The worst episodes of Cold Case
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Danny probes the closed case of a 2001 killing of the popular owner of a local deli.
- 02
The 1960 murder of a stewardess who was attempting to organize a union is investigated, and the probe uncovers several hostile suspects who strongly resented her.
- 03
Lilly reopens a 1973 murder case, in which a 21-year-old rookie cop was shot three times in the chest, after a drug addict brings in an audio tape she found on which the fatal shooting is heard. Also on the tape are the victim's final words "Runner! Runner! Runner!"
- 04
The apparent 1994 suicide of a high-school student who fell from the school's roof after serving detention with three other students is reinvestigated when new information is discovered. At the time of the victim's death, a scrap of paper thought to be a suicide note was found next to the body. But now an additional piece of paper is found that indicates the victim thought his life was in danger.
- 05
A homely 33-year-old woman is gunned down in an alley in 1989 and her unsolved murder is reinvestigated when a tape of the victim, made for a dating service, turns up in a suicide victim's apartment. Apparently, it was what the man was watching when he killed himself. The probe reveals the man was a con artist who dated lonely women in order to rob them of their life savings. Also, Vera moves into an apartment of his own.
- 06
The 1919 death of a young suffragette, who was willing to use any means necessary to further women's rights, is investigated.
- 07
The 1978 death of a teen roller skater who was found in a ravine is reinvestigated when a new witness comes forward.
- 08
The 2004 murder of a teen at a juvenile detention center is investigated. The boy was wrongly sent to the facility and was killed before Valens could get him released. Meanwhile, Lilly reconnects with former flame Eddie Saccardo, a narcotics officer.
- 09
Detective Lilly Rush from Philadelphia Homicide reopens a 1976 murder case involving two wealthy families when the former housekeeper, who is now old and dying of cancer, comes forward claiming to have witnessed the murder of a young teenage girl who was found dead near a party hosted by her two wealthy brothers.
- 10
The 1976 death of a boxer, who died immediately after going 15 rounds in a high-profile fight, is investigated after the referee admits that he took money to ensure that the match went the distance. The investigation reveals that the young boxer was in love with the ref's daughter, and the ref didn't think the fighter was good enough for her. Meanwhile, Valens still grieves for Elisa, but finds some comfort with another woman.
- 11
The unsolved 1969 strangling death of a 19-year-old girl who was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment is reopened after the man, the chief suspect in the case and missing in Canada for 36 years, returns to attend his father's funeral. But he claims he's innocent and points the finger at the victim's former fiancé with whom she broke up to be with him. Also, Lilly confronts her sister, Christina, about seeing Valens.
- 12
Lilly investigates the 1982 murder of a surgeon's wife, a crime for which the doctor was sentenced to prison, after new evidence is found that seems to support his innocence. The probe gets under way after a woman who knew the victim is found overdosed in her home. She's wearing a ring that belonged to the surgeon and she fits the description of the woman he claimed ran from his house following the fatal shooting.
- 13
The 1995 death of an alcoholic mother that was originally ruled an accident is reinvestigated when her sister comes forward with new evidence that suggests foul play. The probe reveals that she had angry confrontations with several men the night she died. The case holds special meaning for Vera, who was once romantically involved with the deceased woman's sister.
- 14
A 20-year-old Negro League All-Star player is beaten to death outside of Connie Mack Stadium in 1945 with his own bat after hitting the game-winning home run against an all-white major-league team. The case is reopened after Jeffries' nephew inquires about the murder. The investigation reveals that the victim had a run-in with a racist white player after the game and with a threatening black player before the contest.
- 15
Lilly investigates the 1954 murder of a woman who was allegedly bludgeoned to death shortly after being released from an asylum. The case is reopened after an elderly woman dies and her estranged son claims the deceased is not his mother. The probe reveals that his mom was the 1954 victim. She was committed to the asylum after nearly killing herself and her son in a house fire that she set. Also, Valens learns the truth about Josie's past.
- 16
The 1998 murder of a young Colombian woman who was a drug mule is reinvestigated when the victim's handler is arrested after returning to Philadelphia for his brother's wedding. Lilly soon learns that Valens knew the victim because he worked undercover on a drug case in which the dead woman was involved.
- 17
A rising female tennis player is strangled to death in her college dorm room in 1973 after defeating the school's top-ranked male player in a "Battle of the Sexes" fund-raiser. Lilly reinvestigates the case when the victim's sister brings in new evidence that suggests her sibling may have been poisoned earlier. Also, Vera's wife tells him that their 12-year marriage is over.
- 18
An actor appearing in a local production of "Cabaret" is shot and killed on opening night in 2002 outside of the theater. The case is reinvestigated after a gun, the same caliber used in the murder, is found in a dresser that was a prop in the play. The probe reveals that the victim, engaged to be married, may have been falling in love with his leading lady and that he made the mistake of standing up to the show's demeaning director.
- 19
The murder of a woman who vanished in 1938 during Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast is investigated when her body turns up in a well. The probe reveals the victim's family prepared to outrun the aliens they believed were invading the U.S.
- 20
The sixth season begins with the reinvestigation of a college-football star's murder in 1973 on the eve of a championship game. The unsolved case is reopened when new evidence suggests he was killed earlier than previously assumed. The probe also reveals the victim may have been involved with steroids.
- 21
The 1986 murder of a jockey is investigated after his body is discovered in a mass grave for horses. The victim disappeared shortly after losing a race that he had planned to be his finale before retiring.
- 22
The seventh-season finale sees Lilly searching for her abducted sister. Meanwhile, Jeffries attempts to solve a murder involving a teenage girl that has haunted him for 17 years.
- 23
Lilly reopens the 1997 murder of a 20-year-old college student who, while hitchhiking home after a big gambling win in Atlantic City, was taken into a wooded area and shot to death. The case is reinvestigated when a similar homicide takes place in Delaware and matches another one in New Jersey, prompting police to believe that a serial killer may be responsible.
- 24
The team investigate the 1967 demise of a brush salesman privy to private information about the residents in his area.
- 25
The detectives tackle a dual investigation, chasing leads on a missing teenager and his murdered father. Both were embroiled in a murky mob affair.
Shows like Cold Case
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe worst episodes of True Detective2014–present
Touch darkness and darkness touches you back. - 02Drama·Crime·ComedyThe worst episodes of Fargo2014·FX
Fargo is a seasonal anthology crime drama with some dark comical elements, inspired by the film Fargo written by the Coen brothers. - 03Drama·CrimeThe worst episodes of Chicago P.D.2014–present·NBC
District 21 of the Chicago Police Department is made up of two distinctly different groups. - 04Drama·Crime·ActionThe worst episodes of NCIS2003–presentSame network — CBS·
- 05Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe worst episodes of The Blacklist2013–2023·NBCThe Blacklist is a crime drama involving a former government agent who turned into a high-profile criminal turning himself in to the FBI offering to help catch criminals.
- 06Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe worst episodes of Criminal Minds2005–present·Paramount+Criminal Minds revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again.
