The best episodes of Breeders
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
As he and Ally continue to feel distant, Paul rekindles an old friendship, but at a cost to Ava. Luke surprises everyone by getting a best friend. Jim and Jackie are forced to move.
- 02
Paul takes his parents on a day-trip to the countryside, to recreate a cherished memory. But the revelation of a number of secrets leaves all three of them reeling.
- 03
As Jim and Jackie's golden wedding anniversary party is plunged into darkness by a power outage, the growing tensions between Paul and Luke reach an explosive and terrifying climax.
- 04
Paul and Ally are thrilled that Sprout the family gerbil has finally died, but explaining loss to Luke and Ava is more difficult than they thought as grief manifests itself in mysterious ways and throws the family off course.
- 05
The children won’t sleep – Paul and Ally thought these nights were over. Paul spends the night fighting his own anger and his children’s inability to go the f**k to sleep.
- 06
Family life is thrown off kilter as Ally spends her weekdays in Berlin and weekends in London. Paul, Luke and Ava try to muddle through without her, but the children aren’t sleeping again and it takes its toll on Paul.
- 07
In the wake of Michael’s death, the family stay with Darren at his country house, but Paul’s attempt to give Ally space by taking on kid duties and Darren’s fixation on work doesn’t help Ally find a chance to say goodbye.
- 08
Luke’s anxiety is becoming a problem at home and school. Would a medical diagnosis make his life easier or harder? Ally faces further tension after her mother Leah is robbed.
- 09
A sudden death impacts the older generation of the Worsley family. Ava struggles to keep a profound secret from Paul. Ally finds it difficult to hide her true feelings from Luke.
- 10
As Ally contemplates her pregnancy, a new piece of information blows her world apart. A worried Ava tries to help her mum while Luke regrets lying.
- 11
Ally and Paul's marriage is in crisis. Paul's obsessed by what happened but won't discuss it. An increasingly troubled Luke refuses to go to school and Leah and Alex make an announcement.
- 12
On the day of Leah and Alex's wedding, Paul and Ally find they have only a few hours to deal with a family crisis, leading Paul to make the hardest decision of his life.
- 13
A back injury leaves Paul high on Leah's supply, as he raids her collection of heavy-duty painkillers. As Luke and his dad get closer, Ally and Ava drift further apart, and Ally looks for someone to blame.
- 14
After an apparent reconciliation with Ally, Paul's rage returns with a vengeance when he realizes that Ava has done something that could ruin her life. Luke and Jacob reunite, but things are becoming more complicated.
- 15
A furious argument between Paul and Ally is interrupted by Ava's news about Jim. Luke is happier than ever, a newly confident Ava stands up to her dad, but Paul and Ally need to decide - is this it?
- 16
Michael thrives in his new role as dad and granddad, but Paul and Ally can't adapt to his presence as easily as the children can. Luke's hunt for proof that Santa doesn't exist puts Paul's claim that he never lies to the test.
- 17
Luke’s condition worsens and he is admitted to a specialist pediatric unit. As Paul, Ally and their parents desperately wait for news, stress and fear cause cracks to form within the family.
- 18
It’s half term and Luke is responsible for taking Lenny the class bear on an adventure. Lenny has been to Italy, Peru and beyond, but Paul can’t even manage to get the family and the godforsaken bear out of the house to the local park.
- 19
Paul attempts to focus on his upcoming wedding but is constantly thwarted by his family; Ally is distracted by work, Luke is misbehaving at school and Leah (Stella Gonet) doesn’t understand why they are even bothering to get married.
- 20
The kids are growing up fast – Ava is now 10 and Luke is about to turn 13. With their burgeoning independence comes the question of whether Paul and Ally’s parenting style still works. Clue: no.
- 21
Paul fears his culturally fragmented family has lost a vital connection. Gentrification impacts Jim and Jackie as the last of their old neighbours move out and more young professionals move in.
- 22
Ally is under huge pressure, but no one seems to want to listen to her; Jim and Jackie are excited about a possible move to the coast and, much to Paul's surprise, so is he.
- 23
Ally attempts to acclimatize to Michael's continued presence while Paul begins to question if his accident-prone son's frequent injuries might actually be his fault.
- 24
Ally fears she might lose her job and her mind as the company collapses and her HRT medications become unavailable. Luke’s panic attack ends Paul’s leisurely life at Leah’s. An increasingly isolated Ava faces a huge change.
- 25
Ally and Paul each learns the truth about a thing that has been terrifying them - for Ally, her job and for Paul, his MRI result. Ava and Luke both feel frozen out by the people they care most about.
Shows like Breeders
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe best episodes of Shameless2011–2021·Paramount+ with Showtime
Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series. - 02Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe best episodes of Parenthood2010–2015·NBC
Parenthood is the critically acclaimed one-hour drama inspired by the box office hit of the same name. - 03Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe best episodes of The Durrells2016–2019·ITV1
The Durrells is based upon Gerald Durrell's classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs including the much loved ‘My Family and Other Animals'. - 04Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe best episodes of Girl Meets World2014–2017·Disney Channel
Girl Meets World is based on ABC's hugely popular sitcom, Boy Meets World (1993). - 05Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe best episodes of The Wonder Years1988–1993·ABC
Set in 1968-1973, the series tackles the social issues and historic events of that time through the eyes of main character Kevin Arnold. - 06Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe best episodes of Victorious2010–2013·NickelodeonTori Vega's thrown into the spotlight at a musical showcase and lands a spot at Hollywood Arts, the most prestigious arts high school in the country.
