Welcome to Essex

As they start settling into college life, first-year suite mates Kimberly, Bela, Leighton, and Whitney navigate relationships, extracurriculars, and culture shock. Later, the girls hit an exclusive party to blow off some steam.

Naked Party

The first week of class finds Kimberly feeling out of her league, while Leighton thrives academically… but not so much otherwise. Whitney confronts soccer drama, and – looking to get properly wild – Bela and Kimberly go to a naked party.

Le Tuteur

While Kimberly connects with Nico during a tutoring session, Leighton begrudgingly starts volunteering at the women's center, Bela explores the local dating app pool, and Whitney seeks to take things with Dalton to the next level.

Kappa

After mingling with an exclusive sorority, Leighton gets roped into a date with a boy, while Whitney confides in a teammate about her relationship with Dalton. With Kimberly in tow, Bela speaks her mind at a high-profile Catullan event.

That Comment Tho

While a cryptic message from Nico sends Kimberly reeling, Leighton invites the women's center to her brother's frat party. Bela has an uncomfortable experience with a Catullan editor, and Whitney navigates the fallout of investigative work.

Parents Weekend

After reuniting with their families for the first time since move-in day, the girls struggle through an uncomfortable dinner, where parents clash, egos are bruised, and secrets are revealed.

I Think I'm a Sex Addict

While Bela anxiously awaits the Catullan's final decision, Kimberly gets hooked on casual sex with Nico, Whitney explores her connection with Canaan, and Leighton takes the next step with Alicia.

The Surprise Party

At Leighton's surprise party for Nico, an unexpected guest sends Kimberly reeling. Bela worries she silenced a fellow Catullan writer, and a rumor threatens to upend Whitney's world.

Cheating

A heartbroken Kimberly considers cheating on an exam. Leighton's fear of coming out upends her weekend getaway with Alicia. Bela navigates the fallout of exposing assault. Whitney confronts the truth about Dalton.

The Truth

While Kimberly faces possible expulsion after her honor code violation, Bela takes a stand against the Catullan's culture, Whitney levels with her mom, and Leighton speaks her truth.

Winter Is Coming

As they come to terms with their new status on campus, Bela creates an all-female humor magazine, Whitney copes with the off-season, and Kimberly tries to find money with Leighton's unexpected help.

Frat Problems

Bela and Leighton organize a fundraiser to help Zeta so they can get back to their parties. Kimberly tries to find collateral for her loan and Whitney feels threatened by Canaan's new partner.

The Short King

While Leighton enjoys the perks of being out, Bela focuses on a short king. Whitney attempts to expand her horizons with a difficult class, and Kimberly considers a new fix for her money problems.

Will You Be My Girlfriend?

Bela scrambles to expand The Foxy's reach ahead of its release. Jackson invites Kimberly to a study session. Canaan asks Whitney to be his girlfriend… but she already thought they were dating. Leighton gets called out.

Taking Shots

Leighton helps Kimberly administer her hormone injections. Whitney considers how to handle being repeatedly mistaken for the only other Black girl in class. Bela clashes with her Catullan replacement.

Doppelbanger

Bela seizes an opportunity when a late-night comic visits campus. Kimberly attempts to prove she hasn't been “med-zoned” by Jackson. Whitney fights to contribute to a group assignment. Leighton pursues a junior… who reminds her of herself.

The Essex College Food Workers Strike

Leighton grapples with "dating up" for the first time. Kimberly appeals to an unlikely source for help with the food workers' strike. Whitney sets out to crush her final lab. Bela's faces blowback from a misstep.

Pre-Frosh Weekend

For Pre-Frosh Weekend, Bela hosts her nerdy childhood friend Priya, who's had a surprise glow-up. Leighton prepares to come out to her dad. Kimberly seeks commonalities with Jackson, while Whitney finds chemistry with her lab partner.

Sex & Basketball

Whitney and Andrew attempt to bring their chemistry into the real world. Bela over-curates The Foxy’s big spotlight. Kimberly accompanies Canaan to the Econ department’s awards banquet. Leighton visits the women’s center – and Alicia.

The Rooming Lottery

When Leighton is elected Kappa’s campus social chair, the roommates must figure out what sophomore year will look like.

Welcome Back to Essex

As sophomore year begins, Bela tries to embrace a fresh start, Kimberly hopes to make things right with Whitney, and Alicia drops a bomb on Leighton.

Lila by Lila

Kimberly tries to upgrade their dorm, Whitney has a specific gripe with a hot classmate, Bela struggles as a FAF, and Leighton thinks on her future.

Four to a Suite

While acclimating to their new roommate, Bela takes a chance on a nice guy, Kimberly gets adventurous, and Whitney fumbles with a professor.

Franklin the Fox

Bela hooks up with the mascot, Kacey puts herself out there, Whitney struggles to find balance in her life, and Kimberly goes to her first rave.

Parents Weekend 2

For Parents Weekend, the girls try to keep their visiting families from finding out every intimate detail of their dating lives.

Halloween & Oat Milk

It's Halloween! Kimberly tries to impress in class. Kacey debates when to admit she's a virgin. Bela keeps Taylor busy, and Lila hunts down a hottie.

The Rodeo

Bela tries to break her dry spell, Kimberly takes a campus tour, Whitney's science project gets messy, and Kacey vies to be on Essex's "50 Most" list.

The Good Partner Test

The girls put the people they're dating through The Good Partner Test, secretly seeing how they'd react to manufactured situations.

Pics

As Kacey preps for a special date, Kimberly takes her first nude. Bela hits a roadblock with Arvind, and Whitney prioritizes her needs.

Essex Strong

With a protest looming on campus, the girls find themselves standing up for themselves, for what they need, and for each other.