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The Best Episodes of Small Axe

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

Binge this in 6h 46m•Peaking at 8.0/10

An anthology series of five stories looking at the lives of a group of friends and their families in London’s West Indian community from the late 1960s to the early 80s.

Airs on
BBC One
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Small Axe Season 1 Episode 1 - Mangrove
    8.0/10(6174 votes)

    #1 - Mangrove

    S1:E1

    The true story of The Mangrove Nine, who clashed with London police in 1970. The trial that followed was the first judicial acknowledgment of behaviour motivated by racial hatred within the Metropolitan Police.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writers:Alastair Siddons, Steve McQueen

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  2. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 3 - Red, White and Blue
    7.6/10(3529 votes)

    #2 - Red, White and Blue

    S1:E3

    Spotlights the true story of Leroy Logan, who at a young age saw his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the Metropolitan Police and change their racist attitudes from within.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 2 - Lover's Rock
    7.5/10(5607 votes)

    #3 - Lover's Rock

    S1:E2

    A single evening at a house party in 1980s West London sets the scene, developing intertwined relationships against a background of violence, romance and music.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 5 - Education
    7.5/10(2617 votes)

    #4 - Education

    S1:E5

    The coming of age story of 12-year-old Kingsley, who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster's office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he's being sent to a school for those with "special needs." Distracted by working two jobs, his parents are unaware of the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from receiving the education they deserve, until a group of West Indian women take matters into their own hands.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writers:Courttia Newland, Steve McQueen

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  5. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 4 - Alex Wheatle
    6.8/10(2672 votes)

    #5 - Alex Wheatle

    S1:E4

    Alex Wheatle follows the true story of award-winning writer, Alex Wheatle, from a young boy through his early adult years. Having spent his childhood in a mostly white institutional care home with no love or family, he finally finds not only a sense of community for the first time in Brixton, but his identity and ability to grow his passion for music and DJing. When he is thrown in prison during the Brixton Uprising of 1981, he confronts his past and sees a path to healing.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Mangrove" is the best rated episode of "Small Axe". It scored 8/10 based on 6174 votes. Directed by Steve McQueen and written by Alastair Siddons, Steve McQueen, it aired on 11/15/2020. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Red, White and Blue".