The Strain

2014 • FX
4.6
6.25K reviews
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (13)

1 Night Zero
7/12/14
A drama based on the series of books. The story centers on Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, a CDC biological threats investigator, who's called in to check into a mysterious Boeing 777 crash in New York. Teamed up with ex-professor and Holocaust survivor Abraham Setrakian, the duo must fend off a ruthless army of blood-sucking vampire human parasites.
2 The Box
7/20/14
The four survivors begin manifesting strange symptoms, but Eph and Nora's attempt to quarantine them is thwarted as the disinformation campaign begins. Meanwhile, in jail, Setrakian receives a surprise visit from an old — a very old — acquaintance.
3 Gone Smooth
7/27/14
Eph and Nora fight to save Captain Redfern's life before coming face-to-face with the horrifying effects of the virus. A spike in rat attacks signals Fet that something inexplicable is happening deep below the city. Released from jail, Setrakian begins his own merciless plan to stop the spread of the disease.
4 It's Not for Everyone
8/3/14
A secret autopsy demonstrates the bizarre progression of the mystery virus, prompting Jim to make a startling confession. Eph and Nora race to find the father of the youngest victim of the plane tragedy, but someone unexpected beats them to it. Ansel, in the grip of disease, takes desperate measures to protect his family.
5 Runaways
8/10/14
With Nora gone, Eph reluctantly joins Setrakian’s quest in hopes of gathering enough evidence to warrant a citywide quarantine. Fet encounters the unexpected inside the subway tunnels, and a medical emergency threatens Palmer’s master plan.
6 Occultation
8/17/14
After warning Kelly to leave the city with Zack ahead of the spreading plague, Eph is arrested by the FBI. Eichhorst has one final job for Gus, while Setrakian realizes that the coming eclipse is the tipping point for virus infection and the beginning of the end.
7 For Services Rendered
8/24/14
Setrakian, Eph, and Nora formulate a plan to track down the Master using Jim as bait. Eichhorst and Setrakian’s pasts are revealed. At the Luss home, Neeva struggles to protect the children while encountering a mysterious stranger whose help she may not want.
8 Creatures of the Night
8/31/14
After discovering the potency of ultraviolet light against the strigoi, Setrakian gains a new and unlikely disciple. A quick trip to a Brooklyn convenience store turns into a deadly all-night siege.
9 The Disappeared
9/7/14
Eph races to safeguard his family, only to learn that Kelly is missing. Dutch reveals her role in Palmer’s plan, and Gus is forced to make a difficult decision about Felix.
10 Loved Ones
9/14/14
Eph investigates Kelly’s disappearance and struggles with what he finds. Dutch pursues a plan to retaliate against Palmer, and Fitzwilliam makes a surprising choice.
11 The Third Rail
9/20/14
Setrakian leads Eph, Fet and Nora in the hunt for the Master’s lair. Left behind at the pawnshop with Mariela, Zack risks his safety for Mariela's sake.
12 Last Rites
9/28/14
Dutch returns with a plan to broadcast Eph’s warning about the vampiric plague. However, they face a new threat when Eichhorst launches his own attack against the pawn shop. Palmer receives a special visitor, and Gus gears up for the on-coming fight but discovers there’s another mysterious factor involved.
13 The Master
10/5/14
Eph and Fet recon for an all-out assault that Setrakian assures them will finally kill the Master. Gus aligns himself with a strange new force, one that may swing the fight in an unforeseen direction.

About this show

The Strain is a high concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the CDC Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph and his team wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
6.25K reviews
Courtney Blake
September 17, 2015
At first, I was a fan of the more romanticized version of vampirism. So, the thought of tiny worm parasites turning ppl into a bunch of zombified igor-like predators turned me off a bit. The way the plot twists and turns, the way the character development has come along & the acting/special effects all come together to form a more deviously twisted presentation.... it's brilliant.
203 people found this review helpful
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Marcus Russell
August 21, 2014
I'm not a huge book reader or a vampire,zombie fan, but i watched the first episode of the show, and immediately I downloaded the audio books and listen to all 3 consecutively. It is of the best I have ever read (listened) and shows following suit. A little mixed up from the books but is promising for multiple seasons
47 people found this review helpful
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Jarrett Thomas
August 17, 2014
The first episode looks promising the first couple of minutes, then all hope gets hacked away with corny effects that increasingly become embarrassing to watch, followed by actors who don't seem as though they have fully bought into their character. I bought the series banking on Del Toro's genius and the genuine fresh take on a remix of sci-fi horror tropes, but I feel regret and wish I had only bought a single episode first.
75 people found this review helpful
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