The WORST episodes of Prodigal Son
Every episode of Prodigal Son ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.
#1 - Speak of the Devil
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/19/2021
When a priest is found murdered in his place of worship, Bright grapples with its effect on his own trauma. Martin, trying to help with the case, consults his fellow inmate, Friar Pete, whom he learns is keeping a secret of his own. Meanwhile, Ainsley grows worried that Jessica is keeping something from her regarding her relationship with Gil. And Dani, Gil and Malcolm rally behind JT, urging him to speak to his union rep about the discrimination he's been facing.
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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.
#4 - It’s All In The Execution
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/12/2021
Bright finds his personal life in disarray after his sister's shocking actions. Now, he has to "take care" of her and protect his mother, Jessica, from a secret that could tear the family apart all over again. To distract himself, Malcolm takes on a new case and must find the killer behind a recent beheading in the city.. and the only person he can turn to for help with the case is his father. Meanwhile, Martin returns to Claremont to a surprise new roommate and JT faces discrimination while on the job.
#5 - 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.
#6 - 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?
#7 - 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'.
#8 - 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.
#9 - 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.
#10 - 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.
#11 - 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.
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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.
#15 - 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.
#16 - 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.
#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.
#18 - 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.
#19 - 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.
#20 - 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.
#21 - 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.
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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.
#24 - 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.
#25 - 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.