Jessica Albais an actress and businesswoman who has decades of experience within the industry. Since the early nineties, Alba has steadily worked across film and television to establish herself in Hollywood. The movie that put her on the map was Honey, released in 2003, about a dancer from New York City dealing with hurdles as she establishes her career. Since then, she’s appeared in several other films such asGood Luck Chuck,Little Fockers, andFantastic Four.
In recent years, she has slowed down in the entertainment world, focusing on her brand, The Honest Company, and other endeavors. But she can still be found on the screen, especially on the small screen. Alba has acted in countless television shows over the years, including several critically acclaimed ones. It can be hard to know where to start, but fear not. Continue reading for Jessica Alba’s fifteen best TV episodes.
15"The Accident"
The Secret World of Alex Mack - Season 1, Episode 1
The Secret World of Alex Mackis a nineties Nickelodeon show following the titular character as she develops superpowers following an accident. As if teenage years aren’t tough enough, add in telekinesis and electricity powers. As Alex, played by Larisa Oleynik, comes to grip with her newfound abilities, she must keep it secret and handle the ups and downs of adolescence.
Where It All Started
The pilot episode of every show is important, as it introduces us to the central characters, conflict, and establishes the tone. Titled “The Accident,” this introduction shows viewers the origins of Alex’s powers.
It also introduces us to Alba in her first television role. She plays a mean girl named Jessica and establishes herself as Alex’s rival. She went on to appear in two more episodes, and though her time is brief, it’s nice to see the humble beginnings of both the series and this seasoned actress.
14"Submersible"
Flipper - Season 1, Episode 8
Shortly after appearing inThe Secret World of Alex Mack, Alba landed a central role inFlipper, which was a reboot of a series from decades prior. The show followed a scientist named Dr. Keith Ricks who studies dolphins alongside his team in Florida. Alba plays Maya Graham, a young girl with an inexplicable connection to dolphins and the water. She befriends Mike, the son of one of Dr. Keith’s colleagues.
Trapped Underwater
The entire series is filled with adventure, allset against a beachy backdrop. Mike is known for getting into sticky situations and in “Submersible,” he and Maya do just that. They believe they spotted a mermaid out at sea and take a submarine out to find her. But they get trapped and have to figure out how to resurface.
It’s suspense-filled and fun, as viewers count down the time before they run out of air. And with news in recent years of submarine trips turning south, it makes this episode even more chilling.
13"Stress Relief"
The Office - Season 5, Episode 13
The Officeis a cherished sitcom that has created memes and references that have far outlasted its original run. The series centers on the employees of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Pennsylvania. It’s shot in a mockumentary style and gets more absurd as the seasons go on. While the core cast makes up the heart of the show, its various guest appearances are also fun to recall.
A Simple Yet Fun Cameo
While some guest stars have small recurring roles, others pop up quickly and leave. Such is the case for Jessica Alba and Jack Black, who jointly premiered on the show during season five’s “Stress Relief” episode.
Loads of viewers tuned in, as this episode aired after that year’s Super Bowl in the States. Alba appears in a video Pam, Jim, and Andy are watching as she awkwardly introduces her partner (Black) to her grandma. Fans of Alba and Black will enjoy this cameo, and will further gain enjoyment from the shenanigans occurring throughout the episode (including the iconic fire drill moment).
Related:The Office: The Best Guest Stars in the Series, Ranked
12"The Age of the Bastard"
The Spoils of Babylon - Season 1, Episode 5
The Spoils of Babylonis a satirical miniseries with a peculiar setup. It revolves around a brother and sister who are in love and how their desire for one another ruins everything and everyone around them. True, the two aren’t technically related as Devon was adopted by Cynthia’s father, but the lines of appropriateness are still blurred nonetheless.
One of the many people impacted by Devon and Cynthia’s tumultuous relationship is Dixie Melonworth (Alba), who is a marine biologist, Devon’s lover, and therefore Cynthia’s rival.
Slapstick Comedy
Much of Alba’s time on the show is spent acting alongside Tobey Maguire in his role as Devon. The two bounce off one another wonderfully, but in “The Age of the Bastard,” audiences get a hilarious scene with Alba and Kristen Wiig (Cynthia). And it’s arguably the highlight of the episode. Each woman lobs an insult at the other which results in a comically loud slap.
It’s basically a minute of two people slapping each other, but Alba and Wiig’s intentionally melodramatic performance makes it entertaining for every second.
L.A.’s Finest - Season 1, Episode 8
Fans of the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence-ledBad Boysfranchise may enjoy this spin-off series calledL.A.’s Finest. It stars Alba and Gabrielle Union as LAPD detectives Nancy McKenna and Syd Burnett. Alba’s character Nancy has an elusive past she’s trying to put behind her as she works as a homicide detective under a new name. Together with her new partner Syd, they tackle heinous crimes throughout the vibrant and dangerous city of Los Angeles.
A Fresh Take on a Popular Franchise
In “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” Nancy’s past she’s running from is starting to catch up to her. Her district attorney’s husband, Patrick, confronts her about things that don’t add up.
This episode is excellent in terms of character development for Nancy and audiences start to understand and empathize with her more. But it’s not all heavy and emotional. True to the series' nature, there are several tense scenes asthe two detectivestry to piece together the central mystery, including entering a bank vault and Nancy questioning a convict in his jail cell.
10“Blah Blah Woof Woof”
Dark Angel - Season 1, Episode 9
BeforeHoneyput Alba on the map theatrically, the sci-fi dramaDark Angelsolidified her as a star for television audiences. This James Cameron project is set in what was then considered the future year 2019. A genetically enhanced supersoldier labeled X5-452 escapes the government institution where she was created.
A decade later, she now goes by Max Guevara (played by Alba) and is still trying to evade capture from her creators while also locating the other supersoldiers who escaped alongside her.
Constantly Watching Her Back
With two seasons and forty episodes to choose from, it’d be hard for most fans of the series to narrow down the best few. But season 1’s “Blah Blah Woof Woof” is definitely up there.
Apart from having a great episode name, in this installment one of the government officials is heightening his search for her, plastering wanted posters of Max all over. With a hefty award attached to turning her in, Max doesn’t know who she can trust. One of her friends is knocking on death’s door, adding even more intrigue and suspense to this mid-season episode.
9“Sexual Perversity”
Chicago Hope - Season 2, Episode 18
Who doesn’t love a good medical drama?Chicago Hopeis set in, of course, Chicago, Illinois and follows a band of doctors at a charitable hospital. Over the six seasons, the medical professionals are the glue that holds the show together, but periphery characters become just as important to each episode’s individual arc.
A Heavy Hitter
Toward the end of season two, the episode “Sexual Perversity” aired and focused on sex and sexuality in different ways. Alba plays a fourteen-year-old girl who disturbs the resident OB/GYN, Dr. Sutton, when she acts overtly sexual and flirtatious. He learns that this girl, Florie, is dating a thirty-year-old man.
The episode is heavy and deals not just with grooming, but sexuality and paints some of the core characters is a new light. If viewers want great character study and drama, this episode could be right up their alley.
Related:Best TV Medical Drama Series, Ranked
8“Making Amends”
Beverly Hills 90210 - Season 8, Episode 23
Beverly Hills, 90210is best remembered as a soapy teen show that tackled controversial issues and launched the career of several stars. Though the days when the characters roamed the halls of West Beverly Hills High School get the most attention, the later seasons deserve love as well. By season eight, the core characters are now out of college and trying to solidify who they are in adulthood.
A Contemplative Episode
Gay rights, substance abuse, cheating. Nothing was off limits in this show, including adoption and parenthood. In “Making Amends,” Alba portrays a teenage girl struggling with what to do after giving birth. She leaves her newborn child outside of a clinic. After which, series regular Kelly Taylor cares for the child and contemplates whether she can step in as a mother.
This episode is dramatic, as is the entire series, but it’s meaningful drama. It’ll have viewers asking morally complex questions with its multitude of issues covered.
7“The Review”
Entourage - Season 1, Episode 2
Want a show about famous people poking fun at fame? Pop on an episode ofEntourage, a dramedy about an actor named Vincent Chase who wants to establish himself in the A-list Hollywood circle. The show typically features an actual celebrity portraying themselves in each episode, with appearances from talent like Christina Aguilera, Scarlett Johansson, Martin Scorsese, Tom Brady, and more. In episode two, “The Review,” Alba served as the highlighted superstar.
Playing Herself
Vince gets a bad review of one of his performances, leading him to question his value and make poor financial decisions. To cheer him up, Alba invites Vince and his friends to her house party. This episode aired at the peak of Alba’s prominence, with one of the characters even throwing out references toHoneyandDark Angel. Though her time on the show is relegated to this episode, she reminds everyone why she was America’s sweetheart of the 2000s.
Related:Best Cameos in Entourage, Ranked
6“Past Tense”
Flipper - Season 1, Episode 20
Flippercertainly deserves another mention on this list. By this late in the first season, the strong interpersonal relationships were well established. Keith, Maya, Mike, and the others have developed a strong friendship and the found family vibes are off-the-charts. In “Past Tense,” a man set on revenge seeks to hurt Dr. Keith Ricks by going after those he cares about.
Turned Into a Thriller
Keith sent a man to prison who subsequently died there. The man’s brother turns up in town and torturing Keith isn’t enough, he decides he’ll target everyone around the researcher. Alba’s character, Maya, is one of the several victims of this deranged man. The climax of the episode is thrilling, with Maya captured at gunpoint and tied up as the criminal drenches gasoline all around the room. Moreover, Alba’s growth as an actress is notable from earlier episodes.
