The Best Episodes Written By Jonathan Tolins

Every TV Episode Written by Jonathan Tolins Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 1 Episode 18 - Surprise Kill
    9.7/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Surprise Kill

    S1:E18

    Brian discovers David at the baths; Justin finds out his parents are getting a divorce; Ted reconnects with Blake; a hunk from Babylon hits on Michael.

    Director:N/A

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  2. undefined Season 1 Episode 17 - Solution (How TLFKAM Got Her Name Back)
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #2 - Solution (How TLFKAM Got Her Name Back)

    S1:E17

    David and Michael host a high-society fundraiser, but Michael excludes the gang; Lindsay and Guillaume prepare for the big day; Justin continues to be harassed at school.

    Director:N/A

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  3. undefined Season 5 Episode 2 - Once there was a court...
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #3 - Once there was a court...

    S5:E2

    Diane and Marissa find themselves arguing at the Circuit 9 3/4 Court, led by the quirky "Judge" Hal Wackner. Meanwhile, Carmen Moyo proves herself to be an effective, yet underestimated, new associate.

    Director:N/A

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  4. undefined Season 1 Episode 9 - Daddy Dearest (Sonny Boy)
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #4 - Daddy Dearest (Sonny Boy)

    S1:E9

    Michael decides to break up with Dr. David, who surprises Michael by asking him to move in with him; Lindsay and Melanie ask Brian to relinquish his parental rights to Gus; Emmett becomes addicted to cyber-sex.

    Director:N/A

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  5. undefined Season 2 Episode 4 - Day 429
    7.9/10(11 votes)

    #5 - Day 429

    S2:E4

    Liz decides to represent her son's favorite teacher after she senses the school fired him for illegitimate reasons. Lucca enlists the help of Elsbeth Tascioni when an unanticipated lawsuit hits close to home. Despite the recent chemical scare, the firm throws a party to celebrate their new offices.

    Director:N/A

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  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 11 - Surprise!
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #6 - Surprise!

    S1:E11

    Michael ends the relationship with Dr. David; Ted and Emmett get tested for AIDS; Brian throws Michael a surprise 30th birthday party and outs Michael to his co-worker; Emmett makes a pact with God.

    Director:N/A

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  7. undefined Season 2 Episode 11 - Day 478
    7.8/10(15 votes)

    #7 - Day 478

    S2:E11

    Heated debates occur at the firm when Liz and Maia represent a well-known photographer, Ron Williams, suing a woman who provided an account of their relationship to a website. Jay continues to investigate possible suspects in Adrian’s shooting while Diane receives surprising news from her accountant.

    Director:N/A

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  8. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps
    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #8 - Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps

    S1:E3

    When a bizarre and deadly incident takes place on live television, Agent Onofrio's investigation into it causes Laurel, Gustav and Rochelle to dig deeper into the bug mystery. Luke attempts to cover up his affair with his Chief of Staff, Scarlett, before his opponent for the minority whip position, Senator Ella Poundstone, can make it public.

    Director:N/A

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  9. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - The Art of Desperation
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #9 - The Art of Desperation

    S1:E6

    Michael's new chiropractor boyfriend gets into a tug of war with Brian over Michael, as Ted recovers from his O.D. by dating Roger, a stable but overweight chorus director. Also, Justin meets Lindsay, who is impressed with his artwork.

    Director:N/A

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 20 - The King of Babylon
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #10 - The King of Babylon

    S1:E20

    Who will be crowned King of Babylon? An innocent trip to the mall lands Vic in jail; Brian is beaten at his own game.

    Director:N/A

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  11. undefined Season 3 Episode 10 - The One About the End of the World
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #11 - The One About the End of the World

    S3:E10

    Blum is out for revenge when he represents a group of Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart's ex-clients who claim the firm overcharged them. When Lucca finds out she's a candidate for an open partner position, she begins to question her reputation within the firm. Meanwhile, Diane helps Kurt with a work project.

    Director:N/A

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  12. undefined Season 1 Episode 13 - The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #12 - The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis

    S1:E13

    Laurel discovers the secret to driving the bugs out of a person's brain and tests the tactic on her father. Armed with new knowledge, Laurel and Gareth attempt to expel the Queen bug out of Red's head once and for all. Laurel and Gareth progress in their romantic relationship.

    Director:N/A

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  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 11 - Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary Policies
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary Policies

    S1:E11

    Luke and Laurel rush to uncover Red's secret agenda, which is buried in a massive new budget bill. Also, Gareth inadvertently witnesses an unsettling bug encounter in Red's office.

    Director:N/A

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  14. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - Subscription to Murder
    7.4/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Subscription to Murder

    S2:E1

    When a womanizing finance executive is found stabbed to death after a night at the opera, Elsbeth suspects an obsessed opera lover was driven to murder because of a ringing cell phone. Meanwhile, Elsbeth, Captain Wagner and Kaya must adjust to changes in the precinct as the consequences of Noonan's wrongdoing continue to loom.

    Director:N/A

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  15. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Reality Shock
    7.3/10(14 votes)

    #15 - Reality Shock

    S1:E3

    When a larger-than-life reality TV star is found dead in her bathtub, Elsbeth and Kaya investigate the circumstances around her death to determine if it was an accident or murder. As they get deeper into the events surrounding her demise, they meet Skip Mason, the mercurial producer behind the popular, guilty-pleasure reality series "Lavish Ladies," who becomes a prime suspect after he is accused of going to dangerous lengths to concoct "good TV."

    Director:N/A

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  16. undefined Season 3 Episode 3 - The One Where Diane Joins the Resistance
    7.2/10(9 votes)

    #16 - The One Where Diane Joins the Resistance

    S3:E3

    Diane is encouraged to "do something" after meeting the leader of a female resistance group whose aim is to sink POTUS' approval rating. Maia and Blum's plan for a plea deal goes awry when Assistant State's Attorney Spencer Zschau takes over the case. Lucca receives a surprising new divorce referral while Marissa helps Julius find a campaign manager to support his run for federal judgeship.

    Director:N/A

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  17. undefined Season 1 Episode 9 - Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and Patched
    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #17 - Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and Patched

    S1:E9

    Senator Red Wheatus hires a special investigator to dig into the Healy family’s financial and personal history. Also, when Gareth learns some sordid details about Laurel’s romantic past, it puts a strain on their budding relationship.

    Director:N/A

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  18. undefined Season 4 Episode 2 - The Gang Tries to Serve a Subpoena
    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #18 - The Gang Tries to Serve a Subpoena

    S4:E2

    Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart attempt to adjust to their new landscape as a small subsidiary of STR Laurie, a huge multi-national law firm. Diane encounters a familiar face in court, Louis Canning, during an eminent domain case against a large real estate developer, Rare Orchard. Lucca is given an exciting, high-profile divorce case, however it comes with an unexpected partner, David Lee.

    Director:N/A

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  19. undefined Season 1 Episode 10 - A Fitting Finale
    6.7/10(12 votes)

    #19 - A Fitting Finale

    S1:E10

    When an unlikable fashion photographer is murdered in the middle of a fashion show, Elsbeth and the team suspect the killer to be either the photographer's college ex - and leading model of the show, Nadine or her jealous husband.

    Director:N/A

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  20. undefined Season 2 Episode 20 - Ramen Holiday
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Ramen Holiday

    S2:E20

    When Elsbeth tries to solve a murder, she comes face to face with many familiar suspects.

    Director:N/A

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  21. undefined Season 2 Episode 12 - Foiled Again
    6.4/10(11 votes)

    #21 - Foiled Again

    S2:E12

    While investigating the mysterious death of a college admissions officer, Elsbeth finds herself fencing with Lawrence Grey, an independent educational consultant who promises an Ivy League future to high-paying clients and their painfully average kids. The case also causes Elsbeth and Teddy to question how well she prepared him for the real world.

    Director:N/A

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  22. undefined Season 6 Episode 2 - The End of the Yips
    5.6/10(5 votes)

    #22 - The End of the Yips

    S6:E2

    As Diane encounters her first "therapy" session, she begins to see everything in a positive light. After agreeing to participate in a student project about Black female attorneys, Liz must find a way to prevent an unfair takedown of her reputation. Eli Gold returns to help Marissa in court.

    Director:N/A

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  23. undefined Season 6 Episode 8 - The End of Playing Games
    5.6/10(5 votes)

    #23 - The End of Playing Games

    S6:E8

    While STR Laurie is investigated by the FBI, Liz and Ri'Chard attempt to take their clients. As they fight to extricate themselves from STR Laurie, Ri’chard and Liz must decide who is head of the firm. Meanwhile, Diane is forced to expose her PT-108 treatment.

    Director:N/A

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  24. undefined Season 3 Episode 1 - Yes, and...
    3.4/10(12 votes)

    #24 - Yes, and...

    S3:E1

    Elsbeth dives into the world of late-night comedy when backstage tensions rise between a talk show host, his head writer, and her on-air sidekick husband.

    Director:N/A

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  25. undefined Season 41 Episode 1 - The 57th Annual Tony Awards
    3.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - The 57th Annual Tony Awards

    S41:E1

    Celebrating the 2002-2003 Broadway theatre season. Best play nominees: Enchanted April, Take Me Out, Vincent In Brixton, and Say Goodnight, Gracie. Best musical nominees: Amour, Hairspray, Movin' Out, and A Year With Frog And Toad.

    Director:N/A

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Jonathan Tolins Ratings Summary

"Surprise Kill" is the best rated episode written by Jonathan Tolins. It scored 9.7/10 based on 6 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 4/22/2001 and is rated 0.9 points higher than their second-best episode, "Solution (How TLFKAM Got Her Name Back)".