The Best Episodes Written By Jonathan Tolins

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.7/10(6 votes)

   #1 - Surprise Kill

   S1:E184/22/2001

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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2. 

   8.8/10(6 votes)

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

   S1:E174/15/2001

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins
3. 

   8.2/10(5 votes)

   #3 - Once there was a court...

   S5:E27/1/2021

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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4. 

   8.0/10(9 votes)

   #4 - Daddy Dearest (Sonny Boy)

   S1:E92/11/2001

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins
5. 

   7.9/10(11 votes)

   #5 - Day 429

   S2:E43/25/2018

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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6. 

   7.8/10(9 votes)

   #6 - Surprise!

   S1:E112/25/2001

   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

   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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7. 

   7.8/10(15 votes)

   #7 - Day 478

   S2:E115/13/2018

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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8. 

   7.8/10(11 votes)

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

   S1:E36/27/2016

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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9. 

   7.7/10(9 votes)

   #9 - The Art of Desperation

   S1:E61/21/2001

   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.

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   Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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10. 

    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #10 - The King of Babylon

    S1:E206/10/2001

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

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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11. 

    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #11 - The One About the End of the World

    S3:E105/16/2019

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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12. 

    7.5/10(8 votes)

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

    S1:E139/11/2016

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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13. 

    7.4/10(7 votes)

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

    S1:E119/4/2016

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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14. 

    7.4/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Subscription to Murder

    S2:E110/17/2024

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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15. 

    7.3/10(14 votes)

    #15 - Reality Shock

    S1:E34/4/2024

    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."

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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16. 

    7.2/10(9 votes)

    #16 - The One Where Diane Joins the Resistance

    S3:E33/28/2019

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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17. 

    7.2/10(8 votes)

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

    S1:E98/21/2016

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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18. 

    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #18 - The Gang Tries to Serve a Subpoena

    S4:E24/16/2020

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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19. 

    6.7/10(12 votes)

    #19 - A Fitting Finale

    S1:E105/23/2024

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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20. 

    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Ramen Holiday

    S2:E205/8/2025

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

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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21. 

    6.4/10(11 votes)

    #21 - Foiled Again

    S2:E122/20/2025

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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22. 

    5.6/10(5 votes)

    #22 - The End of the Yips

    S6:E29/15/2022

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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23. 

    5.6/10(5 votes)

    #23 - The End of Playing Games

    S6:E810/27/2022

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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24. 

    3.4/10(12 votes)

    #24 - Yes, and...

    S3:E110/12/2025

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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25. 

    3.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - The 57th Annual Tony Awards

    S41:E16/8/2003

    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.

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    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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