Prodigal Son

10 Worst Episodes of Prodigal Son

The son of a notorious serial killer becomes an acclaimed criminal psychologist who uses his unique insight into how killers think to help the NYPD.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 20, 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!

Advertisement
Prodigal Son - S1E16

#10 - The Job (Season 1 - Episode 16)

When a motorcycle gang robbery turns into a murder, Malcolm and team are called to the scene to investigate. While he's working on a profile, he runs into an old friend from boarding school—a licensed insurance investigator. Martin blackmails Jessica, exchanging his silence about who stabbed him for more quality time with his son.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 464 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E12

#9 - Internal Affairs (Season 1 - Episode 12)

Advertisement

Following a mysterious and catastrophic incident in the precinct, Bright faces an internal affairs review as Gil and the team worry about his mental health.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 525 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E13

#8 - Wait & Hope (Season 1 - Episode 13)

Malcolm takes a detour from his mandated vacation time when he finds out a killer on the loose is mimicking homicides from one his favorite children’s books. With added help from a very excited Martin Whitly, the NYPD trace the case to a high-society family planning one of the biggest weddings of the season. Jessica scores an invitation and is eager to make her return to the New York elite.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 529 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E8

#7 - Family Friend (Season 1 - Episode 8)

Advertisement

As the NYPD digs into the “Junkyard Killer” case, Malcolm realizes the main suspect may have had a connection to his father. As news regarding this serial killer spreads, Ainsley itches to be the first one on the case, while Jessica panics, fearing she may never be able to leave the past behind.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 670 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E1

#6 - Pilot (Season 1 - Episode 1)

Malcom Bright knows how killers think and how their minds work, because his father, Dr. Martin Whitly, was one of the most notorious serial killers, called "The Surgeon." Alongside his longtime mentor, Gil Arroyo, and detectives Dani Powell and JT Tarmel, he helps the NYPD solve crimes by profiling killers, while also dealing with a manipulative mother, Jessica Whitly, an annoyingly normal sister, Ainsley Whitly and a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 1249 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E2

#5 - Annihilator (Season 1 - Episode 2)

Advertisement

Malcolm jumps at the chance to help Gil solve a quadruple homicide for the NYPD. As Malcolm slips into the mind of this serial killer, he finds himself dealing with the repercussions of seeing his father for the first time in years. Tormented by the terrors of his childhood, he is faced with a question: are his dreams just nightmares or did they actually happen?

The episode was rated 7.67 from 1028 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E6

#4 - All Souls and Sadists (Season 1 - Episode 6)

When Bright uncovers a photo of himself and Martin from when he was a kid, he is forced to focus on the repressed memories from his childhood psyche. He also finds himself bonding with a young boy connected to the NYPD’s latest homicide. Jessica and Malcolm finally agree on one thing—they must put a stop to Ainsley’s idea to interview 'The Surgeon'.

The episode was rated 7.66 from 761 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E5

#3 - The Trip (Season 1 - Episode 5)

Advertisement

Malcolm searches the depths of his mind to unravel the mystery of 'the girl in the box', but with his night terrors and lack of sleep increasing, his real life becomes more and more of a blur. When the NYPD investigates a homicide they assume is linked to a drug cartel, Malcolm discovers a secret about Dani’s past that draws them closer together.

The episode was rated 7.65 from 814 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E3

#2 - Fear Response (Season 1 - Episode 3)

Malcolm gets his dream interview opportunity when the NYPD zeroes in on one of his and his father's favorite psychologists, who may be involved in a homicide linked to an LSD-laced psychology trial. As his night terrors continue to evolve, Malcolm checks in with his trusted childhood therapist to discuss new theories on what exactly he witnessed as a child. The consequences of Malcolm's visits with The Surgeon begin to add up when Gil, Jessica and Ainsley catch wind that he has been seeing his father again.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 955 votes.

Prodigal Son - S1E4

#1 - Designer Complicity (Season 1 - Episode 4)

Advertisement

As Malcolm’s childhood memories start to take shape, he realizes his father’s killing spree may not have been a surprise to everyone in his family. While Malcolm continues to investigate his past, the murder of a famous model and social media influencer sends him, Gil, Dani and JT on the hunt for a stalker with a creepy eye for design.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 843 votes.

Latest articles

Search for TV shows...

About Series with Sophie

Welcome to our community!

We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.

Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.

We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.

So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!