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The Best Episodes of black-ish

Every episode of black-ish ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of black-ish!

Binge this in 2d 19h•Peaking at 8.6/10

A family man struggles to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising his kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    black-ish Season 8 Episode 12 - If a Black Man Cries in the Woods...
    8.6/10(177 votes)

    #1 - If a Black Man Cries in the Woods...

    S8:E12

    Pops, Dre and Junior go on a "man trip" to heal old wounds. Meanwhile, Diane and Jack contemplate their futures as they look at their college wish lists.

    Director:Iona Morris
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. black-ish Season 2 Episode 16 - Hope
    8.4/10(776 votes)

    #2 - Hope

    S2:E16

    When the kids ask some tough questions in the midst of a highly publicized court case involving alleged police brutality and an African-American teenager, Dre and Bow are conflicted on how best to field them. Dre, along with Pops and Ruby, feel the kids need to know what kind of world they’re living in, while Bow would like to give them a more hopeful view about life. When the verdict is announced, the family handles the news in different ways while watching the community react.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Kenya Barris

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  3. black-ish Season 5 Episode 10 - Black Like Us
    8.3/10(299 votes)

    #3 - Black Like Us

    S5:E10

    Dre and Bow are furious after Diane isn’t lit properly in her class photo. Diane doesn’t want to make it a big deal, but they decide to talk to the principal about the need for sensitivity toward all complexions. Meanwhile, Junior claims there is unspoken colorism within their own family, and things get heated.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writer:Peter Saji

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  4. black-ish Season 3 Episode 12 - Lemons
    8.1/10(626 votes)

    #4 - Lemons

    S3:E12

    The nation is still reeling after the outcome of the presidential election, and tensions are particularly high at Dre’s work. Much to his frustration, they haven’t been able to get anything done since election night – eight weeks ago. Meanwhile, Junior is dealing with a disenfranchised student body as class president, and when he is asked to deliver Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at school, Pops teaches him there is more to the speech than Junior thought.

    Director:Kenya Barris
    Writer:Kenya Barris

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  5. black-ish Season 2 Episode 1 - The Word
    8.0/10(421 votes)

    #5 - The Word

    S2:E1

    Jack performs the song “Gold Digger” at a school talent show and when he sings a lyric that includes THE word, it leads to his possible expulsion from school. Dre and Bow work together to get him reinstated, and along the way, examine the evolution of THE word through the generations and just who, if anyone, has the right to use it.

    Director:Matt Sohn
    Writer:Kenya Barris

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  6. black-ish Season 4 Episode 2 - Mother Nature
    8.0/10(363 votes)

    #6 - Mother Nature

    S4:E2

    Bow is feeling overwhelmed after the birth of DeVante and learns she is suffering from postpartem depression. Dre urges her to get help and stands by her side while she works through it. Meanwhile, the kids babyproof the house in an effort to help their parents out

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Corey Nickerson

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of black-ish

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  7. black-ish Season 3 Episode 8 - Being Bow-racial
    7.9/10(316 votes)

    #7 - Being Bow-racial

    S3:E8

    Bow must address unresolved feelings about her own biracial identity when Junior brings home his first girlfriend, who happens to be white. Dre is handling a big project for a client at work and relies on Charlie to teach him how to relate to the campaign’s white, female point-person. Meanwhile, Zoey needs extra credit for her design class, and asks Jack and Diane if she can remodel their room.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writer:Jenifer Rice-Genzuk

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  8. black-ish Season 1 Episode 19 - The Real World
    7.8/10(349 votes)

    #8 - The Real World

    S1:E19

    Bow invites her friends from college to an elaborate dinner party in hopes of impressing them; Dre learns a lot about Bow's past; the kids decide to create their own reality show by documenting the party.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. black-ish Season 3 Episode 5 - The Purge
    7.8/10(309 votes)

    #9 - The Purge

    S3:E5

    After Junior embarrasses Dre during a basketball game, Dre decides to remind Junior of his master pranking skills so he’ll never challenge him again. Meanwhile, the neighborhood participates in a “mischief night” during Halloween where petty crimes become legal, and Ruby takes it too far with the kids.

    Director:Matt Sohn
    Writer:Lindsey Shockley

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  10. black-ish Season 3 Episode 24 - Sprinkles
    7.8/10(273 votes)

    #10 - Sprinkles

    S3:E24

    Initially wary, Dre embraces throwing Bow’s baby shower and wants it to be unforgettable. However, his plans are put on hold when Bow stops by the OB/GYN with a headache and discovers she is having complications.

    Director:Eva Longoria
    Writer:Laura Gutin

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  11. black-ish Season 4 Episode 14 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T
    7.8/10(250 votes)

    #11 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

    S4:E14

    Dre and Bow confront gender biases of their own after finding out that both Junior and Zoey have become sexually active. Meanwhile, Ruby is hurt when she finds out that Jack and Diane have been hanging out with a friend’s grandmother after school.

    Director:Gail Lerner
    Writer:Steven White

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  12. black-ish Season 8 Episode 11 - The (Almost) Last Dance
    7.8/10(114 votes)

    #12 - The (Almost) Last Dance

    S8:E11

    Pops and Ruby announce they are moving out of the house to travel the United States in their RV, garnering mixed reactions from the Johnson family. When Bow realizes she is beginning perimenopause, Dre enlists her mother’s help.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. black-ish Season 1 Episode 3 - The Nod
    7.7/10(544 votes)

    #13 - The Nod

    S1:E3

    Dre tries to help Andre Jr. expand his social circle. Rainbow tries to inspire Diane.

    Director:James Griffiths
    Writer:Kenya Barris

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  14. black-ish Season 1 Episode 5 - Crime and Punishment
    7.7/10(486 votes)

    #14 - Crime and Punishment

    S1:E5

    Rainbow and Dre agree they will no longer spank their children.

    Director:Claire Scanlon
    Writer:Corey Nickerson

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  15. black-ish Season 1 Episode 15 - The Dozens
    7.7/10(366 votes)

    #15 - The Dozens

    S1:E15

    Dre teaches Andre Jr. how to trash-talk a school bully, Diane is afraid of the dark.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. black-ish Season 2 Episode 3 - Dr. Hell No
    7.7/10(311 votes)

    #16 - Dr. Hell No

    S2:E3

    After Dre gets his yearly physical and comes home traumatized, Pops explains his generation's strong aversion towards healthcare and admits that he hasn't seen a doctor in years. Shocked by this disclosure, Dre and Bow try to convince Pops to get a check-up and he begrudgingly agrees. When Pops finds out he has a clogged artery and needs a small procedure, the rest of The Johnson family handles the news in different ways.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writer:Gail Lerner

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  17. black-ish Season 2 Episode 19 - The Leftovers
    7.7/10(283 votes)

    #17 - The Leftovers

    S2:E19

    When Dre and Bow realize they don't have a legal guardian for their kids, they make it their mission to find replacement parents should anything happen to them. Meanwhile, Zoey and Junior reveal the truth to Jack about their old dog's death and other family secrets he naively accepted.

    Director:Linda Mendoza
    Writer:Hale Rothstein

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  18. black-ish Season 2 Episode 23 - Daddy Dre-Care
    7.7/10(264 votes)

    #18 - Daddy Dre-Care

    S2:E23

    The flu is going around the Johnson household, and with things in flux at work, Dre tries to avoid catching the bug at all costs. Dre has to step up and take care of the whole family. Ruby is in quarantine with Bow, and she learns a lot about her mother-in-law. Meanwhile, the kids want Bow to take care of them and resist Dre’s help.

    Director:Kenya Barris
    Writer:Jonathan Groff

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  19. black-ish Season 3 Episode 16 - One Angry Man
    7.7/10(255 votes)

    #19 - One Angry Man

    S3:E16

    Dre is forced to participate in jury duty after Junior responds to the summons that was thrown away. The case is supposed to be open and shut, but when Dre sees that the defendant is a young African American, he feels a civic responsibility to give him a fair trial. Meanwhile, Bow decides to let the kids swear in the house since they are more open with her that way, but she and Ruby soon regret the decision.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. black-ish Season 4 Episode 4 - Advance to Go (Collect $200)
    7.7/10(274 votes)

    #20 - Advance to Go (Collect $200)

    S4:E4

    Dre brings everyone together for a rowdy family game night and the competition is fierce. The game of choice is Monopoly and as the night progresses, alliances are formed and some are pushed to their limits. Meanwhile, Bow makes it clear how she feels about Junior’s girlfriend, Megan.

    Director:Anton Cropper
    Writer:Gail Lerner

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  21. black-ish Season 4 Episode 6 - First and Last
    7.7/10(246 votes)

    #21 - First and Last

    S4:E6

    Diane experiences a big life event toward becoming a woman and Bow, Ruby, Zoey and Alicia are there to support her. Meanwhile, afraid that he may never be able to beat Junior at basketball again, Dre conducts psychological warfare on Junior before challenging him to a game.

    Director:Linda Mendoza
    Writer:Laura Gutin

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  22. black-ish Season 8 Episode 13 - Homegoing
    7.7/10(178 votes)

    #22 - Homegoing

    S8:E13

    As Pops and Ruby prepare to move away, Dre and Bow consider if they should make a big life change as well. Grappling with this idea at work, Dre receives some unexpected advice from Simone Biles, who tells him to follow his heart. The Johnsons prepare for their goodbyes in the series finale.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. black-ish Season 1 Episode 22 - Please Don’t Ask, Please Don’t Tell
    7.6/10(326 votes)

    #23 - Please Don’t Ask, Please Don’t Tell

    S1:E22

    Dre's sister, Rhonda, is in town for Mother's Day and although she hasn't come out to the family, everyone knows she's gay, except Ruby.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. black-ish Season 2 Episode 2 - Rock, Paper, Sissors, Gun
    7.6/10(312 votes)

    #24 - Rock, Paper, Sissors, Gun

    S2:E2

    After a break-in down the block, Dre talks about getting a gun, and Bow is not comfortable with the idea. Which leads everyone to debate — there are many different ways to protect your family, but what’s the “best” way? Jack and Diane are shocked that they have been living in the house unprotected, Junior sets off on a quest to protect the family from the real threat, cyber terrorism, and Zoey has Pops teach her the art of Karate to defend herself.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Peter Saji

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  25. black-ish Season 2 Episode 9 - Man at Work
    7.6/10(285 votes)

    #25 - Man at Work

    S2:E9

    Dre has always looked out for the crew he grew up with, but when his childhood friend Sha comes to stay at the house for a few days, Bow thinks he is taking advantage of Dre’s generosity. Meanwhile, Daphne Lido, the now ex-wife of Stevens & Lido’s founding partner, gains control of half of the company and wants to start inserting herself in company business. When Daphne starts to question Charlie’s work ethic, Dre must decide who he remains loyal to.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writer:Vijal Patel

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Best Episodes Summary

"If a Black Man Cries in the Woods..." is the best rated episode of "black-ish". It scored 8.6/10 based on 177 votes. Directed by Iona Morris and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/12/2022. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Hope".