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The Best Episodes of Boston Public

Every episode of Boston Public ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Boston Public!

Binge this in 2d 11h•Peaking at 8.7/10

Principal Steven Harper runs Winslow High School as best as he can while dealing with the demands of the faculty, the students and their parents.

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Boston Public Season 1 Episode 22 - Chapter Twenty-Two
    8.7/10(39 votes)

    #1 - Chapter Twenty-Two

    S1:E22

    Lauren gets a gun to protect herself from Daniel. Jeremy won't tell Marilyn what happened to his mother. Scott gives Winslow High's first student to get accepted to Harvard an F.

    Director:Jonathan Pontell
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  2. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 3 - Chapter Three
    8.4/10(47 votes)

    #2 - Chapter Three

    S1:E3

    Principal Harper's job is in jeopardy and an impending school board meeting has him on edge. Still, he can't help but get involved when Anthony Ward is found hanging upside down from the roof. It turns out the entire soccer team has ganged up on little Anthony since he thwarted their attempts to download answers for a test. Harper's decision to suspend the entire team, and thereby forfeit the soccer season, only adds fuel to Superintendent Marla Shinn's fire. Meanwhile, Harry Senate confesses to kissing Dana Poole and explains her blackmail scheme. Guber sends a shocked Dana to Bob ""Big Boy"" Lick for counseling but Harper does not suspend Senate. Coach Riley, on the other hand, is dealing with a football team who has marked one of their teammates as gay and will not shower with him. Plus, Lauren is left to defend herself when Superintendent Shinn questions the topic of cannibalism being taught in Lauren's classroom. At the school board meeting, things come to a head when all of the fa

    Director:Mel Damski
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  3. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 10 - Chapter Ten
    8.4/10(38 votes)

    #3 - Chapter Ten

    S1:E10

    Sheryl Holt breaks the news about Milton and Lisa's secret affair on her Web site. Suspicious, Harper confronts Buttle about his sexual involvement, but Milton disavows any wrongdoing, claiming that he and Lisa have started a ""Shakespeare Club."" Concerned about his friend, Riley decides to keep quiet for now, but begs Buttle to stop seeing his new ""girlfriend."" However, Riley has his hands full with another explosive situation - an anonymous bully has severely beaten three male students. When he discovers that the bully is actually an extremely overweight girl who was only defending herself from relentless verbal abuse, he enlists her for the wrestling squad. After enduring further derision, she defeats her opponent at her first match and earns the respect of her teammates and family. Meanwhile, Marylin suspects that a girl in her class is a victim of incest when the student writes a ""fictional"" essay about her father molesting her. Although her pupil denies it, Marylin alerts Big Boy

    Director:Michael Pressman
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  4. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 13 - Chapter Thirteen (II)
    8.4/10(36 votes)

    #4 - Chapter Thirteen (II)

    S1:E13

    When Coach Riley is fired for withholding information about Buttle's affair, he hires Attorneys Ellenor Frutt and Jimmy Berluti. The stress of the lawsuit has Guber and Harper at each other's throats. Lauren discovers that Harry had dated another co-worker before her. The crossover starts on The Practice S05E14 The Day After (I).

    Director:Jonathan Pontell
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  5. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One
    8.2/10(71 votes)

    #5 - Chapter One

    S1:E1

    Another school year is off to a booming start at Winslow High School -- an urban high school outside of Boston. Principal Steven Harper spends his days putting out fires, defending his faculty and just trying to keep it together. Lauren Davis, the idealistic head of the social studies department, and Harry Senate, a geology teacher with buried secrets, are embroiled in controversy for failing the star running back before a huge game with the cross-town rivals. But they both have bigger personal problems. Lauren has been asked out on a date by the icy vice principal and Harry has been put on probation for wielding a gun in one of his classes. When he's not dodging the star running back's lawyer or pulling a bully off the class geek, Principal Harper is trying to calm Ms. Hendricks. She left her class after scrawling ""Gone to kill myself, hope you're happy"" on the chalkboard. Meanwhile, English teacher Milton Buttle has become the star attraction on student Sheryl Holt's Web site. His un

    Director:Thomas Schlamme
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  6. Boston Public Season 2 Episode 18 - Chapter Forty
    8.2/10(31 votes)

    #6 - Chapter Forty

    S2:E18

    Former student Dana Poole returns to Winslow, hoping to spend time with Senate for a class project; Lipschultz is confronted by a man who claims to be his son.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:John J. Sakmar

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Boston Public

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  7. Boston Public Season 2 Episode 19 - Chapter Forty-One
    8.2/10(30 votes)

    #7 - Chapter Forty-One

    S2:E19

    Ronnie invites high-school staffers to a surprise birthday party for Senate at her apartment, but he shocks everybody by showing up with a former student.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  8. Boston Public Season 3 Episode 22 - Chapter Sixty-Six
    8.2/10(39 votes)

    #8 - Chapter Sixty-Six

    S3:E22

    A student writes a letter to Whitney Houston asking her to attend the prom with him; Harper tries to prevent teachers from being fired for budgetary reasons; Danny asks Claire's father for permission to marry her.

    Director:Jonathan Pontell
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  9. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five
    8.1/10(43 votes)

    #9 - Chapter Five

    S1:E5

    It's Thanksgiving week, but no one seems particularly grateful. Guber, for example, is still upset over his onstage serenade at the charity show. Football player Jason Harrelson broke bully Malcolm White's arm during a fight in the hall. Buttle is starring in yet another Sheryl Holt original online humiliation cartoon. Last, but not least, Lauren discovered a senior sex posse which awards senior guys points for sex. In response to the sex posse scandal, Principal Harper organizes a sophomore assembly to preach the benefits of chastity. The teachers draw straws, and Lipschultz is chosen to head up the event. Later at the assembly, Lipschultz' boring speech turns shocking when he confesses to catching his beloved late wife in bed with another man. In his office, Harper confronts Jason Harrelson about the fight. Harrelson says he used a fighting technique that Harper taught Anthony in order to defend Anthony's honor. Repercussions ensue -- including a lawsuit by Malcolm's family and a con

    Director:Rachel Talalay
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  10. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 9 - Chapter Nine
    8.1/10(46 votes)

    #10 - Chapter Nine

    S1:E9

    The first day back at school has barely begun when the police show up looking for a murder suspect. A botched robbery has gone down a few blocks away and the panicked assailant, wearing a Winslow High letterman's jacket, shot and killed a man before heading towards school grounds. The police think the suspect is a student who is hiding on campus and demand to begin the search at once. Meanwhile, oblivious to the tense situation, Lisa and Buttle decide to have sex in the deserted boiler room. Unfortunately, Riley and an officer stumble upon the couple during the investigation and catch them in the act. Riley agrees to keep quiet about the affair for now, but urges Buttle to break it off before he loses his job…or worse. As the hunt continues, it becomes a code red condition, locking both teachers and students in their classrooms. Eventually, Lauren realizes that a pupil in her class might be the suspect but before she can take action, the desperate student whips out his gun and takes La

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writers:John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  11. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 17 - Chapter Seventeen
    8.1/10(33 votes)

    #11 - Chapter Seventeen

    S1:E17

    A student's mother complains about bus fumes to Steven. The tape of Lauren showering ends up on Sheryl Holt's webpage. Harry gets in trouble for knowing Tyronn was a murderer. Scott becomes Lisa Grier's co-teacher for her Shakespearre class.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writers:David E. Kelley, John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  12. Boston Public Season 3 Episode 4 - Chapter Forty-Eight
    8.1/10(33 votes)

    #12 - Chapter Forty-Eight

    S3:E4

    A sex scandal among teens rocks Winslow and prompts a mock trial of the accused instigator, a clean-cut senior who's defended, prosecuted and judged by his peers.

    Director:Peter MacNicol
    Writers:David E. Kelley, John J. Sakmar

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  13. Boston Public Season 3 Episode 21 - Chapter Sixty-Five
    8.1/10(34 votes)

    #13 - Chapter Sixty-Five

    S3:E21

    Hanson asks Claire to marry him; a student uses rap music to critique Shakespeare; a producer pushes Aisha to sign a record deal; Lifehouse performs at Doyle's Bar.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  14. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four
    8.0/10(46 votes)

    #14 - Chapter Four

    S1:E4

    Rehearsals are in full swing for the annual charity show. Marilyn is dismayed to learn that the main skit the students have prepared is a spoof of the Winslow High faculty -- complete with a gun-toting Senate and Buttle stuck inside a donkey! Elsewhere on campus, Lauren enters a stairwell and catches two student body presidential candidates engaged in a sex act. Lauren confronts the students -- Peter and Susan -- who deny any wrongdoing. However, when Peter later drops out of the election, it becomes clear that Susan's sexual favor was a motivating factor. On top of all this, Lauren must also deal with John LeBlonde. John's an excellent student on the recently suspended soccer team and needs Harper's approval to apply for a prestigious academic award. Harper is refusing to sign, not because John cheated -- he didn't -- but because he failed to report his teammates. Lauren is caught in the middle and is even more uncomfortable when John confesses that he is in love with her. The night o

    Director:Bryan Gordon
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  15. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 18 - Chapter Eighteen
    8.0/10(55 votes)

    #15 - Chapter Eighteen

    S1:E18

    Scott fires an art teacher twice. Christine Banks dies of a heart attack after winning a wrestling match. Harry finds out Dana Poole has become a stripper. Marla insults janitors and she finds one of her student's father is a janitor.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  16. Boston Public Season 2 Episode 15 - Chapter Thirty-Seven
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #16 - Chapter Thirty-Seven

    S2:E15

    Controversy strikes Hanson's classroom over a reviled racial epithet; Ronnie draws ire for a class assignment to experience life as a homeless person.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writers:David E. Kelley, Sean Whitesell, John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  17. Boston Public Season 3 Episode 15 - Chapter Fifty-Nine
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #17 - Chapter Fifty-Nine

    S3:E15

    Marla berates Aisha and the other performers in the school musical; the incumbent mayor grills Harper about low test scores; students land a juicy story about a teacher for their news broadcast.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writers:Jason Katims, John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  18. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    #18 - Chapter Seven

    S1:E7

    Life seems to be one big lawsuit for Principal Harper. First, Mrs. Walsh, who was fired for spanking her students, sues for wrongful termination. Then, after Harper suspends Sheryl Holt for offensive content on her Web site, she sues to get the suspension overturned. Guber's brother, George, is representing Winslow High, but can't seem to defend himself against Guber. George set Guber up on a blind date with a touchy-feely masseuse, only for Guber to discover (mid-massage) that she's a call girl! Lauren isn't much luckier in love. Things are going well with Senate, but holt45.com has exclusive footage of them making out. Seems Sheryl wanted some retaliation for her suspension. Plus, Lauren gets knocked out by a launched breast implant. A female student had implant samples in her locker and her boyfriend thought it would be funny to launch one. Lauren was in the wrong hallway at the wrong time, and has the black eye to prove it. While Marylin counsels the girl on her self-image, Lauren

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  19. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 15 - Chapter Fifteen
    7.9/10(37 votes)

    #19 - Chapter Fifteen

    S1:E15

    Harry advises Tyronn to leave town when he is shot at. Harvey sends Scott on a two-hour drive for a non-existing conducting opportunity. A student accuses the cheerleading teacher of touching her in inappropriate ways.

    Director:Sheldon Larry
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  20. Boston Public Season 2 Episode 14 - Chapter Thirty-Six
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    #20 - Chapter Thirty-Six

    S2:E14

    The students and teachers at Winslow High School deal with the tragedy of a car accident caused by a drunken driver; Senate tries to convince a man to keep his son in school; Marla and Meredith clash over teaching methods.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:David E. Kelley, John J. Sakmar, Douglas Steinberg

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  21. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight
    7.8/10(37 votes)

    #21 - Chapter Eight

    S1:E8

    Buttle encounters a beautiful college sophomore, Lisa, who shares his passion for Shakespeare. Intrigued by his knowledge of the bard, Lisa decides to sleep with Buttle and the two engage in an afternoon of earth-shattering sex. Back at Winslow High, Senate learns that Juan Figgis' mother has been convicted on drug charges and is going to jail. Determined to provide for his family, Juan ignores Senate's pleas to finish his education and drops out of school to support them. Meanwhile, Lipschultz collapses in class and is rushed to the hospital. A student, Kelly O'Toole, comes forward and confesses that she slipped ecstasy into his coffee as a joke. Harper decides to play hardball - he calls the cops, who take Kelly away in handcuffs, and then proceed to search the lockers. Senate struggles to do the right thing concerning Juan and calls Social Services, who break up the family. Realizing that he did more damage than good, Senate begins a foundation to raise money to keep Figgis in schoo

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  22. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 14 - Chapter Fourteen
    7.8/10(35 votes)

    #22 - Chapter Fourteen

    S1:E14

    Lauren finds Harry hasn't told his friend about her. Six teachers resign and Marla must teach a class she doesn't know how to. Scott wins a contest to be a guest conductor and asks Marilyn out when she is too nice to him. Steven and Harry look for a missing teacher.

    Director:Joanna Kerns
    Writers:David E. Kelley, John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  23. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 16 - Chapter Sixteen
    7.8/10(32 votes)

    #23 - Chapter Sixteen

    S1:E16

    Security tapes of the girls' shower room are missing... with footage of Lauren on them. Marla sends her entire class to the principal's office. Anthony's hit list is found. Lauren and Harry break up.

    Director:Joe Napolitano
    Writers:David E. Kelley, John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  24. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 20 - Chapter Twenty
    7.8/10(34 votes)

    #24 - Chapter Twenty

    S1:E20

    Lauren continues her realtionship with Daniel. Marilyn finds out that Jeremy's mother is locking her son in the basement for punishment. Steven can't date a student's mother. Kevin punches an opponent ina debate.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writer:David E. Kelley

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  25. Boston Public Season 1 Episode 21 - Chapter Twenty-One
    7.8/10(34 votes)

    #25 - Chapter Twenty-One

    S1:E21

    Steven's remarks prevent Scott from getting a job as a headmaster. Lauren finds out Daniel is stalking her. Marla worries when a convicted sex offender asks a younger girl to the senior prom. Marilyn suspects Jeremy has done something to his mother.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writers:David E. Kelley, John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter Twenty-Two" is the best rated episode of "Boston Public". It scored 8.7/10 based on 39 votes. Directed by Jonathan Pontell and written by David E. Kelley, it aired on 5/21/2001. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter Three".