The BEST episodes written by Barbara Hall
#1 - Leaving the Station
Madam Secretary - Season 6 - Episode 10
President Elizabeth McCord kicks off a new landmark political initiative with help from members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s Soccer team, while Flo Avery, who was born the day women were granted the right to vote, looks on. Opposing the initiative is Senator Amy Ross from Ohio. Also, the McCords overcome last-minute obstacles to pull off a spectacular family celebration with a reunion of familiar faces, that includes a performance by Peter Frampton.
#2 - Family Separation (1)
Madam Secretary - Season 5 - Episode 10
Elizabeth goes head to head with a U.S. governor over the state's new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children. Also, she and Henry plan to renew their wedding vows.
#3 - Train In Vain
Women's Murder Club - Season 1 - Episode 2
Lindsay and Jacobi hunt down a killer who committed a triple homicide on a subway car, and discover a disturbing twist in the killer's motive. Cindy tries to gain the respect of The Club. Jill prepares to move in with Luke. Claire helps Ed through his recovery. Lindsay meets Tom's fiancée.
#4 - Sea Change
Madam Secretary - Season 3 - Episode 1
When a storm destroys a naval base in Bahrain, Elizabeth urges President Dalton to reexamine his approach to climate change and his overall foreign policy, something that could jeopardize his re-election campaign. Also, Jose Campos tries to bring Henry back into the DIA fold, and the McCords worry that their family is being stalked when they discover Jason’s laptop may have been hacked.
#5 - The Show Must Go On
Madam Secretary - Season 2 - Episode 1
The President’s plane is declared missing and Elizabeth is thrust into a situation of power she never imagined possible. Also, Henry butts heads with his new Defense Intelligence Agency handler, Jane Fellows, when he’s asked to recruit one of his Russian students for the NSA.
#6 - Sound and Fury
Madam Secretary - Season 4 - Episode 12
After President Dalton hears about a sonic attack at the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, he thinks Russia is to blame and uncharacteristically threatens them with military force, leaving his cabinet concerned about his mental status.
#7 - One Last Thing
Homeland - Season 3 - Episode 9
Carrie reunites with Brody, but the circumstances are more difficult than either of them could have imagined. Meanwhile, Saul gets a win from an unlikely source, and Dana grapples with her new life away from home.
#8 - Ask Me No Questions, I'll Tell You No Lies
ER - Season 3 - Episode 9
Mark, still reeling from Susan's departure, crosses ethical lines to obtain Jeanie's confidential files after learning Al is HIV-positive. Benton rides Gant hard. Carter and Keaton find it harder to maintain their secret relationship.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#9 - Pilot
Madam Secretary - Season 1 - Episode 1
Newly-appointed Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord is immediately faced with a maelstrom of complex political challenges, and an international hostage situation is her top priority. Elizabeth also questions whether she did the right thing by taking the job, as her children are finding it difficult to adjust to their new schools.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#10 - Gift Horse
Madam Secretary - Season 3 - Episode 11
When the Mongolian government sends Elizabeth a horse as a gift, she thinks accepting it could upset other Asian countries, but she stirs up more controversy when she considers returning it to Mongolia. Also, Gov. Sam Evans threatens to sue Ohio for putting President Dalton on the election ballot, and Stevie has an interesting first day as Russell’s new intern.
#11 - Tin Man Is Down
Homeland - Season 3 - Episode 1
Alleged Langley bomber Nick Brody remains at large. Saul plots a risky counterstrike on the terrorists connected to the bombing. Carrie becomes the focus of a hostile Senate investigation. Humiliated and abandoned by the Marine Corps, the Brody family struggles to cope with Dana's destructive behavior.
#12 - Night Watch
Madam Secretary - Season 4 - Episode 22
Elizabeth and cabinet members brace for the fallout at home and abroad as President Dalton prepares for a retaliatory nuclear attack on a country that has reportedly just launched missiles bound for the U.S.
#13 - Family Separation (2)
Madam Secretary - Season 5 - Episode 11
Elizabeth goes head to head with a U.S. governor over the state's new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children. Also, she and Henry plan to renew their wedding vows.
#14 - Loyalty (2)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent - Season 9 - Episode 2
With an illegal arms deal and a hunt for Somali terrorists hanging in the balance, Detectives Goren, Eames, Nichols and newcomer Stevens combine resources in an attempt to bring justice.
#15 - Whisper of the Ax
Madam Secretary - Season 1 - Episode 14
Elizabeth is humiliated at a public budget hearing when her staff fails to find the corruption that exists in her microloan program. Also, the investigation into Marsh’s death continues.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#16 - Another Benghazi
Madam Secretary - Season 1 - Episode 2
Elizabeth has to deal with a crisis in Yemen. There's also trouble on the home front after her oldest daughter, Stevie manages to make the headlines for protesting a new policy at her university.
#17 - Sherry Baby
Family Ties - Season 1 - Episode 13
When popular sorority girl Sherry Marshall befriends Mallory to get close to Alex, Mallory brings them together in hopes of joining Pi Nu but her plan backfires. Mallory's thrilled when Sherry chooses her for a science project partner, though the snobbish girl's ulterior motive soon surfaces. Eager to join the sorority, Mallory persuades Alex to escort Sherry to the Pi Nu dance. She even agrees to his condition that she attend the dance with the adoring, nerdy Skippy Handleman.
#18 - Curious George at the Firehouse
Newhart - Season 2 - Episode 13
George becomes a volunteer fireman, determined to shed his image as the town boob. George loses the keys to the fire truck just as the town's first fire in five years erupts.
#20 - Send Her, Ella
Newhart - Season 2 - Episode 21
Stephanie is disappointed when she has to watch the inn instead of participating in the Maple Syrup beauty contest, so she quickly crafts a disguise and goes as Miss Inez Velasco, leaving the inn in the hands of a guest.
#21 - Go, Grandma, Go
Newhart - Season 2 - Episode 18
Kirk's grandmother visits, loaning her car to Kirk and Cindy for their honeymoon. Kirk realizes there's trouble when he's arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.
#22 - Great Expectations
Army Wives - Season 2 - Episode 12
Claudia Joy learns the reason for her mother's visit; Roxy, Denise, Claudia Joy and Pamela throw Roland and Joan a baby shower; Denise pleads with Frank to go with her to marital counseling; Trevor learns the fate of one of his fellow soldiers.
#23 - Pilot
Joan of Arcadia - Season 1 - Episode 1
16 year old Joan Girardi is approached by someone claiming to be God. He gives her a mission, get a job. Will Girardi, Joan's dad and new chief of police for Arcadia, is trying to solve the case of a serial killer.
#24 - Northern Hospitality
Northern Exposure - Season 5 - Episode 16
Joel discovers that his friends consider him remiss about entertaining them, so he plans a dinner party; later he worries about potential food poisoning. Holling tells Shelly that he is not a Canadian citizen, which makes her worry about not having national health care for "The Pooper." Chris "comes to realize the power of this thing (microphone)," when a listener kills himself after hearing one of his selections, so he revises the play list. Shelly takes "The Pooper" back to Canada and Holling goes after them.
#25 - E Pluribus Unum
Madam Secretary - Season 5 - Episode 1
In the aftermath of a deadly attack on the White House, Elizabeth tries to keep a major nuclear disarmament deal from falling apart while a manhunt for the attackers brings D.C. to a halt. For advice, Elizabeth turns to former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton and Colin Powell.
#26 - The Color of Maddie
Moonlighting - Season 5 - Episode 3
Maddie and David struggle to find a new footing for their relationship while working on a case for a woman whose husband of one week returns after a ten year absence.
#27 - The Boy Who Cried Goat
Newhart - Season 1 - Episode 18
When Kirk's cafe is robbed, his history of deception comes back to haunt him as the insurance investigator refuses to believe his story.
#28 - Rosebud
Northern Exposure - Season 5 - Episode 7
Ed hits an impasse in his film career when Maurice has him begin to organize Cicely's first film festival and he can't seem to get things going to Maurice's satisfaction. Joel makes excuses for why he can't join the volunteer fire department and goes on the offensive when his truck bursts into flames and the volunteers are nowhere to be found. Leonard becomes frustrated as he researches the healing properties found in white folklore.
#29 - The Stratford Wives
Newhart - Season 2 - Episode 4
Joanna creates a stir at a potluck dinner by breaking a long-standing tradition whereby men eat in the dining room, women in the kitchen.
#30 - Eine Kleine Nacht Murder
Moonlighting - Season 5 - Episode 12
Maddie witnesses a murder and is placed under police protection, but David thinks her bodyguard is crooked and is planning to kill her himself. Annie moves in with David, largely because of the discomfort their relationship is causing Maddie. David goes to Maddie's house to convince her to try to flee from the bad guys, only for a SWAT team to show up and severely damage the house.
#31 - Only Connect
Joan of Arcadia - Season 2 - Episode 1
After a summer of therapy and with school resuming Joan tries to return to a ""normal"" life even as she ignores God, who keeps reappearing; Will is sued for emotional distress by Andy Baker, whose drunk driving caused the accident that paralyzed Kevin; Luke and Grace try to adjust to their relationship.
#32 - News Cycle
Madam Secretary - Season 4 - Episode 1
When the assistant vice minister of Timor-Leste suddenly dies during a meeting with Elizabeth on the first day of the U.N General Assembly, she becomes suspicious after the president of Timor-Leste ships the body back without a proper investigation. Also, a "fake news" story surfaces claiming Elizabeth is responsible for the minister’s death, and Dmitri returns to work with Henry.
#33 - Baby Blues
Northern Exposure - Season 5 - Episode 11
An agent stops by to see Ed about his idea for "The Shaman" but he wants a few "little" changes made to better sell the script. Chris seeks to discover his feminine side. Joel and Maggie "discuss" motherhood. Shelly flees her baby shower as all the pressures of motherhood begin to show themselves to her, when Eve and others tell their child birthing experiences.
#34 - Death Be Not Whatever
Joan of Arcadia - Season 1 - Episode 7
Joan baby-sits for a 6-year-old boy who is obsessed with death; officers assault a black man at a gas station.
#35 - Touch Move
Joan of Arcadia - Season 1 - Episode 3
God encourages Joan to learn how to play chess; Will must work with a psychic on a missing toddler case; Helen hopes a miracle will enable Kevin to walk again.
#36 - Recreation
Joan of Arcadia - Season 1 - Episode 13
At Helen's insistance, she and Will take a getaway to a spa, but all does not go well when Will cannot forget about his job. And with the parents away, the kids are up to a little recreation of their own; Kevin and his boss, Rebecca, find it hard to ignore their mutual attraction; Joan, as she is trying to sort out her feelings for Adam, is instructed by God to throw a party while her parents are way; Luke helps Joan pull off a successful party.
#37 - Romancing the Joan
Joan of Arcadia - Season 2 - Episode 15
God wants Joan to do an extra credit assignment on Romantic poetry; Adam takes on a perky and cute assistant (special guest star Haylie Duff); Lucy gets a promotion; Helen takes a break from her Catholic studies; Kevin decides to get back into the dating game.
#38 - No Future
Joan of Arcadia - Season 2 - Episode 9
As Joan begins to deal with Judith's death, she faces the added pressure of having to relive the day of Kevin's accident during her deposition. Meanwhile, Will feels guilty as he recalls how poorly he treated Kevin in the hours preceding his accident. Additionally, Grace reluctantly agrees to join Luke for dinner at the Girardi's on his birthday.
#39 - Don't Rain on My Parade
Newhart - Season 2 - Episode 6
Joanna is swamped when Dick volunteers her to serve Thanksgiving dinner for over 100 people, including her parents. George is upset when his Thanksgiving parade is ruined by rain.
#40 - Silence
Joan of Arcadia - Season 1 - Episode 23
When the hospitalized Joan is diagnosed with Lyme disease, she begins to question if she's been seeing God or merely experiencing the hallucinations that can be symptomatic of her condition... Upon hearing that Joan may have been suffering from the symptoms of Lyme Disease for months, a somewhat relieved Will and Helen believe this news may explain Joan's mood swings and atypical behavior, while a concerned Adam wonders if Joan will be different upon her recovery. Meanwhile, the hospitalized Joan experiences a crisis of faith -- and considers revealing to someone close to her that she's been talking to God. In separate circumstances, Helen and Will begin to rethink their belief systems after, respectively, experiencing spiritual dreams and miraculous events.
#41 - Something Wicked This Way Comes
Joan of Arcadia - Season 2 - Episode 22
God tells Joan that her last two years were just practice for her greatest challenge, which will be to face off against a mysterious man who, though he also talks to God, has a sinister agenda... Initially, Joan is simply curious about Ryan Hunter, the charming, wealthy and influential man who revealed to her that he also speaks to God, and who rescued Adam from the woods during a storm. However, she soon discovers Ryan's dark side and is alarmed that he's insinuated himself into the lives of her loved ones, who are quick to dismiss Joan's qualms about him.
#42 - Grand Prix
Northern Exposure - Season 5 - Episode 22
Ted tries to impress Marilyn with the rich client he's just landed and learns what makes them different. Maurice organizes Cicely's 1st International wheelchair race and demands too much from the contestant he is sponsoring. Ed prescribes a remedy for a racer with tennis elbow, but the little green man returns to try to undermine his confidence in his healing abilities.
#43 - Redheaded Stepchild
Judging Amy - Season 2 - Episode 21
The Sanctuary House staff works together to determine the identity of the adult who molested a twelve year old boy who confessed to raping his five year old sister; after Bruce arbitrates a visitation schedule disagreement between a divorced couple and wonders if their child is being abused, Sean offers his help; Carole persuades Vincent to ignore his agent's advice to make his book more commercial; Amy faces a swarmy host and his ignorant, self-serving politician guest as she appears on a tv talk show in defense of the juvenile justice system.
#44 - Hold on Tight
Judging Amy - Season 2 - Episode 22
Maxine reunites a couple with their kidnapped baby; Vincent is upset when Carole usurps his prerogative to tell his family about their move in his own way and time by blurting out the news over family dinner, while Amy is downright angry at her brother's decision; when she learns that he's been granted an appeal, Donna can't face serving Oscar with divorce papers herself; Amy watches helplessly as a mother whose custody petition she denied takes drastic measures to protest Amy's decision.
#45 - The Last Word
Judging Amy - Season 3 - Episode 1
After pleas from Maxine and Peter, Amy takes the first step in mending fences with Vincent; back in town with a new job working in the prosecutor's office, Stu Collins has a near-fatal heart attack after a verbal altercation with Amy, who is unable to contact any of his friends or family; Maxine tries to help a couple who cannot agree about giving up the special needs child they adopted, but is unable to avert the tragic outcome of their dilemma; the teenage son of a mobster appears in Amy's court for setting a fire which destroyed a store and maimed an employee after an argument with the store's owner; on the road to recovery, Stu confesses to Amy that he's had a crush on her for years; Amy and Bruce test the boundaries of their relationship.
#46 - The Right Thing To Do
Judging Amy - Season 3 - Episode 4
Amy must rule on the fate of conjoined twins; Jared proposes to Maxine before taking a job in China; Carole tries to push Vincent away after she learns the lump on her breast is malignant.
#47 - Who Shot Dick?
Judging Amy - Season 3 - Episode 12
After her brother Richard arrives in town looking for his son, Maxine initially refuses to put him in touch with Kyle, but later relents; in the process of helping Donna with her estate planning, Peter and Gillian agree to become Ariadne's guardian should something happen to Donna; as Maxine quarrels with Richard about the event that caused them not to speak for twelve years, it becomes apparent that Maxine blames her brother for Edward's early death; Bruce and Andrea hit it off during a play date for their daughters, and later go out on a date; Kyle refuses his father's offer to bail him out of his troubles; Maxine works to help a father regain visitation rights to his teenaged son; Kyle and Amy continue their discussion about the events that caused a rift in their relationship and find that they share responsibility and guilt for the events of that night; a young surrogate mother pregnant with twins who has no interest in keeping the babies comes before Amy in the middle of a custody
#48 - Come Back Soon
Judging Amy - Season 3 - Episode 24
Although Amy tries to make the best of it, she and Lauren are still miserable in their small apartment; unable to avoid running into Jared and his date at the diner while looking and feeling her worst, Maxine gives him the cold shoulder, but Jared remains undeterred in his affection for her and finally gets her to accept an engagement ring; Michael sues for full legal custody of Lauren; just as Amy is prepared to ask her mother if she can move back in, she discovers that Maxine has puts her house up for sale; Bruce pleads no contest on his assault charge and receives a suspended sentence; Amy hears a case of a woman who locked her children in the trunk of her car because she had no one to care for them while she was at work; Maxine ends her medical leave after her dentist asks her to investigate the possible abuse of a teenaged patient; Bruce is fired and the dreaded Ian Jankowski is promoted to C.S.O. and assigned to Amy's courtroom.
#49 - Lost in the System
Judging Amy - Season 4 - Episode 1
Amy and Michael agree to work out Lauren's custody with a mediator; Maxine and Kimberly clash over a child lost in the system; Jared returns from China to get an answer from Maxine; Lauren fears that their apartment is haunted and Amy begins to agree with her; appearing before Amy in court as the caseworker for a teenaged mother, Maxine gives an impassioned plea which provides Amy with food for thought about not only the girl, but Amy's relationships with Maxine and Lauren; Bruce runs into Amy and spurns her offer of friendship, but later relents most emphatically.
#50 - Boys to Men
Judging Amy - Season 4 - Episode 9
Maxine and Jared move up their wedding date, to the consternation of their children; Peter's plans for a classy bachelor party go awry, but the men manage to have a good time at a less highbrow establishment as they convince a greatly under-the-influence Bruce to call Zola and ask her for a date; Maxine's hen party is much more sedate, but Maxine manages to work out an escape plan nonetheless; Amy presides over a hearing to determine if four teenage boys accused of drugging and raping a teenage girl should be tried as adults; after Charles announces that he's quit his job, Jared is forced to return to China and reschedule the wedding, and Amy lets Charles know that it's not in his best interest to interfere with Maxine's happiness; Maxine's efforts to keep Eric's case in juvenile court are successful.