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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!

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...

Seasons8

  1. Background image for Closet Justice
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Closet Justice

    S3:E19

    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.

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  2. Background image for End Games
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - End Games

    S3:E16

    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.

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  3. Background image for Target Practice
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Target Practice

    S3:E17

    Jimmy represents a couple suing a gun manufacturer for indirectly causing their daughter's death. Jimmy argues that the company targeted advertising at criminals and also circumvented gun laws by selling mail-order build-it-yourself assault weapons. Eugene is stunned to learn his son Kendall is selling drugs.

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    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Happily Ever After
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Happily Ever After

    S3:E23

    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.

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  5. Background image for Liberty Bells (2)
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Liberty Bells (2)

    S4:E20

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

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  6. Background image for Mr. Hinks Goes to Town
    8.9/10(169 votes)

    #6 - Mr. Hinks Goes to Town

    S5:E8

    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.

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  8. Background image for The Case of Harland Bassett
    8.9/10(132 votes)

    #7 - The Case of Harland Bassett

    S5:E20

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for The Deal
    8.6/10(122 votes)

    #8 - The Deal

    S5:E9

    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.

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  10. Background image for Poor Richard's Almanac
    8.5/10(108 votes)

    #9 - Poor Richard's Almanac

    S5:E21

    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.

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    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Public Servants
    8.5/10(109 votes)

    #10 - Public Servants

    S5:E22

    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.

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  12. Background image for Police State
    8.5/10(146 votes)

    #11 - Police State

    S8:E11

    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.

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    Director:Andy Wolk
  13. Background image for Part IV
    8.4/10(183 votes)

    #12 - Part IV

    S1:E4

    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.

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  14. Background image for Burden of Proof
    8.4/10(139 votes)

    #13 - Burden of Proof

    S2:E17

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
  15. Background image for Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes (2)
    8.3/10(131 votes)

    #14 - Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes (2)

    S2:E20

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

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  16. Background image for The Case Against Alan Shore (3)
    8.3/10(122 votes)

    #15 - The Case Against Alan Shore (3)

    S8:E18

    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?

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  17. Background image for Mr. Shore Goes to Town (3)
    8.2/10(134 votes)

    #16 - Mr. Shore Goes to Town (3)

    S8:E15

    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.

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  18. Background image for Betrayal
    8.1/10(185 votes)

    #17 - Betrayal

    S2:E2

    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.

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  19. Background image for Checkmate
    8.1/10(128 votes)

    #18 - Checkmate

    S2:E23

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

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  20. Background image for Friends and Ex-Lovers
    8.1/10(108 votes)

    #19 - Friends and Ex-Lovers

    S5:E10

    Despite a restraining order, William Hinks continues to harass Lindsay, as more questions arise as to whether or not he's the real serial killer. Meanwhile, Bobby blames himself for Scott Wallace's latest offense.

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  21. Background image for Concealing Evidence
    8.1/10(101 votes)

    #20 - Concealing Evidence

    S8:E8

    Alan Shore uses questionable, if not illegal, tactics in representing his clients — Ted Grayson, a mentally unstable man accused of murder, and Karen Evanson, a woman who claims her husband's suicide was induced by a prescription drug.

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  22. Background image for Truth and Consequences
    8.0/10(128 votes)

    #21 - Truth and Consequences

    S2:E16

    Rebecca's life is threatened after she witnesses a murder and picks the killer out of a police lineup. Jimmy continues his case against the electric company.

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  23. Background image for The Trial (1)
    8.0/10(124 votes)

    #22 - The Trial (1)

    S2:E19

    Bobby defends Dr. Jeffrey Winslow, on trial for the brutal murder (and decapitation) of his mistress. Neither Bobby nor Helen (the D.A. on the case) will back down, sending their relationship into a tailspin. Eugene defends Rebecca's irascible uncle on tax evasion charges.

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  24. Background image for Duty Bound
    8.0/10(116 votes)

    #23 - Duty Bound

    S2:E27

    Jimmy's faith in his priest is shaken when Father Ryan is arrested for the murder of a 16-year-old boy. Jimmy desperately tries to track down the real killer before Father Ryan's case goes to trial. Ellenor struggles over her sense of ethics and her blossoming relationship with Fred Spivak.

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  25. Background image for Passing Go
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Passing Go

    S3:E1

    Bobby is hit by a car while his mind is involved on other matters. Meanwhile, Ellenor becomes disillusioned with the law when she comes to the realization that underhanded behavior has become second nature to her. Eugene defends a young man on murder charges. Bobby visits his father. Rebecca shocks the firm when she announces she's passed the bar exam.

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  26. Background image for Reasons to Believe
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Reasons to Believe

    S3:E2

    Helen and Lindsay move in together. Rebecca tries her first case. Anderson Pearson calls on Lindsay to defend him when he's arrested for the murder of a stalker.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Closet Justice" is the best rated episode of "The Practice". It scored 9.5/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Alex Graves and written by David E. Kelley, it aired on 3/28/1999. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "End Games".