Carnival Row is a fantasy-noir show available on Amazon, which first aired in 2019. It is set in a mystical and dark city filled with humans, fairies, and other creatures, and follows a police detective as he investigates a series of gruesome murders. With 3 seasons now available, this show has had its share of highs and lows. In this article, we’re going to rank the worst episodes of Carnival Row, so you know which ones to skip and which ones to watch.
We’ll be looking at a few factors when evaluating these episodes, such as the quality of the writing, the acting performances, and the overall entertainment value. We’ll also provide a brief synopsis of the episode and a few reasons why it ranks so low on our list.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our ranking of the worst episodes of Carnival Row.
Written by Sophie and last updated on mar 30, 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!
Torn between his Human and Fae sides, Philo makes a choice.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 136 votes.
In the episode “The Joining of Unlike Things”, Philo investigates the murder of his childhood headmaster, while Vignette ingratiates herself into the Black Raven. Imogen hatches a plan to help her brother, while Breakspear goes on the offensive with Longerbane. In the episode, viewers are given new information about a monster that's been killing people and how a Darkasher is bound to a master for as long as the master lives. This leads to speculation that the master could be someone that Rycroft knows, who has a grudge towards him.
Viewers of Carnival Row have struggled to come up with an answer to the question of what the show is about, as some of the references and messages are out in the open but the purpose of the supernatural element is still unclear. Despite this, viewers are still interested in the concept of the show, though some have found this episode to be particularly boring.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 1672 votes.
Reeling from the consequences of his choices, Philo rejects defining himself as either Human or Fae.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 121 votes.
Philo races to stop Vignette’s revenge before the Black Raven spark even worse violence.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 294 votes.
In the first episode of the fantasy show Carnival Row, Rycroft “Philo” Philostrate investigates a mysterious assailant with a grudge against the fae. Vignette Stonemoss barely escapes Tirnanoc with her life and arrives in The Burgue looking for a fresh start. Imogen Spurnrose meets her new neighbor while the fight over the critch heats up in Parliament.
The first episode of Carnival Row received mixed reviews from viewers. Some found the show's unique names and story difficult to keep track of, while others were pleasantly surprised with the interesting lore and concept that was presented. One of the show's most memorable quotes was when Imogen Spurnrose told Vignette Stonemoss "you don't like it, feel free to go back to where you came from," which was a clear nod to the current political climate. Others enjoyed the episode's compacted yet detailed story, and were eager to watch the next one.
The episode was rated 7.54 from 2161 votes.
In the episode of Carnival Row titled Aisling, Philo investigates the murder of a mysterious fae. As the mystery deepens, Tourmaline introduces Vignette to a new group of faeries. While Imogen tries to have Agreus removed from the neighborhood, Jonah disappears. The audience is already enjoying the world-building and intriguing characters, and is unsure about the beauty and the beast theme. Imogen is speculated to change her mind about Agreus and the Pucks in general, given that her brother is more professional and less straightforward in his discrimination. The opening credits also draw comparison to Westworld. The episode is sure to bring unexpected turns of events as the characters fight to survive in a world where they are not accepted.
The episode was rated 7.54 from 1863 votes.
A painful truth haunts Philo as Carnival Row faces reprisals for the horrific events at Bleakness Keep.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 238 votes.
In the episode New Dawn of Carnival Row, Philo plots to challenge Jonah's hereditary claim to the Chancellorship, and Vignette intervenes. This episode follows Philo as he attempts to take on the powerful Jonah and his empire. As a refugee from the faerie kingdom, Philo is determined to put an end to the reign of the human aristocracy and restore power to the oppressed Fae. He finds an ally in Vignette, another refugee who shares his goal of creating a better future for Faekind.
The episode takes an emotional turn as Vignette comes to terms with her own role in the Fae's struggle for liberation. She must decide if she will join Philo in his quest for justice or stay loyal to Jonah and his privileged lifestyle. With her life and her future on the line, Vignette must make a difficult choice. Will she follow her heart and help Philo in his quest, or will she remain loyal to Jonah? As the episode comes to a close, viewers will see whether or not Vignette and Philo can succeed in their mission to create a better future for Faekind.
The episode was rated 7.50 from 386 votes.
While Philo investigates the murders of the Black Raven’s leaders, Vignette plots revenge.
The episode was rated 7.48 from 324 votes.
In the opening episode of Carnival Row, Philo and Vignette find themselves risking their lives to help the Faefolk of Carnival Row, who have been oppressed and discriminated against by the humans of the city. The episode follows their struggle as they try to make a difference in the lives of the Faefolk, and as Philo and Vignette's love for each other grows stronger.
The episode has been met with mixed reviews, with some viewers feeling that it was a bit slow-paced and lacking in action. Others, however, are excited to see what the rest of the season has in store and are already planning to rewatch the first season. No matter how this episode was received, it certainly sets the stage for an exciting season of Carnival Row, as the lovers Philo and Vignette continue to fight for the Faefolk.
The episode was rated 7.47 from 480 votes.
