The Guardian backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of The Guardian

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

Binge this in Unknown•Peaking at 8.7/10

Nick Fallin is a hotshot lawyer working at his father's ultrasuccessful Pittsburgh law firm. Unfortunately, the high life has gotten the best of Nick. Arrested for drug use, he's sentenced to do 1,500 hours of

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Guardian Season 1 Episode 8 - Heart
    8.7/10(228 votes)

    #1 - Heart

    S1:E8

    Nick Fallin finds himself the advocate for a 12-year-old girl, Lesley, who needs to be adopted by foster parents immediately in order to receive a heart transplant. Laurie Solt, a social worker for Legal Services (LS), is having trouble placing her due to the many demands of caring for a child with congenital heart disease. Inspired by Lesley's strength after she learns her current foster parents are unable to adopt her, Nick takes the search on as a personal campaign to save Lesley's life. As hope of finding suitable foster care fades, Nick decides that the only way to save Lesley's life is to become her legal guardian. Nick's supervisor at LS, Alvin Masterson questions Nick's ability to care for Lesley. Eventually, the judge does grant Nick legal guardianship. Meanwhile, one of Burton Fallin's old friends, Harry Josephs is dying of cancer and tells Burton he is challenging the employment contract of Hopeson, Inc., which terminates employment if an employee is unable to work for 90 consecutive days. Hopeson Inc. is a long time client of Fallin & Assoc. and Burton helped finalize the original employment contracts. Burton struggles with the responsibility of fighting for his clients and opportunity to stand by his friend.

    Director:Jeremy Kagan
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 12 - Beautiful Blue Mystic
    8.4/10(122 votes)

    #2 - Beautiful Blue Mystic

    S3:E12

    Nick begins taking a drug called Beautiful Blue Mystic, not realizing how it hurt Fallin & Fallin and LSP. Nick goes to get help to kick the habit. Nick learns that Anne needs help finding a place for her son because she is dying of cancer. Lulu confronts Suzanne about the affair she had with Nick.

    Director:Mel Damski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 16 - The Weight
    8.3/10(102 votes)

    #3 - The Weight

    S2:E16

    A tough case involving a sick baby brings Nick and Lulu closer together when Lulu gets attached to the mom.

    Director:Steve Gomer
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 17 - The Intersection
    8.3/10(110 votes)

    #4 - The Intersection

    S2:E17

    Caroline Novack returns to find out that Nick and Lulu were in a car accident which could prove fatal for Lulu.

    Director:Peter Medak
    Writers:Nick Santora, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 21 - Burton & Ernie
    8.3/10(101 votes)

    #5 - Burton & Ernie

    S2:E21

    Burton, Lulu & Nick each find themselves in tight spots. Burton tries to stop Shannon from being hurt, Alvin finds Nick & Lulu at the office late Will they still have jobs after Alvin finds out?

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writers:Michael R. Perry, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 2 - Big Coal
    8.3/10(103 votes)

    #6 - Big Coal

    S3:E2

    Nick tries to help a young lady who has cancer but get can't the insurance company to help her out, this puts Nick in a bind. Nick asks Lulu to help him get the insurance company to pay for her medical care. Nick tells his client's dad he needs to look somewhere else for the money.

    Director:Mel Damski
    Writers:Nick Santora, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Guardian

    READ
  7. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 14 - All Is Mended
    8.3/10(91 votes)

    #7 - All Is Mended

    S3:E14

    Nick learns his unborn baby has Down Syndrome to learn more about it Nick helps Mark set up a trust fund so he won't lose his Social Security. Nick tells Lulu about Mark and that he took the case to understand more about Down Syndrome and help Lulu understand what maybe a head for their baby. Kate Shaw asks Jake to take an AIDS test because Kate wanted him to join a country club.

    Director:Emilio Estevez
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Guardian Season 1 Episode 18 - Mothers of the Disappeared
    8.2/10(137 votes)

    #8 - Mothers of the Disappeared

    S1:E18

    When a mother of a missing child shows up in Nick Fallin's office at Legal Services, he finds himself in the middle of an emotional struggle for closure and justice. Prior to the disappearance of her daughter Grace, Janine McGregor was in a car accident with her for which they were awarded a large settlement. However, since Grace has been missing for 10 years, the insurance company will not release the money. After years of searching for her daughter, Janine believes her only chance to get the money she so desperately needs is to have Grace declared deceased. However, just as a judge is about to sign off on the declaration, Grace unexpectedly reappears saying she had been kidnapped and taken to Europe. Nick encourages Janine to take the necessary steps to verify Grace's identity. However, with nothing but her gut feeling, Janine is convinced that the girl who has returned claiming to be her daughter is really her "Gracie." Meanwhile, Nick and Burton Fallin are faced with the death of a close friend and colleague, Judge Stanton. He was a long-time friend of Burton's and was the judge who presided over Nick's probation. His passing causes Burton to re-evaluate his life and his accomplishments as a lawyer.

    Director:Steven Robman
    Writers:Michael R. Perry, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 18 - My Aim Is True
    8.2/10(119 votes)

    #9 - My Aim Is True

    S2:E18

    The past comes back to haunt Both Nick & Burton, When a drug dealer from Nick's past is shot and Burton's new client is the police officer.

    Director:Simon Baker
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 1 - Carnival
    8.2/10(116 votes)

    #10 - Carnival

    S3:E1

    No description available

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 13 - Amends
    8.2/10(95 votes)

    #11 - Amends

    S3:E13

    Nick finds out how hard it is to get the trust of the people he hurt back. Burton feels Nick isn't ready for a heavy caseload that might hurt Fallin & Fallin. Nick wonders if the bus driver caused the accident on purpose. Lulu tries to place Connor Adams in a foster home and understand why Nick had the affair with Suzanne.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 19 - Remember
    8.2/10(103 votes)

    #12 - Remember

    S3:E19

    Alvin tells ALS will later affect Nick about his date with Victoria and how they're relationship and for Alvin his only form of communication will be blinking his eyebrows. At a court hearing Alvin is asked to turn over his files involving past clients at LSP. Alvin isn't ready to turn over the yet just yet because feels that in doing so would violate the Attorney client privilege. Nick also helps a young boy who claims he can't remember being abused Nick learns that Andrew has been lying to him all along and now has to testify at his father's hearing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Guardian Season 1 Episode 22 - The Beginning
    8.1/10(128 votes)

    #13 - The Beginning

    S1:E22

    In The Season Finale Burton and Lulu tells Nick damaging information but that deals with a wanted killer. Dr. Reed asks to be his son's (Hunter)Trustee but their future could be in trouble.

    Director:Michael Pressman
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 8 - The Neighborhood
    8.1/10(110 votes)

    #14 - The Neighborhood

    S2:E8

    LuLu represents an old friend after one of her adopted children is dead. Nick represents someone he knew as a kid.

    Director:Jerry London
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 9 - The Dark
    8.1/10(112 votes)

    #15 - The Dark

    S2:E9

    Nick has to represent Levi who may not be allowed in school for not telling who beat him up.

    Director:Mel Damski
    Writers:Nick Santora, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 13 - Ambition
    8.1/10(105 votes)

    #16 - Ambition

    S2:E13

    Lulu's mom comes to town to offer her daughter a job. Soon Nick learns of Mrs. Novack's bad business practices which causes a problem.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 15 - Where You Are
    8.1/10(92 votes)

    #17 - Where You Are

    S2:E15

    Rob a college roommate of Nick's wants to test a device for tracking kids. Will Nick agree to testing the tracking device on L.S.P. kids?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Michael R. Perry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 20 - What It Means to You
    8.1/10(117 votes)

    #18 - What It Means to You

    S2:E20

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 4 - The Father-Daughter Dance
    8.1/10(114 votes)

    #19 - The Father-Daughter Dance

    S3:E4

    Lulu starts her job as Director of LSP, leaving Alvin to wonder if he is needed at LSP. Nick helps a couple sue a fertility clinic because the baby is black. The parents want to keep the baby and the clinic to pay for damages. Nick needs to help find Samantha Gray who lost her sight because her dad. Samantha goes to Nick's office to tell him she isn't going back to the place she came from. Nick has dinner with Mrs. Aaronson who became pregnant after doing a procedure to have a baby, now the lawsuit against the clinic will be dropped. Samantha learns her dad lost his rights to be a dad because he was drug addict. Nick waits with Samantha on a bench in the courthouse wondering if her dad will show up for the hearing. When he doesn't show up Nick finds him doing drugs.

    Director:Steve Gomer
    Writers:Jennifer M. Johnson, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 10 - Swimming
    8.1/10(92 votes)

    #20 - Swimming

    S3:E10

    Nick learns that his dad will need surgery to fix his heart, also Nick must keep the firm from losing a merger, help Burton find a good doctor to do the surgery. Nick wonders if Burton will make it through the surgery and tells his dad Lulu is pregnant. Shannon asks to go to the hospital because worries Burton might die and have no place to live.

    Director:James R. Bagdonas
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Guardian Season 3 Episode 15 - Without Consent
    8.1/10(119 votes)

    #21 - Without Consent

    S3:E15

    Jake lies to everyone about how he got hurt soon Burton & Maureen find out the secret. Nick tries to figure if Luke should live in Foster Care or live with his dad after seeing his mom sleep with a friend of his. Lulu drafts a trust fund for their baby; Nick wants them both to be trustees. Burton worries about Jake who was supposed to help on a case.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Guardian Season 1 Episode 14 - Family
    8.0/10(138 votes)

    #22 - Family

    S1:E14

    Nick's Aunt Liz visits Burton & Nick and tells them she is dying.

    Director:Andy Wolk
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Guardian Season 1 Episode 15 - In Loco Parentis
    8.0/10(142 votes)

    #23 - In Loco Parentis

    S1:E15

    Nick thinks a woman he helped get her kids, may still use drugs.

    Director:Michael Pressman
    Writer:David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 10 - Sacrifice
    8.0/10(108 votes)

    #24 - Sacrifice

    S2:E10

    Nick takes the case of a 16 year old mom who wants to put her baby up for adoption, after her father ends up being arrested for the murder of the 16 year old's very ill mom. Brian Olsen (LuLu's Husband) ends up being accused of negligence.

    Director:Michael W. Watkins
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Guardian Season 2 Episode 22 - Sensitive Jackals
    8.0/10(92 votes)

    #25 - Sensitive Jackals

    S2:E22

    Nick hands the case file of Taliek to James, who goes before Judge Rebecca Damsen for custody, James and Nick help a young dad try and trying to get his son back but due to the dad's temper may lose his son. Meanwhile over at Fallin & Fallin Nick wants to have a criminal defense attorney to the team because Nick feels Burton needs to worry about the firm and less about Shannon. Nick worries that James may be to close to Taliek Allen because James believes that Taliek may have killed Levi (who was a nephew of James.) Lulu could soon leave LSP for a job in California. Nick thinks Lulu's job move is bad because he may lose her love.

    Director:Joan Tewkesbury
    Writers:Nick Santora, David Hollander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Heart" is the best rated episode of "The Guardian". It scored 8.7/10 based on 228 votes. Directed by Jeremy Kagan and written by David Hollander, it aired on 11/20/2001. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Beautiful Blue Mystic".