The WORST episodes of United States of Tara
Every episode of United States of Tara ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.
#1 - Possibility
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/15/2009
Needing a break from real life, Kate and Tara head out on an impromptu road trip. Max uses this time away from Tara to search for answers about her past. That night, Tara and Kate get into an argument causing Tara to transition into “T.” “T” heads to the nearest tattoo parlor and Kate tries to stop her before she makes a permanent mistake.
#2 - Inspiration
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/8/2009
Tara feels the best she’s felt in a long time. She loves the mural she is working on and feels she’s found a new friend in Tiffany. That night, while Charmaine, Tara, and Tiffany are out for drinks, Tiffany decides she wants to see one of Tara’s alternate personalities and begins probing Tara in a way that turns ugly. Tiffany wakes up the next morning horrified when she finds the mural is destroyed and she suspects Tara.
#3 - Pilot
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/18/2009
Suburban mother and wife Tara Gregson does her best to lead a normal life while dealing with multiple personalities that include a spirited teenager called "T," a Vietnam vet named "Buck," and the perennial 1950's-style housewife, "Alice."
#4 - Train Wreck
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/6/2011
Max and Marshall return home from New York to bad news on all sides. Max learns of the new alter, Bryce, but a highly medicated Tara assures him all in under control. Marshall learns that a close friend has been killed in an accident. Tara offers support, which he gladly accepts, but on the day of the funeral Bryce emerges and apparently will not go away. It's all too much for Kate and Marshall who look to strike out on their own.
#5 - Transition
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/22/2009
The family is under the impression that Tara’s parents, Bev and Frank, are visiting to celebrate Charmaine’s birthday but when Frank approaches Max about taking the kids to live with them, Max does everything he can to prevent Tara from switching. At the party that night, Tara learns of her parents’ plan and is hurt that they think she is an unfit parent. Sweeping her feelings under the rug, she remains calm however, later that evening, Max wakes to find something that changes everything.
#6 - The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/9/2011
Tara motivates Max to relive his old rock band Beaverlamp. Meanwhile, a depressed Dr. Hattaras makes her take a break from their therapy sessions and Marshall and Noah interview Max for their film festival project.
#7 - Work
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/1/2009
When Tara and Max can’t connect in the bedroom, Tara worries Max may be more interested in her alters than her. After gaining reassurance from her therapist Dr. Ocean,Tara plans a “sex date” with Max to get them back on track. Tara’s sister Charmaine recommends she meet her new boss for a potential mural project. As Tara prepares for her “sex date” with Max, the pressure becomes too much and she becomes “Buck.” That night, “Buck” doles out advice on women and Max ends up male-bonding with his own wife.
#8 - Miracle
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/5/2009
With Max and Dr. Holden’s help, Tara meets face-to-face with an important person from her past. This meeting, while difficult, leaves Tara feeling conciliatory and expansive. Marshall finally reconciles with Tara and gives her his full support. The family, now reunited for the first time since Tara checked into the hospital, decides to partake in a family tradition – bowling but as Tara looks around at her family, she realizes she’s not who she is in spite of her alters, but BECAUSE of them.
#9 - Revolution
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/15/2009
Tara turns into “T” and takes off in her car. Max and Charmaine go after her, creating the perfect opportunity for Marshall to throw a party as an excuse to be near his crush, Jason. Charmaine, Max, and “T” all return to the house to discover a raging party going on -- the buzz gets killed in more ways than one.
#10 - Doin' Time
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/19/2010
Max’s violent outburst comes back to haunt him. Tara learns she is now able to be aware of what her newest alternate personality, Shoshana, does. Kate’s music video is an internet success. Marshall decides he has to break up with Courtney. The doctor gives Charmaine surprising news about her pregnancy.
#11 - Yes
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/22/2010
Season two opens with a bang as the Gregsons' neighbor commits suicide and the family unexpectedly is given responsibility of the house. Now well and dissociation-free for several months, Tara sets out to make new friends with Max's help. Marshall struggles to fit in at school while Kate lands a new job. Nick pops the question to Charmaine
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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").
#15 - 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.
#16 - 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.
#17 - 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.
#18 - 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.
#19 - 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.
#20 - 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.
#21 - 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.
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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.
#24 - 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
#25 - 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.