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The Best Episodes of Soul Food

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

Binge this in 3d 2h•Peaking at 8.8/10

Soul Food: The Series is a television drama that aired Wednesday nights on Showtime from June 28, 2000 to May 26, 2004. Created by filmmaker George Tillman, Jr. and developed for television by Felicia D.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Soul Food Season 1 Episode 1 - The More Things Change
    8.8/10(31 votes)

    #1 - The More Things Change

    S1:E1

    Bird gives birth to a baby boy. Tension still hangs in the air between Teri and her ex-husband, Miles. Damon Carter, a deliveryman who services Teri's office, declares his affections for Teri, but she gives him the cold shoulder. Due to extensive water damage, Lem, Bird, the baby and Uncle Pete are forced to move in with Teri. Meanwhile, Ahmad runs into trouble at his new school. Bird and Lem's baby becomes sick and has to stay at the hospital. Later, Teri finally decides to let her guards down and go out on a date with Damon. Also, Lem's cousin, Franco, who had recently gotten out of jail, loans Lem money and tries to convince him to start hustling again.

    Director:Eriq La Salle
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Soul Food Season 2 Episode 5 - Sex and Money
    8.8/10(14 votes)

    #2 - Sex and Money

    S2:E5

    Damon loses Teri's trust when he tells her that he has slept with Christine and that he has a new job offer. Despite his injured back, Kenny is desperate to resume a normal sex life. Lem blows up when Bird comes home with a new car. Ahmad resorts to selling "bootleg" copies of pornographic videos to raise money for a coveted concert ticket.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Soul Food Season 4 Episode 2 - Life 101
    8.8/10(13 votes)

    #3 - Life 101

    S4:E2

    Bird is surprised to learn that she's pregnant. Meanwhile, Teri has a problem with living up to her reputation as "Superchick". Also, Ahmad rekindles his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Keisha.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 2 - The More Things Stay the Same
    8.7/10(15 votes)

    #4 - The More Things Stay the Same

    S1:E2

    The girls take their father's business partner, Hardy Lester, to court. Lem takes dangerous measures to address his money problems and Teri blows it with Damon.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Soul Food Season 5 Episode 13 - Fear Eats the Soul (1)
    8.7/10(11 votes)

    #5 - Fear Eats the Soul (1)

    S5:E13

    Musical guest: Common Damon returns to Chicago to face Teri; Alliance makes Kenny an offer he can't refuse; Lem collapses and is hospitalized.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 6 - Claiming
    8.6/10(13 votes)

    #6 - Claiming

    S1:E6

    Lem helps Kenny face some aggressive competition for his tow truck business and Teri meets Damon's family. Meanwhile, Maxine makes a new friend.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Soul Food

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  7. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 16 - This Crazy Life
    8.6/10(13 votes)

    #7 - This Crazy Life

    S1:E16

    A quarreling couple at the salon leads to Bird and Lem being held hostage. Meanwhile, Ahmad runs away from home and shows up at Damon's house.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 19 - A Clear and Present Stranger
    8.6/10(13 votes)

    #8 - A Clear and Present Stranger

    S1:E19

    Kenny's father announces that he's moving which also brings forth unresolved tension between the two. Lem's ex-con friend, Darnell, asks if Lem would give him a job working at the store. But Lem isn't too sure that he can trust Darnell. Damon tells Teri that she should resume her childhood dream of playing the piano, but she becomes so obsessed that her family can't seem to tell her that she's awful.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 20 - Take Me to the Water
    8.6/10(14 votes)

    #9 - Take Me to the Water

    S1:E20

    Ahmad takes baptism class and Teri tries to reconnect with her religion just as most of the family is involved in a catastrophic car crash.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 18 - Everything Is Unfolding Perfectly
    8.5/10(16 votes)

    #10 - Everything Is Unfolding Perfectly

    S1:E18

    One of Ahmad's friends, Keisha, is suddenly hit by a speeding car. After being notified that Keisha is in good condition, Maxine decides to protest in order to receive speed bumps for the streets in her community. Lem accidentally finds Bird's "self-pleasure" catalog. Against his will, Ahmad pays Keisha a visit. Teri sees a psychiatrist about her career problems.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Soul Food Season 4 Episode 1 - All Together Alone
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #11 - All Together Alone

    S4:E1

    Damon is arrested on drunken driving charges, and Teri tries to convince him to get help. Meanwhile, Lem discovers that Bird's former high school teacher, Michael King, is stalking Bird. Also, Ahmad catches his parents at an embarrassing time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 13 - Ordinary Pain
    8.4/10(25 votes)

    #12 - Ordinary Pain

    S1:E13

    The Joseph sisters are shocked to discover that they have a half sister that they didn't know about. Meanwhile, Ahmad prepares for the P.S.A.T.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Soul Food Season 5 Episode 9 - Successful Failure
    8.3/10(13 votes)

    #13 - Successful Failure

    S5:E9

    The sisters have an explosive argument on Mama Joe's birthday; as Bird and Lem drift further apart, they each find refuge in other partners.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 3 - Heart of the Matter
    8.2/10(14 votes)

    #14 - Heart of the Matter

    S1:E3

    Teri struggles with her feelings about Damon and Miles, the girls meet Hardy Lester to avoid a trial and Lem's cousin, Jack, saves him from jail.

    Director:Kevin Hooks
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 7 - Truth Be Told
    8.2/10(11 votes)

    #15 - Truth Be Told

    S1:E7

    The family finds out that Hardy Lewis has cancer and the news impacts everyone differently. Also, Teri and Damon are mugged by Teri's old classmate.

    Director:Kevin Hooks
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Soul Food Season 2 Episode 1 - The Aftermath
    8.2/10(14 votes)

    #16 - The Aftermath

    S2:E1

    Musical guest: Shirley Caesar After a devastating car accident, Kenny and Bird are hospitalized while Maxine is left with a broken arm. Teri decides to take a leave of absence from the law firm to care for her siblings' three children. One of Kenny's friends who has been looking after his towing business suddenly quits and Maxine decides to take over until Kenny recovers. Brian, Teri's colleague, informs her that the partners want to know when she'll be returning to work. So she quickly decides to return to work only to resign after the partners refuse to make her partner. Damon still blames himself for the accident and Lem brings forth his anger towards him for nearly killing the family. Bird has a mild bladder problem. Meanwhile, Ahmad believes that he has a "baptism curse" and will not allow himself to get baptized unless he receives a sign.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Soul Food Season 2 Episode 2 - Welcome Home
    8.2/10(11 votes)

    #17 - Welcome Home

    S2:E2

    Musical guest: Kina Kenny finally comes home from the hospital, but a little grumpy and frustrated. When Teri pitches in to look after the kids and Kenny, Kenny tells her that he doesn't need a babysitter. Maxine, covering for Kenny, believes that Lila, Kenny's assistant, has everything under control. When Teri offers to hire a nanny to watch the kids, she and Maxine have a falling out. Bird's bladder returns to normal, but she feels rejected by Lem. Ahmad shares his first kiss with his girlfriend Keisha and with his friend Callie. Damon continues to blame himself for the accident which jeopardizes his relationship with Teri.

    Director:Ken Girotti
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Soul Food Season 3 Episode 7 - Child Safety
    8.2/10(10 votes)

    #18 - Child Safety

    S3:E7

    Ahmad witnesses a drug-related shooting, and the family fears for his life. Lem turns to Baron Marks to help protect Ahmad. Damon's client, Kevin, meets a woman like no other.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Soul Food Season 5 Episode 14 - Don't Think This Hasn't Been Fabulous (2)
    8.2/10(15 votes)

    #19 - Don't Think This Hasn't Been Fabulous (2)

    S5:E14

    In the series finale, Damon makes one final effort to win the love of Teri, who makes a surprising career choice by accepting a job in Atlanta. After his store has been vandalized, a recovering Lem finds some respect and reconciles with Bird; Maxine enjoys a windfall while at a casino with Kenny.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 9 - Anything You Can Do (a.k.a. Show Me the Money)
    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Anything You Can Do (a.k.a. Show Me the Money)

    S1:E9

    Damon stops by Teri's to hand her some flowers to show her his sympathy, but Teri wants to end their relationship so that they can just be "friends". Ahmad befriends Callie, a classmate from Lakeside Prep, but he soon believes that she only likes him because he's black. Maxine and Lem decide to pool their money to invest in a corporation, but are saddened when they lose everything they've earned. Meanwhile, Bird wants to learn more of what Lem does while she's not around.

    Director:Ken Girotti
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 12 - The Language of Life
    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #21 - The Language of Life

    S1:E12

    Musical guest: Kelly Price Teri asks Damon to be a translator for one of her meetings. He agrees and is offered a job being an International translator. But he backs out on the opportunity due to Teri only wanting him to take the job because he looks good in a suit. Bird learns that Lem hasn't been working at the docks as he made everyone believe. Hurt by the fact that Lem lied to her, she asks Lem to leave. He reluctantly leaves. After realizing that he wants to be with his wife and son, he returns to Bird. Still feeling the need to be alone, Bird demands that Lem leave and never return.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Soul Food Season 1 Episode 14 - Nice Work If You Can Get It
    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #22 - Nice Work If You Can Get It

    S1:E14

    Damon's younger brother, Anthony, visits. Hardy Lester has a confrontation with some unruly customers at the store which leads him immediately to the hospital. A handsome businessman named Drew shows an interest in Bird. Hardy asks Lem to take over his half of the store until he recovers from the hospital. Damon and Anthony's father visits and reveals that Anthony was kicked out of law school.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Soul Food Season 2 Episode 4 - God Bless the Child
    8.0/10(12 votes)

    #23 - God Bless the Child

    S2:E4

    Lem's mother, Lynette, attempts to re insert herself into her son's life. Teri tries group therapy. Tension begins to rise between Kenny and Maxine causing Ahmad to confront Kenny about his abusive treatment of Maxine. Also, Ahmad tries to apologize to Keisha.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Soul Food Season 2 Episode 17 - Help
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #24 - Help

    S2:E17

    A sensual body massage results in an embarrassing rash for Bird and Lem. Kenny pitches for a bank loan in anticipation of a pending City Contract that could put the company on the map. Teri suffers a severe panic attack following a dispute with Ray Moore over the firing of a long time company employee. Damon's efforts to help Teri don't sit well with Christine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Soul Food Season 3 Episode 1 - Tonight at Noon
    8.0/10(19 votes)

    #25 - Tonight at Noon

    S3:E1

    Musical guest: Ludacris Teri returns to her old law firm after being offered a position as managing partner by Katherine Burke, the head of a big New York City law firm. Damon is haunted by the ghost of Christine. Meanwhile, Maxine and Kenny, who are struggling with their separation, receive a Best Teamwork Award from Ahmad's school. Also, Lem and Bird try to reunite Maxine and Kenny.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The More Things Change" is the best rated episode of "Soul Food". It scored 8.8/10 based on 31 votes. Directed by Eriq La Salle and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/28/2000. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Sex and Money".