7.6/10220 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/2/1998
Becker deals with an HIV-positive child, and the fact that Reggie has inherited his favorite diner from her father.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
7.5/10171 votes#2 - Take These Pills and Shove 'Em
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/1998
Becker must make a house call after a patient has an adverse reaction to his brutal bedside manner. He remains hellbent on convincing his patient, Mr. Marino, to acknowledge the fact that his diabetes has just triggered a minor heart attack and his condition needs to be monitored. Unfortunately, Mr. Marino is convinced that Becker is just trying to get away with a medical scam. Meanwhile, Jake takes a sculpting class in order to meet women.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
7.5/10166 votes#3 - Sex in the Inner City
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/16/1998
Despite his best efforts, Becker can't escape the sexual overtones that follow him throughout the day. He starts his morning at the cafe where Reggie and Jake are discussing the various things they do to release sexual tension. When Reggie suggests jogging, Becker quickly dismisses the idea, declaring that he doesn't have any such issues. As his day progresses, a bemused Becker is faced with various circumstances that make him all too aware of his sex life -- or, rather, lack thereof.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: David Isaacs
7.5/10163 votes#4 - Tell Me Lies
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/30/1998
Becker and Jake notice that Reggie is upset about something, but she refuses to tell them why. Becker presses Reggie for details, but she responds with a series of lies before finally revealing the truth.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Russ Woody
7.7/10155 votes#5 - My Dinner With Becker
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/7/1998
Becker initially declines the offer of a blind date, but he eventually agrees to meet the woman. After hearing about her passion for line-dancing, karaoke and aroma therapy, Becker is kicking himself for not trusting his instincts. Meanwhile, Reggie's evening goes south when she realizes that the guy she's dating is just too... nice.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: N/A
7.9/10164 votes#6 - Man Plans, God Laughs
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/14/1998
Becker's attempt at friendship is short lived; with Margaret at home with the flu, the flaky Linda is left in charge of the office; Reggie receives an unwelcome visit from a former high-school classmate.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
7.6/10144 votes#7 - City Lights
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/21/1998
Becker is crabbier than ever when a flickering street light keeps him from getting any sleep. When the city refuses to make the broken street light a priority assignment, Becker takes matters into his own hands to ensure that he gets a proper night's rest. Meanwhile, Margaret agrees to let Linda bring one personal item into the office, unaware that Linda's item is breathing.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Russ Woody
7.6/10140 votes#8 - Physician, Heal Thyself
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 1/11/1999
The disagreeable doc gets even more irritable when he becomes the patient in this pungent episode of the surprise hit of the season. The arrogant Bronx doctor is once again complaining about the shortcomings of society, sparking another verbal sparring match with Reggie. Becker is later compelled to swallow his pride and ask for her help when his back goes out, leaving him prone on the floor of his apartment. But he scoffs when she suggests he see an acupuncturist. Meanwhile, Margaret receives special deliveries from a smitten mailman.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: N/A
7.8/10144 votes#9 - Choose Me
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/18/1999
When Reggie announces that she has an extra ticket to a Rangers-Flyers hockey game, Jake and Becker each makes it his primary goal to be chosen as the lucky recipient.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
8.4/10164 votes#10 - P.C. World
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1/25/1999
When a self-serving reporter witnesses a heated argument between Becker and a man at the diner, he determines that Becker's comments are "politically incorrect" and uses his column to create a local controversy. Becker tries to ignore the reporter's comments, but when the hack then belittles Becker on a local radio show, the short-fused doctor heads to the station for a one-on-one confrontation.
Director: Jeff Melman
Writer: Michael Markowitz
7.5/10134 votes#11 - Scriptus Interruptus
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 2/1/1999
Becker agrees to write an article for a fellow doctor's medical journal, but has trouble finishing the project. With the article's deadline quickly approaching, Becker tries desperately to find a place to sit and hash out the piece. Unfortunately, he can't seem to acquire five minutes of quiet time before something or someone finds a way to interrupt his concentration.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
7.6/10137 votes#12 - Love! Lies! Bleeding!
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 2/8/1999
Becker, not convinced of the wonders of love after witnessing a woman stab her husband with a fork, is forced to consult a teenager who wants a vasectomy, treat a woman with a severe allergic reaction to roses and watch Linda begin and end a relationship within hours. Even so, a late night hospital visit abruptly softens his perspective as he begins to understand why this holiday can be so important to others.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Michael Markowitz
7.7/10150 votes#13 - Becker the Elder
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 2/15/1999
Becker is less than thrilled when his estranged father, Fred, makes an unannounced visit. Although Becker is unhappy to see his father, the others are instantly charmed by Fred's easygoing, jovial manner. Despite Becker's chilly welcome, Fred refuses to give up on resuming contact with his polar opposite son.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
7.8/10148 votes#14 - Larry Spoke
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/22/1999
Becker copes with a patient who believes he can talk directly to God; Linda decides to keep a jacket mistakenly returned to her by her dry cleaner.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Russ Woody
7.3/10135 votes#15 - Activate Your Choices
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 3/1/1999
When Becker learns that his ex-wife Sandra is in town for a book signing tour, he feigns disinterest until he learns that chapters of her new self-help publication denounces "Angry Man," a pseudonym for Becker. When Becker confronts Sarah at her hotel, it becomes abundantly clear that their explosive chemistry remains fiercely intact.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: David Isaacs
7.8/10140 votes#16 - Limits & Boundaries
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/8/1999
When a patient's mother desperately needs Becker to watch her two kids for the day, he reluctantly agrees and then makes Margaret and Linda keep an eye on them. But when the day turns into an unexpected sleepover at Becker's, his attempts to establish rules for the kids are about as effective as a blender during a power outage.
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Writer: N/A
7.5/10133 votes#17 - Partial Law
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 4/5/1999
When Becker's computer is stolen from his apartment, he's shocked to learn that the insurance company's reimbursement won't even cover the cost of a keyboard. Against his better judgment, he purchases a top of the line system via shady means and soon realizes he's made a "fatal error."
Director: Ken Levine
Writer: Michael Markowitz
7.6/10133 votes#18 - Saving Harvey Cohen
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 4/12/1999
Much to Becker's dismay, an alley cat finds its way into his office and refuses to leave. When they realize that the cat is sick, Becker's guilted into taking care of it -- to the tune of $1,500. Meantime, Margaret attempts to help Becker plan a trip she knows he'll never take.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Eric Cohen
7.4/10122 votes#19 - Truth and Consequences
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/19/1999
Becker's cousin Berry invites him over to his house for dinner, and Becker learns first-hand that Berry and his wife are having major marital problems. However, Becker makes the situation worse by letting it slip that Berry once had an affair.
Director: Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
Writer: N/A
7.6/10151 votes#20 - Drive, They Said
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 5/3/1999
Becker reluctantly agrees to shuttle Reggie, Margaret, Jake and Linda to various engagements in Queens when they learn that he's heading that way in his car. It quickly becomes a "what-was-I-thinking" scenario for the gang when Becker's terroristic skills behind the wheel cause an accident. Even More Shameless Crossover Monday winds up when Dr. Becker returns to his office waiting room to find Hilton Lucas, Doug Heffernan and Ray Barone -- side-by-side -- waiting.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Ken Levine, David Isaacs
8.0/10128 votes#21 - Lucky Day
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 5/10/1999
A prime parking space, an unexpected tax refund and a flawless trip to the post office are just a few of the lucky breaks bestowed upon Becker. Unable to accept the idea that he might just be having a good day, he remains wary of each new stroke of luck and convinces himself that payback is on its way.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: N/A
7.6/10130 votes#22 - Regarding Reggie
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/17/1999
Becker fears that Reggie may get the wrong idea if he asks her to be his date at a medical fundraiser. Fearing that Reggie will misread his invitation, Becker struggles to find someone else to take to the event. Despite his resistance, his friends insist that he should just ask Reggie. The ongoing pressure causes Becker to recall the first time he was rejected by the opposite sex, as Prequel Monday concludes with a flashback sequence of a 10-year-old Becker asking a little girl to a school dance.
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writer: Russ Woody
The Best Episodes of Becker Season 1
Every episode of Becker Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Becker Season 1!
Becker is a dedicated, outspoken and talented doctor with a gruff exterior. While he tends to offend those who try to get close to him,...
Genre:Comedy
Network:CBS
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Becker" season 1. It scored 7.6/10 based on 220 votes. Directed by Andy Ackerman and written by N/A, it aired on 11/2/1998. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Take These Pills and Shove 'Em".