The BEST episodes of Raising the Bar

Every episode of Raising the Bar ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Raising the Bar!

A group of young lawyers, all former classmates, find themselves going up against one another as public defenders trying to help the down and out.

Last Updated: 2/2/2024Network: TNT (US)Status: Ended
Share:
Guatemala Gulfstream
star
8.57
67 votes

#1 - Guatemala Gulfstream

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/8/2008

Jerry defends a man accused of murder but the only eyewitness is in Guatemala. Michele has the chance of trying her first murder trial and tries to remember to be a good lawyer in the process. Meanwhile, Richard defends a man accused of assault and Charlie runs into a former lover in the courtroom.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bagels and Locks
star
8.54
65 votes

#2 - Bagels and Locks

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/29/2008

Jerry takes on an emotional case of the murder of a young boy. As the press coverage intensifies, Balco takes over as lead prosecutor. Bobbi defends a family man charged with possession of heroin. Jerry finally meets Bobbi's husband and they continue to flirt.

Directors: Eric Laneuville
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I Will, I'm Will
star
8.46
67 votes

#3 - I Will, I'm Will

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/15/2008

Jerry defends a mentally ill client and runs into problems with Judge Kessler. Richard defends a woman who caused problems due to a welfare check and may not be able to take care of her grandmother if she is convicted.

Directors: Jeannot Szwarc
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bobbi Ba-Bing
star
7.94
36 votes

#4 - Bobbi Ba-Bing

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/17/2009

Jerry defends an inmate charged with stabbing another inmate; Richard works with Ashley, a new public defender, on a case involving a homeless man arrested for panhandling.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Writer: David Feige
Watch Now:Amazon
Richie Richer
star
7.88
66 votes

#5 - Richie Richer

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/22/2008

Richard's wealthy father offers Roz a job. Jerry defends a mother whose arrest may have something to do with her testifying in a murder trial. Judge Kessler continues her quest as a political candidate.

Directors: Bobby Roth
Writer: David Feige
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Maybe, Baby
star
7.54
70 votes

#6 - Maybe, Baby

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/24/2009

Jerry questions his client's deal to testify against a rapist and a series of events leave Roz with a baby.

Directors: Martha Mitchell
Watch Now:Amazon
Shop Till You Drop
star
7.51
39 votes

#7 - Shop Till You Drop

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/3/2008

The appeals court overturns the conviction of a black firefighter accused of stealing property from a body found during a fire. The court finds that Judge Kessler was wrong to disallow testimony. Roz and Balco have to go and retry the case and they find racism to play a major part. Jerry finds some information out about Bobbi's husband but doesn't know if he should share it. Charlie deals with conflict between him and Judge Kessler.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Roman Holiday
star
7.34
35 votes

#8 - Roman Holiday

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/27/2008

Jerry defends an HIV-positive man charged with attempted murder due to the fact that he spit in a police officer's face. Jerry must go up against Mitch Baker, an arrogant assistant DA. Bobbi and Richard defend a 14-year-old who was possibly involved in a murder. Judge Kessler plans a trip to Italy and invites Charlie along.

Directors: Rick Wallace
Writer: David Feige
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hang Time
star
7.33
36 votes

#9 - Hang Time

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/6/2008

Jerry defends a man who followed a hit and run driver and then stole from him. Bobbi's latest case involves a domestic -violence dispute which has the wife refusing to press charges.

Directors: Chris Long
Writer: David Feige
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Leg to Stand On
star
7.33
36 votes

#10 - A Leg to Stand On

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/13/2008

Jerry defends a client who he is sure is innocent. Jerry gets a sign that he should go with a bench trial, but it seems there are some politics going on in the background. Richard receives extra attention from his law student. Judge Kessler is called in for a favor.

Directors: Carol Banker
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Out on the Roof
star
7.31
35 votes

#11 - Out on the Roof

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/20/2008

One of Charlie's friends is arrested and Charlie arranges to have Jerry handle the case, but then is put in front of Charlie's boss, Judge Kessler. Michelle calls Jerry in to intercede on one of Bobbi's cases.

Directors: Rick Bota
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hair Apparent
star
7.17
69 votes

#12 - Hair Apparent

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/8/2009

In the dramatic season premiere, Jerry defends a barber charged with allowing his nephew to sell crack out of his barbershop, a crime for which the barber is now being tried. Marcus, under orders from Balco to “take the hard line” in prosecuting cases, refuses to give any leeway. Roz decides to start handling cases again, but her first one hits a snag that could ruin a woman’s life and the life of her son. Bobbi’s divorce proceedings get underway, but it’s not too long before she gets thrown a curveball. And Jerry gets ribbed about his hair during a party celebrating his 33rd birthday.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Watch Now:Amazon
Pilot
star
7.11
74 votes

#13 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/1/2008

Public defender, Jerry Kellerman, defends a man that he is certain is innocent. Jerry struggles on the case while in front of a judge that despises him. Meanwhile in the DA's office, Michelle tries to right a wrong in a rape trial while the office doesn't want to be embarrassed by a wrong conviction.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Curious Case Of Kellerman's Button
star
7.09
66 votes

#14 - The Curious Case Of Kellerman's Button

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/22/2009

Jerry gets into a conflict with Judge Farnsworth. Jerry schemes to make Farnsworth a victim of his own rules.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:Amazon
O! Say Can You Pee
star
7.09
69 votes

#15 - O! Say Can You Pee

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/24/2009

Richard defends a law student accused of pouring beer on a cop at a sporting event. Marcus takes legal action against a father who stole food to feed his family, however, a videotape surfaces to tell another story. Bobbie and Jerry face an important personal decision.

Directors: Jeannot Szwarc
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:Amazon
Happy Ending
star
7.03
66 votes

#16 - Happy Ending

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/24/2009

In the series finale, Jerry defends a male massage therapist against charges of inappropriately touching a female client. Kessler's boyfriend asks for a favor, Bobbi and Jerry look for a place together, and Roz must deal with the father of the baby she is caring for.

Directors: Jesse Bochco
Watch Now:Amazon
No Child's Left Behind
star
6.77
69 votes

#17 - No Child's Left Behind

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/29/2009

Jerry defends a father against Balco's aggressive prosecution. Bobbi considers finding another job with better pay.

Directors: Rick Bota
Writer: Joel Fields
Watch Now:Amazon
Rules of Engagement
star
6.68
68 votes

#18 - Rules of Engagement

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/15/2009

Jerry and Michelle go before a new judge; Michelle becomes smitten with a cop who may be perjuring himself.

Directors: Eric Laneuville
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:Amazon
Making Up Is Hard to Do
star
6.45
38 votes

#19 - Making Up Is Hard to Do

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/10/2009

Bobbi defends a woman accused of smuggling cocaine; Michelle must rely on the testimony of her cop boyfriend.

Directors: Reginald Hudlin
Writer: Alison Cross
Watch Now:Amazon
Fine and Dandy
star
6.39
38 votes

#20 - Fine and Dandy

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/20/2009

Jerry and Richard both fight for their clients who have received unjust punishments. Judge Kessler will be working Richard's case, while also looking forward to going on a first blind date. Meanwhile, Bobbi has trouble adjusting to a life-shattering situation concerning her ex-husband.

Directors: David Feige
Writer: Jesse Bochco
Watch Now:Amazon
Is There a Doctor in the House?
star
6.38
37 votes

#21 - Is There a Doctor in the House?

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/6/2009

Jerry defends a woman picked up for drug possession. Michelle's new boyfriend gives Jerry the runaround.

Directors: Jeannot Szwarc
Watch Now:Amazon
I'll Be Down to Get You a Taxi, Honey
star
6.38
37 votes

#22 - I'll Be Down to Get You a Taxi, Honey

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/13/2009

Jerry relies on the sympathy of the jury instead of the facts when he holds court for a man charged with running over a corrupt lawyer. Elsewhere, Richard makes a judicial fumble when he rushes through his cases. Also, Bobbi's divorce proceedings advance.

Directors: Martha Mitchell
Watch Now:Amazon
Trout Fishing
star
6.32
38 votes

#23 - Trout Fishing

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/3/2009

Kessler and Farnsworth clash over a case in which a mother is set to go to prison. Elsewhere, Balco hands a case to Michelle, but she'll only have 48 hours to prepare before it goes to trial.

Directors: Steve Robin
Watch Now:Amazon
Beating a Dead Horse
star
6.32
38 votes

#24 - Beating a Dead Horse

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/24/2009

Jerry takes over Bobbi's case involving a pregnant woman addicted to heroin; Michelle is determined to put the woman away to stop her from shooting up with a baby in her womb; Roz defends a carriage driver.

Directors: Rick Bota
Writer: Joel Fields
Watch Now:Amazon
Trust Me
star
6.23
35 votes

#25 - Trust Me

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/27/2009

Bobbi is put to the test while working on a case for a confidential informant who fears his powerful codefendant could have him killed. Jerry tries to assist Bobbi in the case, but his meddling backfires. Elsewhere, Richard uses his family name as leverage in a case.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Joel Fields
Watch Now:Amazon