Best Episodes
Blessed with an uncanny ability to use the clues left at crime scenes to “see” what happened, forensic psychologist Dr. Samantha “Sam” Waters is one of the FBI’s most valuable assets. But her life and career are shattered when a serial killer murders her husband, and she retreats into self-imposed exile. Created by Cynthia Saunders (L.A. Law) and starring Ally Walker (Singles, While You Were Sleeping) PROFILER is a taut, stylish thriller that explores the darkest corners of the human psyche. Coaxed back to the Bureau by her mentor Bailey Malone (Die Hard‘’s Robert Davi) Sam picks up where she left off, using her gift–and the help of an elite team of specialists–to unravel high-profile cases that stymie other investigators.
Written by Sophie and last updated on oct 09, 2020.
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!
Sam and the newly-formed Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) investigate a series of arsons, but her return to duty attracts unwelcome attention from Jack, who pays a visit to her home.
The episode was rated 7.41 from 39 votes.
A desperate father kidnaps Sam's roommate Angel in a last ditch effort to save his son from the electric chair. The man's son has recently been convicted of murder committed during a robbery. The father believes his son to be an innocent bystander and wants Sam and the VCTF to prove it. To save Angel, Sam and the VCTF investigate the case and find little, at first, to prove the man correct. The father gives them the names of two potential suspects and Sam interrogates both. She also talks with the incarcerated son. Her discussions, along with forensic evidence, lead Sam to determine the son is in fact innocent of the murder, but is unfortunately an accomplice in the robbery. Once she knows the truth, Sam is faced with the difficult task of telling the father what he least wants to hear, that his son is indeed guilty of a crime.
The episode was rated 7.42 from 12 votes.
A rift opens between Sam and Bailey after Jack kills an FBI agent who had information about the murder of Sam's husband - information she knew nothing about.
The episode was rated 7.42 from 31 votes.
Sam and the VCTF must find a twisted assassin before he kills a celebrated political candidate, But Sam is distracted by new evidence that could help her find Jack's lair.
The episode was rated 7.42 from 33 votes.
Three years after the serial killer "Jack of All Trades" murdered her husband, forensic psychologist Sam Waters returns to the FBI to help solve a rash of murders in Atlanta, Georgia.
The episode was rated 7.45 from 58 votes.
Sam probes a series of murders that appear linked to a death row inmate while Jack prepares to select his next victim--from among the VCTF team.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 24 votes.
As Sam and her colleagues close in on Jack, they are forced to interrupt their pursuit to investigate a bizarre murder where a man is buried under thousands of silver coins--a preamble to a series of killings that point toward an eccentric, powerful family.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 13 votes.
The VCTF investigates a series of kidnappings that has Atlanta in a panic. The case proves difficult, and when a connection is finally made, Sam realizes that time is running out.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 28 votes.
Sam investigates a series of murders which bear striking similarities to the methods of a killer whom Bailey put in prison 10 years earlier. Sam suspects that the real culprit is still free, and through her gifted insight, she finds clues in the ancient I Ching art of divination that lead her to a high-ranking military officer, who may be protecting the slayer.
The episode was rated 7.49 from 39 votes.
A kidnapped Sam (Ally Walker) stalls for time as the murderous Jack of All Trades (Dennis Christopher) twists the facts hoping to convince her that she too will kill -- when the subject and timing are right -- while a recovering Bailey (Robert Davi) and new profiler Rachel Burke (Jamie Luner) grope for clues about Jack's hideout. But Jack shows a new card when he lures Sam's young daughter, Chloe (Evan Rachel Wood), into his web of deceit by convincing her that her mother was responsible for her father's slaying.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 14 votes.
Just as Sam figures out the identity of the "venom killer," Jack strikes again, first by framing the FBI and VCTF by impersonating an agent and beating up a few suspects, and then abducting both Sam and the killer.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 14 votes.
As Sam and the VCTF work a series of ritual murders on Indian reservations, Bailey's FBI ID turns up pinned to the body of Jack's latest victim.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 22 votes.
Sam continues to study the case of Bryce Banks, a 13-year-old chess prodigy, whose life might still be in danger and deals with ‘Pretender' Jarod (impersonating a police detective named Doyle) whom is looking after Bryce. Her fears are proven right when Bryce disappears. Sam and Jarod suspect the enigmatic Father (aka: Ronald Dain) is using the boy in his revenge plans by killing all the members of a top-secret project 20 years before involving brainwashing. Meanwhile, Sam grows more suspicious of Jarod‘s true origins and finally discovers his fugitive life status. (End Game (1) aired on The Pretender, season 3, episode 19.)
The episode was rated 7.69 from 16 votes.
In New York, a vigilante is exacting "justice" on people recently acquitted of crimes--and filming his murders for broadcast on the evening news.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 10 votes.
A murder at a home for the criminally insane has all the landmarks of one of the institution's residents, but he insists upon his innocence--and Sam backs up his contention.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 18 votes.
