Below is my ranking of the episodes from "THE LAST TYCOON", Amazon Studios' 2016-2017 loose adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1941 unfinished novel that was published posthumously. Developed by Billy Ray, the limited series starred Matt Bomer as Monroe Stahr:
"THE LAST TYCOON" (2016-2017) EPISODES RANKING
1. (1.08) "An Enemy Among Us" - While production chief Monroe Stahr commence upon a campaign to secure Brady-American Pictures first Oscar nominations, studio chief Pat Brady seeks for a solution to balance the studio's account books and get the Board of Directors off his back. Meanwhile, starlet-to-be Kathleen Moore plots to escape from her dangerous deception.
2. (1.03) "More Stars Than There Are in Heaven" - Brady proves his worth as studio chief as he plans to woo film star Margo Taft to sign up with Brady-American. Due to the loan he had given Brady, MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer tries to interfere in the studio's projects. Brady's daughter Celia forms a connection with office boy Max Miner. And Monroe's relationship with Kathleen blossoms.
3. (1.09) "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" - In this season finale that focuses on the Academy Awards ceremony, Brady makes a decision that causes a rift between him and Monroe and Celia. Monroe and Kathleen grapple with the emotional fallout of her deception.
4. (1.06) "A Brady-American Christmas" - During the Christmas holiday, Stahr encourages Kathleen to join Fritz Lang's secluded rehearsal, leaving him alone on Christmas Eve. Brady schemes to boost ticket sales for "Angels on the Avenue". Celia and Max are brought closer by tragedy.
5. (1.01) "Pilot" - The series premiere and pilot introduces Monroe as Brady-American Pictures' production chief, who constantly clashes with Brady over the content of the studio's films, fends of Celia's infatuation with him and falls in love with Kathleen, whose nationality reminds him of his late wife, Minna Davis.
6. (1.06) "Eine Kleine Reichmusik" - Stahr orchestrates an extravagant Hollywood party that masks a secret agenda involving Austrian-Jewish musicians. Brady continues to courts Margo Taft to become Brady-American's permanent leading lady. And Celia becomes aware of director Fritz Lang's provocative private life.
7. (1.04) "Burying the Boy Genius" - The death of MGM production chief Irving Thalberg sends shock waves throughout the Hollywood industry and leaves Brady pondering over Monroe's shaky health. Meanwhile, the latter risks his budding relationship with Kathleen to save a movie and Brady American.
8. (1.07) "A More Perfect Union" - Brady hatches a bold business ploy that has sweeping consequences for the studio's employees and forces Monroe to contain the repercussions. Kathleen struggles to manage her tangled web of half-truths.
9. (1.02) "Nobody Recasts Like Monroe" - Monroe continues his pursuit of Kathleen, who rejects the idea of being a replacement for Minna. Pat Brady's pet project has a devastating debut, forcing him to accept Monroe's help. Celia gets cozy in her role as producer, so Hackett takes it upon himself to give her an education.