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The Best Episodes of The Practice

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

A provocative legal drama focused on young associates at a bare-bones Boston firm and their scrappy boss, Bobby Donnell. The show's forte is its storylines...
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC

Best Episodes Summary

"Mr. Hinks Goes to Town" is the best rated episode of "The Practice". It scored 8.9/10 based on 165 votes. Directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by David E. Kelley, it aired on 11/26/2000. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Case of Harland Bassett".

  • Mr. Hinks Goes to Town
    8.9/10165 votes
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    #1 - Mr. Hinks Goes to Town

    Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 11/26/2000

    Lindsay defends a psychiatric patient who claims to be a serial killer. His psychiatrist claims he's only a disturbed individual looking for a little notoriety.

    Director: Jeannot Szwarc

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • The Case of Harland Bassett
    8.9/10129 votes
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    #2 - The Case of Harland Bassett

    Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 4/29/2001

    Eugene and Jimmy agree to help the mistake-prone Harland Bassett (Ernie Sabella) in the case of a young girl who developed liver damage from an antibiotic. With the odds stacked against them, the trio take on a politically-tied, deep-pocketed drug manufacturer.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Hammerhead Sharks (2)
    8.7/10116 votes
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    #3 - Hammerhead Sharks (2)

    Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 2/6/2000

    Dennis Mills maintains his innocence. The firm continues the trial, striving against all odds to exonerate Mills.

    Director: Dennis Smith

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Liberty Bells (2)
    8.7/10113 votes
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    #4 - Liberty Bells (2)

    Season 4 Episode 20 - Aired 5/7/2000

    Ellenor continues the Donovan case, following up on the various leads to exonerate her client.

    Director: Michael Schultz

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Closet Justice
    8.6/10134 votes
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    #5 - Closet Justice

    Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 3/28/1999

    Judge Hiller assigns Lindsay the repugnant task of defending nun-killer Michael Kingston. Lindsay discovers that the police search that found the body was unconstitutional and, against all her morals, moves that Kingston be released. Helen delivers an impassioned argument, stating that the constitution was designed to protect the innocent, a category that doesn't include Kingston. In the end, Judge Hiller has no choice but to strike the body from evidence and dismiss the charges. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Rebecca defend a man on solicitation charges, claiming that the undercover officer aroused the man, then announced she was a prostitute. Jimmy and Judge Kittleson arrange a private meeting.

    Director: Alex Graves

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Happily Ever After
    8.6/10123 votes
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    #6 - Happily Ever After

    Season 3 Episode 23 - Aired 5/9/1999

    Lindsay is stabbed by an unknown assailant wearing a nun's outfit during a late night at the office. Lindsay manages to utter the word 'nun' to Bobby before she passes out. Based on the information, Helen drags nuns into the courthouse for interrogation, reasoning that a nun upset over Michael (the nun killer) Kingston's acquittal may have committed the crime. Jimmy finds a photo of Lindsay with her image defaced in Judge Kittleson's office, bring a fleet of police to her home. Other suspects include Kingston himself and Joey Heric.

    Director: Dwight H. Little

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • End Games
    8.5/10118 votes
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    #7 - End Games

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 2/28/1999

    The office is thrown into turmoil when Ellenor's client Leonard Sowers rushes through the door with policemen giving chase and throws a bag of heroin onto her desk. Ellenor is arrested for possession of the heroin. A proximity search of her desk turns up a bloodied knife which turns out to be the weapon used to murder Susan Robins. The firm is dealt a surprise when Dickie Flood charges Ellenor with first degree murder. Lindsay & Ellenor bury the hatchet when Lindsay takes over her defense. The police, hoping to make another case for the murder, arrest George Vogelman for concealing a murder weapon and perjury. Meanwhile, Bobby defends Judge Kittleson when she's sued by a former clerk claiming sexual harassment. Jimmy is mesmerized by Judge Kittleson's frank sexual discussion.

    Director: Keith Samples

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • The Deal
    8.5/10122 votes
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    #8 - The Deal

    Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 12/10/2000

    Scott Wallace, William Hinks, and a high profile kidnapping case converge to make this one of the most explosive episode of The Practice thus far. First, Bobby is forced to choose between his responsibilities to his client and the life of a 7-year-old girl when his client knows the kidnapped girl's wherabouts but refuses to divulge her location unless he receives a cushy plea bargain. William Hinks, the acquitted serial killer, begins stalking Lindsay. Meanwhile, an increasingly agitated Scott Wallace is fired from his job and tries to convince his employer that he deserves to be rehired.

    Director: Daniel Attias

    Writer: David E. Kelley, Peter Blake

  • Poor Richard's Almanac
    8.5/10107 votes
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    #9 - Poor Richard's Almanac

    Season 5 Episode 21 - Aired 5/6/2001

    Richard Bay prosecutes a murderer being defended by Bobby. The killer warns Richard that if that jury returns with a guilty verdict, Richard should fear for his life.

    Director: Jeannot Szwarc

    Writer: N/A

  • Public Servants
    8.5/10108 votes
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    #10 - Public Servants

    Season 5 Episode 22 - Aired 5/13/2001

    Helen is enraged by Richard Bay's execution and determined to punish Jackie Cahill and all other responsible parties. She makes a deal with Cahill, offering him immunity on Bay's murder plus the added bonus that she won't announce that he's a snitch and release him into the general prison population if he gives up the shooter. He agrees. After the shooter has been killed by police, Helen reneges on the deal, claiming Jackie hasn't fulfilled the terms of the agreement. Jackie's lawyer protests and drags Helen into court. Meanwhile, Rebecca and Jimmy defend a man on charges that he strangled his wife. Rebecca is adamant about the man's innocence, arguing that the only reason he's being prosecuted is because he was stunned by his wife's death and gave the investigating officer erroneous information. Rebecca and Jimmy are shocked to later learn that their client has a history of strangling both women and chickens.

    Director: Dennis Smith

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Police State
    8.5/10141 votes
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    #11 - Police State

    Season 8 Episode 11 - Aired 1/11/2004

    When the police torture a man they believe shot one of their own, Eugene, barely able to contain his emotion, takes the lead in seeking justice.

    Director: Andy Wolk

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Part IV
    8.4/10180 votes
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    #12 - Part IV

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 3/25/1997

    An extremely nervous Lindsey goes up against the tobacco industry and her old Law School Professor in her very first jury trial. Outraged by the release of his daughter's killer, Dr. Braun takes matters into his own hands.

    Director: James Frawley

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Burden of Proof
    8.4/10136 votes
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    #13 - Burden of Proof

    Season 2 Episode 17 - Aired 1/19/1998

    The trial against Boston Electric begins, with Jimmy bringing both a weak case and doubts as to whether his star witness will be sober, into court.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Trench Work
    8.4/10119 votes
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    #14 - Trench Work

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/1998

    Bobby fears that Lindsay is too emotionally involved as she takes her last shot at saving Pearson. The firm is sued by Steve Robin, who claims the firm slandered him in the Vogelman trial. Eugene strikes an illegal deal with Helen to help his client Kevin Peete in exchange for damaging information on the Harrelson killer.

    Director: Oz Scott

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes (2)
    8.3/10130 votes
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    #15 - Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes (2)

    Season 2 Episode 20 - Aired 2/16/1998

    The saga of Dr. Jeffery Winslow continues. Bobby uses every trick in the book to keep Dr. Winslow out of jail.

    Director: Dennie Gordon

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • The Candidate (1)
    8.3/10106 votes
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    #16 - The Candidate (1)

    Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2001

    A sensational murder case embroils a charismatic state senator, on trial for killing the man purported to be his wife's lover. Part 1 of two.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Body Count
    8.2/10122 votes
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    #17 - Body Count

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/1998

    Bobby and Lindsay lay the groundwork for the Pearson trial. George Vogelman, the podiatrist that answered Ellenor's personal ad (episodes #5, #12), comes into the office with a severed head in his medicine bag. Ellenor and Eugene try to determine what to do with Vogelman. Jimmy and Rebecca defend Jesse Manning, an elderly man accused of plotting to murder his wife. The prosecution's case is based solely on evidence of his step-by-step drawings of the murder and an intricately devised plan for the perfect murder.

    Director: Oz Scott

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Vanished (2)
    8.2/1091 votes
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    #18 - Vanished (2)

    Season 6 Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2001

    Startling revelations complicate a kidnapping case, which hinges on the testimony of a mysterious recluse with a secret past. Conclusion.

    Director: Duane Clark

    Writer: N/A

  • Honor Code
    8.2/10102 votes
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    #19 - Honor Code

    Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 11/18/2001

    Bobby, Eugene and Jimmy work with an insurance company to settle the claim of a 10-year-old accident victim. But when the case presents a dilemma of moral and ethical proportions, the tension that's been brewing between Jimmy and Eugene finally boils over.

    Director: Jeannot Szwarc

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Mr. Shore Goes to Town (3)
    8.2/10129 votes
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    #20 - Mr. Shore Goes to Town (3)

    Season 8 Episode 15 - Aired 3/7/2004

    Fireworks erupt at Dr. Stewart's trial when shocking testimony is elicited from the defendant's strong-willed mother, a conflicted priest and a crackpot.

    Director: Dennis Smith

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • The Case Against Alan Shore (3)
    8.2/10118 votes
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    #21 - The Case Against Alan Shore (3)

    Season 8 Episode 18 - Aired 3/28/2004

    Eugene and his firm stand against Alan Shore and his "new" firm. The entire episode revolves around Eugene, Ellenor, and Jimmy testifing that Alan doesn't deserve the amount of money Alan proposed. Can Ellenor really testify against her friend? How will Alan go against his old firm?

    Director: Bill D'Elia

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Betrayal
    8.1/10182 votes
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    #22 - Betrayal

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 9/23/1997

    The firm defends Joey Heric, a colorful client on trial for the murder of his lover. Jimmy is tried on solicitation charges by a vengeful district attorney.

    Director: Thomas Schlamme

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Checkmate
    8.1/10127 votes
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    #23 - Checkmate

    Season 2 Episode 23 - Aired 3/16/1998

    Joey's case comes to trial. Ellenor represents a woman heckled by a carnival clown.

    Director: Adam Nimoy

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • One of Those Days
    8.1/10115 votes
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    #24 - One of Those Days

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 11/8/1998

    Tensions flare at the firm when Ellenor takes a questionable tactic in the Vogelman trial. With the odds stacked against them, Ellenor and Eugene adopt a 'Plan B' strategy, which essentially involves accusing the victim's family and friends of the murder.

    Director: Dwight H. Little

    Writer: David E. Kelley

  • Infected
    8.1/10118 votes
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    #25 - Infected

    Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 4/25/1999

    Helen brings felony murder charges against Gary Armbrust for lying to save his father. Rebecca takes a pro bono case defending an accused killer. She receives information from the prosecution calling the arresting officer's testimony into question. However Judge Swackheimer, who already ordered the outspoken defendant chained and gagged, feels that the information is irrelevant and deems it inadmissible. Bobby works to discover the cause behind a rash of deaths in a cosmetic surgery hospital.

    Director: Dylan McDermott

    Writer: David E. Kelley