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The Best Episodes of The Paper Chase

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

The Best Episodes of The Paper Chase

Critically lauded drama about the life and pressures of a group of students at a prestigious Eastern law school, with a strict and domineering contract-law...

Seasons4

  1. Background image for My Dinner With Kingsfield
    9.6/10(27 votes)

    #1 - My Dinner With Kingsfield

    S2:E16

    A snowstorm strands Kingsfield, forcing him to spend the evening with Hart while Ford and Bell get to know Nottingham in a local bar.

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  2. Background image for Graduation
    9.4/10(20 votes)

    #2 - Graduation

    S4:E5

    The episode which brings it together. We learn of the future plans of the characters. Enjoyed Ford's talk with Hart before leaving for the ceremony. Remember the ending of Hart's speech? Addressing Kingsfield, ""How you've changed my life . . .It has never been easy for me with you, and this moment I find most difficult of all, thank you, and goodbye"".

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for The Day Kingsfield Missed Class
    8.8/10(19 votes)

    #3 - The Day Kingsfield Missed Class

    S3:E7

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Birthday Party
    8.7/10(21 votes)

    #4 - Birthday Party

    S2:E2

    Kingsfield's friend and former student, now the Attorney General of the United States, asks him if he would accept a nomination to the Supreme Court. Hart decides to celebrate Kingsfield's eightieth birthday, even though it is known that the professor disapproves of such festivities.

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    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Limits
    8.7/10(20 votes)

    #5 - Limits

    S2:E13

    Ford reaches out to Kingsfield for help when his fellow students seek to force a teacher they suspect is senile in retirement.

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    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Decisions (1)
    8.6/10(15 votes)

    #6 - Decisions (1)

    S3:E1

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for Plague of Locusts
    8.4/10(22 votes)

    #7 - Plague of Locusts

    S2:E6

    Hart has a tough choice when multiple firms offer him internships, while Bell is anxious because all his interviews go badly. Ford considers turning his father in for violating school policy by taking students' grades into consideration when selecting interns.

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    Director:Joseph Pevney
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Free Advice
    8.4/10(13 votes)

    #8 - Free Advice

    S3:E3

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Tempest in a Pothole
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    #9 - Tempest in a Pothole

    S2:E9

    Hart's girlfriend receives a scholarship offer in England. Hart tries to presuade her to stay with him, she suggests he come to England, which he refuses. Awaiting her decision on whether to accept the scholarship or stay there with Hart, she asks him to go with her to Kingsfield's empty classroom which she describes as a ""temple of reason"" (you knew then which she had chosen). Hart leaves angrily, but Golden talks him into seeing her before she leaves. As she leaves, Bell is there to comfort his friend Hart. True to form, Hart announces that he needs to check on what assignments Golden has for him and then he will study for Kingsfield's seminar.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Hart Goes Home
    8.2/10(16 votes)

    #10 - Hart Goes Home

    S2:E14

    Working in the public defender's office, Hart has to defend the perpetrator who assaulted and robbed Kingsfield. The violence on campus puts student on edge.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Laura's Struggle
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    #11 - Laura's Struggle

    S3:E4

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for It's Only a Show
    8.2/10(16 votes)

    #12 - It's Only a Show

    S3:E10

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for The Advocates
    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #13 - The Advocates

    S2:E17

    Hart and Harriman compete to represent the school in the national moot court competition. First-year student Vivian struggles with speaking up in class.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Decisions (2)
    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #14 - Decisions (2)

    S3:E2

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Burden of Proof
    7.9/10(15 votes)

    #15 - Burden of Proof

    S2:E11

    Bell sues the city for damages and lost wages when he rides over a pothole and breaks his arm. Kingsfield has difficulty coping when Nottingham, his secretary, transfers to another office.

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    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Honor
    7.9/10(13 votes)

    #16 - Honor

    S4:E4

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Outline Fever
    7.8/10(21 votes)

    #17 - Outline Fever

    S2:E1

    The second year begins with Hart and Ford moving to an off-campus apartment, while Bell is still at the dorm as the advisor for the 1-L students. Some of the 1-L students hound Hart for his Contracts outline, until Ford and Bell auction it off (against Hart's wishes). Meanwhile, 1-L Connie Lehman shows a personal interest in Hart ... or is it only his outline?

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    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Snow
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    #18 - Snow

    S2:E7

    As usual, the Law Review is behind schedule, but this time Golden is sidelined with pneumonia. Second-in-command Shaw seizes the opportunity for a power play, but it predictably backfires. Law Review activities are further complicated when, while their new computer is being installed and tested, a power failure threatens their precious deadline - until they enlist the help of the 'Wonks'.

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    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Not Prince Hamlet
    7.8/10(19 votes)

    #19 - Not Prince Hamlet

    S2:E18

    A grieving father struggles to understand why his son committed suicide.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Pressure
    7.8/10(13 votes)

    #20 - Pressure

    S3:E5

    Tom Ford defends a student who assaulted a teacher. Rose goes on a date.

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    Director:Alf Kjellin
  22. Background image for The Source
    7.8/10(14 votes)

    #21 - The Source

    S3:E8

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Mrs. Hart
    7.7/10(17 votes)

    #22 - Mrs. Hart

    S2:E8

    Hart is given a run of the Review for the night when Golden meets a woman who is demanding of his time and attention. For dates a woman whose ambition is to marry a lawyer.

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    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Judgement Day
    7.7/10(15 votes)

    #23 - Judgement Day

    S2:E15

    The students fear they will lose a popular professor when he becomes eligible for tenure but lacks significant publication credits.

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    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Lasting Impressions
    7.6/10(15 votes)

    #24 - Lasting Impressions

    S3:E12

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for A Wounded Hart
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #25 - A Wounded Hart

    S4:E1

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"My Dinner With Kingsfield" is the best rated episode of "The Paper Chase". It scored 9.6/10 based on 27 votes. Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/24/1984. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Graduation".