7.6/1018 votes#1 - Dad
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 9/28/2001
When Jim returns home to recuperate from a serious head injury after being shot in last season's finale, Syd, Joanie and Robbie clash over each other's reactions to the changes in their father. Syd believes Jim needs more help than they can provide at home, Joanie thinks he needs to be surrounded by loved ones in his own environment while Robbie is detached and angry over the ""loss"" of the father he knew. Besides trying to keep the peace in her family, Syd must also deal with a neurotic patient who believes television characters are real people.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: John Masius
7.8/1020 votes#2 - Home Sweet Home
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/2001
WILL SYD AND JOE PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR RELATIONSHIP? - Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) is reluctant to accept Joe's (guest star Steven Ekholdt) invitaton to join him for an evening of romance in the public eye at a glamorous political event. Meanwhile at the clinic, Syd struggles to reconcile a patient (guest star Johnny Whitworth) who has full-blown AIDS, with his estranged father (guest star Frederick Coffin.) On the homefront, an exhausted Joanie (Paula Cale) butts heads with Jim's (Mike Farrell) new home therapist (guest star Debi Morgan). Robbie (Seth Peterson) avoids dealing with family issues by busying himself with do-it-yourself projects at Tina's (guest star Maria Pitillo) apartment. TV-PG
Director: Ian Toynton
Writer: N/A
- 7.2/1022 votes
#3 - Impulse Control
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 10/12/2001
FRIENDS AND LOVERS - Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) and Joe's (guest star Steven Ekholdt) relationship is strained when Syd becomes better acquainted with his estranged wife Erica (guest star Christina Haag) and the two women discover that they like each other. Brought together through volunteer work for breast cancer research, Erica asks Syd to consult on her friend Lynn's (guest star Allison Smith, ""The West Wing"") breast reconstructive surgery. Meanwhile, Joanie (Paula Cale) struggles with financial problems caused by Jim's (Mike Farrell) HMO coverage, or lack thereof. Jim discovers the joys of home shopping on cable television which adds to Joanie's concerns. Joanie and Heather (guest star Dana Daurey) interview a temporary replacement for Jim to run the vet clinic and decide to hire Dr. Sam Magala (guest star Cress Williams). Robbie (Seth Peterson) tries to help Tina's (guest star Maria Pitillo) son Pete (guest star Alex D. Linz, ""Home Alone 3"") with a school science project but meets w
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.5/1020 votes
#4 - You Can Count on Me
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/19/2001
CRESS WILLIAMS GUEST STARS; IS WASHINGTON IN SYD'S FUTURE? -- Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) begins having separation anxiety from Joe (guest star Steven Eckholdt) who is on the campaign trail, which leads her to consider moving to Washington if he wins the election. Meanwhile, Syd must also treat a young man (guest star Alex Cruz) who must recover from a bicycle accident before he can donate bone marrow to his dying sister (guest star Daniella Garcia). At home, Joanie (Paula Cale) gets a much needed break when Robbie (Seth Peterson) offers to watch Jim (Mike Farrell) and Hannah (guest star Tessa Allen); Joanie spends the day bonding with Tina (guest star Maria Pitillo) as the future sisters-in-law plan Robbie and Tina's wedding; and when Jim discovers Dr. Sam Magala (guest star Cress Williams) has been hired to run the vet clinic, he decides to go back to work, with mixed results.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Carol Barbee
- 8.0/1020 votes
#5 - Civil Unrest
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2001
WILL SYD VOTE IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING HER ROMANCE WITH JOE CONNELLY? THINGS HEAT UP WHEN PETE (GUEST STAR ALEX D. LINZ, 'MAX KEEBLE'S BIG MOVE') SETS FIRE TO HIS BEDROOM -- As election day draws near, Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) sees nothing positive about negative campaign tactics used by Joe Connelly (guest star Steven Eckholdt) and begins to seriously question his integrity. Meanwhile, an increasingly hostile Pete (guest star Alex D. Linz, 'Max Keeble's Big Move') realizes Robbie (Seth Peterson) really cares for him when Pete accidentally sets fire to the apartment and Robbie saves him. Elsewhere, during an unsupervised moment at the clinic, Jim (Mike Farrell) administers an injection to a dog and the animal goes into cardiac arrest when Dr. Malaga (guest star Cress Williams, NBC's 'ER') unwittingly gives the dog another shot of the same drug. Later at home, Joanie (Paula Cale) gives Jim an herbal supplement, not knowing it could cause an ulcer.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Mike Kelley
8.0/1017 votes#6 - Best Man
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 11/2/2001
CHAOS ABOUNDS AS WEDDING BELLS RING FOR ROBBIE AND TINA -- Robbie (Seth Peterson) and Tina's (Maria Pitillo) wedding is marred when best man Jim (Mike Farrell) becomes flustered while toasting the happy couple and accidentally hits the groom -- but Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) is already furious with Robbie for letting Jim get drunk at the bachelor party and Robbie is annoyed by Syd's thoughtless wedding gift. Meanwhile, Tina's wisecracking father (guest star Peter Jason), youth-obsessed mother (guest star Stephanie Faracy) and mischievous twin brothers (guest stars Randy Sklar and Jason Sklar) add to the chaos of the big event. Additionally, Hannah (Tessa Allen) is on a quest to find Joanie (Paula Cale) a Prince Charming. Concetta Tomei also stars
Director: Kristoffer Tabori
Writer: Ann Lewis Hamilton
- 7.9/1018 votes
#7 - The Honeymoon's Over
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/2001
THE NEWLYWEDS ATTEMPT A HONEYMOON GETAWAY AS JIM RETURNS TO REHAB; LINDSAY CROUSE ('BUFFY') GUEST STARS - Newlyweds Robbie (Seth Peterson) and Tina (Maria Pitillo) grow increasingly frustrated with the airlines, and each other, when travel problems arise and it seems that they'll never make it to Miami for their honeymoon while Jim (Mike Farrell) returns to rehab and makes some painful revelations to his new coach (guest star Lindsay Crouse, ""Buffy The Vampire Slayer"") about his feelings towards Syd (Melina Kanakaredes). Likewise, Syd begins to realize that her father's condition has been taking an emotional toll on her, and that she needs to seek help to deal with it. Elsewhere, Joanie (Paula Cale) finds herself with too much time on her hands and decides to look up an old friend from school. Concetta Tomei also stars. TV-PG
Director: N/A
Writer: Jennifer Johnson
- 7.8/1015 votes
#8 - Rocky Road
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 11/16/2001
ISABELLA HOFMANN GUEST-STARS -- Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) has second thoughts about seeing her new therapist (guest star Isabella Hofmann, ""Homicide: Life on the Street"") and becomes alarmed when she stops seeing visions of her mother, Lynda (Concetta Tomei). At the rehab center, Jim (Mike Farrell) makes good progress and in turn helps a friend (guest star David Marciano) who is frustrated with the slow pace of his own recovery. Meanwhile, Joanie (Paula Cale) finally gets financial satisfaction from her father's insurance company and helps a new friend (guest star Carol Potter, ""Beverly Hills, 90210"") wage a similar battle against the HMO. Elsewhere, Robbie's (Seth Peterson) attempts to be more of a friend than a father to Pete (guest star Alex D. Linz, ""Home Alone 3"") results in a trip to the emergency room.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: N/A
- 8.0/1017 votes
#9 - Gobble Gobble
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/23/2001
THANKSGIVING BRINGS OUT JIM'S GOOD DEED - MUCH TO SYD'S DISMAY -- Jim's (Mike Farrell) rehabilitation requires him to travel on a bus to do his errands but when he decides to do a Good Samaritan deed for the bus driver's grandmother, he ends up accepting a ride from some rough dudes -- and an unknowing Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) grows frantic when he doesn't return on time. Meanwhile: St. Clare's loans its space for a charity Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Daughters of the Mayflower allowing Syd to treat their chairwoman -- whose lineage might be suspect; Joanie (Paula Cale) and Hannah take a ride in the country and end up saving a turkey; Robbie's (Seth Peterson) well-intentioned plan to surprise Tina with a big family holiday dinner goes up in smoke. Concetta Tomei also stars
Director: Duane Clark
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/1017 votes
#10 - The Mating Dance
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 12/14/2001
JOANIE GOES ON A 'BLIND DATE' TO FIND A MATE; SERIES HOST ROGER LODGE GUEST-STARS AS HIMSELF -- At the suggestion of her therapist, Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) participates in an evening of ""Speed Dating"" while Joanie (Paula Cale) becomes a contestant on the romantic reality show ""Blind Date"" hosted by Roger Lodge (appearing as himself) while Phil (guest star Dan Montgomery) babysits Hannah (Tessa Allen) -- and while her date turns out to be the wrong guy, Joanie still has a chance for romance. Robbie (Seth Peterson) sells his skis to buy a new sewing machine for Tina (Maria Pitillo), who sells her own sewing machine to buy ski tickets for Robbie. Meanwhile, Jim (Mike Farrell) makes a new female friend at rehab. Concetta Tomei also stars. TV-PG
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: N/A
- 7.3/1020 votes
#11 - The Start of Something Big
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 1/4/2002
Syd is personally and professionally stunned by a malpractice suit brought on by a high-risk pregnancy patient (guest star Ashley Johnson) and in turn questions her recent decision to end therapy sessions with Dr. Dunseith (guest star Isabella Hofmann). In the meantime, Joanie and Phil (guest star Dan Montgomery) go rock wall climbing as platonic friends, but soon realize that the tension between them isn't just in the ropes. Jim begins an independent living program at the rehab center and can return to work at the vet clinic part-time if Sam (guest star Cress Williams) shadows him. Meanwhile, Jim uses a pet kitten to help his friend Meredith (guest star Marcia Srassman) realize that she never has to live alone. And something is cooking at O'Neill's when Robbie creates a salad dressing that inadvertently induces labor pains in pregnant customers. Amid the expectant customers, Tina (Maria Pitillo) suspects she may be pregnant herself.
Director: Ian Toynton
Writer: Carol Barbee
8.0/1017 votes#12 - Shadow Play
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 1/11/2002
LARRY MILLER (""THE PRINCESS DIARIES"") GUEST-STARS -- In the wake of her malpractice suit, Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) is shadowed at St. Clare's Clinic by one of it's snoopy board members, Dr. Mincus (guest star Larry Miller, ""The Princess Diaries""). Similiarly at the vet clinic, Jim (Mike Farrell) returns to work part-time under the watchful eye of Sam (guest star Cress Williams, NBC's ""ER""). Tina (Maria Pitillo) seeks Syd's professional advice and learns she may have to consider surgery if she hopes to conceive a child. Robbie (Seth Peterson) becomes a full partner at O'Neill's. Joanie (Paula Cale) and Phil (guest star Dan Montgomery) use their talents for fighting the system to help a father (guest star Peter Onorati) whose son (guest star Scott Terra) needs more assistance than his school is willing to give him. Concetta Tomei, Dana Daurey and Samaria Graham also star.
Director: Craig Zisk
Writer: Mike Kelley
- 7.6/1025 votes
#13 - The Good Fight
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 1/25/2002
WILL SYD OBJECT TO HER DEFENSE ATTORNEY? -- Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) meets the attractive, brilliant attorney Owen Frank (guest star George Newburn) who will defend her in the malpractice suit and faces a will stronger than her own. Joanie (Paula Cale) is apprehensive about taking her relationship with Phil (Dan Montgomery) to a more physical level. Robbie (Seth Peterson) and Tina (Maria Pitillo) try to play cupids with Pete (Alex D. Linz) and his tomboy friend, Nicky (guest star Brenda Grate). Jim (Mike Farrell) performs surgery on a patient for the first time since his injury and does so well that Sam (Cress Williams) tells him he no longer needs a ""shadow"". TV-PG
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Jennifer Johnson
- 6.9/1021 votes
#14 - All the King's Men
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 2/1/2002
Syd fight to save her career.
Director: Karen Gaviola
Writer: Ann Lewis Hamilton
7.5/1015 votes#15 - Act Naturally
Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 3/22/2002
Hollywood is calling! Syd goes to LA to speak to students at UCLA. But her ex-boyfriend Jerry takes her on the set of his show. Joanie gets a movie role. Jim is allowed to drive again.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.7/1015 votes
#16 - Limbo
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 3/29/2002
Robbie thinks he has pregnancy symptoms. Jim on a date.
Director: Ian Toynton
Writer: N/A
- 7.9/1021 votes
#17 - The Whole Truth
Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 4/5/2002
Syd's medicial trial begins.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Jennifer Cecil
- 8.5/1030 votes
#18 - Gotcha
Season 4 Episode 18 - Aired 4/12/2002
Owen can't wait to see the front side of Syd, he gives her a list of people to squirt all over town. While eating breakfast with Owen Things begin to get a little scary because a patron in the restaurant begins to choke on something. Later that same day Kevin keeps running into Syd.
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Writer: Carol Barbee
- 7.1/1021 votes
#19 - Great Expectations
Season 4 Episode 19 - Aired 4/19/2002
Jim has a new friend. Syd's dates with Owen get interesting.
Director: N/A
Writer: Nancy Won
- 7.6/1017 votes
#20 - Things Have Changed
Season 4 Episode 20 - Aired 4/26/2002
Sydney's relationship with Owen continues to heat up. Meanwhile Jim is stuck between a rock and hard place when he has to choose between two women. He must choose between Georgia who likes to ride motorcycles. Jim must also choose between Meredith whom he met in rehab.
Director: N/A
Writer: Terrence Coli
- 7.1/1013 votes
#21 - Smoke and Mirrors
Season 4 Episode 21 - Aired 5/3/2002
Syd moves in with Owen when a schizophrenic patient becomes obsessed with her.
Director: Ian Toynton
Writer: Jennifer Johnson, Mike Kelley
- 7.6/1017 votes
#22 - Out of Control
Season 4 Episode 22 - Aired 5/10/2002
Season Finale Syd moves in with Owen, but that is only the start. Can Owen protect Syd as her stalker gets too close when a fire breaks out at the clinic?
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Ann Lewis Hamilton
The Best Episodes of Providence Season 4
Every episode of Providence Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Providence Season 4!
Providence is an American television drama series.
Genre:Drama
Network:NBC
Season 4 Ratings Summary
"Dad" is the best rated episode of "Providence" season 4. It scored 7.6/10 based on 18 votes. Directed by Michael Fresco and written by John Masius, it aired on 9/28/2001. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Home Sweet Home".