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The Best Episodes of The District

Every episode of The District ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The District!

Binge this in Unknown•Peaking at 9.4/10

The District is a television police drama which aired on CBS from October 7, 2000 to May 1, 2004. The show followed the work and personal life of the chief of Washington, D.C.'s Police Department.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The District Season 3 Episode 21 - Ella Mae
    9.4/10(79 votes)

    #1 - Ella Mae

    S3:E21

    After beloved Ella Farmer dies unexpectedly, all the members of the police district pay a tribute to her, remembering all the hard work and effort she put in her job. They pray together and miss her, knowing she'll be forever in their heart, and that no one can ever replace her as Mannion's right arm.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The District Season 1 Episode 11 - The D.C. Strangler
    9.0/10(76 votes)

    #2 - The D.C. Strangler

    S1:E11

    Temple leads an investigation to catch a serial killer who is murdering prostitutes, but after viewing the women's mutilated bodies he doesn't know if he's strong enough to see the job through; Mannion comes under pressure to hire a politically correct candidate for a district-commander post.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writers:Hans Beimler, Jack Maple

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  3. The District Season 3 Episode 22 - Into the Sunset
    8.9/10(51 votes)

    #3 - Into the Sunset

    S3:E22

    Without a job and his best friend, Jack takes off to Arizona to play some golf, but not even without his badge he can stop solving crimes. He gets himself involved in a scheme of dirty cops with Mexican dealers and crosses the border to catch the dealer, which he does. Meanwhile, back in D.C., Cavanaugh and Sherry team up to trace Jack and Cavanaugh discovers something that might save Jack's job. Nancy does some investigation on her own and discovers that the guy that died on Brander's hand was injured prior to their encounter, which could clear Brander. Temple and Debreno set up a scheme with Cashmere Brown to bust Lester Richards, who ends up shot to death by Temple.

    Director:Craig T. Nelson
    Writer:Peter M. Lenkov

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  4. The District Season 4 Episode 4 - The Kindness of Strangers
    8.9/10(748 votes)

    #4 - The Kindness of Strangers

    S4:E4

    Chief Mannion and his men investigate the disappearance of teenage girls who all point to a virtual suspect: a guy named Icarus who uses the internet to lure his victims and eventually murders them. The case takes a personal turn when Noland's niece becomes the next target and Joe puts all his efforts into catching the guy. Meanwhile, Temple suffers with pranks and rash commentaries from his co-workers about the death of Lester Richards, while Sherry tries to adjust to her new job.

    Director:Christopher Taylor
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  5. The District Season 4 Episode 11 - The Voice Inside
    8.9/10(37 votes)

    #5 - The Voice Inside

    S4:E11

    No description available

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Peter M. Lenkov

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  6. The District Season 3 Episode 1 - Resurrection (1)
    8.8/10(41 votes)

    #6 - Resurrection (1)

    S3:E1

    The third-season opener picks up where the sophomore year ended, with Mannion struggling for his life after being shot on his boat and falling overboard into the Potomac River. As he tries to pull himself ashore, his would-be assassin, the daughter of a Russian mobster, flees the scene and is hit by a car. While the accident brings to light the fact that Mannion is missing, the chief keeps his survival a secret so he can figure out who's behind the shooting. Deputy chief Noland is immediately pressured to solve the case by an aggressive U.S. attorney general, while a new press secretary tries to keep matters from spinning out of control.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:John Wirth

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The District

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  7. The District Season 3 Episode 11 - Goodbye, Jenny
    8.8/10(34 votes)

    #7 - Goodbye, Jenny

    S3:E11

    Mannion tells Jenny McLure how his men arrested her brother while she is waiting for her final day. Jenny is dying from AIDS and Mannion makes sure her last days are filled with company and happiness. The cocaine found at Lester's apartment is missing, and Parras becomes of the main targets on the investigation on who switched the coke with sugar. Without the evidence they can't put Lester away, while matches from his pistol are coming from numerous murder scenes. Finally Chief Mannion finds the mole and sends Lester to jail, but unfortunately Jenny doesn't last to see the next morning: she passes away the day before Mannion's event to raise people's awareness on the danger and prevention of AIDS.

    Director:Christopher Taylor
    Writers:Pam Veasey, John Wirth

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  8. The District Season 4 Episode 2 - The Devil You Know...
    8.8/10(656 votes)

    #8 - The Devil You Know...

    S4:E2

    After Chief Strickland causes the death of an innocent old lady due to having inaccurate information on the whereabouts of a dangerous drug lord, Mannion decides to catch the guy himself. He uses the help of his best men, who put their jobs at steak and work parallel to Strickland's orders. Mannion's house is burnt down after he keeps stopping kids from selling drugs. When Mannion finally catches the guy, Mayor Douglas won't give his job back, so Jack is forced to reveal that he knows the phone wire was illegal, which ultimately forces Douglas to give him his job back. Meanwhile, Temple investigates two cops whom he thinks are abusing their authority and beating the people they arrest, while Debreno sleeps with Maria Rodriguez, which causes some conflict on his friendship with Temple.

    Director:James Keach
    Writer:Patricia Green

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  9. The District Season 4 Episode 19 - Passing Time
    8.8/10(32 votes)

    #9 - Passing Time

    S4:E19

    Mannion investigates the death of terminal patient afer her daughter shoots the doctor at point blank range, who she believes is responsible for her mother's death. Meanwhile Nancy must confront her own future when her father's Huntington's Disease worsens.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writers:Bruce Zimmerman, Peter M. Lenkov

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  10. The District Season 4 Episode 21 - Open Season
    8.8/10(33 votes)

    #10 - Open Season

    S4:E21

    Mannion's determination to crack down on gangs puts Noland in the line of fire where he's shot and critically wounded.

    Director:Blake T. Evans
    Writers:Pam Veasey, Anthony Sparks

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  11. The District Season 1 Episode 16 - A Southern Town
    8.7/10(46 votes)

    #11 - A Southern Town

    S1:E16

    Mannion goes to New York to attend his ex-wife's wedding and perhaps stop it; an ex-cop accuses Noland of covering up a case 30 years ago that involved a politician's son.

    Director:Rick Rosenthal
    Writer:Pam Veasey

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  12. The District Season 4 Episode 1 - Jack's Back
    8.7/10(36 votes)

    #12 - Jack's Back

    S4:E1

    Back from his Arizona vacation and determined to get his job back, Jack starts campaigning for being Chief of police, even though it's not an elected position. He chooses not to use the illegal taping card that might get him back in the office in no time for a future use and moves into a poor neighborhood. Meanwhile, Brander decides to go back to the force and teams up with Nancy to investigate Lester Richard's death, for which Temple got arrested. They discover that Maria "Cashmere Brown" Rodriguez was lying, which frees Temple, but doesn't exactly prove he didn't kill Lester vindictively.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writers:Pam Veasey, Peter M. Lenkov

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  13. The District Season 2 Episode 10 - Thursday
    8.6/10(59 votes)

    #13 - Thursday

    S2:E10

    When police officer Robert Turner woke up one Thursday morning, he thought it was going to be just a normal day on the force. However, when a car plunged off a bridge into a river, Turner lost his life while rescuing the family inside. Now, Mannion and his team reflect on the life and death of one of their own. (from CBS)

    Director:Jim Charleston
    Writers:Linda Gase, John Wirth

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  14. The District Season 3 Episode 2 - Oil and Water (2)
    8.6/10(35 votes)

    #14 - Oil and Water (2)

    S3:E2

    Mannion, who is presumed to be dead, pops up in Paris to follow the Government official he believes is behind the attempt on his life. Back in Washington, D.C., Temple is stopped for speeding and an officer finds cocaine in the car, but Temple claims the drugs are evidence he obtained at a crime scene and forgot to turn in.

    Director:Jim Charleston
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  15. The District Season 3 Episode 7 - The Second Man
    8.6/10(30 votes)

    #15 - The Second Man

    S3:E7

    During a struggle, deputy chief Noland shoots a college student he believes is about to rob a convenience store with a gun, but the ensuing investigation doesn't turn up a weapon. Soon, Internal Affairs demands that Noland be suspended, but Mannion refuses to take his badge. Also, the student's wealthy parents threaten to bring charges against Noland.

    Director:Jerry Levine
    Writer:Alan Ormsby

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  16. The District Season 3 Episode 10 - Small Packages
    8.6/10(44 votes)

    #16 - Small Packages

    S3:E10

    On Christmas Eve, Temple and Debreno hunt for three dwarfs disguised as elves who robbed a mission truck and were responsible for other thefts in the area, a billy goat who was part of a real-life nativity scene goes missing, Mannion is determined to fulfill "Santa's" promise to an 8 year old boy; Parras becomes attached to an abandoned newborn, and Ella has a gift-giving mix-up.

    Director:Jim Chory
    Writer:Peter M. Lenkov

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  17. The District Season 1 Episode 5 - The Real Terrorist
    8.5/10(46 votes)

    #17 - The Real Terrorist

    S1:E5

    The threat of biological terrorism strikes Washington and Chief Mannion has to arrange almost all his force to search for a potential terrorist. An escapee from juvenile detention murders a taxi driver and a few drug dealers and becomes a big threat once he hides in a public schools, putting in danger hundreds of lives. Temple disguises as a student to catch the killer, in an operation that almost cost Ella the guard of her nephew, if it wasn't for Mannion's interference to the judge.

    Director:Michael W. Watkins
    Writer:Michael Daly

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  18. The District Season 1 Episode 14 - Rage Against the Machine
    8.5/10(42 votes)

    #18 - Rage Against the Machine

    S1:E14

    Mannion attempts to reunite a troubled boy living in foster care with his mother, who is in jail on a drug charge; McGregor tries to prevent a stalker from harming a woman; a female reporter shadows Mannion to write a profile of him; and Temple raises doubts about his upcoming wedding.

    Director:Damon Santostefano
    Writer:Linda Gase

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  19. The District Season 1 Episode 23 - Fools Russian (2)
    8.5/10(46 votes)

    #19 - Fools Russian (2)

    S1:E23

    Mannion receives Monya's hand by the mail, an indication that someone is plotting against him. Temple hasn't recovered from his fiancée's death, but Mannion accepts him back on the force. With Mannion under heavy investigation, the mayor has no options but suspend him. Noland steps in as police chief. Noland assigns McGregor and Temple to work directly for Mannion and he decides to run a investigation of his own. Temple, McGregor and Mannion go to a contruction to investigate the Russian mob, since a scheme for money laudry in the value of over 1 billion is discovered. The FBI tapes two unidentified Russians talking about Mannion's murder, and the voices are identified to be Boris' (Mannion's informer) and Putin's (the man the FBI is after). McGregor and Temple see four suspects enter Boris's bar and call Mannion. Temple decides to take action and walks into the bar, despite Jack's order to wait for him. Temple starts a fight with the men, resulting in him being taken hostage by one of

    Director:Rick Rosenthal
    Writer:Hans Beimler

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  20. The District Season 2 Episode 13 - This Too Shall Pass
    8.5/10(35 votes)

    #20 - This Too Shall Pass

    S2:E13

    Page and Debreno investigate the murder of a reporter, and evidence point them to a wheel-chaired man, who claims the victim was already dead by the time he found her. Mannion goes to NY for his daughter's graduation from police academy and has a hard time saying goodbye to Sherri. Meanwhile, Parras meets a charming man on a cab and thinks he might be "the one", and Brander confesses his love for her. Ella goes to Ricky's school to check on why he is having problems with his new teacher, and finds out she looks just like his late mother.

    Director:Jim Charleston
    Writer:Alan Ormsby

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  21. The District Season 2 Episode 22 - Payback
    8.5/10(40 votes)

    #21 - Payback

    S2:E22

    The gangster wars have crossed the limits, leaving a blood trail and innumerous victims. Mannion has Temple working undercovered trying to reach the big boss on the drug dealing schemes. But it's not such an easy road and Temple is forced to try some crack in order to prove he's not a cop. That brings back ghosts from his druggie past, which Temple may no be strong enough to fight again. Meanwhile, Mannion himself interferes with the gangsters, interrogating young 12 year-old Junior about homicides. Later, Parras and Brander are victims of an ambush and are kidnapped by the gangsters. Luckily the police force rescues them before anything happens. Mannion sees no way out but turning to Richard Gray for help. With him, he gets the gang leaders to settle a non-aggression deal. When everything seems to be going back to its places, Temple looks for drug dealers to buy some crack. Ella turns down Clive's proposal to move to Seattle with him, and he decides to stay and marry her. And Mannion

    Director:Jim Charleston
    Writers:Linda Gase, John Wirth

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  22. The District Season 3 Episode 6 - Old Wounds
    8.5/10(34 votes)

    #22 - Old Wounds

    S3:E6

    After a man crashes and dies and the police finds thousands of dollars with him, Mannion and his men start an investigation to prevent the dead guy's old girlfriend from being killed. Turns out an old shooter that killed one of Mannion's friend back in New York years ago is the hired killer they're looking for, and the woman they were protecting was behind the plan to kill her current husband and keep the money. It's Jack's second and final chance to catch the guy. Mannion hires a personal wedding dress designer for Ella, who has second thoughts about her marriage. Nancy is diagnosed with Huntington's disease after falling from a fire escape and suffering a concussion while chasing a criminal.

    Director:David Jackson
    Writer:Peter M. Lenkov

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  23. The District Season 3 Episode 12 - Untouchable
    8.5/10(32 votes)

    #23 - Untouchable

    S3:E12

    One of Vanessa Cavanaugh's students commits what she taught to be a perfect murder. No evidence, no witnesses. After the murder confesses to Temple and Debreno his crime, he starts to play with Mannion, who can't seem to charge him since the confession wasn't recorded. Mannion is out to get him for the murder of the father of 3 children and ends up finding a way to link the suspect to the murder scene. Meanwhile, Parras works on a Jane Doe case and finds the victim's estranged mother; and Kendall finds it difficult to end her relationship with a married man.

    Director:David Jackson
    Writer:Patricia Green

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  24. The District Season 3 Episode 13 - Sacrifices
    8.5/10(35 votes)

    #24 - Sacrifices

    S3:E13

    A doctor who was reporting a crime sees Brander bring in a foreign criminal with a very suspicious disease, which she thinks might be Ebola. Instantly the office is put in quarantine. Without being able to get out, Mannion has to count on Ella, who was at home preparing for her wedding to keep the order while he breaks through Brander's isolation bubble to save his life. Meanwhile, Debreno drives in the snow to find a delirious Temple, who was exposed to the bacteria and might be contaminated with what was later discovered to be a harmless African flu. The next day they all attend Ella's wedding, where Ricky calls her 'mom' for the first time.

    Director:Deran Sarafian
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  25. The District Season 3 Episode 17 - Where There's Smoke
    8.5/10(34 votes)

    #25 - Where There's Smoke

    S3:E17

    After a shrinking budget forces Mannion to lay off officers, he takes on a powerful city commissioner he believes is partly responsible for the cutbacks. But the move upsets the mayor, who then looks for an excuse to fire the chief. Also: a congressional witness in a fraud trial claims key case documents were stolen from his hotel room; and Nancy and Brander are injured in an accident while pursuing a suspect.

    Director:Christopher Taylor
    Writers:Michael Daly, Brigid O'Connor Maple

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Best Episodes Summary

"Ella Mae" is the best rated episode of "The District". It scored 9.4/10 based on 79 votes. Directed by Oz Scott and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/10/2003. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "The D.C. Strangler".