The Best Episodes of Ellen

Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: Mark Driscoll, Jonathan Stark, Dava Savel, Ellen DeGeneres

Thanks to Paige, Ellen lands a job as personal assistant to Emma Thompson and discovers that, not only is Thompson gay, but her past contains a truly sordid secret.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: N/A

Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: N/A

Ellen's new neighbors offer to introduce her to a friend who is looking for a ""roommate,"" which, according to Audrey and Barrett, is code for ""girlfriend."" Meanwhile, Paige struggles with her mixed emotions about Ellen's lesbianism.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: N/A

Ellen deals with the ramifications of telling her parents she's gay.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: N/A

Ellen tries to make friends with her neighbors, but they keep catching her in strange coincidences. After all, why would Ellen and Paige be playing Twister on the roof?

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: N/A

Ellen is thrilled when Paige's first film project shoots at Buy the Book, but her enthusiasm is soon outweighed by her disappointment with Paige's show-biz ways.

Director: Robby Benson

Writer: Tracy Newman, Jonathan Stark

Recruited by Spence to play the key witness in a mock trial, Ellen assumes the role of a stripper, but must perform some fancy footwork when she loses her notes.

Director: Robby Benson

Writer: Alex Herschlag

Ellen accompanies Spence to an important party thrown by a surgeon he's trying to impress, but it's Ellen who makes the lasting impression.

Director: N/A

Writer: David Flebotte

When Laurie's father dies suddenly, Ellen must help her make peace with the family that shut her out when she revealed her lesbianism.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: N/A

When Buy the Book is robbed, Ellen volunteers to become the bait in a police sting operation designed to catch the ""perp.""

Director: Robby Benson

Writer: Dava Savel

Ellen is distraught when her mother starts dating and follows her and her date to a country/western club, intent on breaking the new couple up.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: Rob Lotterstein

Ellen conquers being alone by doing fun things on her own. Meanwhile, Spence and Joe wreak havoc on Paige's vacant apartment.

Director: Alan Myerson

Writer: Mark Wilding

Ellen and Laurie take their first trip together, to San Diego. However, a problem arises when Ellen wants to party and Laurie wants to stick to her plan.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: N/A

When Ellen accepts a favor from Joe's wealthy older girlfriend, the repercussions are relentless.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

Ellen feels pressured to support gay businesses, but a gay plumber nearly sends her housewarming party down the drain.

Director: Gil Junger

Writer: N/A

Ellen goes on a date with her mortgage broker, but starts to think she's the only one looking for romance.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: Maxine Lapiduss

Laurie has prepared for a big romantic evening with flowers, fine wine and a homemade dinner, but she still needs Ellen to stick around for it.

Director: N/A

Writer: Jane Espenson

Ellen feels old and out of it when she starts dating a younger man, but her attempts to be cool leave her date lukewarm.

Director: Andrew D. Weyman

Writer: Mark Driscoll

Paige persuades Ellen to relieve stress at a health spa, but the rigorous regime creates tension between them. Meanwhile, Adam tries to broaden his circle of friends, starting with Joe.

Director: Tom Cherones

Writer: N/A

Determined to fulfill a childhood dream, Ellen takes ballet lessons and sets her sights on dancing the lead in her class recital.

Director: Tom Cherones

Writer: Richard Day

Ellen reluctantly becomes a contestant on American Gladiators, then becomes fighting mad when her female combatant, Ice, ruins her budding romance with gladiator Nitro.

Director: David Trainer

Writer: Richard Day

Ellen takes a stand for womanking, rewriting the ABCs of dating after Spence's one-night stand with a member of her reading group.

Director: Robby Benson

Writer: Tracy Newman, Jonathan Stark

Before moving to England for an exciting job opportunity, Adam makes a surprising personal revelation to Ellen, who must deal with the awkward consequences when his trip is postponed.

Director: Robby Benson

Writer: N/A

Inspired by domestic diva Martha Stewart, Ellen throws an elegant dinner party, but she's the one who's thrown when an unexpected guest arrives.

Director: Robby Benson

Writer: N/A