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The Worst Episodes of The Practice

Every episode of The Practice ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Practice!

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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 about “people who walk a moral tightrope.”

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Practice Season 2 Episode 8 - The Means
    6.8/10(157 votes)

    #1 - The Means

    S2:E8

    A black client is tried for the brutal beating of a department store security guard during a riot. Bobby plans to use a defense very unpopular with both his client and second-chair Eugene. Meanwhile, Ellenor's obnoxious cousin wants to sue the travel agent that booked her honeymoon on allegations of 'emotional distress'.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Practice Season 6 Episode 8 - Suffer the Little Children
    6.8/10(102 votes)

    #2 - Suffer the Little Children

    S6:E8

    After promising the mother of a murdered teen that he'll find the drive-by shooter responsible, ADA Lowe adopts a “whatever it takes” attitude towards the prosecution of the young gang member he thinks did it—who is defended by Ellenor. Meanwhile, Lindsay is moved to help a mentally retarded man find the daughter he lost touch with years ago as a result of being wrongfully incarcerated for over a decade.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Lynne E. Litt

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  3. The Practice Season 7 Episode 19 - Les Is More
    6.9/10(101 votes)

    #3 - Les Is More

    S7:E19

    A crazed fame-seeker takes CBS CEO Les Moonves hostage in a ploy for TV time to be negotiated by Jimmy, also a hostage.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  4. The Practice Season 3 Episode 12 - A Day in the Life
    7.0/10(125 votes)

    #4 - A Day in the Life

    S3:E12

    Bobby and Eugene travel to a friend's home to counsel him when his daughter's newborn child is smothered. Bobby is forced into an ethical dilemma; his two options being to either contact the police, or conceal evidence in a possible homicide. Lindsay helps Jimmy defend a shipwrecked man accused of murdering a companion to save his own life. Rebecca gets a drug dealer off when the arresting officer recites an implausible story on the stand.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  5. The Practice Season 7 Episode 18 - Capitol Crimes
    7.0/10(86 votes)

    #5 - Capitol Crimes

    S7:E18

    The death penalty comes under scrutiny in a controversial hearing centering on a troubled teen and admitted killer, whose case parallels Bobby's reinvolvement with a former lover.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  6. The Practice Season 8 Episode 19 - The Firm
    7.0/10(121 votes)

    #6 - The Firm

    S8:E19

    Friction at the firm gets to Jimmy, who's torn between loyalties and principles. Meanwhile, tension besets Shore as he crosses swords with his brilliant but erratic new boss, whose behavior raises questions of competence.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  7. The Practice Season 6 Episode 9 - Dangerous Liaisons
    7.1/10(90 votes)

    #7 - Dangerous Liaisons

    S6:E9

    Bobby fears that his protective feelings for a vulnerable female client may threaten his objectivity in her case. Lucy goes above and beyond the call of duty to help an elderly rape victim get the only thing she wants from her attacker—an apology.

    Director:Andy Wolk
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  8. The Practice Season 7 Episode 4 - The Cradle Will Rock
    7.1/10(95 votes)

    #8 - The Cradle Will Rock

    S7:E4

    Religious freedom figures in a criminal case. On trial: a Christian Science couple charged with the murder of their ill child, whose parents' faith forbids medical treatment.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  9. The Practice Season 3 Episode 14 - Of Human Bondage
    7.2/10(117 votes)

    #9 - Of Human Bondage

    S3:E14

    Bobby takes over the defense of a teenage prostitute accused of murder when her previous attorney withdraws, claiming he represents her 'john' (who's also her alibi). Ellenor revisits her past when her very first client is found passed out in a dealer's apartment with a bag of cocaine on his chest. Jimmy cuts a deal with opposing counsel so that both parties in a very bitter divorce get satisfaction.

    Director:Dwight H. Little
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  10. The Practice Season 4 Episode 15 - Race Ipsa Loquitor
    7.2/10(99 votes)

    #10 - Race Ipsa Loquitor

    S4:E15

    Jimmy is tempted to compromise his integrity to get convicted murder (and insect admirer) Henry Olson released. Eugene and Rebecca represent a woman who's suing a plastic surgeon when her husband dies during a liposuction procedure. They soon realize they're as much on trial as the surgeon when the opposing attorney makes several references to their race.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  11. The Practice Season 7 Episode 8 - Bad to Worse
    7.2/10(89 votes)

    #11 - Bad to Worse

    S7:E8

    Ellenor and Eugene defend a fiery yet frightened client named Cassie Ray, a murder suspect with a shadowy past. Moreover, Cassie's alibi witness has significant skeletons in her own closet. In a separate case, Lindsay reluctantly defends an airline that refuses to carry passengers of Arab descent.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  12. The Practice Season 7 Episode 17 - Burnout
    7.2/10(97 votes)

    #12 - Burnout

    S7:E17

    The firm defends Kyle Healy, a wheelchair-bound man whose wife is charged with murdering his brother, the heir to a multimillion-dollar estate. Jimmy and Ellenor's defense is damaged by compelling circumstantial evidence; testimony about the defendant's stability — and the prosecution's playing of a shattering trump card. In other storylines, Jamie champions the cause of a lawyer who claims firms won't hire her because she's a rape victim; and Bobby, whose marriage is in trouble, links up with an old flame.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  13. The Practice Season 7 Episode 20 - Heroes and Villians
    7.2/10(82 votes)

    #13 - Heroes and Villians

    S7:E20

    A date-rape case links the accused to Jamie, a former victim; the return of crazed Stanley Deeks prompts terrified Lindsay to take drastic action that could jeopardize her career.

    Director:LisaGay Hamilton
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  14. The Practice Season 8 Episode 4 - Blessed Are They (3)
    7.2/10(128 votes)

    #14 - Blessed Are They (3)

    S8:E4

    Alan Shore is troubled by Sheila Carlisle's increasingly erratic behavior and fears for her mental - and legal - competence. Meanwhile, Shore is ordered by the court to represent a man who refuses to divulge his identity for fear that the unsavory nature of his crime will be made public

    Director:Simon Curtis
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  15. The Practice Season 4 Episode 16 - Settling
    7.3/10(107 votes)

    #15 - Settling

    S4:E16

    Bobby is kidnapped by an irate former client who claims Bobby's incompetence in a manslaughter trial forced him to spend 12 years in prison.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Practice Season 5 Episode 7 - Brothers' Keepers
    7.3/10(102 votes)

    #16 - Brothers' Keepers

    S5:E7

    Bobby defends a man on trial for allowing his wife to be murdered in an 'honor killing'; an ancient cultural ritual used to punish adulterous behavior. Eugene reluctantly aids incompetent attorney Harland Bassett yet again. Ellenor announces that she's pregnant, encountering some adversity.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  17. The Practice Season 6 Episode 14 - Judge Knot
    7.3/10(87 votes)

    #17 - Judge Knot

    S6:E14

    Helen and Bobby are shocked to learn that the FBI suspects a popular and highly respected judge of accepting bribes. Convinced the judge is innocent, they're torn about whether or not to assist the U.S. Attorney in a “sting” operation which could also effectively put their careers on the line.

    Director:Dennie Gordon
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Practice Season 6 Episode 17 - Manifest Necessity
    7.3/10(88 votes)

    #18 - Manifest Necessity

    S6:E17

    Helen Gamble heads up the prosecution of an accused murderer with suspected ties to the mob, a case her boss, DA Walsh, has an inexplicably strong interest in. Meanwhile, Lindsay unintentionally helps a familiar client get arrested.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Practice Season 7 Episode 13 - Character Evidence
    7.3/10(87 votes)

    #19 - Character Evidence

    S7:E13

    Jimmy Berluti defends his high school crush, who is under investigation for a suspicious homicide, and Claire Wyatt interviews for a job at Lindsay's newly formed law firm.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  20. The Practice Season 7 Episode 16 - Special Deliveries (2)
    7.3/10(99 votes)

    #20 - Special Deliveries (2)

    S7:E16

    Psychopaths plague Lindsay and Helen. The latter is sued by an acquitted killer for defaming his mother; the former is hounded by a deviant she once defended.

    Director:Rod Hardy
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  21. The Practice Season 8 Episode 20 - Comings and Goings
    7.3/10(255 votes)

    #21 - Comings and Goings

    S8:E20

    Eugene is presented with an offer he finds hard to refuse, and Ellenor is shocked when she hears the news, knowing full well that any departure by Eugene would mean the beginning of the end of the practice. Meanwhile, Jimmy is confronted by crooked lawyer Lenny Pascatore), who claims that the neighborhood only has room for one practicing attorney. Across town at Crane, Poole & Schmidt, Denny Crane ruffles some feathers by making Tara his personal paralegal, and Hannah Rose enlists Shore's help in handling an assault case involving two hockey players.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Practice Season 2 Episode 9 - Save the Mule
    7.4/10(149 votes)

    #22 - Save the Mule

    S2:E9

    Lindsay is hired by a drug dealer to defend his "mule" who's been caught smuggling drugs over the border. Jimmy takes on a case of a community stricken by cancer. Bobby must decide with whom he wants to pursue a romance.

    Director:John Patterson
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Practice Season 2 Episode 12 - Race with the Devil
    7.4/10(140 votes)

    #23 - Race with the Devil

    S2:E12

    When Bobby's priest performs an exorcism on a parishioner, who dies during the procedure, Bobby must manipulate the system to shield Father Martin from murder charges; Eugene represents Martin Parks in a bizarre malpractice suit. Jimmy decides to tape a television commercial, a decision that proves unpopular with his colleagues.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writers:David E. Kelley, David Shore

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  24. The Practice Season 3 Episode 13 - Judge and Jury
    7.4/10(110 votes)

    #24 - Judge and Jury

    S3:E13

    Judge Roberta Kittleson, presiding over a case Bobby's working on, informs him that she's had an erotic dream featuring him and proceeds to inquire whether he's interested in her. Bobby responds negatively and worries that it affected Kittleson's judgment when ruling after ruling goes against his client. Helen prosecutes a TV newsmagazine producer as an accessory for murder after he inadvertently encourages a Kevorkian-like suicide doctor to capture a death on videotape. Lucy teaches Eugene's son, Kendall, to dance.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  25. The Practice Season 5 Episode 15 - Awakenings
    7.4/10(96 votes)

    #25 - Awakenings

    S5:E15

    Ellenor's chosen "sperm donor," Michael Hale (Ted McGinley), has second thoughts about the agreement over the rearing of her soon-to-be-born child. Meanwhile, Rebecca emerges from the I.C.U. and gets lost in the hospital. Additionally, Helen prepares to prosecute the rape of an eleven-year-old girl.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Means" is the worst rated episode of "The Practice". It scored 6.8/10 based on 157 votes. Directed by Oz Scott and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/8/1997. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Suffer the Little Children".