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The Best Episodes of The Fifties

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

Binge this in Unknown•Peaking at 8.8/10

Archival footage and interviews with historians mark this fascinating documentary on the 1950s, based on David Halberstam's bestseller. Among the subjects covered: work and the family; the impact of TV; the Cold War; and the

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Fifties Season 1 Episode 1 - The Fear & The Dream
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #1 - The Fear & The Dream

    S1:E1

    Following the victorious end of World War II, America was looking forward to new prosperity and relief from the shortages and rationing that the war required. New affluence, new low-cost suburban homes, and dreams of the good life resulted in a baby boom. With the advent of the Hydrogen bomb, a growing awareness of the communist threat and the beginning of the cold war, those dreams threatened to morph into nightmares.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Fifties Season 1 Episode 4 - A Burning Desire
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #2 - A Burning Desire

    S1:E4

    During an otherwise repressed time, Americans again question their ideas of "normal" when the Kinsey report is published, Marilyn Monroe debuts as the centerfold in Hugh Heffner's Playboy, and Margaret Sanger and "Goody" Pincus begin to make noise about "The Pill."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Fifties Season 1 Episode 2 - Selling the American Way
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #3 - Selling the American Way

    S1:E2

    Television makes its popular debut. TV is a great selling tool, manufacturing demand for everything from automobiles to zany inventions. Business and governments all begin to learn (and wield) the power of the new media.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Fifties Season 1 Episode 3 - Let's Play House
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #4 - Let's Play House

    S1:E3

    Conforming to the idealized visions of family as depicted on their new televisions, Americans settle into enjoying their American Dreams but discordant voices are beginning to be heard. Grace Metallious's Peyton Place, Sloan Wilson's The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, and the opinions of feminists like Betty Friedan begin to make Americans question the idealized nuclear family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Fifties Season 1 Episode 5 - The Beat
    8.3/10(6 votes)

    #5 - The Beat

    S1:E5

    Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Elvis. Conformity is questioned and homogenized America begins to differentiate. The teenager as a class is born. Popular music is forever changed by the advent of Rock n Roll. Beat poets push our boundaries and America begins to question everything.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Fifties Season 1 Episode 6 - The Rage Within
    8.3/10(8 votes)

    #6 - The Rage Within

    S1:E6

    From Emmet Till to Willie Mays, Americans begin to seriously reconsider how they confront issues of race in America.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Fifties

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  7. The Fifties Season 1 Episode 7 - The Road to the Sixties
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #7 - The Road to the Sixties

    S1:E7

    Fast food and fast cars occupy Americans' thoughts until the Soviets launch Sputnik and the space race begins.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Fear & The Dream" is the best rated episode of "The Fifties". It scored 8.8/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/30/1997. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Burning Desire".