7.9/102,025 votes#1 - The Bag or the Bat
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 6/30/2013
Ray Donovan is the man called in to solve the most difficult problems for LA's rich and powerful. The only problems he can't fix are those involving his damaged South Boston family. Ray's life is thrown into turmoil when his father Mickey unexpectedly gets out of prison five years early and arrives in LA, vowing to take revenge on Ray for framing him.
Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Ann Biderman
7.8/101,546 votes#2 - A Mouth Is a Mouth
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/7/2013
Ray activates a plan to send Mickey back to prison. Meanwhile, Abby defies Ray and spends the day with Mickey and the kids. Ray handles two crises involving movie star clients: A-list actor Sean Walker receives a threatening message at home and action hero Tommy Wheeler is blackmailed with a sex video.
Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Ann Biderman
7.7/101,417 votes#3 - Twerk
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 7/14/2013
Mickey spends time with Bunchy and Terry. Ray "buys" a talented hip-hop artist for his rapper neighbor. Ray's mentor, Ezra Goldman, holds a fundraiser in honor of his late wife, but he's haunted by the sins of his past. Meanwhile, Mickey is approached by an FBI agent.
Director: Greg Yaitanes
Writer: Ron Nyswaner
7.7/101,333 votes#4 - Black Cadillac
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 7/21/2013
Ray, Abby and the kids visit Bel Air Academy, hoping Bridget will get into the prestigious school, but the day is interrupted when Ray has to take care of a case at a Beverly Hills hotel. Mickey, Bunchy and Daryll drive out to Palm Springs to visit Mickey's ex-girlfriend, Claudette.
Director: John Dahl
Writer: David Hollander
8.0/101,300 votes#5 - The Golem
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 7/28/2013
Ezra has an accident. Terry and Frances grow closer. Bunchy receives his settlement check. Mickey visits Ezra to talk about the past. Ray and Avi learn some very unsettling news.
Director: Daniel Attias
Writer: Sean Conway
8.1/101,314 votes#6 - Housewarming
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/4/2013
Ray tries to shut down Van Miller's investigation by creating an incriminating video. Ezra is prepped for surgery, but he wanders off. Bunchy moves into his new house, but the housewarming party gets out of control. Ray finds out that Mickey put his kids in danger and goes after him.
Director: Michael Uppendahl
Writer: Brett Johnson
7.9/101,258 votes#7 - New Birthday
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 8/11/2013
Ray forbids Bridget from seeing Marvin, but she visits him anyway. Meanwhile, Ray flies to Boston to search for Sully; Abby and Deb commiserate over drinks and get themselves into trouble; and Mickey manipulates Sean into working with him on a movie project.
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer: David Hollander
7.9/101,254 votes#8 - Bridget
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/18/2013
Ray, Terry and Bunchy toast the anniversary of their sister Bridget's death. Frances shows up with a black eye and Terry goes after her husband. Ray and Avi get Bunchy's money back. Mickey meets a former starlet at a spa. Lena has an altercation with her girlfriend.
Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: Ann Biderman
8.2/101,224 votes#9 - Road Trip
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 8/25/2013
Avi drives Sully from Boston to Los Angeles. Conor wants to go to an awards show with Tommy Wheeler. Mickey works with Van to get incriminating evidence against Sean Walker.
Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Brett Johnson
8.5/101,312 votes#10 - Fite Nite
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 9/8/2013
Ray and the family attend fight night at Terry's club. Meanwhile, Ray's plan with Sully is put into action. Mickey has a rendezvous. Bunchy encounters someone from his past, sending him into a tailspin.
Director: Tucker Gates
Writer: Sean Conway
8.6/101,265 votes#11 - Bucky Fuckin' Dent
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 9/15/2013
Bunchy has a violent encounter. Ray is called to handle a crisis at Terry's club. Ray meets with Ezra. The police question Mickey about a recent murder. Ray sends Avi to protect Abby and the kids from Sully.
Director: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Ron Nyswaner
8.6/101,309 votes#12 - Same Exactly
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 9/22/2013
Ray and Avi track down Eddie. Bunchy kicks Mickey out of his apartment. Ray leaks Sully's whereabouts to the press. Abby and the kids hide out at a swank Malibu resort.
Director: Michael Apted
Writer: Ann Biderman
The Best Episodes of Ray Donovan Season 1
Every episode of Ray Donovan Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Ray Donovan Season 1!
Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, Ray Donovan does the dirty work for LA's top power players, and makes their problems...
Genre:Drama
Network:Showtime
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"The Bag or the Bat" is the best rated episode of "Ray Donovan" season 1. It scored 7.9/10 based on 2025 votes. Directed by Allen Coulter and written by Ann Biderman, it aired on 6/30/2013. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "A Mouth Is a Mouth".