The essential episodes of The Lake
Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Lake — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Justin brings Billie, the daughter he gave up for adoption, to the lake where he spent summers as a boy. Billie is determined to return to the city, but a new friend could change her resolve. A revelation about their former family cottage gives Justin a new purpose.
- 02
Justin uses an invitation to Games Night at Maisy’s to enact a 3-stage plan to oust her. Billie’s not happy about extorting anyone regardless of bullying, but when Justin strikes a deal to let her pass her birth-dad jailtime without forced bonding, Billie agrees. Maisy’s got her plans too, and a secret she doesn’t want Justin to find until it’s too late.
- 03
Knowing Maisy needs the Boathouse board’s approval for her renovation, Justin enlists help to snag the President seat out from under her. But as usual, things don’t quite go according to plan. While Justin scrambles to salvage the election, his plans for an afternoon with Billie get lost in the mix. So Billie takes the time to conquer her fear of dark water and figure out Killian’s intentions.
- 04
Excited that Billie’s surprise visitor is her birth mom and his teenage best friend, Justin wants nothing more than to spend time with them. Problem is, he’s firmly in the doghouse after Maisy’s cookout. Exiled and adrift, Justin finds himself drawn into helping with Opal’s drag routine for the Boathouse Talent Show. Teesa signs up Billie and herself for the the show and explore the past.
- 05
While the adults are at the Boathouse euchre tournament, Billie, Killian, and the Quads decide to pass the rainy afternoon with a Ouija board. Things get weird quick with the disappearance of Olive and the appearance of crossbow-wielding cultists. With a serious lack of common sense among the remaining Quads, it’s down to Billie’s horror movie knowledge to get the teens through this nightmare.
- 06
Faced with the murder cabin being sold, Justin decides to reveal the Trust to Maisy with an offer to dissolve it in exchange for a buyout. Never one to compromise, Maisy strands herself and Justin on a floating dock until they can come to a new agreement. Meanwhile, Billie and Killian go on a psychedelic quest for contraceptives, and Victor grapples with body issues.
- 07
Billie and Justin struggle to explain the world of the lake to Naomi and Oliver when they arrive early to collect Billie. Over the Labour Day weekend Billie and Justin seek closure with their friends and enemies, Justin and Maisy face off for the last time to determine who walks away with the cottage of their dreams.
- 08
Justin and Riley’s relationship is put to the test after a spontaneous wedding goes awry and Billie makes a daring decision that could risk a prestigious internship that awaits her in the city. Meanwhile, Maisy reckons with life-changing news about an old enemy: her mother, Mimsy.
- 09
An opportunity arises for Justin to redeem himself when he discovers the Boathouse fire may have been the result of foul play. Meanwhile, Billie’s eco-ideals are challenged by a magnetic nemesis and Maisy tries to prove her mother is lying about her imminent death.
- 10
Justin makes a deal to obtain evidence that could prove his arson theory while Billie struggles to adapt to the harsh physical demands of tree planting. Meanwhile, Maisy attempts to draw out her mother’s lies with a boring AGM, but nothing seems to crack Mimsy’s veneer.
- 11
Justin crashes Jayne’s Aqua Spin class to interrogate arson suspects. Billie is torn between her personal and professional life, and Maisy uses a “spa day” to extract medical samples from Mimsy.
- 12
Maisy uses the anniversary of Derrick’s death to get Mimsy to confess to burning down the Boathouse with Justin’s help. Desperate for any opportunity to avoid her sibling love triangle, Billie agrees to go to Derrick’s anniversary dinner in exchange for Justin promising to get her a job from Maisy.
- 13
When Billie’s two crushes show up at the murder cabin, she enlists Justin in a game of keep-away that ends with a broken heart. Meanwhile, Maisy plans a celebrity soirée for cottagers to remind them why they need a Boathouse.
- 14
When her parents come for a visit, Billie has to make good on her lie that she’s been giving tours for the lake for her summer job. Justin and Riley pose as a happy couple to secure a property for the Boathouse rebuild while Maisy struggles to deal with the reality of her mother’s illness.
- 15
Justin and Billie trap all the suspects on a pontoon boat to clear his name by exposing the identity of the Boathouse arsonist. Keen to get to the tree planter’s farewell party before Ivy and Forrest leave, Billie agrees to help Justin. Maisy finally accepts her mother’s diganosis and decides to make peace before the summer ends.
Shows like The Lake
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Fargo2014·FX
Fargo is a seasonal anthology crime drama with some dark comical elements, inspired by the film Fargo written by the Coen brothers. - 02Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of The Rookie2018–present·ABCThe Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD.
- 03Drama·Comedy·SportsThe essential episodes of Ted Lasso2020–present
Ted Lasso centers on an idealistic — and clueless — all-American football coach hired to manage an English football club — despite having no soccer coaching experience at all. - 04Drama·Comedy·FoodThe essential episodes of The Bear2022–present·Hulu
Carmy, a young fine-dining chef, comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop. - 05Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Tulsa King2022–present·Paramount+
Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi, just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. - 06Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Shameless2011–2021·Paramount+ with Showtime
Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series.
