8.5/10476 votes#1 - Guts
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/21/2004
New York City firefighter, Tommy Gavin, cannot escape the ghosts of those who have died around him as he faces the everyday challenge of saving lives while trying to fix his own.
Director: Peter Tolan
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
8.1/10334 votes#2 - Gay
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/28/2004
When a retired gay firefighter makes a published claim that several firemen who died in 9/11 were closeted gays, Chief Reilly is determined to set the record straight. While attempting to mask the pain of losing his wife and kids, Tommy does Jimmy a favor and spies on his widow which leads to a surprising discovery. The probie must deal with the unexpected repercussions of being a hero after making his first save in a fire.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
8.1/10294 votes#3 - Kansas
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 8/4/2004
Tommy decides to make life a living hell for his wife's new boyfriend by wreaking havoc on his business and finances. Meanwhile, Chief Reilly faces possible suspension as the result of an altercation with a fellow firefighter and Lou decides to share his poetry.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
8.3/10290 votes#4 - DNA
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 8/11/2004
A "friendly" date between Tommy and the widow of his dead cousin takes a unexpected turn when she makes a move on Tommy. Franco's ex-girlfriend shows up at the firehouse and claims he's the father of her five-year-old daughter, turning his life upside down.
Director: Jace Alexander
Writer: N/A
8.3/10276 votes#5 - Orphans
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/18/2004
Tommy comes to terms with the reality of his broken family as a result of a shocking experience with his father. When a freak accident occurs, Franco must make a life-changing decision, and Chief Reilly is forced to expose a family secret in order to save his career.
Director: Jace Alexander
Writer: Salvatore Stabile
8.2/10258 votes#6 - Revenge
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/25/2004
Tommy takes one step forward by convincing Janet to leave Roger but two steps backward when she stumbles onto his latest fling. The boys convince Sean to date a woman but neglect to tell him that she is actually a he. Franco discovers he can't shake his newfound fatherly instincts.
Director: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Michael Caleo
8.0/10249 votes#7 - Butterfly
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 9/1/2004
When Tommy asks for extra vacation time, Chief Reilly tips him off on how to get a free two week vacation from headquarters. While building a deck for Tommy's neighbor, Tommy takes advantage of his "free" advice which leads him to make a bold move in reconciling with Janet.
Director: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Robert Krausz
8.3/10266 votes#8 - Inches
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 9/8/2004
Tommy attempts to handle the insanity of his father while defending Colleen's new lifestyle to Janet. At the firehouse, Sean and Mike the Probie unknowingly launch a full blown wager among the crew.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Stephen Belber
8.0/10244 votes#9 - Alarm
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 9/15/2004
When Tommy discovers a secret that Janet is keeping from him, he must come to terms with the possible consequences. At the firehouse, Chief Reilly preps the boys for their new female replacement. With the help of Franco and Sean, Tommy tracks down the man responsible for Billy's death.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Salvatore Stabile
8.1/10240 votes#10 - Immortal
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 9/22/2004
When Tommy struggles to help Janet in a financial crunch, he must turn to his Uncle Teddy to help him out. The new female addition to the house fights to be accepted by the guys while they do everything they can to drive her nuts. Just as Mike is getting fed up from sleeping on the firehouse couch, he is offered a helping hand with a free place to stay... at a steep price.
Director: Jace Alexander
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
8.1/10235 votes#11 - Mom
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 9/29/2004
While Tommy attempts to make reason of the chaos in his life, he continues to defy death while pulling dangerous stunts on the job. Lou admits his infidelity to his wife and receives an unexpected surprise. When tragedy strikes his family, Tommy must come to the rescue of his father.
Director: Jace Alexander
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
8.3/10227 votes#12 - Leaving
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 10/6/2004
When Janet needs more money to cover house repairs, Tommy turns to Uncle Teddy and his "little" friend to help him out with extra cash. When Franco's father has a stroke, Franco finds himself trying to juggle work and raising his daughter on his own. Meanwhile, a goodwill tribute to the firefighters lost in 9/11 goes awry and the firehouse is put in jeopardy.
Director: Peter Tolan
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
8.7/10269 votes#13 - Sanctuary
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 10/13/2004
The hockey game rematch between the NYPD and the FDNY is right around the corner and Tommy must figure out a plan to save himself from being pummeled by the cops who have it out for him. Tommy's relationship with Sheila is discovered by the guys and they must adhere to tradition to handle it in their own way. When Tommy is visited by his demons during a fire, Franco comes to his aid... with devastating results.
Director: Jace Alexander, Peter Tolan
Writer: Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
The Best Episodes of Rescue Me Season 1
Every episode of Rescue Me Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Rescue Me Season 1!
Rescue Me revolves around the lives of the men in a New York City firehouse, the crew of 62 Truck. Examining the fraternal nature and...
Genre:Drama
Network:FX
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Guts" is the best rated episode of "Rescue Me" season 1. It scored 8.5/10 based on 476 votes. Directed by Peter Tolan and written by Denis Leary, Peter Tolan, it aired on 7/21/2004. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Gay".