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The Best Episodes of My Brilliant Friend

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

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When the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace, Elena Greco, a now-elderly woman immersed in a house full of books, turns on her computer and starts writing the

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 8 - The Blue Fairy
    8.9/10(593 votes)

    #1 - The Blue Fairy

    S2:E8

    With graduation in sight, Elena is overwhelmed by memories of her past and copes by drafting her first novel. Meanwhile, she finds a new suitor in Pietro Airota, the son of an esteemed academic. After Pietro proposes, Elena entrusts him with her manuscript before heading back to Naples, where she reunites with her family and visits Ada, who updates her on the tempestuous events she's missed. Upon receiving some unexpected good news, she sets out to find Lila, whose circumstances have seen a dramatic change.

    Director:Saverio Costanzo
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 6 - The Island
    8.8/10(739 votes)

    #2 - The Island

    S1:E6

    On the island of Ischia, Elena runs into the Sarratore family, reigniting her childhood crush on Nino, who is at odds with his father, the charming Donato. Back in Naples, Lila's resistance to Marcello's pressing courtship reaches a breaking point. On the day of Elena's 15th birthday, an unexpected encounter leaves her shaken.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 8 - The Promise
    8.7/10(682 votes)

    #3 - The Promise

    S1:E8

    With sales of Cerullo shoes lagging, Stefano cuts a business deal with the Solaras against Lila's wishes. After Elena gets kicked out of a class for voicing her opinion, Nino encourages her to write an article for his magazine about her experience. Later, Elena and Lila get unwelcome surprises.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. My Brilliant Friend Season 3 Episode 2 - The Fever
    8.7/10(436 votes)

    #4 - The Fever

    S3:E2

    A nervous Elena introduces Pietro to her family, and, though he instantly charms his future in-laws, Immacolata rejects their plans for a civil wedding ceremony. Months later, Lila falls ill due to the deplorable conditions at the Soccavo factory and makes Elena promise to take care of her son Gennaro if anything happens to her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  5. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 2 - The Money
    8.6/10(857 votes)

    #5 - The Money

    S1:E2

    As fourth grade draws to an end, Elena and Lila fight with their families for the chance to continue their education. Later, a trip out of town becomes a day Elena will never forget, and a death changes things in the neighborhood forever.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  6. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 7 - The Secret Notebooks
    8.6/10(489 votes)

    #6 - The Secret Notebooks

    S2:E7

    Three years into her time in Pisa, Elena has developed into an elegant and cultured young woman – but still feels like an outsider. After a consequential breakup, Elena falls ill and is visited by her mother, who has come to nurse her back to health. During the night, Elena takes to reading Lila’s diaries, which were entrusted to her for safekeeping; in these tomes, Elena discovers Lila’s dedication to her new role in the face of Stefano’s increasingly violent behavior.

    Director:Saverio Costanzo
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of My Brilliant Friend

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  7. My Brilliant Friend Season 3 Episode 6 - Becoming
    8.6/10(388 votes)

    #7 - Becoming

    S3:E6

    On holiday, Elena grows increasingly exasperated with Gennaro and after receiving shocking news about her sister Elisa, she cuts the family trip short to travel back to Naples. Later, tensions mount at a dinner with the Solaras, and Pietro shares his unvarnished opinion of Lila with Elena.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  8. My Brilliant Friend Season 3 Episode 8 - Those Who Leave, Those Who Stay
    8.6/10(477 votes)

    #8 - Those Who Leave, Those Who Stay

    S3:E8

    Elena and Pietro meet Nino's family. Nino gives Elena his feedback on the manuscript, when he discovers that Pietro has not read it he shows hostility towards her, but in a veiled and underhanded way. Pietro's reaction to Nino's passive-aggressive attacks only confirms Elena's doubts about her husband.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  9. My Brilliant Friend Season 4 Episode 10 - The Restitution
    8.6/10(335 votes)

    #9 - The Restitution

    S4:E10

    After learning that Pasquale and Nadia have been arrested, Lila informs Elena that Gennaro has run away. Though Lila is unphased, Elena tries to manage the crisis when she learns Elsa has gone with him as well. Many years later, Lila manages to surprise her friend yet again.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  10. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 5 - The Betrayal
    8.5/10(499 votes)

    #10 - The Betrayal

    S2:E5

    As Pinuccia returns to Naples, a new secret excites Lila and numbs Elena, who nonetheless becomes embroiled in its coverup. Subdued by Lila's charisma and indifferent to Bruno's flattery, Elena finds herself the keeper of a far darker clandestine series of events involving Donato Sarratore. After the girls encounter Michele and Gigliola, who have come to Ischia on a day trip, Lila seizes the opportunity to throw the whole truth in Stefano's face.

    Director:Alice Rohrwacher
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. My Brilliant Friend Season 4 Episode 9 - The Disappearance
    8.5/10(299 votes)

    #11 - The Disappearance

    S4:E9

    During Nino’s long overdue visit to see Imma, a sudden and mysterious disappearance rocks the neighborhood. Though the Solaras help organize a search, Enzo remains suspicious of their involvement, while Lila becomes consumed by her own conspiracies. Later, Lila is driven further to the brink by her son’s drug habit and another sudden loss.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  12. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 4 - Dissolving Margins
    8.4/10(713 votes)

    #12 - Dissolving Margins

    S1:E4

    Entering high school, Elena vows to stay ahead of Lila, academically and romantically. Lila eschews a parade of suitors vying for her affection, choosing instead to focus on her ambitions in the shoe shop. Promising a better future for the neighborhood, Stefano Carracci invites Elena, Lila and their families over for New Year's Eve, but things take a dark turn.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 4 - The Kiss
    8.4/10(506 votes)

    #13 - The Kiss

    S2:E4

    At Rino and Pinuccia’s wedding, Elena accepts Lila’s invitation to go on holiday, provided the destination is Ischia, where she knows she’ll find Nino. On the island, Elena, Lila and Pinuccia begin to spend more and more time with Nino and his friend Bruno and Lila starts to take a strong interest in Elena’s summer reads. As Lila and Pinuccia exhibit signs of nervousness when their respective husbands come to visit for the weekend, Elena is thrown when Lila comes to her bedroom to make a confession.

    Director:Alice Rohrwacher
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 6 - Rage
    8.4/10(468 votes)

    #14 - Rage

    S2:E6

    Following her formative summer on Ischia, Elena throws herself into her studies and looks towards a future outside of the neighborhood. After a brilliant finals performance, Elena happens upon Lila, who is working at the shoe store and has grand plans for a fresh start. As Elena leaves Naples to commence her prestigious university studies in Pisa, Lila decides to leave Stefano and moves into a modest apartment, but the failings of her plan soon emerge.

    Director:Saverio Costanzo
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. My Brilliant Friend Season 4 Episode 6 - The Cheat
    8.4/10(296 votes)

    #15 - The Cheat

    S4:E6

    As Lila goes into labor, Alfonso confides in Elena while accompanying her to the clinic to visit Immacolata. After a tragic loss – and stunned by Nino’s actions yet again – Elena decides to focus on herself and takes refuge with her daughters at Lila’s, who finally reveals the truth about Nino.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  16. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 3 - Erasure
    8.3/10(502 votes)

    #16 - Erasure

    S2:E3

    Upset that her picture is featured prominently in the new shoe shop Stefano is opening with the Solaras, Lila comes up with a creative solution to deal with the matter and enlists Elena’s help. Though Lila begins working at the Caraccis’ new grocery store, she continues to resent her husband’s business activities and the source of their income. Model student Elena invites Lila to a party at her teacher Ms. Galiani’s house; there, the two girls become acutely aware of the fact that they belong to ever more distant worlds.

    Director:Saverio Costanzo
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 3 - The Metamorphoses
    8.2/10(723 votes)

    #17 - The Metamorphoses

    S1:E3

    Now a teenager, Elena grapples with the onset of puberty, her studies, and her friendship with Lila, who now works in her family's shoe-repair store. After a library awards ceremony reveals what Lila has been keeping secret, Elena learns what her friend's grand plans might be. Lila takes a stand against the dangerous Solara brothers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 1 - The New Name
    8.2/10(614 votes)

    #18 - The New Name

    S2:E1

    With Lila on her honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast, Elena struggles to handle school and her relationship with Antonio. When Lila returns with visible bruises on her body, the two girls revert to their natural closeness and Lila’s will to take revenge against her husband grows. Elena continues to be bewitched by Nino Sarratore’s charisma but chooses not to mention him to Lila.

    Director:Saverio Costanzo
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. My Brilliant Friend Season 2 Episode 2 - The Body
    8.2/10(516 votes)

    #19 - The Body

    S2:E2

    Elena's relationship is threatened when Antonio discovers she has asked the Solaras' help to keep him from doing military service, while Lila remains rebellious in her marriage to the often-violent Stefano. After a photo of her is exhibited at a wedding dress shop in the center of town and becomes the subject of much gossip, Lila makes a bet with Elena about how the whole affair will end.

    Director:Saverio Costanzo
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. My Brilliant Friend Season 3 Episode 3 - The Treatment
    8.2/10(355 votes)

    #20 - The Treatment

    S3:E3

    Concerned about Lila's worsening health, Elena seeks advice from her future mother-in-law Adele, who encourages her to write an expose on the Soccavo plant and the mounting unrest between rival unions. After several doctors' visits, Lila becomes determined to move back to the neighborhood despite being viewed as a pariah.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  21. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 1 - The Dolls
    8.1/10(1004 votes)

    #21 - The Dolls

    S1:E1

    The disappearance of her old friend, Lila Cerrullo, causes 60-year-old author Elena Greco to reflect on the early days of their friendship in 1950s Naples, when Elena and Lila are two very different girls at the top of their class. When the girls discover the lair of Don Achille, a criminal figure who controls the neighborhood, they decide to confront him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  22. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 5 - The Shoes
    8.1/10(657 votes)

    #22 - The Shoes

    S1:E5

    Elena grows tired of Gino, while Lila rejects two potential suitors at a cost. A rare outing into the city turns violent. Elena worries about not being there for Lila after accepting an invitation to spend the summer away from the neighborhood and her family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 7 - The Fiances
    8.1/10(616 votes)

    #23 - The Fiances

    S1:E7

    Elena returns to Naples to find Lila has made a romantic connection with Stefano, despite the looming presence of Marcello. As Lila embraces a more glamorous life at Stefano's side, Elena warns her about what people are saying around the neighborhood. Later, in hopes of keeping up with her friend, Elena encourages one suitor and rebuffs the advances of another.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. My Brilliant Friend Season 3 Episode 4 - Cold War
    8.1/10(348 votes)

    #24 - Cold War

    S3:E4

    After a tense argument about plans for a family, Elena and Pietro marry in town hall, and later, are surprised with a reception organized by Adele. Though she had hoped to concentrate on her next book, Elena gives birth to a daughter and struggles to find time to write.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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  25. My Brilliant Friend Season 3 Episode 5 - Terror
    8.1/10(338 votes)

    #25 - Terror

    S3:E5

    Following news of a murder in Naples, Pasquale and Nadia turn up unannounced at Elena's house in Florence, further fuelling discord with her husband. Meanwhile, Elena suspects all is not right with Lila when she's asked to take Gennaro on their summer beach trip.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Francesco Piccolo, Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paolucci

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Blue Fairy" is the best rated episode of "My Brilliant Friend". It scored 8.9/10 based on 593 votes. Directed by Saverio Costanzo and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/2/2020. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Island".