The Best Episodes Written By Michael Tolkin

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.2/10(8 votes)

   #1 - Brains and Balls

   S1:E106/16/2022

   “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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
2. 

   8.1/10(11 votes)

   #2 - Fade In

   S1:E34/28/2022

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
3. 

   8.1/10(11 votes)

   #3 - The Right Shade of Yellow

   S1:E45/5/2022

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
4. 

   8.1/10(10 votes)

   #4 - Kiss the Ring

   S1:E55/12/2022

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
5. 

   8.1/10(14 votes)

   #5 - Part 7

   S1:E712/30/2018

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
6. 

   7.8/10(13 votes)

   #6 - Part 5

   S1:E512/16/2018

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
7. 

   7.5/10(17 votes)

   #7 - Snowflake

   S2:E99/7/2014

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
8. 

   7.3/10(12 votes)

   #8 - Part 4

   S1:E412/9/2018

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
9. 

   7.2/10(13 votes)

   #9 - Part 2

   S1:E211/25/2018

   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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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Michael Tolkin
10. 

    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #10 - Part 1

    S1:E111/18/2018

    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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    Director:N/A

    Writer:Michael Tolkin
11. 

    7.2/10(17 votes)

    #11 - Gem and Loan

    S2:E37/27/2014

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

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Michael Tolkin

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    Director:N/A

    Writer:Michael Tolkin
12. 

    7.1/10(14 votes)

    #12 - A Seat at the Table

    S1:E14/28/2022

    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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    Director:N/A

    Writer:Michael Tolkin
13. 

    7.0/10(13 votes)

    #13 - Part 6

    S1:E612/23/2018

    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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    Writer:Michael Tolkin
14. 

    7.0/10(14 votes)

    #14 - Warning Shots

    S1:E24/28/2022

    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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    Writer:Michael Tolkin
15. 

    6.0/10(3 votes)

    #15 - Jerry Was a Man

    S1:E38/18/2007

    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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    Director:N/A

    Writer:Michael Tolkin