CrimeDramaNBC

The Best Episodes of Law & Order Season 1

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

Binge this in 17h 18m·Peaking at 8.5/10
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons26

All1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Law & Order Season 1 Episode 9 - Indifference
    8.5/10(719 votes)

    S1:E9

    During the investigation into the death of a little girl in a respectable, middle-class family, Greevey and Logan uncover a myriad of family secrets involving abuse, molestation, and murder.

    Director:James Quinn
    Writer:Robert Palm

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 1 - Prescription for Death
    8.1/10(1096 votes)

    S1:E1

    When a young woman dies during a hectic emergency room night shift, her father claims the hospital was negligent, and an investigation leads the detectives to believe that the doctor treating her may have been drunk on duty.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 17 - Mushrooms
    8.1/10(599 votes)

    S1:E17

    The accidental shooting of two children by a 14-year-old hired killer leads to a drug dealer and a real estate agent.

    Director:Daniel Sackheim
    Writer:Robert Palm

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 22 - The Blue Wall
    8.1/10(532 votes)

    S1:E22

    Cragen comes under suspicion when his mentor in the department is investigated for laundering drug money.

    Director:Vern Gillum
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 16 - The Torrents of Greed (2)
    8.0/10(547 votes)

    S1:E16

    Stone tries to salvage his prosecution of the Masucci family when Beigel faces bribery charges and seems willing to turn against his brother-in-law.

    Director:E.W. Swackhamer
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 21 - Sonata for Solo Organ
    8.0/10(535 votes)

    S1:E21

    Stone and Robinette prosecute a surgeon and the wealthy father of a transplant patient for illegally obtaining a kidney.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Law & Order

    READ
  7. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 8 - Poison Ivy
    7.8/10(618 votes)

    S1:E8

    The shooting of a black honors student stirs up racial tensions, especially after it becomes apparent that the cop responsible for the death may have planted a gun on the body to excuse the shooting.

    Director:E.W. Swackhamer
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 11 - Out of the Half-Light
    7.8/10(586 votes)

    S1:E11

    Greevey and Logan's investigation into a black teenager's claim that she was raped by white policemen is hampered by a publicity hungry, black politician who will not grant the detectives access to the victim.

    Director:E.W. Swackhamer
    Writer:Michael Duggan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 12 - Life Choice
    7.8/10(586 votes)

    S1:E12

    Stone faces pressure from the public and from Schiff as he prepares to prosecute the person accused of bombing an abortion clinic.

    Directors:Aaron Lipstadt, Dick Wolf
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 15 - The Torrents of Greed (1)
    7.8/10(558 votes)

    S1:E15

    An assault on a candy storeowner leads Stone and Robinette to build a case against a powerful mafia don.

    Director:E.W. Swackhamer
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 14 - The Violence of Summer
    7.7/10(602 votes)

    S1:E14

    Greevey and Logan reopen an investigation to help Stone and Robinette build a stronger case against three boys accused of gang-raping a TV reporter.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Michael Duggan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 5 - Happily Ever After
    7.6/10(638 votes)

    S1:E5

    Greevey and Logan have a hunch that robbery is a cover for the real motive in the death of a millionaire in a parking garage.

    Director:Vern Gillum
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 13 - A Death in the Family
    7.6/10(544 votes)

    S1:E13

    Police start a citywide manhunt for a man suspected of killing a cop during a rooftop pursuit.

    Director:Gwen Arner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 20 - The Troubles
    7.6/10(514 votes)

    S1:E20

    Logan is forced to face his cultural biases when both a Cuban drug dealer and an Irish terrorist are suspected of killing a Lebanese gunrunner.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 3 - The Reaper's Helper
    7.5/10(757 votes)

    S1:E3

    The death of a man with AIDS appears to be the work of a serial killer who may have been motivated by mercy.

    Director:Vern Gillum
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 6 - Everybody's Favorite Bagman
    7.5/10(690 votes)

    S1:E6

    The mugging of a councilman leads the detectives to arrest a mobster, who in turn leads Stone and Robinette to corrupt city officials.

    Director:John Patterson
    Writer:Dick Wolf

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 7 - By Hooker, By Crook
    7.5/10(625 votes)

    S1:E7

    When Logan and Greevey investigate how a family man came to be found unconscious in Central Park, they uncover a very high-class call girl operation run by a well-educated socialite.

    Director:Martin Davidson
    Writer:David Black

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 19 - The Serpent's Tooth
    7.5/10(502 votes)

    S1:E19

    Two brothers appear to be the logical suspects in the murder of their wealthy parents.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 2 - Subterranean Homeboy Blues
    7.4/10(816 votes)

    S1:E2

    The shooting of two black men by a white woman in a crowded subway initially appears to be a case of self-defense, but further investigation reveals revenge as a possible motive.

    Director:E.W. Swackhamer
    Writer:Robert Palm

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 4 - Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die
    7.4/10(693 votes)

    S1:E4

    Stone has difficulty prosecuting a privileged preppie with a history of abusing his girlfriends after one of them dies at his hands.

    Director:Charles Correll
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 18 - The Secret Sharers
    7.4/10(498 votes)

    S1:E18

    Stone faces a flashy Texas lawyer and a hostile community as he tries to prosecute a young man accused of killing a drug dealer.

    Director:E.W. Swackhamer
    Writer:Robert Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Law & Order Season 1 Episode 10 - Prisoner of Love
    7.2/10(586 votes)

    S1:E10

    A city arts commissioner and a socialite come under investigation when an artist noted for his sadomasochistic themes is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

    Director:Michael Fresco
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Indifference" is the best rated episode of Law & Order season 1. It scored 8.5/10 from 719 votes. Directed by James Quinn and written by Robert Palm, it aired on November 27, 1990. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Prescription for Death".