgeon'.
#17 - Annihilator
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/2019
Malcolm jumps at the chance to help Gil solve a quadruple homicide for the NYPD. As Malcolm slips into the mind of this serial killer, he finds himself dealing with the repercussions of seeing his father for the first time in years. Tormented by the terrors of his childhood, he is faced with a question: are his dreams just nightmares or did they actually happen?
#18 - The Trip
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/21/2019
Malcolm searches the depths of his mind to unravel the mystery of 'the girl in the box', but with his night terrors and lack of sleep increasing, his real life becomes more and more of a blur. When the NYPD investigates a homicide they assume is linked to a drug cartel, Malcolm discovers a secret about Dani’s past that draws them closer together.
#19 - Designer Complicity
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/2019
As Malcolm’s childhood memories start to take shape, he realizes his father’s killing spree may not have been a surprise to everyone in his family. While Malcolm continues to investigate his past, the murder of a famous model and social media influencer sends him, Gil, Dani and JT on the hunt for a stalker with a creepy eye for design.
#20 - Fear Response
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/7/2019
Malcolm gets his dream interview opportunity when the NYPD zeroes in on one of his and his father's favorite psychologists, who may be involved in a homicide linked to an LSD-laced psychology trial. As his night terrors continue to evolve, Malcolm checks in with his trusted childhood therapist to discuss new theories on what exactly he witnessed as a child. The consequences of Malcolm's visits with The Surgeon begin to add up when Gil, Jessica and Ainsley catch wind that he has been seeing his father again.