The BEST episodes of United States of Tara

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

Tara Gregson is a wife and mother of two. Tara has dissociative identity disorder (DID). Whenever she is stressed, she transforms into one of her alternate personalities: wild and flirty teenager T; old-fashioned housewife Alice; and male, loud, beer-drinking Vietnam vet Buck (a fifth personality is introduced later in the season). Tara is supported by her husband Max, her somewhat troubled teenage daughter Kate and quirky, good-hearted gay son Marshall. Her sister, Charmaine, is not so supportive, often expressing her doubt about the validity of Tara's disorder.

Last Updated: 10/31/2024Network: Paramount+ with ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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From This Day Forward
star
8.19
757 votes

#1 - From This Day Forward

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/7/2010

On the day of Charmaine and Nick's wedding, long-held secrets come to light, while Kate and Marshall accidentally make a discovery of consequence.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dept of Fucked Up Family Services
star
7.99
873 votes

#2 - Dept of Fucked Up Family Services

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/3/2010

An upcoming visit from a social worker has its effect on Max. Disapproving Kate's friendship with Lynda, Tara interferes while Neil learns that Charmaine is pregnant.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
To Have And To Hold
star
7.97
755 votes

#3 - To Have And To Hold

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/31/2010

Tara and Charmaine pay a woman who appeared in Tara's memories a visit, while Kate tries to change herself for her new and much older boyfriend.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bryce Will Play
star
7.93
723 votes

#4 - Bryce Will Play

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/23/2011

The discovery of Tara's new dangerous alter makes Dr. Hattaras and Tara consult another professional. Marshall finds out that his short film hurt his father's feelings and Charmaine connects with "chic moms," while Kate tries to make her relationship with Evan work.

Directors: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Rolin Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Full Fuck You Finger
star
7.82
670 votes

#5 - The Full Fuck You Finger

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/11/2011

The stress of juggling school and Charmaine's baby shower causes Tara to transition, with negative consequences for Charmaine. To sell the family business, Max must get the approval of his eccentric mother. Kate meets a flight attendant who inspires a new idea about her future.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Rolin Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Crackerjack
star
7.81
622 votes

#6 - Crackerjack

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/4/2011

Her psychology professor humiliates Tara when she transitions in his class. Meanwhile, Kate considers giving English lessons in Japan and Max gets a business offer.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Crunchy Ice
star
7.74
637 votes

#7 - Crunchy Ice

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/13/2011

When Bryce takes over, Tara's new alter threatens to destroy the whole family. When Tara's other alters disappear one by one, Max decides to fight off Bryce before it's too late for Tara.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chicken 'n' Corn
star
7.73
701 votes

#8 - Chicken 'n' Corn

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/16/2011

A new alter comes to light that puts Charmaine's new baby at risk. Soon after, Alice visits Dr. Hattaras and intrigues him in Tara's case again. Kate, Max and Marshall fly to New York where they get to meet Kate's new friend Evan and his son.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
...youwillnotwin...
star
7.73
648 votes

#9 - ...youwillnotwin...

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/28/2011

Max is worried when Tara returns to college to finish her college degree. Meanwhile, Charmaine with a baby on the way is avoiding a commitment to Neil, Kate tries to figure out a plan for her future and Marshall and Lionel sign up for a filmmaking class.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Diablo Cody
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Good Parts
star
7.65
474 votes

#10 - The Good Parts

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/20/2011

Tara re-emerges but the task now is to repair broken family relationships, particularly with Marshall who is fed up with it all. Rather than go into a local mental health facility, she decides to follow Dr. Hatteras' advice and see a specialist in Boston. Neil and Charmaine are moving to Houston and offer to take Marshall with them. Kate receives an offer to move to St. Louis. As a new family dynamic emerges, everyone contemplates and wonders what the future may hold.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Betrayal
star
7.64
553 votes

#11 - Betrayal

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/22/2009

When Dr. Ocean unexpectedly terminates her treatment of Tara, it throws Tara into a total meltdown at the spa with Charmaine. Upon coming home, things begin to unravel and one of Tara’s alters betrays Marshall in a way that could destroy the family forever.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Torando!
star
7.62
822 votes

#12 - Torando!

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/26/2010

A tornado brings some long-covered secrets to light when Tara's alter Shoshana takes over.

Directors: Craig Gillespie
Writer: Craig Wright
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Trouble Junction
star
7.61
795 votes

#13 - Trouble Junction

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/29/2010

Tara realizes her alternate personalities are emerging again, but keeps it a secret. Newly engaged Charmaine asks to move in with Tara and her family. Max decides to take on a new project by buying the neighbor’s house to flip it. Kate meets a mysterious older woman, Lynda (Viola Davis), while Marshall begins a new relationship… with a girl

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Joey Soloway
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Truth Hurts
star
7.61
790 votes

#14 - The Truth Hurts

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/5/2010

The family discovers the truth -- Tara’s alternate personalities are back. Buck’s actions have brought serious consequences that unleash a new side of Max. Neil finds out about Charmaine’s engagement. Marshall and Courtney begin to experiment as Kate grows closer to Lynda.

Directors: Adam Davidson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Open House
star
7.61
727 votes

#15 - Open House

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/24/2010

Tara and Charmaine discuss Tara's childhood memories with their mother and Max holds an open house after re-modeling their neighbor's house.

Directors: Jamie Babbit
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Family Portrait
star
7.59
816 votes

#16 - The Family Portrait

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/17/2010

Tara starts working on a family portrait in order to re-connect with her family while Max tries to get away from Pammy.

Directors: Jamie Babbit
Writer: Craig Wright
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Wheels
star
7.56
643 votes

#17 - Wheels

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/18/2011

Tara and Charmaine are rushed to the hospital in the same ambulance, where Charmaine declares her baby off limits to her crazy sister; Tara attempts to make a deal with her alters, which intrigues her Abnormal Psychology professor; Marshall, Lionel and Noah put Charmaine's empty house to some creative uses; Kate is embarrassed to confess that she backed out of going to Japan.

Directors: Penny Marshall
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Road to Hell is Paved with Breast Intentions
star
7.54
754 votes

#18 - The Road to Hell is Paved with Breast Intentions

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/2/2011

Tara seems to be making progress with her new contract but Dr. Hattaras discovers something disturbing in a tape from one her therapy sessions; much to the sisters' chagrin, Neil invites Tara and Charmaine's mother to visit her grandchild; Max is unhappy at his new job but can't talk to Tara about it; Kate is surprised when a handsome flyer rebuffs her flirting.

Directors: Jamie Babbit
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Snow
star
7.52
523 votes

#19 - Snow

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/29/2009

Tara decides to check into an in-patient facility that specializes in dissociation. There, Tara meets a new doctor, Dr. Holden, a charismatic expert, who pushes her to recover lost memories. The facility has support groups for significant others too, but Max is wary. As Tara tries hard to delve into her past, her alters are resistant to allowing the truth to surface, and Max learns he’ll have to be stronger than ever to help Tara take the next step in her recovery.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Alterations
star
7.52
616 votes

#20 - Alterations

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/1/2009

Charmaine has decided to get her breasts re-done and has asked Tara to be her caretaker while she recovers. Kate gives Marshall Love advice, telling him to play hard to get with Jason. When Charmaine wakes after her surgery, she is surprised to see “Buck” at her bedside, not Tara. While “Buck” takes care of Charmaine, she comes to appreciate him in a way she never has before.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Diablo Cody
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Explosive Diorama
star
7.51
905 votes

#21 - Explosive Diorama

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/10/2010

Tara and Lynda make preparations for their art show. Kate sets up a new business, while Lionel and Marshall's friendship deepens. In the meantime, Charmaine struggles trying to balance Neil and Nick.

Directors: Penny Marshall
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Abundance
star
7.50
503 votes

#22 - Abundance

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/8/2009

Max has his hands full while “Alice” is out again. Marshall fears Jason’s father knows about his crush on Jason. The boys grow closer, albeit platonically. Max decides to embrace his time with “Alice,” even though he misses his wife.

Directors: Brian Dannelly
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Aftermath
star
7.47
465 votes

#23 - Aftermath

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/25/2009

When her children need advice about school and sex, Tara seeks additional assistance from one of her other personalities ("Alice").

Directors: Craig Gillespie
Writer: Diablo Cody
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dr. Hatteras' Miracle Elixir
star
7.43
639 votes

#24 - Dr. Hatteras' Miracle Elixir

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/25/2011

Tara tries to drop her Abnormal Psychology class but instead receives an intriguing pitch from her instructor, Dr. Hattaras; Charmaine and Neil find parenthood a struggle but still refuse Tara's help; Max finds himself at odds with his boss at his new job; Kate prepares for flight attendant training; Lionel catches Marshall with Noah, jeopardizing their student film project.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
You Becoming You
star
7.42
820 votes

#25 - You Becoming You

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/12/2010

Tara sets out to find a new therapist as Max struggles to come to terms with Buck’s affair. Marshall and Courtney take their relationship to the next level. Tara and Max disapprove of Kate’s friendship with Lynda. Charmaine tells the family some big news. A new alternate personality is born.

Directors: Adam Davidson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV