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The Best Episodes of Law & Order: LA Season 1

Every episode of Law & Order: LA Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Law & Order: LA Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 46mPeaking at 7.9/10

From the tony Beverly Hills to the seedy side of Hollywood, LAPD’s elite Robbery Homicide Division is on the case. Fusing classic ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling with the backdrop of LA, the series delves into the high

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 1 - Hollywood
    6.7/10(192 votes)

    #1 - Hollywood

    S1:E1

    Detectives Winters and Jaruszalski track the activities of a tech-savvy group of teenagers who they suspect have escalated from burglary of the rich and famous to murder.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 2 - Echo Park
    7.3/10(145 votes)

    #2 - Echo Park

    S1:E2

    When murderous cult member "Baby" Jane Lee Rayburn is found stabbed to death, Detectives Rex Winters and Tomas "TJ" Jaruszalski question multiple suspects, including the cult ringleader Denis Watson and Jane's former cellmate, Maura Dillon. However, the case cuts very close to home for Detective Winters when his wife Lori, a former Detective, is questioned. DDA Dekker and DDA Stanton find themselves facing a trial where the line between suspect and victim is blurred.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 3 - Harbor City
    7.2/10(127 votes)

    #3 - Harbor City

    S1:E3

    A former surf champion is murdered in what appears to be a robbery gone awry.

    Director:Nick Gomez
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 4 - Sylmar
    7.5/10(120 votes)

    #4 - Sylmar

    S1:E4

    When a meth lab in Sylmar explodes, killing two kids, TJ and Winters embark on an odyssey that uncovers a band of radical Muslims hell-bent on bombing LAX.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 5 - Pasadena
    7.5/10(118 votes)

    #5 - Pasadena

    S1:E5

    The investigation of a hit-and-run accident leads to a political minefield.

    Director:Unknown

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  6. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 6 - Hondo Field
    7.2/10(112 votes)

    #6 - Hondo Field

    S1:E6

    When an oil rig worker is found dead on shore, the investigation leads TJ and Winters to a drilling platform off the California coast.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 7 - Ballona Creek
    7.5/10(113 votes)

    #7 - Ballona Creek

    S1:E7

    The murder of a Watershed Management employee uncovers a cold case, and prompts the serial killer at its heart to come out of retirement.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 8 - Playa Vista
    7.2/10(119 votes)

    #8 - Playa Vista

    S1:E8

    The murder of golfer Kristin Halstead sends Detectives Winters and Jaruszalski to the Mens' professional circuit for leads, only to find them in Chip Jarrow. Trouble comes in the form of an incident between Jarrow and his wife Monica. Which leaves DDAs Dekker and Stanton to filter the chaos into a coherent case they can win.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 9 - Zuma Canyon
    7.8/10(125 votes)

    #9 - Zuma Canyon

    S1:E9

    When a normal quinceañera erupts in violence, leaving multiple people dead, the detectives work quickly to follow a lead. During their search for answers, they find a young boy protecting acres of marijuana and discover he is the only witness that can help the case. As the detectives begin to close in on a suspect, Winters receives a surprise visit at home. Meanwhile, DDA Morales (Alfred Molina) must risk upsetting the Mexican government by prosecuting the guilty, which results in a shocking decision.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 10 - Silver Lake
    7.7/10(113 votes)

    #10 - Silver Lake

    S1:E10

    Don Alvin's quiet life is destroyed when an intruder ambushes he and his family in their home, killing his wife and son. After searching for clues, the detectives discover similar cases that lead them to one powerful common thread. Meanwhile, DDA's Dekker and Rubirosa have to tread carefully in order to get a guilty verdict after Morales' puts their case in jeopardy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 11 - East Pasadena
    7.5/10(97 votes)

    #11 - East Pasadena

    S1:E11

    After a high-speed chase, the car is found containing a woman's dead body and no driver, Detectives Morales and Jaruszalski discover the victim's jealous boyfriend, who divulges information that leads them to believe her bookkeeping job was not what it seemed. The trail of the murder investigation uncovers massive corruption in City Hall - and more murder, where Detectives Morales's efficiency as a police officer is on the line.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 12 - Benedict Canyon
    7.6/10(114 votes)

    #12 - Benedict Canyon

    S1:E12

    When successful Hollywood stylist Lily Walker is gunned down while driving, the seemingly random murder sends shockwaves throughout the city. Following leads, the detectives uncover an unlikely twist that forces them to delve deep into Lily's and Detective Morales's pasts for clues to help solve the murder. Meanwhile, DDA's Dekker and Rubirosa must navigate their way through the details in hopes of bringing the real culprit to justice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 13 - Reseda
    7.9/10(92 votes)

    #13 - Reseda

    S1:E13

    When a bank robber hands a teller a photo of her kidnapped son, she quickly hands over the money in order to save his life. Uncovering details, Morales and Jaruszalski soon become suspicious of the kidnapping. When a second bank is robbed with the same motive, a potential suspect comes to the surface and the team finds themselves in a dangerous situation -- and one of their own pays the price. Meanwhile, DDA's Dekker and Rubirosa disagree with DA Hardin's prosecution strategy, so they devise their own game plan so the bank robber is behind bars for good.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 14 - Runyon Canyon
    7.4/10(93 votes)

    #14 - Runyon Canyon

    S1:E14

    When pre-med freshman Beth Garrett is found strangled to death, a mysterious text leads the detectives to a potential suspect. After some investigating at her sorority, the detectives learn that there is more to this mild mannered bookworm than initially meets the eye. Meanwhile, DDA's Dekker and Rubirosa are forced to change their strategy when game-changing evidence is discovered at the last minute.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 15 - Hayden Tract
    7.3/10(102 votes)

    #15 - Hayden Tract

    S1:E15

    When a crazed gunman open fires during a rally with State Senator Celeste Kelman, seven innocent people are killed including the Senator. With the help of modern technology, the detectives identify a solid lead and possible motive for the shooting. At the DDA's office, tensions are running high when Dekker and Rubirosa disagree on how to handle the case. Meanwhile, TJ gets himself into a sticky situation as he continues his quest to find his dead partner's killer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 16 - Big Rock Mesa
    6.8/10(90 votes)

    #16 - Big Rock Mesa

    S1:E16

    When a destructive wildfire suddenly rips through the hills of Malibu, arson is immediately suspected. Once the blaze is contained, the detectives soon realize that a second fire was intended to cover up a gruesome crime. Meanwhile, DDA’s Dekker and Rubirosa stumble upon some information crucial to the case.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 17 - Angel's Knoll
    7.6/10(94 votes)

    #17 - Angel's Knoll

    S1:E17

    Following a heated argument with his cousin, casino worker George Patrick is found brutally murdered in his hotel bathtub. However, after talking with the victim's girlfriend, they discover that more than one crime has been committed. Meanwhile, DDA's Dekker and Rubirosa reluctantly strike a deal with those involved in order to convict the real mastermind.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 18 - Plummer Park
    7.7/10(93 votes)

    #18 - Plummer Park

    S1:E18

    Detectives Winters and Jaruszalski investigate a botched kidnapping, which becomes complicated when they discover another crime. Unfortunately, this dilemma leaves Dekker with a ticking clock as ICE threatens to extradite witnesses who are key to his case.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 19 - Carthay Circle
    7.1/10(90 votes)

    #19 - Carthay Circle

    S1:E19

    When Kim Ho Lee is found dead by a neighbor, the detectives suspect her live-in boyfriend of murder until they stumble upon his dead body. As Winters and Jazuszalski begin digging into Joyner’s past, they learn that he was hired to collect voter signatures in order to put a controversial proposition back on the ballot. However, when surprising details are uncovered, DDA’s Morales and Price find their case in jeopardy and justice hanging in the balance.

    Director:Unknown

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  21. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 20 - El Sereno
    7.9/10(88 votes)

    #20 - El Sereno

    S1:E20

    When a horrific mass murder occurs at a primarily Hispanic office, the detectives immediately begin investigating the remaining employees, as well as their clients. After arresting a potential suspect, the case comes to a sudden halt when a claim of racial profiling is made against the unlikeliest of sources. DDA’s Dekker and Stanton are forced to navigate through tricky waters in hopes of proving their case.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 21 - Van Nuys
    7.8/10(92 votes)

    #21 - Van Nuys

    S1:E21

    A birthday party turns into a horrific scene after all of the guests are beaten to death by some uninvited visitors. With several clues left behind, the detectives are led to believe it was drug related. However, when they learn one of the guests escaped it leads them to a shocking discovery about the murders. Meanwhile, DDA’s Morales and Price ask for fellow DDA Dekker's help to convict the culprit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Law & Order: LA Season 1 Episode 22 - Westwood
    7.5/10(88 votes)

    #22 - Westwood

    S1:E22

    When Javier Gomez is found dead at UCLA, the detectives learn that protecting his sister Malia, a star soccer player, may have lead to his murder. After speaking with Malia and her boyfriend Eric Kenter, Winters and Jaruszalski are led on a path to uncover the suspect, only to discover the case taking a surprising turn. With the prosecution losing ground, DDA’s Morales and Price are faced with the difficult task of uncovering the truth.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Hollywood" is the best rated episode of "Law & Order: LA" season 1. It scored 6.7/10 based on 192 votes. Directed by Allen Coulter and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/29/2010. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Echo Park".