The essential episodes of My So-Called Life

Watch these 15 in order and you've got My So-Called Life — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · August 25, 1994 · 1h

   Pilot7.6

   Welcome to the world of Angela Chase. At 15, Angela is sick of her goody goody look, and act. So she decides to hang out with the rebel herself Rayanne Graff, and dyes her hair Crimson Glow. Her mother is not pleased with the new Angela, and states that quite a few times, in this pilot. Her father on the other hand doesn't see the deal.

2. 02

   S01E02 · Top rated · September 1, 1994 · 1h

   Dancing in the Dark8.3

   While Angela awkwardly tries to get closer to Jordan, Graham and Patty learn to romance each other again.

3. 03

   S01E03 · Top rated · September 8, 1994 · 1h

   Guns and Gossip8.3

   Angela is devastated when she is the object of gossip while Brian and Rickie find themselves in the middle of a scandal over a gun in school.

4. 04

   S01E04 · Top rated · September 15, 1994 · 1h

   Father Figures8.3

   In multi-generational father-daughter conflict, Patty must take control of the printing business from her father, and Angela approaches Graham for the first time as a person rather than a superhero.

5. 05

   S01E05 · Top rated · September 22, 1994 · 1h

   The Zit8.3

   Angela and Patty come to grips with the feeling that they are not measuring up to some standard of beauty as Angela breaks out and Patty develops laugh lines.

6. 06

   S01E06 · Top rated · September 29, 1994 · 1h

   The Substitute8.3

   Liberty High deals with the issue of censorship when a substitute English teacher encourages students to write liberal poetry for the school paper.

7. 07

   S01E07 · Top rated · October 6, 1994 · 1h

   Why Jordan Can't Read8.3

   Angela makes a real connection with Jordan when she discovers that he has difficulty reading.

8. 08

   S01E08 · Top rated · October 20, 1994 · 1h

   Strangers in the House8.3

   Sharon's dad has a heart attack that causes Graham to question his own mortality and puts stress on his marriage while the event mends the broken friendship between Sharon and Angela.

9. 09

   S01E09 · Top rated · October 27, 1994 · 1h

   Halloween8.3

   Angela finds herself in 1963 during a mystical Halloween experience; Graham and Patty create some magic of their own with the help of medieval Halloween costumes.

10. 10

    S01E10 · Top rated · November 3, 1994 · 1h

    Other People's Mothers8.3

    Patty gains strides in her relationship with Angela when she helps Rayanne during an overdose.

11. 11

    S01E11 · Top rated · November 10, 1994 · 1h

    Life of Brian8.3

    Brian's life is a constant struggle over what he wants to express and the ramblings that escape from his mouth; everyone feels like the outsider at the "World Happiness Dance" at school; Patty pressures Graham into taking a continuing education cooking class.

12. 12

    S01E12 · Top rated · November 17, 1994 · 1h

    Self-Esteem8.3

    Self-esteem is the lesson of the day for Angela's warped relationship with Jordan, Brian's unreciprocated devotion to Angela, Rickie's flair for the dramatic, and Graham's cooking expertise.

13. 13

    S01E13 · Top rated · December 1, 1994 · 1h

    Pressure8.3

    Angela must make the decision whether or not to sleep with Jordan, while Graham is being pressured into going into the restaurant business with Hallie Lowenthal.

14. 14

    S01E17 · Season 1 peak · January 12, 1995 · 1h

    Betrayal9.0

    Angela realizes she is over Jordan and is in to someone else. But Brian Cracow catches Rayanne and Jordan on tape having sex.

15. 15

    S01E19 · Series finale · January 26, 1995 · 1h

    In Dreams Begin Responsibilities8.5

    Jordan asks Brian for help on winning back Angela's affections; Sharon and Rayanne reach a turning point in their relationship; and Rickie learns that the new girl has a crush on him.