7.4/10130 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/28/2014
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
7.4/1087 votes#2 - Downsizing
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/4/2014
Nina attends a gala honoring public defenders; however, her former colleagues are unimpressed.
Director: Claire Scanlon
Writer: Andy Berman
7.3/1086 votes#3 - Hooked & Booked
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/11/2014
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
7.3/1070 votes#4 - Sell It
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/18/2014
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
7.2/1067 votes#5 - Shark, Actually
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/25/2014
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
7.1/1063 votes#6 - Rights and Wrongs
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/2/2014
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
7.0/1058 votes#7 - Curry Favor
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/9/2014
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
7.8/1070 votes#8 - Diamond Is a Girl's Worst Friend
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/16/2014
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
7.4/1058 votes#9 - A New Development
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/23/2014
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
7.6/1058 votes#10 - Solitary Refinement
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/23/2014
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
7.6/1061 votes#11 - Campaign Contributions
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/30/2014
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
7.6/1064 votes#12 - Brief Encounters
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/30/2014
Nina faces a difficult choice after reuniting with Trent; Phil examines his own relationships.
Director: Eric Appel
Writer: Lindsey Shockley, Andy Berman
The Best Episodes of Benched Season 1
Every episode of Benched Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Benched Season 1!
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...
Genre:Comedy
Network:USA Network
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Benched" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 130 votes. Directed by Michael Fresco and written by Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins, it aired on 10/28/2014. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Downsizing".