It is captivating and fascinating to watch every episode of Hoarders. Each episode documents one or two people who have problems parting with their belongings. This creates a personal crisis in their lives and untidiness in their homes. This article explores some of the best episodes of Hoarders to add to your watchlist.
Hoarders is a documentary reality TV series that first aired on A&E on August 17, 2009. The show highlights the struggles and treatment of individuals who have difficulty letting go of their possessions, leading to overwhelming clutter in their lives. Each episode provides viewers with a glimpse into the emotional battles these individuals face as they confront their hoarding behaviors.
Best Hoarders Episodes to Add to Your Watchlist
Hoarders offers a unique insight into the lives of those struggling with compulsive hoarding disorder. As viewers, we often feel a sense of empathy and curiosity about the stories behind the clutter. Here are some of the top episodes that are sure to evoke strong emotions and provide valuable lessons.
Choosing the ideal episode to add to your watchlist is subjective. However, this curated list of episodes, collected from various online sources and viewer comments, aims to help you make a more informed choice.
1. Laura/Penny (S3, E5)
Laura is battling terminal cancer and finds herself surrounded by clutter, leaving her with no space to rest comfortably. Her hoarding has strained her family relationships, and she’s aware that her passing will relieve her loved ones from the burden of her possessions.
Penny, a single mother of two, lives in a home filled with so much clutter that it affects their ability to find a place to sleep. This episode poignantly illustrates the impact of hoarding on family dynamics and personal health.
2. Andrew/Lydia (S3, E17)
Andrew and Lydia both recognize their hoarding habits and desire change. Andrew is struggling with the legacy of his mother’s hoarding behavior, while Lydia aims to create a clean space for her son returning from the hospital.
This episode highlights the challenges of breaking free from generational patterns and the importance of a nurturing environment for healing.
3. Lloyd/Carol (S3, E13)
Lloyd finds himself sleeping in a trailer on his property because his home has become unlivable due to clutter. He faces the threat of fines if he does not clean up his property. Meanwhile, Carol fears losing her husband if she doesn’t take action to tidy up their space.
This episode emphasizes the urgent need for intervention and the potential consequences of untreated hoarding behaviors.
4. Jim and Susan (S3, E15)
Jim’s messy house draws the attention of local authorities, putting his family at risk of losing their home. Susan and Bill’s hoarding leads to their eviction and a temporary stay in hotels, but they soon find themselves back home, unable to locate a place to sleep.
This episode illustrates the dire consequences of hoarding, including the loss of family stability and security.
5. Maryann and Mary (S3, E18)
Maryann risks divorce if she cannot control her hoarding, while Mary faces financial ruin due to her inability to sell her possessions. This episode effectively showcases the financial and relational strains that hoarding can cause.
6. Hannah, Cathy, and Gary (S3, E19)
Hannah lives in a trailer filled with chickens, while Cathy and Gary hoard their rented home with unkempt rabbits. The homeowners give them an ultimatum to clean up or face eviction.
This episode portrays the struggle to maintain personal space and the consequences of neglecting responsibilities.
7. Andrew and Shamia (S3, E16)
Teenager Shamia's home is filled with toys and clothes, a habit she inherited from her parents. Andrew, facing pressure from adult protective services, must clean his home or face eviction.
8. Robin and Ken (S3, E3)
Robin's home emits a foul stench due to accumulated garbage, forcing him and his father to take action or risk intervention from the city council.
9. Glen and Lisa (S3, E20)
Glen is overwhelmed by over 2000 rats in his home, creating a dangerous living environment for himself and his daughter, Lisa.
10. Lisa and Vula (S3, E6)
Vula’s home is damaged by sick cats, and Lisa struggles with her job loss linked to her hoarding habits.
11. Al/Julie (S3, E12)
Al faces the consequences of his hoarding when he loses custody of his son, while Julie’s husband threatens to leave if she doesn’t change her ways.
12. Adella and Terry (S3, E1)
Adella’s husband’s death leads to further complications in her life, compounded by her hoarding habits.
13. Peggy (S13, E7)
After her divorce, Peggy’s hoarding escalates to the point where she cannot open her front door.
14. Carl (S13, E4)
Carl’s childhood experiences with hoarding lead to adult challenges with clutter, leaving his home in disarray.
15. Martha (S13, E8)
Martha’s emotional turmoil following her husband’s infidelity propels her into a cycle of hoarding. This episode highlights her journey from suffering to recovery.
16. Becky (S11, E4)
Becky’s two-decade struggle with hoarding creates family rifts, but she ultimately finds support in her loved ones.
17. Debra/Patty (S6, E1)
Debra’s excessive hoarding leads to financial troubles, while Patty uses hoarding as a coping mechanism for her husband’s infidelity.
18. Peggy/Ed and Connie (S8, E8)
Peggy’s home becomes uninhabitable, and Ed and Connie’s obsession with Halloween decorations leads to hoarding.
19. Charles and Alvin (S6, E3)
Charles’s obsession with art leads to a cluttered home, while Alvin’s hoarding has forced him to live in his bathroom.
20. Augustine (S2, E1)
Augustine’s home is overrun with pests, leading to dire consequences for her family.
21. Shanna (S6, E4)
Shanna’s destructive hoarding habits threaten her health and safety.
22. June and Doug (S2, E11)
June’s love for dolls results in severe clutter, while Doug battles depression.
23. Jan/Bebe (S6, E9)
Jan’s anger over her hoarding is contrasted by Bebe’s grief, leading to shocking moments.
24. Gail/Warren (S2, E9)
Gail’s clutter leads to unsafe living conditions, while Warren’s hoarding threatens his marriage.
25. Tiffany (S13, E2)
Tiffany’s passion for books spirals into hoarding, a habit learned from her parents.
26. Linda (S10, E3)
Linda’s home is so filled with clutter that she neglects her pet’s needs.
27. Three Amigos (S10, E5)
This episode showcases how three individuals enable each other’s hoarding behaviors.
28. Marlene/Jeff (S6, E11)
Marlene and Jeff face the consequences of their hoarding, leading to urgent intervention.
29. Barbra G./Fred and Mary (S5, E6)
Barbra’s hoarding is a coping mechanism for loss, while Fred and Mary face the risk of homelessness.
30. Constance/Jeri Jo (S5, E11)
Constance’s home is infested with chickens, while Jeri Jo’s hoarding stems from trauma.
31. Manuel/Carla (S6, E6)
Manuel’s hoarding prevents him from caring for his children, leading to intervention.
32. Phyllis/Janet (S4, E1)
Phyllis’s obsession with dolls leads to a cluttered home, while Janet faces serious health risks.
33. Sandra (S9, E6)
