Mercy Street (2016–2017)

TV ShowEndedDrama, War2 seasons, 12 episodes
Mercy Street posterReview score: 76%

Plot

Based on real events, Mercy Street takes viewers beyond the battlefield and into the lives of Americans on the Civil War home front as they face the unprecedented challenges of one of the most turbulent times in our nation's history.Set in Virginia in the spring of 1862, the series follows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict; Mary Phinney, a staunch New England abolitionist, and Emma Green, a naive young Confederate belle. The two collide at Mansion House, the Green family's luxury hotel that has been taken over and transformed into a Union Army Hospital in Alexandria, a border town between North and South and the longest-occupied Confederate city of the war. Ruled under martial law, Alexandria is now the melting pot of the region, filled with soldiers, civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded fighting men from both sides, runaway slaves, prostitutes, speculators and spies.The intersection of North and South within the confines of a small occupied town creates a rich world that is chaotic, conflicted, corrupt, dynamic and even hopeful — a cauldron within which these characters strive, fight, love, laugh, betray, sacrifice and, at times, act like scoundrels. This series is not about battles and glory, it's about the drama and unexpected humor of everyday life behind the front lines. It's a fresh twist on an iconic story, one that resonates with larger themes we still struggle with today.

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Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Mercy Street S01E03The UniformS01E03 · 10.0Dr. Foster confronts his family’s divided loyalties when his mother and wounded Confederate brother arrive. Alice is shocked to find her fiancé, Tom, deeply changed by war. Samuel and Aurelia try to persuade a slave boy to seize a chance at freedom.
  2. 02Mercy Street S01E04The Belle AllianceS01E04 · 8.0During a Union ball at their house, the Green girls and Frank initiate a daring plan to help Tom escape. Mary releases Dr. Foster, still shaky from his detox, from his “quarantine” so he can guide Samuel through a delicate operation.
  3. 03Mercy Street S01E05The Dead RoomS01E05 · 8.0The unexpected visit of a hospital inspector throws the staff into disarray. Mary feels empathy for a deserter, while Silas makes Samuel pay for his arrogance. A family tragedy forces James Sr. to take a risky step to earn his family’s respect.

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode6Episodes2016Aired 7.7Season avg
  1. S01E01Mercy Street S01E01The New NurseJanuary 17, 2016 6.0New England nurse Mary Phinney navigates her first day in Mansion House, a hotel turned Union hospital in an occupied Southern town. Mansion
  2. S01E02Mercy Street S01E02The HaversackJanuary 24, 2016 6.0Confederate belle Emma nurses her wounded friend. Dr. Foster wrestles with his marriage and career as Mary tries to improve her patients’ li
  3. S01E03Mercy Street S01E03Season's bestThe UniformJanuary 31, 2016 10.0Dr. Foster confronts his family’s divided loyalties when his mother and wounded Confederate brother arrive. Alice is shocked to find her fia
  4. S01E04Mercy Street S01E04The Belle AllianceFebruary 7, 2016 8.0During a Union ball at their house, the Green girls and Frank initiate a daring plan to help Tom escape. Mary releases Dr. Foster, still sha
  5. S01E05Mercy Street S01E05The Dead RoomFebruary 14, 2016 8.0The unexpected visit of a hospital inspector throws the staff into disarray. Mary feels empathy for a deserter, while Silas makes Samuel pay
  6. S01E06Mercy Street S01E06The Diabolical PlotFebruary 21, 2016 8.0President Lincoln’s visit sets in motion a diabolical rebel plot and offers an opportunity to free James Sr. Dr. Foster uncovers a scheme to

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Season026Episodes2017Aired 7.0Season avg
  1. S02E01Mercy Street S02E01Balm in GileadJanuary 22, 2017 8.0The staff unites to save one of their own. A former slave turned activist arrives in town, causing a rift between Foster and Mary. The Green
  2. S02E02Mercy Street S02E02The House GuestJanuary 29, 2017 6.0A house guest becomes the focus of Alice’s schemes. When Mary falls ill, Foster’s attempts to care for her antagonize the new chief. Charlot
  3. S02E03Mercy Street S02E03One Equal TemperFebruary 5, 2017—As Pinkerton looks at the Greens more closely, they join forces to hide an ugly secret. McBurney, hoping to distance Foster from Mary, sends
  4. S02E04Mercy Street S02E04Southern MercyFebruary 12, 2017—After the Second Battle of Bull Run, Hopkins and Emma set out to rescue a stranded group of wounded Union soldiers. Lisette, a hospital obse
  5. S02E05Mercy Street S02E05Unknown SoldierFebruary 19, 2017—Lisette re-creates on paper the face of a disfigured, amnesiac soldier, leading to a family reunion. When Anne’s plans to be made head nurse
  6. S02E06Mercy Street S02E06House of BondageMarch 5, 2017—After Antietam, the Greens suffer a setback and Pinkerton’s inquiry heats up. Foster and Samuel visit Foster’s family plantation, where they

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

Castfull cast & details

Hannah JamesHannah JamesEmma GreenJosh RadnorJosh RadnorDr. Jedediah FosterMcKinley Belcher IIIMcKinley Belcher IIISamuel DiggsNorbert Leo ButzNorbert Leo ButzDr. Byron HaleAnnaSophia RobbAnnaSophia RobbAlice GreenBrad KoedBrad KoedJames Green, Jr.Donna MurphyDonna MurphyJane GreenGary ColeGary ColeJames Green, Sr.

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Trailers & Videos

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TrailerMERCY STREET | Coming in January | PBS

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