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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...

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  1. 9.6/10(26 votes)

    #1 - My Dinner With Kingsfield

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    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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    Writer:N/A
  2. 9.4/10(19 votes)

    #2 - Graduation

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    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:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  3. 8.8/10(19 votes)

    #3 - The Day Kingsfield Missed Class

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    S3:E7

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    Director:N/A
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  4. 8.7/10(21 votes)

    #4 - Birthday Party

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    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:N/A
  5. 8.7/10(20 votes)

    #5 - Limits

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    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:N/A
  6. 8.6/10(15 votes)

    #6 - Decisions (1)

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    S3:E1

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Paper Chase

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  8. 8.4/10(13 votes)

    #7 - Free Advice

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    S3:E3

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    Director:N/A
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  9. 8.3/10(21 votes)

    #8 - Plague of Locusts

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    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:N/A
  10. 8.2/10(18 votes)

    #9 - Tempest in a Pothole

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    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:N/A
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  11. 8.2/10(16 votes)

    #10 - Hart Goes Home

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    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:N/A
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  12. 8.2/10(18 votes)

    #11 - Laura's Struggle

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    S3:E4

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    Director:N/A
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  13. 8.2/10(16 votes)

    #12 - It's Only a Show

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    S3:E10

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    Director:N/A
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  14. 8.1/10(15 votes)

    #13 - The Advocates

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    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:N/A
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  15. 8.1/10(15 votes)

    #14 - Decisions (2)

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    S3:E2

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  16. 7.9/10(15 votes)

    #15 - Burden of Proof

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    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:N/A
  17. 7.9/10(13 votes)

    #16 - Honor

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    S4:E4

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    Director:N/A
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  18. 7.8/10(21 votes)

    #17 - Outline Fever

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    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:N/A
  19. 7.8/10(18 votes)

    #18 - Snow

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    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:N/A
  20. 7.8/10(19 votes)

    #19 - Not Prince Hamlet

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    S2:E18

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

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    Director:N/A
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  21. 7.8/10(13 votes)

    #20 - Pressure

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    S3:E5

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

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    Director:Alf Kjellin
  22. 7.8/10(14 votes)

    #21 - The Source

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    S3:E8

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    Director:N/A
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  23. 7.7/10(17 votes)

    #22 - Mrs. Hart

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    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:N/A
  24. 7.7/10(15 votes)

    #23 - Judgement Day

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    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:N/A
  25. 7.6/10(15 votes)

    #24 - Lasting Impressions

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    S3:E12

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    Director:N/A
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  26. 7.6/10(14 votes)

    #25 - A Wounded Hart

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    S4:E1

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    Director:N/A
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Best Episodes Summary

"My Dinner With Kingsfield" is the best rated episode of "The Paper Chase". It scored 9.6/10 based on 26 votes. Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman and written by N/A, it aired on 7/24/1984. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Graduation".