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The Best Episodes of Transparent

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

Binge this in 20h 38m•Peaking at 8.5/10

An LA family with serious boundary issues have their past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone's secrets to spill out.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Transparent Season 2 Episode 10 - Grey Green Brown & Copper
    8.5/10(448 votes)

    #1 - Grey Green Brown & Copper

    S2:E10

    Maura reconciles with her lineage, both past and present; Ali talks to Leslie about her academic future; Josh looks to Buzz as a father figure; Sarah tries to tie up loose ends.

    Director:Andrea Arnold
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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  2. Transparent Season 3 Episode 8 - If I Were a Bell
    8.2/10(372 votes)

    #2 - If I Were a Bell

    S3:E8

    Boyle Heights, 1958. 12 year old Maura's femininity causes a clash between her mother Rose and her grandparents, Haim and Yetta. Across town, 12 year old Shelly quits the school play and stops eating but won't tell anyone why. Flash forward to 1966, where 21 year olds Mort and Shelly carry on a secret affair.

    Director:Andrea Arnold
    Writer:Yona Speidel

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  3. Transparent Season 3 Episode 10 - Exciting and New
    8.2/10(344 votes)

    #3 - Exciting and New

    S3:E10

    The Pfeffermans escape their problems on land by taking a cruise together. Though the clan spends most of the cruise apart - venturing on their own journeys of self discovery - they ultimately find themselves coming together at the Seder that almost wasn't.

    Director:Marta Cunningham
    Writers:Faith Soloway, Joey Soloway

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  4. Transparent Season 1 Episode 2 - The Letting Go
    8.1/10(620 votes)

    #4 - The Letting Go

    S1:E2

    Maura embraces her new journey, but nothing about life as a woman is easy -- making friends, finding a new community, and above all, coming out to her children. Sarah introduces her husband (Rob Huebel) to her ex-girlfriend Tammy (Melora Hardin). Josh pays a visit to his ex-babysitter Rita, as Ali gets closer to her trainer.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  5. Transparent Season 3 Episode 1 - Elizah
    8.0/10(348 votes)

    #5 - Elizah

    S3:E1

    While working at an LGBT suicide hotline, Maura receives a distressing call from a young trans woman, Elizah. Afraid that Elizah will hurt herself, Maura goes on an odyssey through South Central LA to find the troubled teen and lands herself in the hospital.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Ethan Kuperberg

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  6. Transparent Season 3 Episode 4 - Just the Facts
    8.0/10(285 votes)

    #6 - Just the Facts

    S3:E4

    Maura gets an exciting peek at the future with a visit to the plastic surgeon's office but fails to muster the same enthusiasm from Vicki on a fun night out. Josh visits an unusually upbeat Rita while Ali and Leslie struggle with intimacy. Sarah finds distraction from her personal troubles by spearheading an unorthodox approach to Judaism.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Transparent

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  7. Transparent Season 3 Episode 9 - Off the Grid
    8.0/10(278 votes)

    #7 - Off the Grid

    S3:E9

    After reconnecting with Colton, Josh decides to move to Overland Park, until a concerned Ali travels to him, intending to bring him home. Feeling abandoned, Sarah has trouble controlling her rage. Shelly confronts Buzzy about his spending, leading to some unforeseen revelations. Newly single Maura has an exciting, surprising night out.

    Director:So Yong Kim
    Writers:Bridget Bedard, Stephanie Kornick

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  8. Transparent Season 4 Episode 5 - Born Again
    8.0/10(212 votes)

    #8 - Born Again

    S4:E5

    Maura revisits the night that Ali was born. Davina recalls memories of her youth and comes to terms with her troubled relationship with Sal. Davina and Maura each make a deal with God.

    Director:Marta Cunningham
    Writer:Stephanie Kornick

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  9. Transparent Season 4 Episode 8 - Desert Eagle
    8.0/10(218 votes)

    #9 - Desert Eagle

    S4:E8

    Maura yearns to forge a new relationship but finds the connection strained. Ali is drawn to rejoin her family. Out in the vast desert Josh tries his hand at shooting a gun, leaving Shelly rattled.

    Director:Andrea Arnold
    Writer:Ethan Kuperberg

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  10. Transparent Season 1 Episode 10 - Why Do We Cover the Mirrors?
    7.8/10(519 votes)

    #10 - Why Do We Cover the Mirrors?

    S1:E10

    A funeral brings all the Pfeffermans together and reunites them with their past - Shelley and Maura with old friends, Sarah with her ex, and Josh with his teenage babysitter - who brings a 17-year-old boy. Just when they thought there were no more secrets, the family busts out a few more.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  11. Transparent Season 2 Episode 2 - Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump
    7.8/10(396 votes)

    #11 - Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump

    S2:E2

    Josh has a pool party for his new band, but he and his siblings are caught off-guard when Maura and Shelly arrive together; Ali reconnects with an old friend; Sarah finds her past catching up with her.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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  12. Transparent Season 2 Episode 8 - Oscillate
    7.8/10(343 votes)

    #12 - Oscillate

    S2:E8

    Maura learns more about the trans experience; Josh heads down a reckless path; Ali and Sarah take Maura to the Idyllwild Wimmin's Music Festival.

    Director:Andrea Arnold
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  13. Transparent Season 3 Episode 5 - Oh Holy Night
    7.8/10(297 votes)

    #13 - Oh Holy Night

    S3:E5

    The Pfefferman family gathers at Hineni to support Sarah's alternative spiritual endeavor. After the news of a close friend's untimely passing, a distressed Josh leans on Raquel for support. Ali ends the night by witnessing the pitfalls of Leslie's prejudices.

    Director:Stacie Passon
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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  14. Transparent Season 3 Episode 6 - The Open Road
    7.8/10(300 votes)

    #14 - The Open Road

    S3:E6

    Josh hits the road with an unlikely copilot, stirring up some undeniable chemistry along the way. Back at home, Shelly becomes wary of Buzzy's outlandish spending while Ali sees God during a nitrous induced trip at the dentist's office.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  15. Transparent Season 4 Episode 2 - Groin Anomaly
    7.8/10(230 votes)

    #15 - Groin Anomaly

    S4:E2

    Ali is blindsided when Leslie goes public with the details of their relationship. Sarah is ignited by a new connection with her daughter's former teacher, Lila. Josh unexpectedly encounters an ex. Shelly takes up improv. Ali joins Maura on her trip to Israel and their journey gets off to a bumpy start.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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  16. Transparent Season 1 Episode 4 - Moppa
    7.7/10(525 votes)

    #16 - Moppa

    S1:E4

    Maura finally comes out to Ali, and they join Sarah on a field trip to the mall - where they all get rude lessons in womanhood. Josh is forced to confront his past thanks to questions from Syd (Carrie Brownstein) about his longtime relationship with Rita.

    Director:Nisha Ganatra
    Writers:Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

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  17. Transparent Season 1 Episode 5 - Wedge
    7.7/10(504 votes)

    #17 - Wedge

    S1:E5

    When Shelly's husband Ed goes missing, Sarah, Josh and Ali set out to find him, and instead find themselves lost in their past. Ali can no longer keep Maura's secret from Josh, which sends him into a tailspin. When Maura runs into a Pfefferman family friend she takes a stand for her new identity.

    Director:Nisha Ganatra
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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  18. Transparent Season 1 Episode 3 - Rollin
    7.6/10(541 votes)

    #18 - Rollin

    S1:E3

    Maura moves out of the family house and into a lively new apartment complex, just as Sarah needs a new home after dismantling her perfect life. Josh has to reconsider his sudden vision of starting a family, while Ali finds some new boundaries to cross.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  19. Transparent Season 2 Episode 6 - Bulnerable
    7.6/10(334 votes)

    #19 - Bulnerable

    S2:E6

    Ali finds herself a little too close to Leslie when she seeks Leslie's advice on her UCLA application; Josh confronts Shelly about the past; Sarah uses a hard-won date night to explore some of her sexual fantasies.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  20. Transparent Season 4 Episode 3 - Pinkwashing Machine
    7.6/10(224 votes)

    #20 - Pinkwashing Machine

    S4:E3

    Sarah tests a new parenting style and is shocked to discover that it works. Josh reconnects with Dr. Steve as tensions rise at home with Shelly. Drawn in by an intriguing new friend, Ali travels to Palestine. Maura makes a life-changing discovery about her family history.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Yona Speidel

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  21. Transparent Season 4 Episode 4 - Cool Guy
    7.6/10(222 votes)

    #21 - Cool Guy

    S4:E4

    Maura and Ali uncover new truths about their family. Shelly gets bold in her improv class. Sparks fly between Sarah, Lila, and Len and they set off to hatch a plan. Josh is haunted by the past.

    Director:Sarah Gavron
    Writer:Gabe Liedman

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  22. Transparent Season 4 Episode 6 - I Never Promised You a Promised Land
    7.6/10(209 votes)

    #22 - I Never Promised You a Promised Land

    S4:E6

    The family convenes for an unusual vacation and encounters a tribe of long-lost Pfeffermans. Ali pulls away from the rest of the family as her political convictions drive her to challenge the binary.

    Director:Jim Frohna
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  23. Transparent Season 4 Episode 7 - Babar the Borrible
    7.6/10(201 votes)

    #23 - Babar the Borrible

    S4:E7

    Sarah and Len divert a family outing to visit Lila's mom, leading to a blowup between the siblings. Ali breaks off from the group to visit her friend Lyfe in Ramallah while the other Pfeffermans engage in some questionably authentic tourism of desert life.

    Director:Gaby Hoffmann
    Writer:Ali Liebegott

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  24. Transparent Season 4 Episode 9 - They Is on the Way
    7.6/10(198 votes)

    #24 - They Is on the Way

    S4:E9

    Back in Los Angeles, Davina's stay at the Pfeffermanhouse is rudely interrupted. The Pfeffermans float in the Dead Sea and Ali rushes to meet them but is waylaid at an Israeli checkpoint.

    Director:Joey Soloway
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  25. Transparent Season 4 Episode 10 - House Call
    7.6/10(206 votes)

    #25 - House Call

    S4:E10

    Feeling compelled to learn more about herself in Israel, Ali stays back as the rest of the family returns to Los Angeles. Sarah, Len, and Lila reevaluate their complicated relationship. Josh confronts his sex and love issues head on. Maura and Davis reclaim the Pfefferman house from an unwanted guest.

    Director:Rhys Ernst
    Writer:Ethan Kuperberg

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Best Episodes Summary

"Grey Green Brown & Copper" is the best rated episode of "Transparent". It scored 8.5/10 based on 448 votes. Directed by Andrea Arnold and written by Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, it aired on 12/11/2015. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "If I Were a Bell".