Beste Episodes
The First 48 is one of the longest-running and most successful crime series on A&E. It premiered in 2004 and has now aired 24 seasons. The show follows detectives during the hours immediately following a homicide. Over the years, many episodes have been highly lauded for their gripping stories and compelling crime scenes. But there have also been some episodes that have been met with criticism or have been ranked among the show’s worst. In this article, we will rank the worst episodes of The First 48, examining the reasons why they are not as well-received as the rest.
In order to determine the worst episodes of the show, we must first examine the criteria for what makes an episode great. Generally, the most successful episodes of The First 48 have an interesting crime scene and a compelling story that follows it. Good episodes will also draw viewers in with intense suspense and drama, and will resolve the crime in a satisfying way.
The following episodes are some of the lowest-rated in the show’s history. While these episodes may not be as well-received as the rest, they still offer a unique insight into the world of crime and justice. We will discuss why these episodes have been considered some of the worst, and what makes them stand out from the rest of the series.
Written by Sophie and last updated on Feb 13, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
In Memphis, Sgt. Debo Carson and her team investigate the murder of a man shot dead outside of his house. The case takes a turn when a man investigators believe to be a witness becomes a suspect. In Dallas, a carjacking spree leaves one man dead.
The episode was rated 7,43 from 40 votes.
Along the bank of the mighty Mississippi River is the body of a unknown man. The victim is homeless which makes identifying the man even more difficult. Working against a ticking clock detectives work to find a suspect of the beaten homeless man.
The episode was rated 7,43 from 23 votes.
As the First 48 ran out on Phoenix detectives, 16-year-old Lonny Bassett stood accused of brutally killing his two friends with a shotgun. Would his claim to self-defense hold water or would the evidence detectives collected in the first 48 be enough to convince jurors of his guilt? In Miami, a minor altercation on the highway ended with a shooting that took the life of an innocent young man.
The episode was rated 7,50 from 14 votes.
Investigators lead a cross country search for the killer of a young man killed during a robbery. With nothing more than street names for their killers to go on, the set out on their manhunt.
The episode was rated 7,54 from 26 votes.
In Memphis, Sgt. Connie Justice investigates the homicide of a man found bludgeoned to death in his apartment. With no witnesses to the crime, Justice must rely on the physical evidence from the victim's apartment to track down her suspect.
The episode was rated 7,54 from 24 votes.
In Dallas, Detectives Scott Sayers and Ken Penrod are investigating a home invasion that left a young man dead. Is their suspect just a young suburban mom, or a criminal mastermind? And in Cincinnati, a brutal stabbing ends the life of a hard-working grandfather. After interviewing a series of family members, Det. Jenny Luke finds out that her suspect may be closer than she initially thought.
The episode was rated 7,56 from 18 votes.
Along the bank of the mighty Mississippi River is the body of a unknown man. The victim is homeless which makes identifying the man even more difficult. Working against a ticking clock detectives work to find a suspect of the beaten homeless man.
The episode was rated 7,63 from 16 votes.
A grandfather hears a knock on his door, little does he know that a killer stands on the other side of it. The suspect flees the scene and crashes his car just down the road. Will the car be the key to identifying the killer? In a bedroom and elderly man lies dead, his killer strangled him. Is the strange man people saw knocking on doors the killer? Can detectives identify him and find him in time?
The episode was rated 7,67 from 12 votes.
A home invasion has turned deadly, investigators are called to the scene of a young man found dead. With their eyes on a suspect they have to wonder if this killer is just a suburban mom or if she is a cold blooded killer. A hard working and loved grandfather is stabbed and left for dead. The detectives interview friends and family. Could this killer be closer than she appears?
The episode was rated 7,79 from 24 votes.
A home invasion has turned deadly, investigators are called to the scene of a young man found dead. With their eyes on a suspect they have to wonder if this killer is just a suburban mom or if she is a cold blooded killer. A hard working and loved grandfather is stabbed and left for dead. The detectives interview friends and family. Could this killer be closer than she appears?
The episode was rated 7,80 from 30 votes.
A man is found dead outside in a vacant lot. Detective have no leads, no witnesses and the motive for the killing. Can the detectives track down suspects in time? Murder is always bad, but the murder of an innocent child drives detectives to work harder. When a young mother and her 10-year-old son are brutally stabbed and killed, detectives work against the clock to track killers.
The episode was rated 7,82 from 33 votes.
The First 48 episode Coma/Disappeared follows the investigation into two teenage boys shot outside a nightclub in Dallas. Det. Eddie Ibarra attempts to piece together what happened, only to be pulled away to help search for a woman who has been missing for six days.
Ibarra must juggle two cases with the pressure of the clock ticking. The first is to identify and apprehend the person responsible for shooting two innocent teens, while the other is to find the missing woman before her fate is sealed. Ibarra must use his expertise and determination to uncover the truth and bring justice to both cases.
The episode was rated 7,88 from 24 votes.
The First 48 episode "Moving Out/Among Thieves" follows the Memphis police department, led by Sgt. Debo Carson, as they investigate the murder of a man shot dead outside of his house. During the investigation, a man who was originally thought to be a witness, turns out to be a suspect. This case takes a dramatic turn as the evidence points to a new suspect.
In the same episode, the police in Dallas investigate a carjacking spree that left one man dead. The detectives have to work quickly to try to solve the case and bring justice to the victim. This episode of The First 48 is sure to be full of suspense and surprise as the police try to piece together the clues and uncover the truth.
The episode was rated 8,04 from 23 votes.
Detective Rick Duggan arrested two suspects for the murder of Leonel Valle. Now the justice system needed to determine which of them was most responsible - the girlfriend, Marsela Cortez, whose fingerprints were found on his empty safe, or her jealous ex-boyfriend, Gerardo Hernandez?
The episode was rated 8,20 from 10 votes.
In the episode "After The First 48: Fool for Love/Crash," Detective Rick Duggan investigates the murder of Leonel Valle. After his arrest of two suspects, Marsela Cortez and Gerardo Hernandez, it is up to the justice system to determine who is most responsible for the crime. Marsela's fingerprints were found on Valle's empty safe, and Gerardo was her jealous ex-boyfriend.
The episode follows both suspects' trials, as well as the work of the detectives and district attorneys bringing them to justice. It examines the evidence against each suspect and the legal process that determines their fate. It also looks at the impact of the crime on the victim's family and how their search for answers can bring closure to their tragedy. Ultimately, the episode reveals the truth behind the crime and the justice system's verdicts.
The episode was rated 8,48 from 23 votes.
