The WORST episodes of Rescue Me

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

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.

Last Updated: 3/26/2024Network: FXStatus: Ended
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Zippo
star
7.00
422 votes

#1 - Zippo

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/18/2009

Tommy has rocky encounters with Janet and Sheila, and an encounter with Kelly that isn't as rocky. Meanwhile, the guys go grocery shopping with the newly domesticated Lou.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
Torch
star
7.01
423 votes

#2 - Torch

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/30/2009

After dealing with a particularly horrific accident on the job, Tommy questions his feelings in a dream sequence with his dead father, brother and son, and Jimmy Keefe. Meanwhile, Sean has an unwanted visitor at the hospital; and Lou has a very-much-wanted visitor to his apartment.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
High
star
7.11
257 votes

#3 - High

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/22/2007

The Gavin family AA group's first meeting doesn't go exactly as planned. Tommy bribes Colleen for information on Janet. Franco learns the truth about Natalie from Richie while Lou contemplates revenge on Cousin Mike.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
Zombies
star
7.13
235 votes

#4 - Zombies

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/11/2006

After a game of street hockey, Sean takes some sleeping pills believing they are painkillers and it has an unwanted consequence. In the meantime, Tommy and Angie decide to go on their fake date that they know will upset Janet. After having a close call, Lou gets a new angle on firefighting from his Uncle Red.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
Control
star
7.16
537 votes

#5 - Control

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/9/2009

Tommy and Mike must find a way to mend their fences at work; Sheila tries to get Tommy to control his drinking with her leverage; Lou must relive an unpleasant memory; Franco heads back to the boxing ring; and Sean has his heart-to-heart talk with his mother.

Watch Now:Amazon
Forgiven
star
7.22
419 votes

#6 - Forgiven

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/10/2010

When headquarters shuts down the house, the crew formulates a makeshift response to a nearby call. A face from the past stirs Tommy and Janet's emotions as their date begins to unravel.

Watch Now:Amazon
Jump
star
7.23
359 votes

#7 - Jump

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/25/2009

Franco steps into the ring with one of Carla's friends;Tommy tends bar after a failed rescue leaves the crew in the dumps.

Directors: Peter Tolan
Watch Now:Amazon
Initiation
star
7.23
505 votes

#8 - Initiation

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/14/2009

As Damien joins 62 Truck, Sheila reminds Tommy of his promise to watch out for him. Meanwhile, Janet gives Tommy guidelines for their relationship; the guys attend a memorial dedication for a firefighter who died on 9/11; and Sean is released from the hospital, vowing to live life "to the fullest."

Watch Now:Amazon
David
star
7.24
416 votes

#9 - David

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/11/2009

Damian receives an offer that unsettles Tommy; Lou discusses his upcoming wedding plans with Tommy and Needles.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
Change
star
7.24
476 votes

#10 - Change

Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/6/2010

Tommy comes to terms with his nightmare and tries to do right by those around him, but his plans fall by the wayside when the gang gathers at the bar post save.

Watch Now:Amazon
Twilight
star
7.26
320 votes

#11 - Twilight

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/15/2006

John Sr. ends up disappearing after arguing with Tommy about their living conditions. Tommy is none too thrilled with Lou's latest love interest, while Jerry's new woman might prove to be dangerous for him. Also, Sean and Maggie meet with the priest to discuss their upcoming wedding.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Writer: John Scurti
Watch Now:Amazon
A.D.D.
star
7.26
303 votes

#12 - A.D.D.

Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/31/2010

Tommy and Sheila do their best to adjust to life after Damian’s accident. Sheila copes with her grief, Tommy struggles to budget his time, and the guys find themselves with a new pickup ploy.

Watch Now:Amazon
Perspective
star
7.26
482 votes

#13 - Perspective

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/12/2009

A personal milestone finds Tommy back at Ground Zero. Genevieve's perspective on 9/11 incenses Tommy, whereas Franco's point of view has more dire consequences. Meanwhile, Sean's back pain turns out to be more serious than he had expected and the success of Mike's bar becomes a handful.

Watch Now:Amazon
Lesbos
star
7.27
448 votes

#14 - Lesbos

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 7/28/2009

The perfect party becomes a nightmare when a herd of brutish women infiltrate the bar. Tommy's love triangle reaches new heights.

Directors: Ken Girotti
Watch Now:Amazon
344
star
7.32
359 votes

#15 - 344

Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/17/2011

A day at ground zero inspires Tommy to write letters to his loved ones. When Lou betrays his trust, Tommy returns to ground zero with an old friend.

Directors: Ken Girotti
Watch Now:Amazon
Cowboy
star
7.33
358 votes

#16 - Cowboy

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/17/2010

Needles' political leverage catches HQ off guard, leaving them no choice but to reopen the house. Feinberg loses control, Damian saves a helpless victim, and Tommy and Sheila find themselves in hot water.

Watch Now:Amazon
Legacy
star
7.34
504 votes

#17 - Legacy

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/29/2010

A terrifying vision of the afterlife leaves Tommy shaken as he attempts to reconnect with his friends and family back on the outside. At the firehouse, the crew’s fate hangs in the balance when the department decides to cut costs.

Watch Now:Amazon
Thaw
star
7.34
456 votes

#18 - Thaw

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/2/2009

Tension runs high as Needles holds the guys accountable for their lack of judgment. Tommy steps up and takes responsibility for Damian's future in the firehouse. Sheila provides Tommy with an oasis as a sign of her gratitude but it may not be enough to save him from the wrath of Mike, Dwight, and the ghosts of Tommy's past.

Directors: Peter Markle
Watch Now:Amazon
D.N.A.
star
7.36
358 votes

#19 - D.N.A.

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/11/2004

A "friendly" date between Tommy and the widow of his dead cousin takes a unexpected turn when she makes a move on Tommy. Franco's ex-girlfriend shows up at the firehouse and claims he's the father of her five-year-old daughter, turning his life upside down.

Directors: Jace Alexander
Watch Now:Amazon
Mickey
star
7.36
540 votes

#20 - Mickey

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/16/2009

Though Tommy's pacts with Sheila and Janet have begun to unravel, there is one Gavin who remains sexually adventurous much to Tommy's chagrin. Garrity divulges his medical secret, Tommy proclaims he's been drinking at AA, but its Mickey who will offer the final surprise.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
Pieces
star
7.36
324 votes

#21 - Pieces

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/1/2006

The crew faces more than accustomed when rescuing a man from his burning apartment; Sean has a request for Maggie's dad; Franco thinks his new girlfriend is hiding something from him; and Tommy realizes that his crew's future together may be in jeopardy.

Directors: Jace Alexander
Watch Now:Amazon
Sparks
star
7.38
331 votes

#22 - Sparks

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/20/2006

The crew decide to save some children from a disabled school bus as they go to call in Harlem. However, the soon meet up with an upset Rev. Al Sharpton. Franco finally realizes why Alicia is so interested in him. Mike and his roommate discuss their sexuality. Sean ends up telling Tommy about his feelings for Maggie. Sheila has a proposal for Tommy. Janet wants to talk to him about their settlement, but with no lawyers involved.

Directors: Jace Alexander
Watch Now:Amazon
Beached
star
7.38
237 votes

#23 - Beached

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/29/2006

Tommy ends up promising Janet that he will help her with the baby, but neglects to tell her about his future plans with Sheila. Meanwhile, Franco decides to check up on his daughter, Keela.

Directors: Peter Tolan
Watch Now:Amazon
Cycle
star
7.38
224 votes

#24 - Cycle

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/29/2007

Tommy goes on another memorable date with Beth for the sake of the crew; Black Shawn proves himself in an unexpected arena; Franco realizes what he's really lost while Latrina shows she knows how to keep Lou happy; Dad gives Tommy some insight into his childhood

Directors: John Fortenberry
Writer: John Scurti
Watch Now:Amazon
Breakout
star
7.42
390 votes

#25 - Breakout

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/20/2010

With the cookout quickly approaching, the guys hatch a plan to sneak Lou out of the hospital. Sean and Mike attempt to do good, Teddy bonds with Colleen, and Father Phil gives Tommy a piece of advice that sends him reeling.

Watch Now:Amazon