The essential episodes of Against the Wall

Watch these 13 in order and you've got Against the Wall — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · July 31, 2011 · 1h

   Pilot5.5

   After several years as a Chicago beat cop, 32-year-old Abby Kowalski is more than ready to be a detective, but the only available opening is in Internal Affairs. The new job causes a huge rift within her close knit, blue-collar family of cops. In this compelling family drama, Abby and her very pregnant new partner, Lina, investigate a variety of cases ranging from corruption to narcotics to murder, involving cops and civilians who work for the Chicago Police Department.

2. 02

   S01E02 · Top rated · August 7, 2011 · 1h

   Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head5.3

   Abby and her family all have trouble dealing with the fallout from Richie shooting a teenage boy in the line of duty. Meanwhile, Abby gets the chance to work with one of her heroes when she and Lina try to uncover a mob mole.

3. 03

   S01E03 · Top rated · August 14, 2011 · 1h

   We Have a Cop in Trouble Here5.0

   Abby and Lina investigate an ex-con who's accusing a few police officers of harassment. Meanwhile, Abby faces her own harassment at work when the I.A. detective covering Richie's case propositions her in exchange for revealing details about the case. Sheila visits the mother of the boy Richie shot in an attempt to cope with her own grief.

4. 04

   S01E04 · Top rated · August 21, 2011 · 1h

   The Fifth Body5.3

   Abby and Lina investigate improprieties at the coroner's office when a woman's corpse goes missing but turns up in a twisted comedic video that goes viral online. If the body isn't found, the woman's murderer could go free.

5. 05

   S01E05 · Top rated · August 28, 2011 · 1h

   Baby, Did a Bad Thing5.3

   When Abby and Lina investigate the case of a murdered stripper, they discover she was killed at a "members only" cop club house where Abby's father, Don, happens to be a member. Richie finds out about Brody and Abby.

6. 06

   S01E06 · Top rated · September 4, 2011 · 1h

   Obsessed and Unwanted5.5

   Abby and Lina investigate an officer who is accused of stalking his female police psychiatrist. When the psychiatrist is shot, their focus shifts to her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Richie's ethics and loyalties are challenged when he is newly partnered with Edie, his father's former partner and an old family friend who plays fast and loose with the law. Abby is blindsided when her relationship with Danny heats up.

7. 07

   S01E07 · Top rated · September 18, 2011 · 1h

   Countdown to Meltdown5.5

   When Abby's attempt at CPR fails to revive a man who collapses in front of her and Lina is unable to get through to 911, the two of them decide to investigate piles of delayed 911 response complaints. Meanwhile, Kowalski family secrets are unearthed when Donnie tries out for the SWAT team.

8. 08

   S01E08 · Top rated · September 25, 2011 · 1h

   Memories We Fear5.3

   While investigating a crime scene photographer who's been behaving erratically at crime scenes, Abby and Lina stumble upon an unusual murder investigation of a beautiful model. The case brings up repressed childhood memories for Abby about her father's own struggles with the horrors of police work.

9. 09

   S01E09 · Top rated · October 2, 2011 · 1h

   Lean on Me or Die5.3

   Abby and Lina investigate one of their own. They look into whether Nikki, an undercover IA detective, may have gotten herself in too deep while posing as a stripper to infiltrate a corrupt cop's inner circle. Meanwhile, Brody solicits Abby's mother Sheila's advice on how best to woo Abby.

10. 10

    S01E10 · Top rated · October 9, 2011 · 1h

    Boys are Back5.0

    A brawl breaks out at a Homicide convention which is also hosting a wedding. A young girl is injured calling in IA.

11. 11

    S01E11 · Top rated · October 16, 2011 · 1h

    Wonder What God's Up To5.0

    Abby and Lina investigate a complicated case involving the apparent suicide of a Chicago Police Department officer, a stolen gun and sexual abuse allegations against the department chaplain. Meanwhile, Mackie and Abby's brothers plan a surprise birthday party for Abby and battle over whether to invite Danny or Brody.

12. 12

    S01E12 · Top rated · October 23, 2011 · 1h

    Second Chances5.3

    Abby and Lina investigate allegations of dangerous hazing at the Chicago Police Department recruitment academy. Meanwhile, Don is wary of Sheila's decision to hire reformed convicts to work with her at the bakery.

13. 13

    S01E13 · Series finale · October 23, 2011 · 1h

    We Protect Our Own5.0

    Abby and Lina investigate Don's old partner Paul when his wife is mysteriously shot and Paul is the lead suspect. Lina worries that her relationship with Abby will change after she has her baby. The Abby/Danny/Brody love triangle heats up.