The BEST episodes of The Strain season 2

Every episode of The Strain season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Strain season 2!

A mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism ravages the city of New York.

Last Updated: 10/12/2025Network: FXStatus: Ended
Night Train
star
7.69
2630 votes

#1 - Night Train

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/4/2015

Setrakian and Fet battle for possession of the Occido Lumen, and gain a surprising new ally. A massive attack imperils Eph, Nora, and Zack's escape from New York.

Directors: Vincenzo Natali
Watch Now:Amazon
The Assassin
star
7.65
2579 votes

#2 - The Assassin

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/13/2015

Eph and Dutch work together to thwart the Master’s greatest ally. Justine runs into trouble with the Mayor while Setrakian tracks down the real owner of the Lumen.

Directors: Phil Abraham
Writer: Liz Phang
Watch Now:Amazon
Dead End
star
7.65
2528 votes

#3 - Dead End

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/20/2015

Dutch fights for her life against Eichhorst as Fet, Nora, and Eph frantically search the city for her. Setrakian confronts an old acquaintance on his search for the Occido Lumen, while Gus helps the Guptas escape across the border to safety.

Directors: Phil Abraham
Watch Now:Amazon
The Battle for Red Hook
star
7.61
2406 votes

#4 - The Battle for Red Hook

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/6/2015

Justine takes drastic measures to counter a surprise invasion. Nora and Fet perform a useful mission while Eph and Setrakian face off against an old foe.

Directors: Kevin Dowling
The Born
star
7.61
2505 votes

#5 - The Born

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/23/2015

Setrakian and Fet use Fitzwilliam’s info to attack the Master, but a mysterious new player arrives. Dutch receives a surprise guest. Eph returns to NYC frustrated but energized to go after the one person responsible for killing his friends.

Directors: Howard Deutch
Writer: Chuck Hogan
Intruders
star
7.58
2550 votes

#6 - Intruders

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/30/2015

Eph must protect Zack against a surprise intruder into Red Hook. Gus convinces the Guptas to make a difficult choice. Fet and Setrakian set out to acquire the Lumen but discover they are not the only potential buyer.

Directors: Kevin Dowling
Fort Defiance
star
7.57
2768 votes

#7 - Fort Defiance

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/26/2015

Gus and Vaun wage an attack on Palmer as Eph struggles to connect with Zack. Councilwoman Justine Faraldo vows to bring her extermination policies to the other boroughs.

Directors: Guy Ferland
Watch Now:Apple TV
Identity
star
7.57
2554 votes

#8 - Identity

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/16/2015

Eph concocts a plan to make and distribute a bioweapon. Gus realizes Angel can be an unlikely ally, and Kelly comes after Nora and Zack.

Directors: Howard Deutch
By Any Means
star
7.55
2876 votes

#9 - By Any Means

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/19/2015

Eph and Nora experiment on their newfound patients. Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear out the neighborhood buildings, and Kelly begins her hunt for Zack.

Directors: T.J. Scott
BK, NY
star
7.54
3044 votes

#10 - BK, NY

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/12/2015

Eph and Nora work on a weapon to kill the strigoi, but Setrakian puts the group at risk by searching for an ancient text, while the Master introduces a new breed of creature and taps Kelly to control it.

Quick and Painless
star
7.49
2604 votes

#11 - Quick and Painless

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/9/2015

Eph changes his appearance to leave the city while Nora is left as the reluctant parent for Zack. Dutch and Nora make a deal with Justine to secure Fet’s release from jail.

Directors: J. Miles Dale
Writer: Liz Phang
Fallen Light
star
7.46
2520 votes

#12 - Fallen Light

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/27/2015

Eph must choose between Zack's safety and the safety of the citizens of NYC. Meanwhile, his relationship with Nora reaches a critical impasse, and Gus and Angel assemble an unlikely gang of Sun-hunters.

Directors: Vincenzo Natali
The Silver Angel
star
7.41
2697 votes

#13 - The Silver Angel

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/2/2015

Eph and Nora finally see their lethal virus in action. Fet takes the security of Red Hook into his own hands while Dutch and Setrakian set off for Staten Island to question Fitzwilliam, Palmer's former body guard.

Directors: J. Miles Dale
Writer: Chuck Hogan