The essential episodes of Great Performances

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

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · January 28, 1971

   Episode 1

2. 02

   S03E01 · Season 3 peak · January 23, 1974

   Episode 19.0

3. 03

   S04E03 · Season 4 peak · March 12, 1975

   Episode 39.0

4. 04

   S05E08 · Season 5 peak · October 13, 1976

   Episode 89.0

5. 05

   S06E04 · Season 6 peak · July 12, 1977

   Abide with Me9.0

6. 06

   S07E03 · Season 7 peak · August 2, 1978

   Episode 310.0

7. 07

   S10E02 · Season 10 peak · June 1, 1981

   Episode 210.0

8. 08

   S12E01 · Season 12 peak · March 7, 1983

   Ellington: The Music Lives On9.0

9. 09

   S14E05 · Season 14 peak · November 25, 1985

   Episode 510.0

10. 10

    S15E02 · Season 15 peak · March 7, 1986

    Episode 28.0

11. 11

    S16E02 · Season 16 peak · January 8, 1987

    Episode 210.0

12. 12

    S17E02 · Season 17 peak · January 8, 1988

    Episode 210.0

13. 13

    S18E04 · Season 18 peak · April 8, 1989

    Episode 410.0

14. 14

    S19E01 · Season 19 peak · January 1, 1990

    Episode 19.0

15. 15

    S20E02 · Season 20 peak · February 1, 1991

    Episode 29.0