The Best Episodes of Cruel Summer Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.7/10(869 votes)

   #1 - Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner

   S1:E14/20/2021

   Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America.

   Director:Max Winkler

   Writer:Bert V. Royal

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   Director:Max Winkler

   Writer:Bert V. Royal
2. 

   7.8/10(738 votes)

   #2 - A Smashing Good Time

   S1:E24/20/2021

   It’s time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened to Kate, keeping their secrets buried and maintaining appearances.

   Director:Bill Purple

   Writer:Bert V. Royal

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   Director:Bill Purple

   Writer:Bert V. Royal
3. 

   7.2/10(661 votes)

   #3 - Off with a Bang

   S1:E34/27/2021

   Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.

   Director:Kellie Cyrus

   Writer:Bert V. Royal

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   Director:Kellie Cyrus

   Writer:Bert V. Royal
4. 

   7.4/10(607 votes)

   #4 - You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat

   S1:E45/4/2021

   Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.

   Director:Laura Nisbet Peters

   Writer:Imogen Binnie

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   Director:Laura Nisbet Peters

   Writer:Imogen Binnie
5. 

   7.3/10(565 votes)

   #5 - As the Carny Gods Intended

   S1:E55/11/2021

   Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to lose herself.

   Director:Daniel Willis

   Writer:Tia Napolitano

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   Director:Daniel Willis

   Writer:Tia Napolitano
6. 

   7.4/10(550 votes)

   #6 - An Ocean in Me

   S1:E65/18/2021

   A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.

   Director:Kellie Cyrus

   Writer:Brian Otaño

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   Director:Kellie Cyrus

   Writer:Brian Otaño
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7. 

   7.6/10(546 votes)

   #7 - Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis

   S1:E75/25/2021

   Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has a birthday surprise.

   Director:Alexis Ostrander

   Writer:Savannah Ward

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   Director:Alexis Ostrander

   Writer:Savannah Ward
8. 

   7.3/10(534 votes)

   #8 - Proof

   S1:E86/1/2021

   On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.

   Director:Daniel Willis

   Writer:Addison McQuigg

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   Director:Daniel Willis

   Writer:Addison McQuigg
9. 

   8.5/10(663 votes)

   #9 - A Secret of My Own

   S1:E96/8/2021

   Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.

   Director:Alexis Ostrander

   Writer:Matt Antonelli

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   Director:Alexis Ostrander

   Writer:Matt Antonelli
10. 

    8.4/10(785 votes)

    #10 - Hostile Witness

    S1:E106/15/2021

    Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the answer comes with a price that not everyone can pay.

    Director:Bill Purple

    Writer:Bert V. Royal

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    Director:Bill Purple

    Writer:Bert V. Royal