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The Best Episodes of Girlfriends

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

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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 women face today such as relationships, family, friends and other

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Girlfriends Season 6 Episode 1 - Fits & Starts
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Fits & Starts

    S6:E1

    Maya remarries, Toni demands a divorce, Lynn gets engaged and Joan freaks out. After a passionate reunion, Maya asks Darnell, "Now what?" The pillow talk is even more delicate at Joan's place. Having wound up in bed with William, Joan is unable to relax and consummate their On-again, off-again romance. William fears her reticence is "physical proof we don't belong together."

    Director:Gina Prince-Bythewood
    Writer:Mara Brock Akil

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  2. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 3 - Girlfrenzy
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Girlfrenzy

    S1:E3

    Toni and Maya get into another argument before an evening out, in part because Toni refuses to believe that Maya can get the girls into an exclusive club. Toni tries to gain admission to the club and fails. Maya shows up and easily gets herself, Joan, Lynn and William past the doorman. Joan convinces the reluctant Maya to also get Toni into the club. When the doorman waves to Toni, another woman believes the wave was meant for her, and they get into an argument. Joan tries to play peacemaker, but the situation turns into a brawl. Maya and Lynn jump into the fight, but Toni is hurt by the fact that Joan fails to back her up. She begins to question their friendship, so Joan searches for a way to patch things up.

    Director:Erma Elzy-Jones
    Writer:Bernadette Luckett

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  3. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 7 - Everything Fishy Ain't Fish
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Everything Fishy Ain't Fish

    S1:E7

    Joan sees Maya's husband, Darnell, in a possibly compromising situation with another woman. Her gut tells her that something may be going on, but she agonizes over whether to share this information with Maya. Meanwhile, Toni begins dating a white city councilman who is also running for mayor. He becomes fascinated with her hair after she reveals that she wears a weave.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Beverly D. Hunter

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  4. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 11 - The Importance of Being Frank
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - The Importance of Being Frank

    S1:E11

    Joan begins dating a client, Frank Anderson. Everything seems to be going well until a crazed woman shows up at the office looking for Joan. She tells Maya and Lynn that she trailed her husband to Joan's house. Joan angrily breaks up with Frank in public. She later learns that Toni has been using her house to rendezvous with her married boyfriend and assumes that she was wrong to suspect Frank of wrongdoing. However, Toni's boyfriend soon delivers some surprising news that sheds new light on the situation.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Michael B. Kaplan

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  5. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 12 - The List
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - The List

    S1:E12

    The girls and William make lists of the qualities they want in their ideal partners. When everyone goes to an art gallery, Joan is amazed to find a man who meets all of her qualifications, but her friends later warn her that she may have frightened him with her aggressiveness. At the same gallery, Toni runs into an ex-flame who is tending bar; and William has another meeting with possibly unstable cop Yvonne and considers giving her a try. Lynn, meanwhile, becomes obsessed with a painting of a red triangle.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 14 - Bad Timing
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Bad Timing

    S1:E14

    Joan is upset when Sean must go out of town for Valentine's Day. Her frustration grows when she is unable to get in touch with him. Davis, who has recently reunited with his fiancée, stuns Joan by kissing her and offering to end his relationship to be with her. Maya, Toni and William spend the day with their significant others, and William frets about finding a card that doesn't send too strong a sentiment. Lynn volunteers for a suicide hotline and makes a date with one of the callers.

    Director:Tony Singletary
    Writer:Bernadette Luckett

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Girlfriends

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  7. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 15 - Old Dog
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Old Dog

    S1:E15

    Joan decides to waive her ""three-month rule"" and sleep with Sean, but finds that the results are extremely disappointing. She seeks her friends' advice on how to help Sean improve his performance. Maya, with help from Toni, seeks medical attention after she and Darnell have difficulty conceiving a second child. William keeps having the misfortune of approaching every time Maya is discussing her gynecological situation with one of her friends.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:David Adam Silverman

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  8. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 16 - Friends, Colleagues, Brothers
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Friends, Colleagues, Brothers

    S1:E16

    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:Unknown

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  9. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 18 - Diss-regard
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Diss-regard

    S1:E18

    Maya checks into the hospital to undergo surgery for the removal of a fibroid tumor. Joan's friends (especially Lynn) question her priorities when she decides to leave Maya's bedside to attend an important business dinner with Sean. Toni continues to clash with Greg over his lack of income. At the hospital, she takes an immediate interest in Maya's doctor, the wealthy and handsome Dr. Clay Spencer.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 19 - A Kiss Before Lying
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - A Kiss Before Lying

    S1:E19

    Sean grows uncomfortable with Joan's relationship with Davis, as he feels that she flirts with him too much. After she confesses that they once shared a kiss, Sean upsets Joan by ordering her to stay away from Davis and 847 for good. Meanwhile, Toni angers Greg by displaying some of his paintings at the restaurant; and Darnell becomes impatient when Maya is reluctant to resume sexual relations with him after her surgery.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Michael B. Kaplan

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  11. Girlfriends Season 1 Episode 22 - Jamaic-Up?
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Jamaic-Up?

    S1:E22

    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

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  12. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 14 - Single Mama Drama
    8.7/10(36 votes)

    #12 - Single Mama Drama

    S3:E14

    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:Unknown

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  13. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 17 - A Stiff Good Man Is Easy to Find
    8.7/10(36 votes)

    #13 - A Stiff Good Man Is Easy to Find

    S3:E17

    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:Unknown

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  14. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 22 - Blood Is Thicker Than Liquor
    8.7/10(43 votes)

    #14 - Blood Is Thicker Than Liquor

    S3:E22

    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:Unknown

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  15. Girlfriends Season 4 Episode 24 - New York Unbound
    8.7/10(43 votes)

    #15 - New York Unbound

    S4:E24

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Mara Brock Akil

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  16. Girlfriends Season 5 Episode 22 - ...With a Twist
    8.7/10(34 votes)

    #16 - ...With a Twist

    S5:E22

    Following Darnell's drunken love declaration, Maya enlists the help of Joan and William as she plans to break up his wedding. However, she soon has second thoughts. Joan tries to talk some sense into Darnell in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Toni gives birth to a baby girl before she is able to get in touch with Todd or the girls. Following the surprisingly easy delivery, Toni begins to wonder whether she really needs Todd in her life. Unable to hold back her feelings any longer, Lynn lashes out at Finn and quits the band.

    Director:Sheldon Epps
    Writer:Mara Brock Akil

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  17. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 8 - Handling Baggage
    8.6/10(52 votes)

    #17 - Handling Baggage

    S3:E8

    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:Unknown

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  18. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 19 - The Pact
    8.6/10(40 votes)

    #18 - The Pact

    S3:E19

    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:Unknown

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  19. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 23 - The Fast Track & the Furious
    8.5/10(46 votes)

    #19 - The Fast Track & the Furious

    S3:E23

    Lynn persuades Toni to accompany her to Virginia, where she seeks Sandy's help before a presentation aimed at receiving a grant for her AIDS documentary. During the visit, Lynn meets her grandmother and learns a shocking secret about Sandy's health. After discovering how much money William is now earning, Maya tries to become his assistant in the hopes of improving her salary and returning to school. However, William will only sign off on the arrangement if Joan gives her approval.

    Directors:Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Girlfriends Season 4 Episode 9 - Between Brock and a Hard Place
    8.5/10(39 votes)

    #20 - Between Brock and a Hard Place

    S4:E9

    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:Unknown

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  21. Girlfriends Season 4 Episode 11 - Merry Ex-mas
    8.5/10(40 votes)

    #21 - Merry Ex-mas

    S4:E11

    Maya invites Darnell's girlfriend, Lena, to her Christmas party in an effort to be civil. However, she grows jealous and gets Jalen to pose as her boyfriend. She is also furious when Lena gets Jabari a Game Cube (he wasn't supposed to get one because of his poor performance in school), and accuses the couple of not communicating with one another. Maya later catches Lena with a man at the bar, and winds up in the strange position of trying to help her with her relationship. Meanwhile, Joan gets really carried away while organizing a caroling outing for her friends.

    Director:Mary Lou Belli
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Girlfriends Season 4 Episode 18 - Wieners and Losers
    8.5/10(41 votes)

    #22 - Wieners and Losers

    S4:E18

    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:Unknown

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  23. Girlfriends Season 5 Episode 7 - The Mother of All Episodes (1)
    8.5/10(37 votes)

    #23 - The Mother of All Episodes (1)

    S5:E7

    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

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  24. Girlfriends Season 5 Episode 10 - Porn to Write
    8.5/10(36 votes)

    #24 - Porn to Write

    S5:E10

    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.

    Directors:Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Girlfriends Season 3 Episode 12 - Take This Poem and Call Me in the Morning
    8.4/10(40 votes)

    #25 - Take This Poem and Call Me in the Morning

    S3:E12

    Lynn finds herself extremely attracted to a poet, and is stunned to learn that he has been celibate for five years. Ellis refuses to leave the house after fans on the Internet trash him and label him a sellout. William tries to win back the girls' trust following the Christmas Eve debacle.

    Director:Katy Garretson
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Fits & Starts" is the best rated episode of "Girlfriends". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Mara Brock Akil, it aired on 9/19/2005. This episode scored 1.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Girlfrenzy".