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Catfish might not be the highly-ranked MTV reality series that it once was, but the online mystery show has nevertheless contributed some amazing things to popular culture, and these are the best Catfish episodes, ranked. From memorable memes, hilarious , and even the usage of the word 'catfish' itself, it's safe to say that Catfish has changed popular culture in many ways since it first premiered in 2012.

With eight seasons produced, a change in co-hosts, nearly 200 episodes, and countless guest hosts under its belt, Catfish has more than earned the right to take a victory lap. It's time to look back at the best of what the iconic MTV reality series has produced so far. As fans continue to rifle through the catalog and rate their choices for the best Catfish episodes, the all-time standings continue to change. Some classic Catfish episodes are still celebrated, but newer stories have now broken into the show's top tales of digital deception. These are the best episodes of Catfish ranked from worst to best.

20 "Taylor and Christian"

Season 7, Episode 34

"Taylor and Christian" will go down in history as one of the wildest Catfish episodes. Taylor claimed she was not having much luck in the dating scene, so when someone supposedly from her high school reached out to reconnect, she was intrigued. When their only form of communication (on Facebook) ended, Taylor brought the Catfish crew in.

An anonymous tip told the crew that they were being lied to. The phone number was tracked to Taylor’s best friend. Nev Schulman was immediately suspicious of the situation. The big confrontation consisted of Taylor and three of her friends claiming to have deceived her. Nothing was adding up. Nev questioned the involvement of Taylor’s best friend. It was not until he took the entire group to the side and pressed them that they revealed the entire situation was planned by Taylor.

Fans were enraged by her and her friend’s indiscretions.

Taylor was seemingly the ringleader of the operation. She had a large social media presence and appeared to have entered the show in the hopes of garnering more attention. Fans were enraged by her and her friend’s indiscretions. The group had wasted the show’s time and resources in search of internet fame. The episode serves as a reminder that Nev and his crew should not be taken advantage of. While the cast do not remain fan favorites, the episode is still infamous.

19 "Antoinette and Albert"

Season 3, Episode 3

This episode is one of the few where both parties seemed to be earnest while communicating. Antoinette, a waitress from Texas, had accumulated a large following on Instagram. As a beautiful influencer, she attracted many deceptive men. Nonetheless, when Albert, aka T-Lights, reached out, seemingly with good intentions, she wasn't too suspicious. She was interested in the musical artist.

The pair communicated for approximately two years and got very attached to each other. Unfortunately, some red flags began to wave in the breeze. Whenever Antoinette tried to call Albert, he would always make excuses. So, Antoinette reached out to the Catfish crew to find some answers.

The team located T-Lights at one of his gigs, and shockingly, he was exactly who he said he was. While the two were overjoyed to have met, a Skype Update with Nev and Max Joseph revealed that the pair were no longer dating. As disappointing as it is to find another Catfish couple cutting ties, this episode's stars were an appealing change from the more toxic personalities that frequent the show.

18 "Artis and Jess"

Season 2, Episode 9

One of the best Catfish episodes ranked is "Artis & Jess," a twisty and confrontational installment which may have actually been planned by both parties. "Artis & Jess" finds a young man named Artis, ostensibly in a happy relationship, claiming to be in love with an online model named Jess. Of course, 'Jess' isn't who she claims to be.

In a memorable Catfish reveal, 'Jess' is a man named Justin, who says he's working to expose cheaters online. The episode comes to a head in a confrontation. However, as Artis and Justin would later claim in a behind-the-scenes Catfish scene, it may have all been a joke to try and fool MTV, in a bid to get on television. The ending reveal is startling, to say the least, leaving audiences questioning if any of it was real. It's possible that all of it was just a prank.

17 "Dylan & Savenia"

Season 7, Episode 10

Love stories that turn out to be genuine are all too rare in Catfish, underscoring its place as a guilty pleasure dating show on Hulu. That makes the seventh episode "Dylan & Savenia" sweeter, even though the young lovers don't wind up together after all. In the series, Dylan and Savenia have both written into the series for help at different points. However, it's Dylan who plays the role of the hopeful as he comes to Nev and Max for help. He wants to find the woman he's fallen in love with during Facebook chats.

Although Savenia had slightly altered her profile pictures (which she feared would be a breaking point for Dylan), viewers were glad to hear that she still turned out to be exactly who Dylan thought she was. Both Dylan and Savenia are incredibly shy and seemingly sincere during their first meeting, making for a sweet episode, no matter how their relationship may have concluded off-screen. One of the best Catfish episodes ranked gives a rare happy ending that most of the episodes don't offer.

16 "Lauren & Derek"

Season 2, Episode 4

There are some seasons of Catfish that have become so iconic, they have not only been turned into memes but have also often been featured in the series' opening credits. The season 2 episode, "Lauren & Derek," is an episode filled with many of those moments, including hopeful Lauren excitedly shrieking, "I'm in Derek's driveway!" Her excitement and hopefulness left many viewers rooting for the pair’s success.

Lauren connected with Derek online, and to her absolute delight, Derek turned out to be exactly who he said he was. The two even made things work for a while, getting engaged as they reported in a reunion episode. Sadly, their engagement didn't last. One of the best Catfish episodes ranked has a rare heartwarming ending. It also features some of the most quotable moments that the series has aired to date.

15 "Nick & Jasmine"

Season 7, Episode 18

"Nick & Jasmine" is a crucial episode in the history of Catfish, but it has very little to do with the case at the episode's center. This season 7 episode marks Max's final appearance as co-host, and it includes plenty of bittersweet moments to boot. One of the best Catfish episodes ranked features some unmissable red flags on the catfish's part, leading audiences to wonder how Nick could've gone on like this for so long.

The rest of the episode follows an unconventional Catfish case, as hopeful Nick tells Nev and Max that he has been in love with the alleged catfish "Jasmine" - and even met and kissed her, while blindfolded. Of course, things don't turn out as expected, with 'Jasmine' revealed to be a young woman named Nicole. At the end, Nick and Nicole decide to go their separate ways.

14 "Candic & Titus"

Season 5, Episode 16

One of the best Catfish episodes ranked, "Candic & Titus," explores some morally gray territory and features an intriguing storyline that isn't often seen on the show - especially considering the results. The episode has a bizarre twist, to say the least, and this Catfish installment features adultery. In the episode, Candic is a wife and mother who has an online relationship with someone she met over a retail app. She was trying to sell a handbag, and he was looking to buy.

Candic looks to Nev and Max for help in hunting down her online love, despite the fact that she's already in a relationship, and wishes to do so without telling her husband. In a shocking Catfish twist, it turned out the man she had been talking to, Titus, was her husband all along. He was making a last-ditch effort to bond with his wife. The two do connect, but at what cost?

13 "Dejay, Malik, and Josiah"

Season 5, Episode 1

The story of Dejay, Malik, and Josiah may seem a little too far-fetched to believe. The likelihood of two men in Philadelphia online dating the same man, reaching out to Catfish simultaneously, revealing similarities, and then shockingly confirming the catfish’s phone number on camera together is so slim. It makes for a fantastic set-up for a radically dramatic confrontation. While this episode feels a little contrived, the drama undoubtedly kept audiences entertained.

Dejay claimed to have met Josiah first. He maintained that the couple had spoken for seven years and formed a strong bond. While the images he initially had of Josiah were revealed by Josiah to be false, Dejay was still attracted to him. Dejay connected with the Catfish crew, who coincidentally received a similar case, and Malik was brought into the equation. The catfished pair agreed to stay cordial, but tensions quickly rose as the pair sensed competition.

Dejay, Malik, and the crew all waited outside of Malik’s house for the big reveal. Josiah arrived, and his pictures seemed to be accurate. He was met with an icy reception and, of course, drama ensued. Josiah revealed that he had another partner and a kid. He also claimed to have loved Dejay more, much to Malik’s dismay. While one could claim that Josiah had technically not catfished the pair, the men both fell victim to a truly ruthless liar.

12 "Lucille & Kidd Cole"

Season 3, Episode 4

A famous moment from Catfish history that has made its way into many memes and GIFs from Catfish's wild post-reveal fights can be found in the contentious episode, "Lucille & Kidd Cole." This episode might no longer be aired due to legal issues with the catfish themselves. It saw Nev throw the catfish's cell phone into the water they are filming beside after they refused to answer Lucille's questions.

The episode is also an unconventional one for the series, as the relationship between hopeful Lucille and catfish Kidd Cole was not a romantic one, but rather a business relationship. One of the best Catfish episodes ranked features one of Nev's most famous outbursts. The fact that it might not even be able to air because of the messiness involving its subjects proves it's reality TV gold.

11 "Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 10"

Season 3, Episode 13

Viewers may Catfish's Untold Stories special because it's one of the most outrageous Catfish episodes. Perhaps the most fascinating installment in the unique broadcast comes in part 10. Each part of the untold stories special is broken up into segments. One of the best Catfish episodes ranked, the installment leaves audiences in total awe because it's completely unbelievable that Nev would fall for what he did all over again.

Fans of Catfish know the series is based on a documentary in which Nev is catfished by someone he believed to be in an online relationship with. In part 10 of the untold stories, the focus gets turned on Nev as he is catfished once again. It's hard to be frustrated with Nev over the deception, but the fact that he fell for it again after what happened the first time is mind-blowing.