The Best Episodes Written By Ilene Chaiken

#1 - Pilot Part 2

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/18/2004

Director: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#2 - Lapse in Judgement

Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 1/26/2020

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: Marja-Lewis Ryan

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#3 - ...Wheatley Is to Stabler

Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 3/3/2022

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: Sarah Boyd

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#4 - Let's Do It Again

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 12/8/2019

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: Steph Green

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#5 - Not Your Father's Organized Crime

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/8/2021

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: Ken Girotti

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#6 - Life, Loss, Leaving

Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 2/20/2005

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: Daniel Minahan

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#7 - Luck, Next Time

Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 3/14/2004

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: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#8 - Die But Once

Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 3/18/2015

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: Mario Van Peebles

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#9 - Labels

Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 1/5/2020

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: Erica A. Watson

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#10 - Loose Ends

Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 1/12/2020

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: Logan Kibens

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#11 - Lose It All

Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 1/19/2020

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: Jennifer Arnold

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#12 - Lost Love

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 12/22/2019

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: Sarah Pia Anderson

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#13 - The Outspoken King

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/14/2015

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: Lee Daniels

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#14 - Pilot Part 1

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/18/2004

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: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#15 - LA Times

Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 12/29/2019

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: Steph Green

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#16 - Limb from Limb

Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 4/11/2004

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: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#17 - The Man with No Identity

Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2021

After taking down Wheatley’s drug empire and discovering his wife’s killer, Det. Stabler must infiltrate a notorious crime family aiming to take over New York City’s cocaine trade. Sgt. Bell is forced to work with a rival colleague.

Director: Bethany Rooney

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#18 - Locked Up

Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/4/2004

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: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#19 - The Devil Quotes Scripture

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/21/2015

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: Sanaa Hamri

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#20 - Looking Back

Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 3/28/2004

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: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#21 - Luminous

Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 4/3/2005

Shane tries to dull her pain in the hopes that she can forget about Carmen and Jenny's blossoming relationship. Tina comes between Helena and her ex over the custody of their kids and offers a glimmer of hope to Bette. Dana and Alice call everyone to The Planet to announce their new relationship.

Director: Ernest R. Dickerson

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#22 - Land Ahoy

Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 4/24/2005

A lesbian cruise in the Caribbean proves eventful for Dana, Alice, Shane, Jenny and Carmen. Bette and Kit struggle to reconcile with their estranged father, Melvin, during his visit.

Director: Tricia Brock

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#23 - Labia Majora

Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 1/8/2006

Bette and Tina deal with parenting Angelica while attempting to rekindle their relationship and handle an obnoxious social worker. Alice has a traffic accident, Helena gets into the movie business, Carmen and Shane's relationship gets more serious as Carmen takes her to meet the parents, and Jenny, recovering at her parents', has had enough with the Midwest and ponders moving back to L.A. with her new girlfriend Moira.

Director: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#24 - Left Hand of the Goddess

Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 3/26/2006

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: Ilene Chaiken

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

#25 - Losing It

Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2/22/2004

After arriving home, Tim starts to worry when he learns that Jenny has vanished. Bette travels to New York for an art opening and her relationship with Tina is put to the test. Back in Los Angeles, the sperm donor's girlfriend discovers a lonely Tina and starts to harass her.

Director: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken