Backstrom Season One Episode Guide

Episode 1.13 “Rock Bottom”

When a Native American is found dead under a bridge on the Wabacooche Indian reservation, Amy’s (guest star Sarah Chalke) new boyfriend and Indian Reserve Police Captain, Jesse Rocha (guest star Adam Beach), wants in on the case.

Backstrom then learns that Indian meth-king Norwest (guest star Gregory Cruz), of Cooch County, is a suspect in the case, and he is convinced his father, Cooch County Sheriff Blue Backstrom (guest star Robert Forster), 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 (guest star Rizwan Manji).

Original Air Date: 4/30/2015

Episode 1.11 – I Like To Watch

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.

Original Air Date:4/16/2015

Episode 1.10 “Love is a Rose and You Better Not Pick It”

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.

Original Air Date: 4/9/2015

Episode 1.09 “Inescapable Truth”

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 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.

Original Air Date: 04/02/2015

Episode 1.08 “Give ‘Til It Hurts”

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 (guest star Rizwan Manji) and his ex-fiancée (guest star Sarah Chalke).

Original Air Date: 3/26/2015

Episode 1.07 “Enemy of My Enemies”

An explosion on the Liberty Oil pipeline in Backstrom’s childhood home of Cooch County leads his estranged father, Sheriff Blue Backstrom (guest star Robert Forster), 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 (guest star Sarah Chalke) pays Backstrom a late-night visit.

Original Air Date: 3/5/2015

Episode 1.06 “Ancient Chinese Secret”

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.

Meanwhile, one burgeoning relationship is brought out into the open.

Original Air Date: 2/26/2015

Episode 1.05  – “Bogeyman” 

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.

Original Air Date: 02/19/2015

Episode 1.04 – “I Am a Bird Now”

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.

Original Air Date: 2/12/2015

Episode 1.03 – “Takes One to Know One”

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 (guest star Sarah Chalke), 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.

Original Air Date: 2/5/2015

Episode 1.02 – “Bella”

Arson investigator Samantha Orland (guest star Angelique Cabral) 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 insides 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.

Original Air Date: 1/29/2015

Episode 1.01 “Dragon Slayer”

After the apparent suicide of a Senator’s son is ruled a homicide, the Portland Police Bureau’s Serious Crime Unit, led by Detective Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) must solve the case, following leads while trying to maintain a low profile in what is a highly scrutinized case.

Bookmark us and check back for additional episode titles, log lines and air dates.

Original Air Date: 1/22/2015

Follow @ScreenSpy on Twitter | Screenspy on Facebook for more breaking Backstrom scoop and interviews.