The Strain

2014 • FX

4.6

6.26K reviews

Eligible

Watch in a web browser or on supported devices Learn More

Seasons 1-2 episodes (28)

1 Season 1, Episode 1

7/12/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 2

7/20/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 3

7/27/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 4

8/3/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 5

8/10/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 6

8/17/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 7

8/24/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 8

8/31/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 9

9/7/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 10

9/14/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 11

9/20/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 12

9/28/14

Season-only

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 Season 1, Episode 13

10/5/14

Season-only

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.

14 Season 2, Episode 1

7/11/15

Season-only

Eph and Nora work on a biological weapon to kill the strigoi, and Setrakian risks the lives of the entire group to find information about a closely guarded secret text. The Master begins the next phase of his own plan by creating a terrifying new breed of creatures and placing them under Kelly’s control.

15 Season 2, Episode 2

7/18/15

Season-only

Eph and Nora experiment on their newfound patients. Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear out the neighborhood buildings, and Kelly begins her hunt for Zack.

16 Season 2, Episode 3

7/25/15

Season-only

Gus and Vaun wage an attack on Palmer as Eph struggles to connect with Zack. Councilwoman Justine Faraldo vows to bring her extermination policies to the other boroughs.

17 Season 2, Episode 4

8/1/15

Season-only

Eph and Nora finally see their lethal virus in action. Fet takes the security of Red Hook into his own hands while Dutch and Setrakian set off for Staten Island to question Fitzwilliam, Palmer’s former body guard.

18 Season 2, Episode 5

8/8/15

Season-only

Eph changes his appearance to leave the city while Nora is left as the reluctant parent for Zack. Dutch and Nora make a deal with Justine to secure Fet’s release from jail.

19 Season 2, Episode 6

8/15/15

Season-only

Eph concocts a plan to make and distribute a bioweapon. Gus realizes Angel can be an unlikely ally, and Kelly comes after Nora and Zack.

20 Season 2, Episode 7

8/22/15

Season-only

Setrakian and Fet use Fitzwilliam’s info to attack the Master, but a mysterious new player arrives. Dutch receives a surprise guest. Eph returns to NYC frustrated but energized to go after the one person responsible for killing his friends.

21 Season 2, Episode 8

8/29/15

Season-only

Eph must protect Zack against a surprise intruder into Red Hook. Gus convinces the Guptas to make a difficult choice. Fet and Setrakian set out to acquire the Lumen but discover they are not the only potential buyer.

22 Season 2, Episode 9

9/5/15

Season-only

Justine takes drastic measures to counter a surprise invasion. Nora and Fet perform a useful mission while Eph and Setrakian face off against an old foe.

23 Season 2, Episode 10

9/12/15

Season-only

Eph and Dutch work together to thwart the Master’s greatest ally. Justine runs into trouble with the Mayor while Setrakian tracks down the real owner of the Lumen.

24 Season 2, Episode 11

9/19/15

Season-only

Dutch fights for her life against Eichhorst as Fet, Nora, and Eph frantically search the city for her.

25 Season 2, Episode 12

9/26/15

Season-only

Eph must choose between Zack's safety and the safety of the citizens of NYC. Meanwhile, his relationship with Nora reaches a critical impasse, and Gus and Angel assemble an unlikely gang of Sun-hunters.

26 Season 2, Episode 13

10/3/15

Season-only

Setrakian and Fet battle for possession of the Occido Lumen, and gain a surprising new ally. A massive attack imperils Eph, Nora, and Zack’s escape from New York.

101 Season 2, Episode 101 First Look, Season 2

7/5/15

Season-only

Go behind the scenes of The Strain Season 2 with the creators and the actors.

102 Season 2, Episode 102 Sentient Strigoi

10/26/15

Season-only

The cast and writers detail the hierarchy of the series’ vampires and outline the bee hive mentality that exists between The Master and his minions.

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

6.26K 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

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

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

Rate this show

Tell us what you think.