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The Best Episodes of Smash

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

Best episode
S1E15 Bombshell
8.7289 votes
Worst episode
S2E5 The Read-Through
7.2138 votes
Top season
Season 2
7.8avg
Binge time
23h 31m
32 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Smash Season 1 Episode 15 - Bombshell
    8.7/10(289 votes)

    S1:E15

    The big night is finally here. Tom and Julia race against time to save the show, while Derek makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen and Ivy forever.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Theresa Rebeck

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  2. Smash Season 2 Episode 17 - The Tonys
    8.5/10(161 votes)

    S2:E17

    Hit List and Bombshell face off at the Tonys.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Joshua Safran

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  3. Smash Season 2 Episode 12 - Opening Night
    8.3/10(145 votes)

    S2:E12

    It's the night before the opening of "Bombshell," and all sides of the production are waging their own inner battles.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writers:Noelle Valdivia, Bathsheba Doran

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  4. Smash Season 2 Episode 14 - The Phenomenon
    8.2/10(155 votes)

    S2:E14

    An unexpected tragedy bonds the casts of Hit List and Bombshell.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writers:Joshua Safran, Jordon Nardino

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  5. Smash Season 1 Episode 7 - The Workshop
    8.1/10(243 votes)

    S1:E7

    Eileen, Derek and the team present Marilyn the Musical to would-be investors. Ivy struggles to perform. Karen must make a difficult choice. Julia and Michael face the consequences of their actions.

    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Jason Grote

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  6. Smash Season 2 Episode 11 - The Dress Rehearsal
    8.1/10(130 votes)

    S2:E11

    A wardrobe malfunction forces Ivy into a risky choice; tensions mount at Hit List.

    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Julia Brownell

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Smash

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  7. Smash Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(406 votes)

    S1:E1

    Song-writing duo Tom Levitt and Julia Houston, who had planned on taking a break from Broadway, find themselves drawn back in when they get the desire to produce a musical based around the life of Marilyn Monroe.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Smash Season 1 Episode 4 - The Cost of Art
    8.0/10(271 votes)

    S1:E4

    Karen must learn to advance in the high-stakes world of Broadway, as Derek hosts a party for hot young star Lyle. Eileen tries a sly new strategy for raising funds, while Tom goes on a first date.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:David Marshall Grant

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  9. Smash Season 1 Episode 12 - Publicity
    8.0/10(214 votes)

    S1:E12

    Karen finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall. Eileen introduces new beau Nick to ex-husband Jerry, while Julia panics when her son Leo goes missing.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Theresa Rebeck

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  10. Smash Season 2 Episode 1 - On Broadway
    7.9/10(225 votes)

    S2:E1

    A scandal puts Bombshell's fate in jeopardy, while new talent is discovered in an unexpected place.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Joshua Safran

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  11. Smash Season 2 Episode 15 - The Transfer
    7.9/10(127 votes)

    S2:E15

    Betrayal rocks "Hit List;" Ivy's forced to do damage control on her public image.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writers:Justin Brenneman, Julia Brownell

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  12. Smash Season 2 Episode 13 - The Producers
    7.9/10(123 votes)

    S2:E13

    Jimmy goes off the rails, threatening the future of Hit List.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Becky Mode

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  13. Smash Season 2 Episode 16 - The Nominations
    7.8/10(124 votes)

    S2:E16

    Hit List and Bombshell face off at the Tonys.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

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  14. Smash Season 2 Episode 10 - The Surprise Party
    7.8/10(129 votes)

    S2:E10

    Tom plans the birthday surprise of a lifetime for Ivy.

    Director:SJ Clarkson
    Writers:Elisa Zuritsky, Julie Rottenberg

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  15. Smash Season 2 Episode 9 - The Parents
    7.8/10(131 votes)

    S2:E9

    Ivy's mom joins the "Bombshell" cast; a visit from Karen's dad causes tension at "Hit List."

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Jordon Nardino

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  16. Smash Season 1 Episode 14 - Previews
    7.8/10(188 votes)

    S1:E14

    Bombshell faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall. The team of Tom and Julia scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift to his life.

    Director:Robert Duncan McNeill
    Writer:David Marshall Grant

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  17. Smash Season 1 Episode 10 - Understudy
    7.8/10(213 votes)

    S1:E10

    When the show's new star gets stuck in Cuba, Derek puts Karen in as understudy.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Jerome Hairston

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  18. Smash Season 2 Episode 8 - The Bells and Whistles
    7.7/10(128 votes)

    S2:E8

    When Derek and Jimmy butt heads over "Hit List," Karen gets caught in the crossfire.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Noelle Valdivia

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  19. Smash Season 2 Episode 7 - Musical Chairs
    7.7/10(138 votes)

    S2:E7

    Tensions boil on Liaisons, while Eileen may have found the key to saving Bombshell.

    Director:Casey Nicholaw
    Writer:Becky Mode

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  20. Smash Season 1 Episode 13 - Tech
    7.7/10(189 votes)

    S1:E13

    Bombshell moves to Boston as it finally finds its way to the stage. The cast and crew are all bubbling with anticipation, bracing themselves for the chaos associated with.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writers:Jason Grote, Lakshmi Sundaram

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  21. Smash Season 1 Episode 9 - Hell On Earth
    7.7/10(209 votes)

    S1:E9

    Julia and Tom must find a title for the recently reinvigorated musical as Ivy and Karen compete for an orange juice commercial.

    Director:Paul McGuigan
    Writer:Scott Burkhardt

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  22. Smash Season 2 Episode 2 - The Fallout
    7.6/10(166 votes)

    S2:E2

    A scandal puts Bombshell's fate in jeopardy, while new talent is discovered in an unexpected place.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Elisa Zuritsky, Julie Rottenberg

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  23. Smash Season 1 Episode 11 - The Movie Star
    7.6/10(192 votes)

    S1:E11

    The arrival of a movie star turns Bombshell upside-down. Ivy and Karen try to overcome their history and unite against their new rival.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writers:Elisa Zuritsky, Julie Rottenberg

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  24. Smash Season 1 Episode 6 - Chemistry
    7.6/10(226 votes)

    S1:E6

    Ivy faces major vocal issues, while Julia struggles to avoid Michael. Meanwhile, Karen books a side gig at a bar mitzvah.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writer:Jacquelyn Reingold

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  25. Smash Season 1 Episode 5 - Let's Be Bad
    7.6/10(231 votes)

    S1:E5

    Karen finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael and Julia heats up, as Eileen and Tom's ambitious assistant Ellis forge an alliance. Ivy senses trouble in her relationship with Derek.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Elisa Zuritsky, Julie Rottenberg

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Best Episodes Summary

"Bombshell" is the best rated episode of Smash. It scored 8.7/10 from 289 votes. Directed by Michael Morris and written by Theresa Rebeck, it aired on May 14, 2012. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Tonys".

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