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The Best Episodes Written By Michael Tolkin

Every TV Episode Written by Michael Tolkin Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 1 Episode 10 - Brains and Balls
    8.2/10(8 votes)

    S1:E10

    “The Godfather” is released to rave reviews and box office records. Drama unfolds at the 45th Academy Awards.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  2. undefined Season 1 Episode 7 - Part 7
    8.1/10(16 votes)

    S1:E7

    Matt and Sweat run for their lives as the tension between them is pushed to the extreme. Tilly gets out of the hospital and does her best to evade the authorities. But as the law closes in, all three are confronted with hard truths about who they really are. Series finale.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  3. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Kiss the Ring
    8.1/10(11 votes)

    S1:E5

    Ruddy and Bettye combat logistical nightmares with principal photography quickly approaching. As the Mob continues to ingrain itself in the making of the film, tensions rise between Colombo and notorious hot head Crazy Joe Gallo.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  4. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Fade In
    8.1/10(12 votes)

    S1:E3

    Pressure mounts for the scripts’ delivery after Ruddy is forced to sit down with Joe Colombo and Evans finds himself navigating hot waters with Gulf & Western’s CEO Charlie Bluhdorn. Meanwhile, Bluhdorn takes an interest in Bettye.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - The Right Shade of Yellow
    8.0/10(11 votes)

    S1:E4

    With Marlon Brando and Al Pacino in contention for leading roles in “The Godfather,” Ruddy is caught in the line of fire between Evans and Coppola and must pick a side. After gaining Joe Colombo’s support, Ruddy gets an uncomfortable glimpse of his new friend’s loyalty. The rising stakes surrounding “The Godfather” continues to strain Ruddy’s relationship with Francoise.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  6. undefined Season 2 Episode 19 - Shut It Down (1)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    S2:E19

    To settle the cabbies' strike, Elaine agrees to date Louie.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  7. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Part 5
    7.9/10(15 votes)

    S1:E5

    On the day of the escape, Matt and Sweat know the smallest mistake can derail their whole plan. But when a stern corrections officer takes over the post in the tailor shop and fellow inmate Murder gets out of the Special Housing Unit, Matt seems attracted to the danger. Tilly and Lyle have a fateful dinner at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  8. undefined Season 3 Episode 11 - Poker
    7.5/10(18 votes)

    S3:E11

    Mickey pushes his luck by throwing himself a goodbye party.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  9. undefined Season 2 Episode 9 - Snowflake
    7.5/10(21 votes)

    S2:E9

    Bridget finds herself in a difficult position when both Ray and Abby give her conflicting advice. Marvin and Rekon's music rights cause issues for the fixer. Bunchy is left in a compromising position with Patty's son.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - Part 4
    7.4/10(14 votes)

    S1:E4

    Excited by the possibility of a new life, Tilly tries her best to avoid Lyle, who is planning something special for their anniversary. Sweat makes progress on the escape route, but feels like he’s doing all the work. Matt likes the arrangement just fine.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  11. undefined Season 3 Episode 6 - Swing Vote
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    S3:E6

    Ray must ensure Verona's Election Day victory to protect his NFL interests.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  12. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Part 2
    7.3/10(15 votes)

    S1:E2

    Matt has an idea to get out of Dannemora, but Sweat is not interested in taking the risk. Matt begins to help Tilly with an inmate she doesn't get along with in the shop, while Sweat comes to miss the freedoms that come with Matt's protection.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Part 1
    7.3/10(17 votes)

    S1:E1

    After the June, 2015 prison break from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY, Joyce “Tilly” Mitchell is questioned about her involvement with the two men. Months earlier, Tilly enjoys her job at the prison tailor shop, balancing the temptations of David Sweat, a younger inmate, and her obligations to her husband, Lyle. Richard Matt, an inmate with an artistic talent, supplies oil paintings to guards in exchange for special treatment. Ultimately his attentions turn to Tilly.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  14. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - A Seat at the Table
    7.2/10(16 votes)

    S1:E1

    After ditching his job at the Rand Corporation for a shot in Hollywood, Al Ruddy wins the job to produce Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel, “The Godfather” for Paramount Pictures. Joe Colombo, a rising crime boss in the New York City Mafia, has a darker fate in mind for the picture.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  15. undefined Season 2 Episode 3 - Gem and Loan
    7.2/10(21 votes)

    S2:E3

    Ray and Abby face a hurdle to getting Bridget into her dream school.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  16. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Warning Shots
    7.1/10(15 votes)

    S1:E2

    With Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo penning the script, Al Ruddy and Bettye McCartt confront an ever-growing list of opposition to “The Godfather” including Frank Sinatra, LA Gangster Mickey Cohen, and the Colombo led Italian-American Civil Rights League. Meanwhile, Robert Evans and Gulf & Western’s Barry Lapidus lock horns over the creative direction of Paramount Pictures.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  17. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - Part 6
    6.9/10(16 votes)

    S1:E6

    In a deep dive into the minds of these individuals, we finally see what Matt and Sweat are capable of outside the prison walls. Tilly’s natural instincts aren’t much better.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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  18. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Jerry Was a Man
    6.0/10(3 votes)

    S1:E3

    This futuristic episode revolves around the seventh richest couple in the world. Their lives take a turn when they acquire an anthropoid named Jerry.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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Michael Tolkin Ratings Summary

"Brains and Balls" is the best rated episode written by Michael Tolkin. It scored 8.2/10 based on 8 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 6/16/2022 and is rated 0.1 points higher than their second-best episode, "Part 7".