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The Best Episodes of The Defenders Season 1

Every episode of The Defenders Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Defenders Season 1!

Binge this in 13h 10m•Peaking at 7.9/10

The Defenders is a drama about two colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick and Pete are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Defenders Season 1 Episode 7 - Las Vegas v. Black Betty
    7.9/10(85 votes)

    S1:E7

    Nick reluctantly defends an entertainer's girlfriend when she is charged with murder; Lisa's newest client reveals potentially dangerous information.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 3 - Nevada v. Carter
    7.7/10(83 votes)

    S1:E3

    Nick defends a stripper accused of solicitation; Pete must take on an unwanted case after losing a hand of poker.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Peter Noah

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  3. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 15 - Nevada v. Hunter
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    S1:E15

    Facing thirty counts of possession of a controlled substance, an overconfident judge turns to Nick, who has no choice but to help acquit him of the charges.

    Director:Brad Silberling
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 12 - Nevada v. Wayne
    7.6/10(54 votes)

    S1:E12

    Nick's personal ties to a young man charged with sexual assault prompt him to defend the accusations. Meanwhile, Pete is stunned when he has jury duty.

    Director:Greg Beeman
    Writer:Bruce Rasmussen

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  5. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 13 - Nevada v. Donnie the Numbers Guy
    7.5/10(59 votes)

    S1:E13

    Seventeen years after disappearing on the eve of his wife's murder trial, a man from Nick's past returns to Vegas looking to prove his innocence by relying on new technological tools.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 8 - Nevada v. Killa Diz
    7.4/10(59 votes)

    S1:E8

    Nick comes to the defense of a young rapper wanted on two counts of first-degree murder. Meanwhile, Pete takes the case of an Internet hacker facing RICO charges.

    Director:Rod Holcomb
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Defenders

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  7. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 9 - Whitten v. Fenlee
    7.4/10(63 votes)

    S1:E9

    When a woman's husband dies from a fall on a construction site, Nick and Pete look to prove wrongful death against the company. Meanwhile, Pete tries to help an online blogger avoid jail after exposing an illusionist's magic trick.

    Director:Christine Moore
    Writers:Bruce Rasmussen, Peter Noah

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  8. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 18 - Morelli v. Kaczmarek
    7.4/10(63 votes)

    S1:E18

    The firm temporarily dissolves its partnership when they have to defend a husband and wife accused of murder.

    Director:Paul McCrane
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.3/10(118 votes)

    S1:E1

    Nick and Pete use whatever tactics necessary in order to defend a young man facing murder charges in a case unique to Vegas.

    Director:Davis Guggenheim
    Writers:Niels Mueller, Kevin Kennedy

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  10. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 5 - Nevada v. Senator Harper
    7.3/10(65 votes)

    S1:E5

    In the middle of a divorce case, a client is charged with the kidnapping and burglary; Pete defends a cabana girl accused of assault and battery.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Bruce Rasmussen, Jacqueline Hoyt

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  11. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 10 - Nevada v. Dennis
    7.3/10(70 votes)

    S1:E10

    When a young man is pulled over carrying guns with filed-off serial numbers, Nick and Pete try to get the charges thrown out. Meanwhile, Nick agrees to help the ADA's sister save a bear from being euthanized.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 14 - Nevada v. Doug the Mule
    7.3/10(61 votes)

    S1:E14

    When a young man is pulled over carrying 30 bricks of cocaine, Nick and Pete look to prove their client was duped by a girl he met on spring break.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 2 - Las Vegas v. Reid
    7.2/10(84 votes)

    S1:E2

    Nick Morelli works the system to free a single mother accused of running down a jogger while chit chatting on her cell phone, meanwhile, Pete Kaczmarek does his best to help a man down on his luck.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Peter Noah

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  14. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 16 - Noland v. Galloway Pharmaceuticals
    7.2/10(59 votes)

    S1:E16

    Nick and Pete go after a pharmaceutical company for faulty packaging when two victims overdose on the same drug. Lisa is secretly seeing ADA Ward all the while considering a fascinating new job offer.

    Director:Christine Moore
    Writer:Matt Payne

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  15. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 4 - Nevada v. Cerrato
    7.0/10(65 votes)

    S1:E4

    Nick is ready to accept a simple arson case until he realizes that his client could be convicted of first-degree murder. Meanwhile, Pete helps a lottery winner take on a casino when he loses his fortune after a night of high rolling.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 6 - Nevada v. Rodgers
    6.9/10(63 votes)

    S1:E6

    Nick defends a man charged with attempted murder; a man is caught with stolen Elvis memorabilia.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 11 - Nevada v. Riley
    6.9/10(56 votes)

    S1:E11

    Nick and Pete come to the aid of a troubled ex-football player charged with battery. Meanwhile, Pete becomes exasperated when his father shows up in town.

    Director:Richard J. Lewis
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Defenders Season 1 Episode 17 - Nevada v. Greene
    6.8/10(56 votes)

    S1:E17

    Unable to recall any events from the previous night, the son of a hotel owner turns to Nick and Pete for help after he awakes to find a casino host strangled to death in a hot tub.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Las Vegas v. Black Betty" is the best rated episode of "The Defenders" season 1. It scored 7.9/10 based on 85 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/3/2010. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Nevada v. Carter".