Every Episode of Stephen King’s Series

The Outsider is one of the best Stephen King adaptations, and each episode in the series is a reflection of that. With a star-studded cast that includes Ben Mendelsohn, Paddie Considine, Jason Bateman, and Cynthia Erivo, the horror TV show follows the investigation of the brutal murder of a young boy and the subsequent conflicting evidence that leads to supernatural forces being involved.

Every episode in this Stephen King TV adaptation is intriguing, dark, and full of suspense, with the combination of horror and crime adding to the story’s allure. The Outsider only has one season 1 with 10 episodes that run between 50 and 60 minutes, but it tells a complete story filled with mystery, lore, and compelling characters who have to reflect on what they believe to be true.

10

“In the Pines, In the Pines”

Season 1, Episode 7

While all the episodes in The Outsider are intense and add interesting information about the dark entity responsible for the murder of children and the destruction that follows, the seventh episode in the series is a bit slower compared to the others. That being said, “In the Pines, In the Pines” is still a worthy addition to the series.

The episode gave more insight into Jack’s struggle with obeying orders he knew were wrong and the complex relationship he had with El Coco. Ultimately, “In the Pines, In the Pines” is the episode that, in a way, proves that Holly’s theory about the dark entity was right and starts off the hunt for his next victim, which becomes the central premise in the show’s last episodes.

9

“The One About the Yiddish Vampire”

Season 1, Episode 6

“The One About the Yiddish Vampire” is the episode that brings all of Holly’s findings together and answers the questions that were raised at the beginning of the series. The sixth installment is a great character study because it reveals what each of them believes in and the biases they hold close to their heart.

Cynthia Erivo is brilliant in “The One About the Yiddish Vampire,” as this is one of the few times her character shows any emotion because she tends to keep her feelings out of the cases she investigates. Everything changes for Holly in the sixth episode as she has to deal with the backlash her findings bring.

8

“Foxhead”

Season 1, Episode 8

The eighth episode in The Outsider is one of the most intense installments in the series, as the team has to race against the clock to stop El Coco, who now has a deformed version of Claude’s face, from claiming his next victim. Every minute in “Foxhead” is filled with tension and intrigue, thus creating a sense of unease.

Although at this point in the series it’s clear who the real murderer is, “Foxhead” is still exciting, and it still has the dark tone that has been implemented throughout the horror TV show. Perhaps what makes “Foxhead” exciting is that it’s a culmination of everything that was being built up since Terry Maitland was arrested, with El Coco taking on Claude’s appearance, proving Terry’s innocence.

7

“Tigers and Bears”

Season 1, Episode 9

Every episode of the HBO miniseries did a great job of establishing the entity’s immense powers, but none more so than “Tigers and Bears”. The episode reveals some interesting information about El Coco, dating back 70 years to when he killed two young boys. “Tigers and Bears” is probably the scariest episode in the series that uses the hold El Coco has on Jack to create dark moments.

While Jack initially tried to fight off El Coco, in “Tigers and Bears”, the police officer loses any control he had as he does the entity’s bidding without questioning the morality of his actions. “Tigers and Bears” is also one of the show’s saddest episodes because one of its best characters is shockingly killed, leading to a heartbreaking scene.

6

“Tear-Drinker”

Season 1, Episode 5

The Outsider is undoubtedly a slow-burn series that you have to be patient with, but it ultimately pays off. “Tear-Drinker” is a turning point in the show because answers to what happened to Terry and others who were arrested for crimes they didn’t commit are finally offered. As Holly pieces together the information she gathers, The Outsider becomes even more interesting.

“Tear-Drinker” stands out in The Outsider as it shows a different side to Holly. The Stephen King adaptation is dark, but seeing Holly and Andy interact is sweet and heartwarming, especially because Andy becomes an integral part of her investigation.

5

“Que Viene el Coco”

Season 1, Episode 4

The fourth episode of The Outsider is one of the best in the show. “Que Viene el Coco” perfectly blends supernatural horror and crime, the two genres that made the series a standout. Holly is at her best in “Que Viene el Coco” and the reason she’s considered a remarkable private investigator is shown as she manages to uncover elements of Terry’s crime that Ralph failed to find.

Watching Holly comb through the vast amount of data about El Coco isn’t by any means boring, but instead creates an enjoyable viewing experience because there are finally answers, albeit not complete, to who killed Frankie. “Que Viene el Coco” is especially creepy, as the face of the hooded figure that’s appeared so far in the show is revealed.

4

“Must/Can’t”

Season 1, Episode 10

The Outsider’s season finale is a masterpiece and a memorable addition to the show. The previous episodes of the series were filled with deaths, but none closely affected the main characters. However, the last installment in The Outsider saw Andy and Howard killed.

“Must/Can’t” is an extremely emotional episode because Andy and Holly were just beginning their relationship. To see it cut so short was extremely heartbreaking. What makes “Must/Can’t” such a great episode is that it ends on a cliffhanger with Holly being scratched by the entity. Although we’ll never know what her fate is, not having every question answered isn’t such a bad thing.

3

“Dark Uncle”

Season 1, Episode 3

After Terry’s death in the second episode of The Outsider, Ralph is convinced that he was indeed innocent, just as he had claimed to be. Because of this, the police officer is introduced to Erivo’s Holly Gibney, a brilliant private investigator who has a knack for solving cases no one else can.

Holly is undoubtedly the highlight of “Dark Uncle.” She is quirky and shy, but can also spot details that the untrained eye often misses. Her dynamic with Ralph became an integral part of The Outsider, as their back and forth and disagreements added depth to the show and invited audiences to introspect on good and evil.

2

“Roanoke”

Season 1, Episode 2

While the first episode of The Outsider was an effective introduction to the show, the second one built up the tension and suspense. “Roanoke” added on to the elements that were introduced in the pilot and introduced details that raised doubts about whether Terry really was a cold-blooded murderer.

What makes “Roanoke” so good is Ben Mendelsohn and Jason Bateman’s performances. The two actors give an outstanding performance as two men on opposite sides of the justice system. Bateman takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride as things keep getting worse for his character, while Mendelsohn’s Ralph portrayal of a man who begins to doubt his beliefs is intriguing to see.

1

“Fish in a Barrel”

Season 1, Episode 1

A series’ pilot episode makes or breaks a show, and fortunately, The Outsider’s “Fish in a Barrel” nailed its opening. The episode introduces audiences to Terry, a baseball coach and teacher whose life is upended when he is accused of murdering a little boy. Initially, all the evidence points to him being the murderer, but as more clues come in, it’s clear something else is going on.

“Fish in a Barrel” is the perfect first episode as it has a strong opening that elicits curiosity. The opening scenes in the show are foreboding, cluing audiences in to the fact that The Outsider is not an ordinary series. As more evidence incriminates Terry, the suspense in the show mounts as he maintains that he is innocent of the crime he was accused of committing.