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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!

Binge this in 23h 31m•Peaking at 8.7/10

Celebrating the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater, following a cross section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a "Smash."

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Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Smash Season 1 Episode 15 - Bombshell
    8.7/10(287 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
    8.6/10(160 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(144 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:Bathsheba Doran, Noelle Valdivia

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  4. Smash Season 2 Episode 11 - The Dress Rehearsal
    8.2/10(129 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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  5. Smash Season 2 Episode 13 - The Producers
    8.2/10(122 votes)

    S2:E13

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

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Becky Mode

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  6. Smash Season 2 Episode 14 - The Phenomenon
    8.2/10(154 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Smash

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  7. Smash Season 1 Episode 7 - The Workshop
    8.1/10(241 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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  8. Smash Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(404 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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  9. Smash Season 1 Episode 4 - The Cost of Art
    8.0/10(269 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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  10. Smash Season 1 Episode 12 - Publicity
    8.0/10(212 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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  11. Smash Season 2 Episode 1 - On Broadway
    7.9/10(223 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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  12. Smash Season 2 Episode 15 - The Transfer
    7.9/10(126 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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  13. Smash Season 1 Episode 10 - Understudy
    7.8/10(211 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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  14. Smash Season 1 Episode 14 - Previews
    7.8/10(186 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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  15. Smash Season 2 Episode 9 - The Parents
    7.8/10(130 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 2 Episode 10 - The Surprise Party
    7.8/10(128 votes)

    S2:E10

    Tom plans the birthday surprise of a lifetime for Ivy.

    Director:SJ Clarkson
    Writers:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  17. Smash Season 2 Episode 16 - The Nominations
    7.8/10(123 votes)

    S2:E16

    Hit List and Bombshell face off at the Tonys.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

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  18. Smash Season 1 Episode 9 - Hell On Earth
    7.7/10(207 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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  19. Smash Season 1 Episode 13 - Tech
    7.7/10(187 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:Lakshmi Sundaram, Jason Grote

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  20. Smash Season 2 Episode 7 - Musical Chairs
    7.7/10(137 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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  21. Smash Season 2 Episode 8 - The Bells and Whistles
    7.7/10(127 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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  22. Smash Season 1 Episode 2 - The Callback
    7.6/10(299 votes)

    S1:E2

    Ivy and Karen jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills as they pursue the role of a lifetime.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Theresa Rebeck

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  23. Smash Season 1 Episode 5 - Let's Be Bad
    7.6/10(229 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:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  24. Smash Season 1 Episode 6 - Chemistry
    7.6/10(224 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 11 - The Movie Star
    7.6/10(190 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:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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Best Episodes Summary

"Bombshell" is the best rated episode of "Smash". It scored 8.7/10 based on 287 votes. Directed by Michael Morris and written by Theresa Rebeck, it aired on 5/14/2012. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Tonys".