Episode Sorting Methods Return Empty Results

[glenviewjeff]

Describe the Bug

The episodes() method's sort parameter is not functioning as expected. When using either addedAt:desc or originallyAvailableAt:desc as sort parameters, the method returns an empty list, despite episodes being present and containing valid dates for both fields.

Code Snippets

from plexapi.server import PlexServer

# Connect to Plex server
plex = PlexServer('http://localhost:32400', 'TOKEN')
show = plex.library.section('TV Shows').get('This Week With George Stephanopoulos')

# These both return empty lists
episodes_by_added = show.episodes(sort="addedAt:desc")
episodes_by_air_date = show.episodes(sort="originallyAvailableAt:desc")

# Alternative sort syntax also returns empty list
episodes_alt_sort = show.episodes(sort="-addedAt")

Expected Behavior

• The episodes() method should return a list of episodes sorted according to the specified sort parameter
• For addedAt:desc, episodes should be sorted from newest to oldest based on their addition date
• For originallyAvailableAt:desc, episodes should be sorted from newest to oldest based on their air date

Here's the output showing the issue:

Total number of episodes: 5
Episode list without sorting:
S2024E42 - Added: 2024-10-27 11:07:40, Aired: 2024-10-27 00:00:00
S2024E45 - Added: 2024-11-17 11:07:11, Aired: 2024-11-17 00:00:00
S2024E47 - Added: 2024-12-01 11:05:27, Aired: 2024-12-01 00:00:00
S2024E50 - Added: 2024-12-22 11:10:56, Aired: 2024-12-22 00:00:00
S2025E1 - Added: 2025-01-05 11:06:36, Aired: 2025-01-05 00:00:00

Using addedAt:desc sort:
Number of episodes returned: 0

Using originallyAvailableAt:desc sort:
Number of episodes returned: 0

Testing alternative sort syntax:
Number of episodes returned with alternative sort: 0

Additional Context

No response

Operating System and Version

Windows 11

Plex Media Server Version

1.41.3.9314-a0bfb8370

Python Version

3.11.3

PlexAPI Version

4.16.0

[JonnyWong16]

The episodes() method has never supported sorting.

If you want sorting use library search() instead.

from plexapi.server import PlexServer

# Connect to Plex server
plex = PlexServer('http://localhost:32400', 'TOKEN') 
tvshows = plex.library.section('TV Shows')

episodes_by_added = tvshows.searchEpisodes(
    filters={
        'show.title': 'This Week With George Stephanopoulos'
    },
    sort='addedAt:desc'
)