The essential episodes of Girls

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Girls — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · April 15, 2012 · 30m

   Pilot6.8

   In the premiere of this comedy about twentysomething women navigating their way through life in New York, Hannah swings and misses at two curves when her parents rescind their financial support and she loses her unpaid internship. Meanwhile, Hannah's roommate, Marnie, throws a dinner party for their nomadic friend Jessa, who's returned from yet another journey.

2. 02

   S01E03 · Season 1 peak · April 29, 2012 · 30m

   All Adventurous Women Do7.7

   Hannah contacts her college boyfriend to find out how she contracted an STD, but learns perhaps even more shocking news from him. Meanwhile, Marnie is smitten with a pretentious artist at a gallery opening; and Jessa lands a babysitting job.

3. 03

   S01E07 · Top rated · May 27, 2012 · 30m

   Welcome to Bushwick a.k.a. The Crackcident7.7

   At a raging party in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Hannah sees a different side of Adam; Jessa lures the sender of an anonymous text message; Marnie finds out what Charlie's been up to for the past two weeks; and Shoshanna gets a hand from Ray when she needs it most.

4. 04

   S01E08 · Top rated · June 3, 2012 · 30m

   Weirdos Need Girlfriends Too7.5

   Marnie and Jessa bond and meet an eligible bachelor who's new in town; Hannah gets to know Adam in ways she could not have imagined.

5. 05

   S01E10 · Top rated · June 17, 2012 · 30m

   She Did7.4

   In the first-season finale, Jessa brings everyone together for a "mystery party," but other surprises are in store when Hannah misjudges Adam's commitment; Marnie tries her free-spirited side on for size; and Shoshanna's quirkiness impresses a suitor.

6. 06

   S02E03 · Top rated · January 27, 2013 · 30m

   Bad Friend7.4

   On a freelance writing assignment to get out of her comfort zone, Hannah befriends the junkie downstairs and parties hard with Elijah, who reveals an explosive secret. Meanwhile, Marnie has a long awaited run-in with artist Booth Jonathan.

7. 07

   S02E04 · Season 2 peak · February 2, 2013 · 30m

   It's a Shame About Ray7.7

   Hannah hosts a grown-up dinner party to celebrate her writing gig, but her friends' behavior doesn't live up to the setting. Marnie and Audrey square off; Shoshanna realizes she has inadvertently entered a new phase with Ray ; Jessa meets Thomas-John's parents.

8. 08

   S02E08 · Top rated · March 3, 2013 · 30m

   It's Back7.4

   Hannah tries to hide mounting anxiety about her book from her visiting parents. Marnie is stunned to learn that Charlie has started a successful app company; at AA, Adam meets a boisterous woman who coaxes him into dating her daughter, Natalia ; and Ray's aversion to college parties gives Shoshanna pause.

9. 09

   S03E07 · Season 3 peak · February 16, 2014 · 30m

   Beach House7.7

   During a Long Island weekend getaway with the girls, Hannah runs into Elijah and invites him and his friends to their beach house, hoping to take the pressure off of Marnie's rigorous schedule for honesty and healing.

10. 10

    S03E09 · Top rated · March 2, 2014 · 30m

    Flo7.5

    While visiting her ailing grandmother in the hospital, Hannah is surprised by a strange request from her mother. Later, Hannah shares an uncomfortable drink with Rebecca, her overachieving med student cousin.

11. 11

    S03E11 · Top rated · March 16, 2014 · 30m

    I Saw You7.5

    Hannah gets a glimpse of some harsh realities when she invites Elijah to join her in her quest to complete an unfinished assignment. Jessa searches for a job. Hannah, Shoshanna and Elijah attend Marnie's open-mic performance.

12. 12

    S04E01 · Season 4 peak · January 11, 2015 · 30m

    Iowa5.7

    After a congratulatory dinner with her parents, Hannah and Adam pack up the last of her boxes and discuss "the plan" for their soon-to-be long-distance relationship. Marnie and Desi perform as part of a jazz brunch for a distracted crowd at a downtown restaurant. Shoshanna signs for her diploma with her parents, who make a bigger deal out of the event than she thinks necessary. Jessa is confronted by Beedie's daughter, Rickie, and later seems nonplussed by Hannah's impending departure.

13. 13

    S05E06 · Season 5 peak · March 27, 2016 · 30m

    The Panic in Central Park6.6

    Needing space after a fight with Desi, Marnie goes for a walk and has an unexpected run-in with someone from her past.

14. 14

    S06E01 · Season 6 peak · February 12, 2017 · 45m

    All I Ever Wanted6.1

    Riding a wave of newfound career success, Hannah gets an assignment to write a story about a female surf camp in the Hamptons, where she meets Paul-Louis, an uncomplicated waterski instructor. Hoping to break her old patterns post-divorce, Marnie tells Ray he needs to spend more time at his own place, but Adam and Jessa's intensity drives him out of the apartment.

15. 15

    S06E10 · Series finale · April 16, 2017 · 30m

    Latching5.7

    Marnie surprises Hannah at her home upstate. Admitting that she doesn't have much going on in her life since her band dissolved, Marnie explains she'd like to help Hannah raise the baby. Hannah accepts the offer.