The essential episodes of Jersey Shore

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

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · December 3, 2009 · 1h

    A New Family6.0

    Summer at the Jersey Shore kicks off when eight soon-to-be roommates move into their summer share. Romance heats up between Sammy and Mike, but all might be lost when the guys invite three random girls to join them in the hot tub. Meanwhile, Snookie comes on way too strong, and finds herself the outcast. She can only hope that first impressions won't be lasting impressions.

  2. 02

    S02E07 · Season 2 peak · September 9, 2010 · 1h

    Sleeping With the Enemy6.5

    The roommates deal with fallout from the girls' fight; Angelina starts dating Jose, a guy from the club; and Jenni and Snooki don homemade HazMat suits to clean up the Smush Room in preparation for Snooki's hook-up.

  3. 03

    S02E08 · Top rated · September 12, 2010 · 1h

    All in the Family6.5

    Word gets out that Vinny and Angelina hooked up, and Mike threatens to let Angelina's new beau in on the secret. Meanwhile, Vinny's family comes to visit, and later, Pauly and Vinny fall for the same girl

  4. 04

    S02E10 · Top rated · September 30, 2010 · 1h

    Gone, Baby, Gone6.5

    The Situation reunites with his Canadian hottie, providing entertainment for the whole house. And Angelina tells her roommates how she really feels about them, sending Snooki into a frenzy and finally pushing things over the edge.

  5. 05

    S03E01 · Top rated · January 6, 2011 · 1h

    Back to the Shore6.8

    New roommate Deena moves into the house and is confronted with hostile reactions from some of the roommates. The house gets off to an interesting start when Snooki confronts Vinny about him and her best friend Ryder and Deena "accidentally" gets naked in front of Mike. Leftover tension from Miami spills over to Seaside Heights when unresolved issues among the girls explode on the first night.

  6. 06

    S03E02 · Top rated · January 13, 2011 · 1h

    It's Gonna Be an Interesting Summer6.5

    The fight between Sammi and JWoww causes additional tension in the house. Ronnie and Sammi continue to isolate themselves, missing the first family dinner, to the surprise and disappointment of all the roommates. Mike lets Ronnie know about the general feeling at the house. Ronnie decides to hang out and have fun with the rest of the house, leaving Sammi feeling all alone and reminiscent of Miami.

  7. 07

    S03E03 · Top rated · January 17, 2011 · 1h

    Where's the Beach?6.5

    Sammi sets out to make amends with Snooki and Deena. A night in the club turns romantic for Jenni when she runs into a old flame named Roger, who may or may not have a girlfriend. Deena gets kicked out within the first five minutes for being too drunk. Mike meets one of the girls he hooked up with last year named Paula and Pauly's stalker returns and throws a drink at him. The next day Snooki is extremely hung over and has to go to work. After sneaking a couple of drinks she runs off drinking more and more. After a huge crowd appears to watch her creating a scene Snooki is arrested.

  8. 08

    S03E04 · Top rated · January 20, 2011 · 1h

    Free Snooki6.5

    Snooki is released from jail but faces her father's voice on the phone which isn't happy. Jenni continues to meet with Roger and quickly grows feelings for him. Tom continues to call the house and cause problems with Jenni escalating into a heated arguement on the phone and a destroyed relationship. Snooki is lifted from her depressed state after she meets Nick who she hooks up with. Deena meets a Ronnie look-alike only to find out that he has a girlfriend. Later, Jenni has to return to her home because Tom left leaving her dogs to die. She and Snooki leave the Shore and reach home within 9 hours to find her dogs fortunately safe but her most important items including a hardrive stolen.

  9. 09

    S03E05 · Top rated · January 27, 2011

    Drunk Punch Love6.5

    Snooki's friend Ryder stops by for a visit and lucky enough its her birthday. Snooki and Jenni return to Jersey with Jenni's dogs who are welcomed at the house by everyone. Sammi and Ronnie's relationship continues to strain and after a heated argument after the club, Ronnie throws all her stuff around the room and tells her to leave. Ronnie starts to second guess himself. Jenni comforts him and they bury the hatchet from Miami. Mike brings home a girl, but her friend is wandering down the house so Vinny pulls out the Grenade Whistle to warn Mike. Vinnys girl's family comes to pick her up which make Vinny uncomfortable. Jenni gives Ronnie a hug which is caught by Sammi. Sammi loses it and thinks she is all alone in the shore house. As a response to the newfound friendship between Ronnie and Jenni, she punches Ronnie in the face. She quickly plans to leave but with the help of everyone she apoligizes to Ronnie and stays. Jenni and Roger continue to date and also Deena and Dean, but Mike finds out a dirty secret which ends their relationship. Also Snooki and Vinny buy a stripper pole for the house and Sammi and Jenni make up and become friends again.

  10. 10

    S03E10 · Top rated · March 3, 2011 · 1h

    A Cheesy Situation6.6

    Sammi returns to the house; Snooki's feelings for Vinny deepen; Mike believes a hook-up smells like cheese.

  11. 11

    S03E11 · Season 3 peak · March 10, 2011 · 1h

    GTF - Gym, Tan, Find Out Who Sammi Is Texting6.9

    Vinny and Pauly D take a road trip to Staten Island. Roger becomes more than just a rebound for JWOWW. The Situation reveals Sammi's shady ways, causing Ronnie to question his love for her.

  12. 12

    S04E02 · Season 4 peak · August 11, 2011 · 1h

    Like More Than a Friend6.5

    Ron and Sammi try to work on their friendship, but prove that old habits die hard. Also, Mike tries taking his friendship with Snooki to the next level, while Pauly and Deena consider doing the same.

  13. 13

    S05E01 · Season 5 peak · January 5, 2012 · 1h

    Hurricane Situation6.8

    The roommates return from Italy and couldn't be more excited to get back to the Jersey Shore. But a drama storm is brewing as The Situation threatens to destroy Snooki's relationship with Jionni.

  14. 14

    S06E01 · Season 6 peak · October 4, 2012 · 1h

    Once More Unto the Beach6.5

    The cast return to the shore for their last summer in the Seaside Heights house in the premiere of the sixth and final season. Mike opens up about his time in rehab and Snooki faces the challenge of being pregnant in a party house.

  15. 15

    S06E13 · Series finale · December 20, 2012 · 1h

    The Icing on the Cake6.5

    The roommates' final summer in Seaside Heights comes to a close in the series finale.

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