The BEST Episodes of Rescue Me
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: May 9, 2021
Network: FX
From the creators and executive producers of The Job comes Rescue Me, a drama/comedy that centers on the inner workings of Ladder Company 62, a New York City firehouse, and the personal and emotional battles of its members in a post-9/11 world. The show focuses Tommy Gavin, the senior fire-fighter whose life is in turmoil as he copes with the stresses and fears of his job as well the separation from his wife Janet. Tommy moves into a house across the street from her to stay close to their three children and keep an eye on her. The stresses and fears of his job are manifested through conversations with his dead cousin Jimmy Keefe, a former fire-fighter, as well as the haunting memories of people he has watched perish on the job. The remaining heroes of Ladder 62 include Chief Jerry Reilly who, despite being called "The Good Chief," has a serious gambling problem and bets on everything, even Tommy's divorce. Sean Garrity is a young, handsome guy who is easier to look at than hold a conversation with.
#1 - Twat
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired Jul 12, 2005
Tommy asks his cousin for help in understanding the bizarre visions he's been having. The crew tries to help Laura understand the essence of male comaraderie.
8.44 
#2 - Sanctuary
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired Oct 13, 2004
The hockey game rematch between the NYPD and the FDNY is right around the corner and Tommy must figure out a plan to save himself from being pummeled by the cops who have it out for him. Tommy's relationship with Sheila is discovered by the guys and they must adhere to tradition to handle it in their own way. When Tommy is visited by his demons during a fire, Franco comes to his aid... with devastating results.
8.19 
#3 - Harmony
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired Jun 28, 2005
In an effort to get more time off to search for his wife and kids, Tommy joins the new firehouse’s Barbershop Quartet. Meanwhile back at the old station, Lou and Chief Reilly conspire to get Tommy back, but the rest of the crew has grown fond of his replacement.
8.09 
#4 - Yaz
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired Sep 12, 2007
In the fourth-season finale, Sheila learns that Jimmy's ghost has been spotted on several occasions, so she investigates. Meanwhile, Colleen blames Tommy for her failed relationship; Franco and Natalie come to an understanding, as do Lou, Cousin Mike and Latrina; and Tommy spends time with his father.
8.06 
#5 - Kansas
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired Aug 4, 2004
Tommy decides to make life a living hell for his wife's new boyfriend by wreaking havoc on his business and finances. Meanwhile, Chief Reilly faces possible suspension as the result of an altercation with a fellow firefighter and Lou decides to share his poetry.
8.05 
#6 - Ashes
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired Sep 7, 2011
In the aftermath of the fire, the members of 62 truck struggle to pick up the pieces and look towards the future. Down at The Rock, the new probies receive a familiar speech and stand before a new leader.
8.01 
#7 - Balls
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired Jul 5, 2005
Tommy's fate in the firehouse depends on vote by the crew. Tommy reunites with his dad. Franco and Laura's relationship grows.
7.94 
#8 - Head
Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired Aug 10, 2011
Tommy has his badge revoked when his latest tirade goes national. But Sheila’s two-pronged attack hits Tommy’s critics where they least expect it, vindicating Tommy and clearing the Gavin family name.
7.93 
#9 - Believe
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired Aug 9, 2005
Jerry forces the crew to attend a birthday party that his son is throwing for his boyfriend. Meanwhile, Tommy makes a move on Mariel after she tells him she might not be his half sister after all. Franco asks Laura to move in with him while Sheila tries to make Tommy jealous by showing off her new girlfriend.
7.93 
#10 - Guts
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired Jul 21, 2004
New York City firefighter, Tommy Gavin, cannot escape the ghosts of those who have died around him as he faces the everyday challenge of saving lives while trying to fix his own.
7.90 
#11 - Bitch
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired Aug 30, 2005
Tommy lays off the antidepressants when he is kicked off the hockey team. Sheila asks Tommy to talk Damien out of being a firefighter. Meanwhile, when Franco sees Laura with another guy he gets jealous and Tommy's dad gets a surprise when he returns home from a three day trip to Atlantic City.
7.90 
#12 - Retards
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired Aug 8, 2006
Following a meeting with Janet, Tommy has yet another confrontation with Johnny; Teddy's conjugal visits with Ellie prove to be a letdown; and Franco tries to befriend his new girlfriend's mentally challenged brother. Elsewhere, Tommy keeps his vigil at Stack's bedside.
7.90 
#13 - Drink
Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired Sep 1, 2009
Uncle Teddy appears surprisingly stoic after a staggering personal loss, but finally bursts at the seams and has the gang cornered. Janet and Sheila's plan goes haywire and leaves a trail of destruction in its wake.
7.89 
#14 - Rebirth
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired Aug 16, 2005
Tommy starts taking Janet's antidepressants. When Sean meddles in Franco and Laura's troubled relationship he makes things worse. After a gay visitor, the crew wonders about Mike's sexuality.
7.87 
#15 - Justice
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired Sep 13, 2005
Tommy copes with a tragedy. Jerry must decide what to do when his wife's condition worsens. Sean has a crisis of faith. Lou learns some shocking facts about Candy. And the crew responds to a multi-level building fire with people trapped inside.
7.86 
#16 - Play
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired May 19, 2009
Tommy and Janet attempt to survive a weekend together at Katy's new prep school. Meanwhile, Lou sees Tommy's absence as a way to move in on Genevieve. Teddy and Maggie receive vulgar propositions and Sean's stomach pain acts up at an inopportune moment.
7.85 
#17 - Sheila
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired May 5, 2009
After a run in with Janet's brash new boyfriend, Tommy grows concerned about Katie's whereabouts. Sheila is finally able to come to terms with Jimmy's death as Damien makes the decision to follow in his father's footsteps.
7.85 
#18 - Leaving
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired Oct 6, 2004
When Janet needs more money to cover house repairs, Tommy turns to Uncle Teddy and his "little" friend to help him out with extra cash. When Franco's father has a stroke, Franco finds himself trying to juggle work and raising his daughter on his own. Meanwhile, a goodwill tribute to the firefighters lost in 9/11 goes awry and the firehouse is put in jeopardy.
7.84 
#19 - Karate
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired Jul 25, 2006
Lou turns to new-age techniques in his efforts to change his life. Sean and Maggie come to a surprising decision. Tommy and Angie continue to see each other, which quickly leads to an embarrassing scene with Janet.
7.82 
#20 - Satisfaction
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired Jul 18, 2006
While Tommy and Johnny have another encounter, Janet and Angie re-establish their acquaintance. Meanwhile, Sheila is unhappy when she sees Tommy and Angie together. Maggie wants to get back together with Sean. Mike hooks up with a woman at a bar, making his roommate, Chris, jealous. Franco finds out about Jerry's second job at the pub, and the money in the no-smoking jar goes missing.
7.81 
#21 - Reunion
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired Jul 26, 2005
Tommy seeks the truth about Sheila while trying to get his kids back; Lou does not like the person he has saved through a bone marrow donation; Franco's addiction puts those he loves at risk; Sean's new girlfriend habitually dates firemen.
7.80 
#22 - Sanctuary
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired Aug 3, 2010
Tommy loses his nerve when a young driver's recklessness reminds him of his daughter's new lifestyle. After a meeting fails to put Colleen on the wagon, Tommy is forced to pursue a more aggressive method to get her life back on track.
7.80 
#23 - Gay
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired Jul 28, 2004
When a retired gay firefighter makes a published claim that several firemen who died in 9/11 were closeted gays, Chief Reilly is determined to set the record straight. While attempting to mask the pain of losing his wife and kids, Tommy does Jimmy a favor and spies on his widow which leads to a surprising discovery. The probie must deal with the unexpected repercussions of being a hero after making his first save in a fire.
7.78 
#24 - Sensitivity
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired Jul 19, 2005
Tommy has a chance at finding his kids with help from his oldest daughter. Chief Jerry asks his son for help when his wife's condition worsens.
7.78 
#25 - Vows
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired Aug 31, 2011
In the tradition of the Gavin family, Colleen's wedding is an emotional if not debaucherous affair. The high spirits quickly fade, however, when the guys tackle the mother of all fires.
7.78