Backstrom

2015 • FOX
4.7
242 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (14)

1 Pilot (Dragon Slayer)
1/22/15
Season-only
An overweight, offensive, irascible detective tries and fails to change his self-destructive behavior.
2 Bella
1/29/15
Season-only
Arson investigator Samantha Orland calls upon the Special Crimes Unit for help with a case that gets escalated to attempted murder when a serial arsonist’s most recent fire involves a family. Although all evidence points to a local fire artist, Backstrom is positive their arsonist is someone they least suspect. The investigation takes a turn when the team discovers evidence missing from the crime scene and Backstrom suspects someone inside the investigation. Meanwhile, Backstrom gets tormented by childhood neighbors who stole something very special from him when he was younger and Valentine helps Niedermayer recover stolen evidence.
3 Takes One to Know One
2/5/15
Season-only
When a youth pastor is found murdered at a church, Backstrom and his team at the Special Crimes Unit must solve the case while navigating the tenuous terrain of a possible cult. Meanwhile, Backstrom's ex-fiance, Amy Gazanian, is recruited by the Chief of Police to head up the newly formed Civilian Oversight Committee with the task of investigating questionable conduct within the Police Bureau, pitting Backstrom’s squad against hers.
4 I Am a Bird Now
2/12/15
Season-only
Backstrom and the team at the Special Crimes Unit investigate the murder of a prominent member of Portland's LGBT community – a drag queen Internet blogger named Jenna Rose. Backstrom declares the murder a hate crime, and the investigation takes an unsuspected turn when Backstrom's tenant, Gregory Valentine, becomes a suspect. Meanwhile, Backstrom has to testify in front of the Civilian Oversight Committee, regarding his shooting of a suspect from a previous case. Heading the newly formed committee is his ex-fiance, Amy Gazanian (guest star Sarah Chalke), all of which results in severe anxiety attacks for Backstrom.
5 Bogeyman
2/19/15
Season-only
In the Special Crime Unit’s most harrowing case yet, the team has three days to save a teenage girl who has been abducted by a slippery online predator. The team soon learns that this is a deeply personal case for Backstrom, who is jolted by the girl's resemblance to the victim of an unsolved case that he was assigned seven years ago. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant John Almond’s church faces eviction when he neglects to pay rent three consecutive months.
6 Ancient, Chinese, Secret
2/26/15
Season-only
When a Chinese fortune teller is murdered in Portland’s Chinatown, clues lead Backstrom and the Special Crimes Unit (S.C.U.) to a laundry service serving as a front for an illegal gambling ring. During the investigation, fortunes also are told to each member of the S.C.U. team. But the information given to some members reveal more secrets about their pasts than others, and one burgeoning relationship is brought out into the open.
7 Enemy of My Enemies
3/5/15
Season-only
An explosion on the Liberty Oil pipeline in Backstrom's childhood home of Cooch County leads his estranged father, Sheriff Blue Backstrom, to Portland. Father and son, along with the Special Crimes Unit (S.C.U.), race to find the suspected eco-terrorist, before he/she strikes again. Meanwhile, Backstrom must confront old demons when dealing with his revered father, and romances are stirred when ex-fiancée Amy pays Backstrom a late-night visit.
8 Give 'Til It Hurts
3/26/15
Season-only
Backstrom and the S.C.U. investigate a hit-and-run that leaves a wealthy woman dead. When the evidence points to vehicular homicide, the S.C.U. looks into controversy involving her charitable endeavors and finds that perhaps not everyone was pleased with her philanthropy. Meanwhile, Backstrom’s unhealthy habits stand in the way of him pleasing both his doctor and his ex-fiancée.
9 The Inescapable Truth
4/2/15
Season-only
A key witness in a drug investigation is found dead after escaping from his court-mandated rehab program, and Backstrom must figure out how he escaped and who killed him. However, when the S.C.U. learns that the victim is a member of a band and all his bandmates dislike him, they start to believe that the killer may be someone closer than they expected. Meanwhile, Backstrom has reason to believe that Valentine may be more than just his tenant.
10 Love Is a Rose and You Better Not Pick It
4/9/15
Season-only
When a young female sex surrogate is found dead in Portland's Rose Garden, the S.C.U. investigates what could be a crime of lust, rage, passion or possibly even love. Meanwhile, Backstrom receives very upsetting news about his mother.
11 I Like to Watch
4/16/15
Season-only
Backstrom and the S.C.U. are plunged into the zany, provocative world of a performance art festival when one of the participating artists is found dead. Their investigation turns up a slew of potential killers, all of whom are creative types involved in the festival. In the process of solving the murder, Backstrom reveals a surprising appreciation for visual artwork, and a moment of passion between him and a fiery suspect turns into its own piece of performance art.
12 Corkscrewed
4/23/15
Season-only
Backstrom comes home to find Dante Trippi, Valentine’s abuser, murdered on his doorstep. Worried that Valentine could be next, the S.C.U.’s investigation leads Backstrom to a ring of counterfeit wine smugglers, a corrupt river patrol cop and a Club of Portland government official. Meanwhile, Valentine’s inability to tell the truth makes it harder for the team to catch the killer and Amy has a new boyfriend, of whom Backstrom is not fond.
13 Rock Bottom
4/30/15
Season-only
When a Native American is found dead under a bridge on the Wabacooche Indian reservation, Amy’s new boyfriend and Indian Reserve Police Captain, Jesse Rocha, wants in on the case. Backstrom then learns that Indian meth-king Norwest, of Cooch County, is a suspect in the case, and he is convinced his father, Cooch County Sheriff Blue Backstrom, knows about Norwest’s drug dealings, leaving Backstrom to make a difficult decision. Meanwhile, in order to keep his job with the S.C.U., Backstrom must impress Dr. Deb.
101 BACKSTROM First Look
1/7/15
Go behind the scenes of the all-new comic crime procedural BACKSTROM with creator/executive Producer Hart Hanson ("Bones") and star Rainn Wilson ("The Office"). BACKSTROM follows an unhealthy, offensive, irascible – but brilliant – detective whose highly unorthodox process invariably leads to clashes with everyone around him.

About this show

A dramatic series based on the novels of Scandinavia's most renowned criminologist and a leading psychological profiler, Leif GW Persson.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
242 reviews
T d
July 28, 2016
All of the long running great shows ratings sucked in the first couple season's i cant believe they canceled it before the second season . And they still made money on it but not enuff for them proving they care only about money and couldn't care less about actually entertaining people. there greedy assholez fo realz!
4 people found this review helpful
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shermine89
January 22, 2018
Look at all the people who loved this show. Bring it back it would be the perfect time for it i mean hes basically trump and people love to see the stupid sheet he does please bring it back it will kill was a huge mistake to cancel it!! All of the long running great shows ratings sucked in the first couple season's i cant believe they canceled it before the second season . And they still made money on it but not enuff for them proving they care only about money and couldn't care less about actually entertaining people. again there greedy assholez fo realz! Bring it back almost every one who saw it loved it needs to be brought back now truly the best possible time now!
7 people found this review helpful
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Jacob Brazille
May 7, 2015
Really great show. Love see ingredient Reason Rainn Wilson playing a character like this. My only problem with the show is how off they are in the landmarks in Portland, Oregon. As a longtime citizens of the great city of roses I love seeing more and more shows taking place here, but if your gonna place a show here make sure you get your landmarks, cities and counties correct.
3 people found this review helpful
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