9.3/1072 votesLoading...#1 - Trick or Truth
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 10/29/2001
Toni suffers a breakdown after Greg cheats on her, then reveals that he only took her back so that he could get revenge against her. Lynn and Maya try to help her pick up the pieces, but Joan is less than sympathetic. Without Toni to round up male guests, William finds himself as the only man at Joan's Halloween party, and becomes overwhelmed by all of the female attention.
Director: Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
9.1/1037 votesLoading...#2 - ...Ain't Nothing Over There
Season 6 Episode 22 - Aired 5/8/2006
A series of unfortunate events prevents Joan from being there for Toni (again) as the custody hearing takes a surprising turn.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
9.0/1032 votesLoading...#3 - It's Been Determined
Season 7 Episode 22 - Aired 5/7/2007
Joan runs into a figure from the past and makes a hasty decision that prompts Maya and Lynn to intervene.
Director: Salim Akil
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
8.8/1042 votesLoading...#4 - Friends, Colleagues, Brothers
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/26/2001
Joan becomes fed up with the ""boys' club"" mentality at work, as her opinions are ignored and she is passed over for important cases. When she believes that William has deliberately stolen her idea, she blows up at him in front of everyone, leading to a rift between them. Meanwhile, Maya discovers that Toni and Lynn's yoga instructor is a little too ""hands-on"" in his approach toward his students.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.8/1034 votesLoading...#5 - A Stiff Good Man Is Easy to Find
Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 2/24/2003
Toni and Todd's relationship is thrown into flux after she inadvertently mentions marriage. When Toni goes into hiding, Todd seeks the assistance of her friends, who convince him that Toni loves him and help him confront his own feelings for her. Meanwhile, William finds himself extremely attracted to Sharon, leading to an odd face-off with Monica.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.8/1034 votesLoading...#6 - Porn to Write
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 11/29/2004
With her bills piling up, Maya is forced to consider a job writing for a porn publisher (which already employs Lynn). She turns down the position due to moral objections and resumes selling her book on the street. When she has little success--due in part to bootleg sales--Maya decides to give up on her dream and go back to working as a legal secretary. This does not work out, and she winds up accepting the job at the porn publisher. Fortunately, she is soon able to quit after her writing aspirations get a boost from a surprising source. Meanwhile, William and Joan quarrel after he goes home for Thanksgiving without her; and Toni vows to not talk too much about her pregnancy.
Director: Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
Writer: N/A
8.8/1033 votesLoading...#7 - I Don't Wanna Be a Player No More
Season 6 Episode 20 - Aired 5/1/2006
Joan cuts loose two of the men she's dating when she develops feelings for an NBA player. A traumatic event lands Toni behind bars.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.8/1040 votesLoading...#8 - Party Over Here
Season 6 Episode 21 - Aired 5/8/2006
When Maya moves into her new place, Joan ditches the housewarming for an A-list party. Toni and Todd try to come to a settlement.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.8/1028 votesLoading...#9 - Willie or Won't He III: This Time It's Personal
Season 7 Episode 15 - Aired 2/19/2007
William and Monica's wedding bliss comes to a screeching halt when, while drunk, he expresses doubts about marrying her.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.8/1030 votesLoading...#10 - What's Black-A-Lackin'?
Season 8 Episode 12 - Aired 2/11/2008
William and Monica battle over learning the sex of the baby. Lynn deals with the fact she might not be marketable to Blacks.
Director: Tracee Ellis Ross
Writer: N/A
8.7/1044 votesLoading...#11 - Jamaic-Up?
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/14/2001
Toni remains in a state of despair over her split with Greg, while a guilt-ridden Joan continues to keep her involvement in the break-up a secret. She confesses to Greg, who still wants nothing to do with Toni. William worries when Yvonne heads off to Jamaica to attend Sinbad's music festival. The girls decide to go to Jamaica as well, as Joan hopes that Toni will meet someone and get out of her funk. Sean and Joan argue, as he feels she should either confess the truth or mind her own business. Maya gets her groove back after a bikini wax, and Lynn falls in love with a bellhop and decides to stay in Jamaica. William shows up and surprises Yvonne with a marriage proposal. Toni hits it off with NFL star Terrell Davis and accepts his proposal, although she admits that she still loves Greg. Joan finally confesses that she told Greg about Toni's engagement to Clay, prompting Toni to attack her and storm off. Joan returns home to find Sean and Toni in a compromising position.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
8.7/1036 votesLoading...#12 - Willie or Won't He II: The Last Chapter?
Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 2/11/2002
On the eve of their wedding, Yvonne learns that William hasn't told his mother about their relationship.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.7/1043 votesLoading...#13 - Into the Woods
Season 2 Episode 22 - Aired 5/20/2002
Joan decides to waive her ""three-month"" rule and sleep with Chris, but then receives a phone call from Sean. When she learns that Sean is back in town, she dumps Chris and expects to reunite with Sean. However, he stuns her by revealing that he is engaged. William expresses an interest in Lynn's co-worker, only to find that she is a lesbian with a crush on Lynn. Maya considers telling Darnell about her affair with Stan, but her friends talk her out of it. He soon discovers the truth in an unexpected way.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
8.7/1034 votesLoading...#14 - Single Mama Drama
Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 2/3/2003
Maya befriends a fellow single mother, a janitor at the law firm's building. They quickly make a connection, but Joan finds the woman's attitude irritating; and fears that her example could negatively impact Maya's relationship with Darnell. Meanwhile, William pretends to work at Lynn's office because he misses the camaraderie of a workplace; and Lynn tries to scam her co-workers out of money by pretending it's her birthday.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.7/1041 votesLoading...#15 - New York Unbound
Season 4 Episode 24 - Aired 5/24/2004
Maya learns that the publisher wants to sanitize her book to make it more accessible to white readers. She convinces her editor to stand up for her vision and get the original version of the book released. She succeeds, and Maya receives $25,000. After William shows up at her house to confront her, Joan flees for New York with Toni. Toni sees Todd with his colleague, Natalie, and again assumes he is cheating on her. She makes a scene on the set as she begs him not to leave her. Joan is surprised to run into William, who has come to New York to give legal advice to Maya. Joan tries to tell William that she isn't interested in him romantically. He says that this is okay, and that things between them will soon return to normal. William runs into Monica, his evil, golddigging ex-girlfriend. Lynn visits her birth mother, Sandy, for information on her biological father. She learns that Sandy wanted to marry Lynn's father, but Sandy's parents paid the man to go away. They claim it
Director: N/A
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
8.7/1029 votesLoading...#16 - I Want My Baby Back
Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 1/29/2007
Maya fears Jabari is growing up too fast. Joan is uncomfortable about using the bathroom at Aaron's house. Monica and William ask Lynn for sex advice.
Director: Debbie Allen
Writer: N/A
8.7/1030 votesLoading...#17 - Time to Man Up
Season 7 Episode 14 - Aired 2/12/2007
Maya and Darnell meet a man they suspect is abusing his wife. Joan finds out Aaron does not believe in celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: N/A
8.6/1037 votesLoading...#18 - The Fallout
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/10/2001
Joan forgives Toni for slapping her in Jamaica and trying to seduce Sean, much to the shock and dismay of Maya and Lynn (who has returned from Jamaica). When Joan's hair begins to fall out due to stress, she sees a therapist, who recommends that she cut Toni out of her life for good. However, this proves difficult when Toni seeks Joan's shoulder to lean on after a setback at work. Meanwhile, Darnell is upset by Maya's bixini wax, and accuses her of changing as the result of her association with the girls.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
8.6/1033 votesLoading...#19 - Can't Stan Ya!
Season 2 Episode 15 - Aired 2/25/2002
After an uncomfortable kiss, Maya realizes that she was wrong to get involved with Stan, and wants to stop seeing him. Stan, however, reveals that he has fallen head over heels, and refuses to give up on her. He seeks revenge by forming a friendship with Darnell and threatening to tell him about the affair. Meanwhile, William recuperates at Joan's house after being dumped by Yvonne.
Director: Mary Lou Belli
Writer: N/A
8.6/1049 votesLoading...#20 - Handling Baggage
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/11/2002
Maya's cousin Ronnie and his boyfriend, Peaches, tell Maya that they have spotted Darnell in a compromising position with a woman at the Red Lobster. It is the same woman that Joan once saw with Darnell years earlier. Maya confronts Cecily and learns that she is having an affair with Darnell. This leads the distraught Maya to declare that she and Darnell are now ""even"" and move back to the house, where she and Darnell make a decision about the future of their relationship. Meanwhile, William obsesses over the fate of a missing suitcase.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.6/1038 votesLoading...#21 - The Pact
Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 3/17/2003
Lynn and Maya confront Joan about her jealousy and overall bad attitude regarding Toni's wedding. Joan is upset when Toni announces that Reesie Jackson, her college roommate, is coming to town to be a bridesmaid. Joan had forced Toni and Lynn to swear never to speak to Reesie again after she stole Joan's boyfriend, Brian. She is livid when she learns that Toni and Lynn have not only stayed in touch with Reesie, but are the godmothers of her two children. Joan gives Reesie the cold shoulder. She rants that Reesie stole her chance at a perfect life with a husband and kids. Reesie reveals that she has contracted AIDS from Brian. He had unprotected sex with men, refusing to take along condoms because he was in denial about the fact that he is gay. The girls try too hard to comfort Reesie, and freak out a little when she cuts herself while chopping vegetables. She assures them that they cannot contract HIV this way, but Joan initially remains a little skeptical. Toni picks out her
Director: Katy Garretson
Writer: N/A
8.6/1039 votesLoading...#22 - Blood Is Thicker Than Liquor
Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 5/5/2003
Toni's family comes to town, and Toni worries that her mother will embarrass her in front of Todd's parents by voicing her objections to their Jewish background. Mrs. Childs becomes dejected about the bickering between Toni and her older sister, Sherri--whom Toni refuses to include in the bridal party--and falls off the wagon. Meanwhile, William worries that he will lose one of his few male friends when the man begins dating Maya.
Director: Mary Lou Belli
Writer: N/A
8.6/1036 votesLoading...#23 - Between Brock and a Hard Place
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/17/2003
Joan's enthusiasm about her new engagement is tempered when she learns that Brock doesn't want to have children, but she decides to relax and just focus on the immediate future. However, the issue continues to gnaw at her. Brock explains that, although his behavior may seem selfish, he believes it is wrong for someone to have children that they don't truly want. Joan tries desperately to change his mind; but he insists that they could be around kids by playing an active role in the lives of the children of family and friends. Joan ponders this for a while, but ultimately decides that she wants to have children of her own. Brock insists that they can have kids, but Joan fears that he would grow to resent her. They have a tearful break-up. William, determined to beat Joan to the altar, proposes to Lynn. He promises to support her financially and let her live at his place. Lynn learns that Joan and Brock have split, but keeps it to herself until after she has married William. Me
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.6/1039 votesLoading...#24 - Wieners and Losers
Season 4 Episode 18 - Aired 4/12/2004
The newly unemployed Joan cannot stand the idea of just sitting back and relaxing, and drives her friends crazy by constantly cooking and knitting for them. She goes to the mall, and winds up taking a job at Wienercycle. Her friends tell her that this is a very stupid idea and convince her to quit. She tries to do this, but is inspired by the teenage shift manager's take-charge attitude and decides to stay and help her. Joan tries to defend her bizarre actions as the result of her work ethic, but experiences a wake-up call when she learns that the manager isn't really as gung-ho about her job as she had appeared to be. Meanwhile, William annoys Toni, Lynn and Maya by flaunting his new $6000 pen. Toni gets revenge by swiping the pen, and the girls enjoy watching William behave like a madman as he tries to find it.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: N/A
8.6/1035 votesLoading...#25 - The Mother of All Episodes (1)
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 11/8/2004
Joan's mother makes a surprise visit and constantly criticizes her, particularly anything regarding her decision to open the restaurant. Joan grows fed up with her lack of support and tells her off, prompting Carol to leave. Joan also grows tired of fighting with William about the restaurant. She decides to buy him out to preserve their friendship, but he refuses to accept the check. They discuss his previous love confession, and William angers Joan by saying that he was ""desperate."" A ranting Joan winds up admitting that she tried to go to his New York hotel room to confess her feelings. They kiss and admit their love for each other, but Joan collapses when her mother emerges in a bathrobe. Meanwhile, Maya is concerned when she discovers that Jabari has been watching pay-per-view porn.
Director: Sheldon Epps
Writer: Mara Brock Akil
The Best Episodes of Girlfriends
Every episode of Girlfriends ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Girlfriends!
The series revolves around the friendship of four African-American women in different phases of their lives. They explore the many trials and tribulations that most...
Genres:DramaComedy
Best Episodes Summary
"Trick or Truth" is the best rated episode of "Girlfriends". It scored 9.3/10 based on 72 votes. Directed by Leonard R. Garner, Jr. and written by Mara Brock Akil, it aired on 10/29/2001. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "...Ain't Nothing Over There".