The Best Episodes Written By Ilene Chaiken

Every TV Episode Written by Ilene Chaiken Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Pilot Part 2
    9.4/10(5 votes)

    #1 - Pilot Part 2

    S1:E2

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. undefined Season 3 Episode 15 - Civil Hands Unclean
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Civil Hands Unclean

    S3:E15

    Angelo's relationship with Cookie turns toxic and leaves her questioning her decisions. Hakeem makes a public plea for Lucious to give him paternity of Bella during his return to Empire Xstream. Meanwhile, Cookie becomes increasingly more suspicious of Lucious' intentions with Giuliana and Empire's future in Vegas, and Lucious and Jamal work overtime to finish their albums.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. undefined Season 1 Episode 8 - Lapse in Judgement
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #3 - Lapse in Judgement

    S1:E8

    Tensions run high on election night as Bette and Dani await the results, Shane and Quiara go through their most difficult challenge yet, and Alice takes a big swing on her show. Meanwhile, Sophie and Dani consider another big step in their relationship, Finley is forced to stop running from her past and confront her feelings, and Micah is dealt an unexpected bombshell about José. Season finale

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. undefined Season 2 Episode 14 - ...Wheatley Is to Stabler
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #4 - ...Wheatley Is to Stabler

    S2:E14

    As a rolling blackout cripples the city, Stabler and Bell work to stay a step ahead of Wheatley. Jet and Malachi receive unlikely help. Bernadette gets caught up in Stabler’s mess.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 7 - Lose It All
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #5 - Lose It All

    S1:E7

    Bette is conflicted about old feelings, Shane is tested by her relationship with Quiara, and Alice gets blindsided at home and work. Meanwhile, with Dani busy with the election, Sophie feels relieved to have Finley around. Micah introduces José to his mother.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Labels
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #6 - Labels

    S1:E5

    Bette feels guilty about lying to Angie; some unexpected news throws Shane for a major loop. Alice, Gigi and Nat find common ground. Dani and Sophie deal with a bombshell dropped on them by Dani's father. Finley bonds with Tess and Micah grows closer to José.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  7. undefined Season 1 Episode 11 - Die But Once
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #7 - Die But Once

    S1:E11

    Jamal and Lucious are on their way to forming a music-centered relationship, but once again, Lucious has a secret that's about to change everything.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Not Your Father's Organized Crime
    8.2/10(8 votes)

    #8 - Not Your Father's Organized Crime

    S1:E2

    Bell and Stabler welcome two new faces to the task force, and they investigate two seemingly unrelated crimes in hopes they'll be connected back to their case.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Let's Do It Again
    8.2/10(9 votes)

    #9 - Let's Do It Again

    S1:E1

    Ten years after we last left them, we find Bette running for mayor of Los Angeles; Shane as she returns to the city after a setback; and Alice learning to balance co-parenting with her fiancée Nat and Nat’s ex-wife Gigi and the rising success of her talk show. We meet PR exec Dani Núñez, her girlfriend and TV producer Sophie Suarez, their best friend and roommate Micah Lee, and the charming former Olympic swimmer-turned-assistant, (Sarah) Finley.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - LA Times
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #10 - LA Times

    S1:E4

    Dani is forced to get involved in Bette’s personal life, Shane grapples with a big decision, Alice is profiled by a newspaper, Sophie worries that Dani is pulling back, Finley struggles with her growing feelings for Rebecca, and Micah still doesn't know where things stand with José.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. undefined Season 1 Episode 10 - Luck, Next Time
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Luck, Next Time

    S1:E10

    Shane gets the opportunity to style a high-profile client's hair, Bette and Tina receive some devastating news, Jenny goes to dinner with Marina and Francesca, and Alice decides that her relationship with Lisa is too complex.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. undefined Season 2 Episode 18 - Past Is Prologue
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #12 - Past Is Prologue

    S2:E18

    After a life-changing experience, Jamal refuses to make music until his family ends its seemingly endless cycle of violence and fighting. Meanwhile, the Feds are tailing Anika because they want to force her to testify against Lucious. In order to protect her family, Cookie organizes a meeting at Hakeem and Laura's wedding with various people from her and Lucious' past.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - Loose Ends
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Loose Ends

    S1:E6

    Bette and Dani reckon with the fallout of a recent scandal. Shane spends the day with Angie. Alice, Gigi, and Nat have conflicting ideas about their family life. Sophie and Finley spend a raucous night out in an effort to get their mind off of things.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - What Happens in Puglia (II)
    7.9/10(10 votes)

    #14 - What Happens in Puglia (II)

    S1:E1

    Elliot Stabler returns to the NYPD to take on the city's most powerful organized crime syndicates and rebuild his life in the wake of a devastating personal loss. The crossover starts on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit S22E09 Return of the Prodigal Son (I).

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Lost Love
    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #15 - Lost Love

    S1:E3

    Bette prepares for an important mayoral debate. Alice lands a huge guest and encourages Nat to branch out. Shane visits a bar and gets embroiled in the lives of two of its employees. Dani and Sophie's families clash, Micah is unsure of where he stands with his crush, and a budding relationship forces Finley to confront some complicated aspects of her past.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot Part 1
    7.8/10(44 votes)

    #16 - Pilot Part 1

    S1:E1

    Bette Porter and Tina Kennard have been a couple for seven years, and they want to start a family. Their next-door neighbor, Tim Haspel, is excited that his girlfriend, a talented young writer named Jenny Schecter, is moving in with him. But soon mixing with Bette and Tina's circle of lesbian friends, Jenny learns that her midwest university education may not have prepared her for what she will learn about life, lust, and love in Los Angeles.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - The Outspoken King
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #17 - The Outspoken King

    S1:E2

    Lucious has to defend Empire's IPO launch after one of his artists is involved in a shooting; Cookie hears about Lucious' plans for a huge performance for Hakeem, but not Jamal; Bunkie's murder is investigated.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. undefined Season 3 Episode 18 - Toil and Trouble (2)
    7.8/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Toil and Trouble (2)

    S3:E18

    As Lucious gets ready to launch Empire Las Vegas with Giuliana at his side, Cookie pulls together her own team of allies to wreak havoc on the opening.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. undefined Season 3 Episode 12 - Left Hand of the Goddess
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Left Hand of the Goddess

    S3:E12

    Wedding plans occupy the girls, and Shane is reunited with her family. Helena pitches in to have Carmen's family flown to Canada, Jenny and Max drift apart, and Kit has stunning news. Peggy Peabody reconnects with her daughter -- but does it last? Finally, Tina has second thoughts about Angelica's custody arrangements, leading Bette to take desperate measures to be with her daughter.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - The Devil Quotes Scripture
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #20 - The Devil Quotes Scripture

    S1:E3

    The Lyons head to Philadelphia and get a taste of what their life could have been if Lucious hadn't made it big. Lucious promotes Hakeem's new relationship with hip-hop star Tianna, but tensions rise when another woman tries to catch Hakeem's eye.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. undefined Season 1 Episode 14 - Limb from Limb
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Limb from Limb

    S1:E14

    As the "Provocations" opening approaches, Bette struggles with a temptation. After some sad news, Dana turns to Tonya, leaving Alice unhappy. Shane tries to let Clea down gently but it backfires in her face.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. undefined Season 1 Episode 13 - Locked Up
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #22 - Locked Up

    S1:E13

    After a riot at the gallery, the entire gang ends up in jail. Shane rejects Clea's affections, Jenny goes on a date, and Marina makes a move on Robin as she prepares for Drag King night at The Planet.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - Life, Loss, Leaving
    7.3/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Life, Loss, Leaving

    S2:E1

    As Bette desperately begs for Tina's forgiveness, Tina herself is hiding a shocking secret from Bette and all her friends. Alice and Dana continue to hide their romantic trysts from the others, and Jenny finds herself saying goodbye to Tim as he prepares to leave.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. undefined Season 3 Episode 11 - Last Dance
    7.2/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Last Dance

    S3:E11

    After Dana's family treats the girls coldly, Alice is determined to arrange a special event to commemorate their friend. While Helena's lawsuit is resolved with a surprising outcome, Bette is willing to fight for Angelica's custody. Max lands a job, giving Jenny something to write about. Dealing with her grief, Shane is willing to make the ultimate commitment to Carmen. Finally, Lara arrives from Paris and is comforted by Alice.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. undefined Season 1 Episode 12 - Looking Back
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Looking Back

    S1:E12

    Tina, Jenny, Shane, Alice and Dana all share an eventful trip to Palm Springs. While on the road, they all share their "first love" stories. Back in Los Angeles, Bette hires Candace, an attractive carpenter, to handle the set-up of the "Provocations" exhibit opening at the gallery.

    Director:N/A

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Ilene Chaiken Ratings Summary

"Pilot Part 2" is the best rated episode written by Ilene Chaiken. It scored 9.4/10 based on 5 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 1/18/2004 and is rated 0.4 points higher than their second-best episode, "Civil Hands Unclean".