Nina is a dedicated, career driven corporate attorney who has a very public nervous breakdown after getting passed up for an expected promotion and now finds herself working as a public defender. Her personal and professional worlds are turned upside down when she joins the ranks of the legal world’s underdogs and very quickly realizes that the law isn't quite as fair as she once thought.
The best episode of "Benched" season 1 is "Pilot", rated 7.4/10 from 130 user votes. It was directed by Michael Fresco and written by Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins. "Pilot" aired on 10/28/2014 and is rated 0.0 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Downsizing".
Corporate lawyer Nina Whitley has given up a lot in her climb to the top. However, when she's passed over for a promotion and her former fiance gets engaged to another woman, Nina has an epic meltdown.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins
Nina attends a gala honoring public defenders; however, her former colleagues are unimpressed.
Director: Claire Scanlon
Writer: Andy Berman
Phil tricks Nina into believing that all of the public defenders voluntarily go to jail to better understand their clients. She learns what lengths she'll go to be a part of the gang.
Director: Claire Scanlon
Writer: Lindsey Shockley
Nina discovers that she needs a refresher on influencing jurors and winning friends. Phil and Trent have to deal with a curmudgeonly judge.
Director: Victor Nelli Jr.
Writer: Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins
Nina is concerned that she is being played by a private defense lawyer assigned to help her. Phil attempts to impress a pretty stenographer.
Director: Tristram Shapeero
Writer: Joanna Calo
Nina must accept that losing cases to Trent is a fact of life. Carlos gives up smoking, which worries the rest of the gang.
Director: Victor Nelli Jr.
Writer: John Enbom
Nina makes friends with a spunky forensics analyst who takes the concept of loyalty a bit too seriously. Carlos gets worrisome glimpse into Phil's life.
Director: John Enbom
Writer: Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins
Nina is assigned one of Phil's former defendants and lands herself in a bet with Phil. Meanwhile, Phil and Carlos decide to teach Micah a lesson.
Director: Tristram Shapeero
Writer: Ben Smith
Nina discovers the D.A.'s plans to arrest the city's homeless and faces a crisis of conscience.
Director: Michael McDonald
Writer: Jim Cashman
An old friend asks Nina to set her up with Phil, a female judge takes a liking to Carlos, and Nina goes on an ill-fated date of her own.
Director: Michael McDonald
Writer: Jessica Conrad
Phil is on the shortlist for Public Defender of the Year; Trent brings a young boy to court.
Director: Eric Appel
Writer: Scott Hanscom, Ari Berkowitz
Nina faces a difficult choice after reuniting with Trent; Phil examines his own relationships.
Director: Eric Appel
Writer: Lindsey Shockley, Andy Berman