The Best Episodes Written By Ilene Chaiken

Director: Rose Troche

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: Fred Berner

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: Allison Anders

Writer: Ilene Chaiken

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

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

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