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The Best Episodes Written By Tom Fontana

Every TV Episode Written by Tom Fontana Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 3 Episode 19 - Colors
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E19

    Tim's cousin shoots a Turkish exchange student and his partnership with Pembleton may be in jeopardy when they both stand on opposite sides of the case. Lewis hires his grandmother to cook at the bar.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  2. undefined Season 4 Episode 22 - Work Related
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    S4:E22

    Mary gave birth to a girl named Olivia; Tim is more excited about it than Frank. Their latest case involves a multiple shooting a restaurant. Lewis is back from his honeymoon, but while working a case with Kellerman, he confesses that they have yet to consummate their marriage. Later he tells him that they've separated. Tim stops by to see Frank and Mary's baby. They get a suspect for their case in the box. Frank collapses in the box while interrogating a suspect. Frank is put under the knife to release the pressure built up in his head from the stroke he had. After the surgery the doctor tells them that he doesn't know if Frank will recover.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  3. undefined Season 3 Episode 3 - Extreme Unction
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E3

    The church asks that the public know the details of the murders. Pembleton has an interesting time in the box with a witness who has multiple personalities and is shown to be the killer, but before he can get a confession, her lawyer arrives and later she confesses on television. Pembleton begins to question his faith. Bayliss becomes a not-so-silent partner. Beau spends some time with his family and decides to end his relationship with Megan.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  4. undefined Season 3 Episode 6 - Crosetti
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E6

    Crosetti's body is found and Bolander is the primary and he thinks the evidence points to suicide. If it is a suicide, there will be no honor guard for the funeral. Refusing to accept the death as a suicide, Meldrick launches his own investigation and tries to thwart Bolander's investigation. Bayliss and Pembleton make arrangements for the funeral reception. Pembleton has reservations about going into the church for the services. Munch works with his brother, an undertaker, to arrange for a coffin. The preliminary ME report shows Crosetti had a blood alcohol level of .25 and wide variety of anti-depressants, The verdict: suicide.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  5. undefined Season 3 Episode 11 - Partners
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E11

    Russert's old partner joins the homicide unit, but she suspects that he is taking his work frustrations out on his wife. Pembleton struggles with his pride and domestic life as Gee and Bayliss try to convince him to return. Bayliss is partnered with Lewis and on the way to the crime scene gets the ride of his life. Bayliss tangles with a reporter. Beau is in Philadelphia with his kids. The bar has its grand opening.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  6. undefined Season 4 Episode 2 - Fire (2)
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    S4:E2

    The fire investigation continues. Bayliss' back is acting up and Kellerman is paired with Pembleton. Kellerman shows Gee something, so he is offered a transfer into the department that he first rejects. Kay takes the sergeant's exam, Munch misses it due a ""comedy of errors.""

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  7. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Three Men and Adena
    9.8/10(4 votes)

    S1:E5

    Pembleton and Bayliss have only twelve hours to grill their prime suspect in the Adena Watson case before they must let him go.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  8. undefined Season 7 Episode 22 - Forgive Us Our Trespasses
    9.5/10(1 votes)

    S7:E22

    Sheppard and Bayliss await the trial of Luke Ryland, the Internet killer. A number of delays keep the hearing from being held; the last time it is because Danvers can't make it due to being held up in another trial. Because of a technicality in the law, Ryland is set free. Bayliss is outraged and winds up pushing Danvers, who later threatens to put Bayliss up on charges. Gee's daughter Teresa arrives, to help with the celebration of her father's promotion. Gee asks Bayliss to apologize to Danvers and Bayliss declines. Lewis and Falsone look into the murder of a drug addict whose husband looks like the most probable suspect. The victim's mother-in-law isn't very cooperative and her sister is a nun who thinks her brother-in-law is an architect. Gee worries about whether or not he will be able to perform in his new role as Captain of the property crimes division, later he turns down the promotion. Bayliss and Lewis have words about the way each other handle their memories of the past.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  9. undefined Season 1 Episode 9 - Night of the Dead Living
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    S1:E9

    The homicide team pulls the graveyard shift on the hottest night of the year. Bayliss is consumed by the Adena Watson case, driving a bigger wedge between him and partner Pembleton. Giardello finds a baby in a cage. A renegade Santa Claus runs loose in the building and the whole squad tries to figure out who's responsible for a candle that keeps getting lit.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Ghost of a Chance
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    S1:E2

    Bayliss and Pembleton continue to struggle with the Watson case. Bolander and Munch discuss ""iguana style"" and are called to check out the homicide of a victim that isn't dead, at least the first time they're called. While checking out some leads for the Watson case, Crosetti gives his theory on the conspiracy to kill Abraham Lincoln. Lewis wants to flood Memorial Stadium. Bolander expresses an interest in Dr. Blythe; Munch advises and sends flower's in Stan's name. Danvers needs a stronger case; however, Howard is frustrated with a dead end. Then the ghost of the victim leads her to the undiscovered proof. Tim attends Adena's funeral.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  11. undefined Season 7 Episode 1 - La Famiglia
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    S7:E1

    Bayliss returns to duty to discover the bosses have renovated the squad room in an attempt to make everyone forget the tragedy of last May. Gharty and Ballard have also returned and Ballard debates about whether she should ask Falsone to the Lodge party. New detective, Rene Sheppard, tells her just to go for it. Seizing the opportunity, Lewis goes for it and asks Sheppard to the party; it seems that he and Barbara have separated and are on their way to divorce. Meanwhile, Falsone speculates if he should ask Sheppard to the party. The first case Bayliss catches, now partnered with Munch, involves the dismembered body of Angelo Faltislo, a friend of Gee's cousin, Mario Giardello. Stivers and Falsone's case is similar: Leo Grimaldi, another friend of Mario, is also found dead. When Gee goes to question cousin Mario, he finds Mario's body in the same condition as that of his friends. Gee's estranged son, Mike Giardello, an FBI agent in Arizona, returns for the funeral. Mike asks Falsone (w

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  12. undefined Season 3 Episode 2 - Fits Like a Glove
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E2

    Gaffney allows a possible murder site to be washed down which causes Pembleton to go off on him. Russert takes Gaffney off the case and Pembleton is made the primary. Things get more complicated as a second victim is found. Beau tries to decide between his family and his relationship with Megan and he confides in Kay; his wife tries to reconcile with him. Russert wrestles with the media demands about the case. Something from Bayliss' past comes out when they try to get the liquor license for their bar. Bayliss goes to the liquor commissioner to work things out. A collector of the macabre comes in search of the victim's white gloves. A third victim is discovered.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  13. undefined Season 3 Episode 4 - A Model Citizen
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E4

    A young man comes into the squad room and after getting their attention, tells the detectives that his brother has been shot. Pembleton is sued by the multiple personality serial killer, who states he violated her civil rights during interrogation; he is discouraged when the city agrees to settle out of court. Munch must attend an alcohol awareness seminar to meet a requirement for the bar. Lewis has ""love at first sight"" with a woman who makes models of crime scenes, but she has ""love at first sight"" when she sees Bayliss and he sees her. Later, they attend an art exhibition and have an unusual sexual encounter in her ""bed."" All is not well at the Felton household, when he returns home to a cleaned out house.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  14. undefined Season 3 Episode 9 - Every Mother's Son
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E9

    Pembleton and Bayliss investigate the shooting of a young boy. During the investigation, the mother of the victim meets the mother of the shooter in the aquarium. The shooter shows no remorse for the killing, although he shot the wrong kid. Munch, Bayliss and Lewis can't remodel the bar when they discover it's been classified a historical landmark. Then when they find out back taxes are due on the building, which shuts them down before they open. Beau finds out his kids are in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, so he goes to find them.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  15. undefined Season 4 Episode 1 - Fire (1)
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    S4:E1

    Bolander and Felton are suspended for 22 weeks without pay for incidents related to activities at a police convention in Washington, DC. Howard plans to take the sergeant's exam. Pembleton and Bayliss are assigned to investigate the death of a body found at an arson. At the scene they meet an arson detective that clashes with Frank's working style. Frank hesitates chasing a suspect, and later we learn that his wife is pregnant. Munch also decides to take the exam, and when the wagering begins on who is going to pass, everyone favors Howard. While the detectives are debating whether the fire was set to cover the murder, another fire is started.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  16. undefined Season 4 Episode 3 - Autofocus
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    S4:E3

    A gas leak causes the detectives to evacuate the building, so they relocate to an old bank building. Lewis is paired up with Kellerman on the murder of a woman. Sergeant Howard tries to carve out a place for herself with the other detectives, but her efforts prove unpopular. Pembleton has trouble adjusting to the new surroundings and his wife's pregnancy. A cameraman who was at the scene of the murder has who he thinks is the perpetrator on tape; however, when he brings the tape to Gee, he is thrown out before he can say why he's there. The cameraman eventually strikes a deal with Lewis and Kellerman.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  17. undefined Season 3 Episode 10 - Cradle to Grave
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    S3:E10

    The deputy commissioner invites Pembleton to lunch and gets him to investigate a case involving a congressman. Beau hires a private detective to find Beth and the kids when his clue that they are in Wilmington falls through. Howard and Felton investigate a case of a dead homeless man. Their job is made more difficult when they can't find the body. Lewis and Munch investigate the death of a motorcycle gang member. Pembleton finds out the truth, participates in the cover-up and then resigns when the media gets hold of the real story and the deputy commissioner doesn't back him up.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  18. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - To Your Health
    8.2/10(19 votes)

    S1:E6

    Three generations of Alvarezes—all prisoners at Oz—are united when the partiarch, Ricardo, is found face down in his cell, suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Beecher, who as Schillinger's "prag" has been forced to wear women's clothes, flips out after taking PCP.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  19. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Son of a Gun
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    S1:E3

    Crosetti and Lewis investigate the shooting of a fellow police officer whom Crosetti regards as a son, Howard suspects a rabid Spiro Agnew fan of murder but ends up solving the Calpurnia Church case meanwhile Bolander makes a friend whose death interrupts his date with Dr. Blythe.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  20. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - A Shot in the Dark
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    S1:E4

    Crosetti focuses his investigation into the shooting of Officer Thormann on one suspect, while Lewis continues to investigate. Meanwhile, Pembleton and Bayliss pursue different leads in the murder case of eleven-year-old Adena Watson.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  21. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - The Routine
    8.0/10(35 votes)

    S1:E1

    In the "Emerald City" experimental unit of Oswald State Penitentiary, we meet some of the diverse inmates who live within a pecking order of Homeboys, Latinos, Muslims, Irish, Aryans, and Wiseguys. No clear-cut leader emerges—with the possible exception of Kareem Saïd, a Muslim author who preaches non-violence and abstinence. Saïd's arrival doesn't prevent a short-fused Mafia inmate named Dino Ortolani from ticking off just about everybody—a habit that ends up burning him.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  22. undefined Season 3 Episode 7 - The Last of the Watermen
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E7

    After uncovering the fact that an elderly woman's tongue was cut out, Kay decides it is time to take a vacation. She returns home and while she is there she looks into the murder of an environmentalist. The suspects include her brother, an ex-beau and their co-worker. Pembleton reluctantly becomes Felton's partner and they finish investigating the murder of the elderly woman. Munch is against having a television put in their bar.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  23. undefined Season 3 Episode 1 - Nearer My God to Thee
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    S3:E1

    When the winner of the city's Good Samaritan Award is murdered, Gee and his staff are called to help the new female night shift commander. Pembleton is at odds with the detective he shares a desk with. Beau and his wife separate and Kay gets caught in the middle. Meldrick and Munch have plans to buy a bar and try to persuade Bolander to also become a partner. Bayliss agrees to become a ""silent"" partner. In passing, Crosetti is said to be in Atlantic City on a ""shots, slots and sluts"" dream vacation.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  24. undefined Season 3 Episode 18 - Nothing Personal
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    S3:E18

    Crosetti's caseload is distributed among the detectives and Howard's 100% clearance rate may be in jeopardy when she gets his most difficult unsolved case; this is further complicated when Beau misplaces some new evidence. Gee meets one of Megan's friends at lunch and is convinced she isn't interested in him because he is too black. The guys close on the bar but wind up penniless when they must pay extra fees that they weren't aware of. Beau looks to Megan for comfort when he can't recover the evidence and it looks as though Beth and kids are never coming back.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  25. undefined Season 1 Episode 8 - A Game of Checkers
    7.9/10(25 votes)

    S1:E8

    Beecher is released from the hole and Schillinger is left eyeless and weak. A riot breaks out after two white punks get into a fight over checkers. Frustration, sexuality, hate, revenge, racism all rear their ugly heads, causing the violence to escalate.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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Tom Fontana Ratings Summary

"Colors" is the best rated episode written by Tom Fontana. It scored 10/10 based on 2 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 4/28/1995 and is rated 0.0 points higher than their second-best episode, "Work Related".