The Best Episodes Written By Ilene Chaiken

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.4/10(5 votes)

   #1 - Pilot Part 2

   S1:E21/18/2004

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
2. 

   9.0/10(4 votes)

   #2 - Civil Hands Unclean

   S3:E155/3/2017

   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

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
3. 

   9.0/10(3 votes)

   #3 - Lapse in Judgement

   S1:E81/26/2020

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
4. 

   8.7/10(3 votes)

   #4 - ...Wheatley Is to Stabler

   S2:E143/3/2022

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
5. 

   8.7/10(3 votes)

   #5 - Lose It All

   S1:E71/19/2020

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
6. 

   8.5/10(4 votes)

   #6 - Labels

   S1:E51/5/2020

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
7. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #7 - Die But Once

   S1:E113/18/2015

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
8. 

   8.2/10(8 votes)

   #8 - Not Your Father's Organized Crime

   S1:E24/8/2021

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
9. 

   8.2/10(9 votes)

   #9 - Let's Do It Again

   S1:E112/8/2019

   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:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ilene Chaiken
10. 

    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #10 - LA Times

    S1:E412/29/2019

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
11. 

    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Luck, Next Time

    S1:E103/14/2004

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
12. 

    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #12 - Past Is Prologue

    S2:E185/18/2016

    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

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
13. 

    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Loose Ends

    S1:E61/12/2020

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
14. 

    7.9/10(10 votes)

    #14 - What Happens in Puglia (II)

    S1:E14/1/2021

    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

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
15. 

    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #15 - Lost Love

    S1:E312/22/2019

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
16. 

    7.8/10(44 votes)

    #16 - Pilot Part 1

    S1:E11/18/2004

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
17. 

    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #17 - The Outspoken King

    S1:E21/14/2015

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
18. 

    7.8/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Toil and Trouble (2)

    S3:E185/24/2017

    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

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
19. 

    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Left Hand of the Goddess

    S3:E123/26/2006

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
20. 

    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #20 - The Devil Quotes Scripture

    S1:E31/21/2015

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
21. 

    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Limb from Limb

    S1:E144/11/2004

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
22. 

    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #22 - Locked Up

    S1:E134/4/2004

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
23. 

    7.3/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Life, Loss, Leaving

    S2:E12/20/2005

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
24. 

    7.2/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Last Dance

    S3:E113/19/2006

    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

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken
25. 

    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Looking Back

    S1:E123/28/2004

    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:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Ilene Chaiken