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The Best Episodes of Normal People

Every episode of Normal People ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Normal People!

Binge this in 5h 39m•Peaking at 8.7/10

Marianne and Connell weave in and out of each other's lives in this exploration of sex, power and the desire to love and be loved.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Normal People Season 1 Episode 10 - Episode 10
    8.7/10(2895 votes)

    #1 - Episode 10

    S1:E10

    After a tragic event, Connell struggles with severe depression. Marianne remains a lifeline for him from abroad.

    Director:Hettie Macdonald
    Writer:Alice Birch

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  2. Normal People Season 1 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.6/10(3655 votes)

    #2 - Episode 1

    S1:E1

    In a school in small-town west of Ireland, Connell is a well-liked, good looking and athletic student. Marianne is a proud, intimidating and unpopular loner who actively avoids her classmates and questions her teachers’ authority.

    Director:Lenny Abrahamson
    Writers:Alice Birch, Sally Rooney

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  3. Normal People Season 1 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    8.6/10(2626 votes)

    #3 - Episode 8

    S1:E8

    Connell visits Marianne at her family's summer home in Italy, where tensions between her and Jamie are at an all-time high.

    Director:Hettie Macdonald
    Writer:Alice Birch

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  4. Normal People Season 1 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    8.4/10(3157 votes)

    #4 - Episode 2

    S1:E2

    Connell and Marianne’s relationship continues in secret and they sleep together for the first time. At school, Connell makes excuses for why he didn’t see his friends at the weekend and evades questions on his mother’s job at Marianne’s house. A girl in his friendship group, Rachel, gets impatient with Connell’s lack of interest and tensions build for Connell.

    Director:Lenny Abrahamson
    Writers:Alice Birch, Sally Rooney

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  5. Normal People Season 1 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.4/10(3002 votes)

    #5 - Episode 3

    S1:E3

    The night of the Debs is approaching and the girls at school have organised a fundraising event. Marianne has been asked to help and is out of her comfort zone. At the club, one of Connell’s friends Karen does her best to show Marianne some kindness but Rachel behaves coldly towards her.

    Director:Lenny Abrahamson
    Writers:Alice Birch, Sally Rooney

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  6. Normal People Season 1 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.4/10(2778 votes)

    #6 - Episode 5

    S1:E5

    Connell joins Marianne's social circle but doesn't fit in. He apologises for how he treated her; she reconsiders her relationship with her new boyfriend, Gareth.

    Director:Lenny Abrahamson
    Writers:Alice Birch, Sally Rooney

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Normal People

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  7. Normal People Season 1 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    8.4/10(2546 votes)

    #7 - Episode 7

    S1:E7

    Marianne and Connell are seeing other people and realise (too late) that their break-up was due to a misunderstanding.

    Director:Hettie Macdonald
    Writer:Alice Birch

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  8. Normal People Season 1 Episode 12 - Episode 12
    8.4/10(2921 votes)

    #8 - Episode 12

    S1:E12

    Marianne and Connell are back in Dublin and together as a couple. Life is calm and they are at ease with each other. Then Connell receives news that he has been offered a place to study in New York. Neither of them know how to process the news and so they decide to let it sit.

    Director:Hettie Macdonald
    Writer:Alice Birch

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  9. Normal People Season 1 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.0/10(2796 votes)

    #9 - Episode 4

    S1:E4

    Months later, school has finished and Connell arrives at Trinity College, Dublin. He has found a room in a house-share and meets his new housemate Niall. Despite his efforts, he feels out of place and struggles to articulate himself when surrounded by his eloquent and wealthy peers.

    Director:Lenny Abrahamson
    Writers:Alice Birch, Sally Rooney

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  10. Normal People Season 1 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(2605 votes)

    #10 - Episode 6

    S1:E6

    Connell and Marianne are back together. Connell has gained confidence in college; giving presentations in class and getting good grades but is reluctant to show Marianne affection in front of her friends. Will the two be able to admit that they are together?

    Director:Lenny Abrahamson
    Writers:Alice Birch, Sally Rooney

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  11. Normal People Season 1 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    8.0/10(2524 votes)

    #11 - Episode 9

    S1:E9

    Marianne, studying abroad, pursues an unhealthy relationship.

    Director:Hettie Macdonald
    Writer:Alice Birch

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  12. Normal People Season 1 Episode 11 - Episode 11
    8.0/10(2597 votes)

    #12 - Episode 11

    S1:E11

    Marianne has returned to Carricklea for the summer. She and Connell spend their weekends together, even though he is still living in Dublin. After a night out together, they start to discuss their friendship and inevitably their attraction.

    Director:Hettie Macdonald
    Writer:Mark O'Rowe

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Best Episodes Summary

"Episode 10" is the best rated episode of "Normal People". It scored 8.7/10 based on 2895 votes. Directed by Hettie Macdonald and written by Alice Birch, it aired on 4/26/2020. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 1".