The essential episodes of Rescue Me

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Rescue Me — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · July 21, 2004 · 1h

   Guts8.7

   NYC fireman Tommy Gavin is haunted by the ghosts of comrades he lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

2. 02

   S01E05 · Season 1 peak · August 18, 2004 · 1h

   Orphans9.5

   An experience with his father causes Tommy to address the state of his broken family, while Chief Reilly comes to terms with a secret in his family in order to save his job. Elsewhere, Franco deals with the aftermath of a freak accident.

3. 03

   S01E06 · Top rated · August 25, 2004 · 1h

   Revenge9.5

   Tommy gets closer to his goal when he persuades Janet to leave Roger, but loses ground when she stumbles onto his latest romance.

4. 04

   S01E07 · Top rated · September 1, 2004 · 1h

   Butterfly9.5

   Tommy takes time off and builds a deck for his neighbor, who offers advice that prompts Tommy to attempt reconciliation with Janet.

5. 05

   S01E08 · Top rated · September 8, 2004 · 1h

   Inches9.5

   Tommy tries to deal with his father's odd actions and defends Colleen's behavior to Janet. Meanwhile, a wager is launched among the fire crew.

6. 06

   S01E09 · Top rated · September 15, 2004 · 1h

   Alarm9.5

   Tommy finds out Janet is keeping a secret from him, and tracks down the man responsible for Billy's death. Meanwhile, the squad gets a female firefighter.

7. 07

   S01E10 · Top rated · September 22, 2004 · 1h

   Immortal9.5

   Tommy struggles to help Janet financially, and has to turn to his Uncle Teddy for assistance. Meanwhile, the new female firefighter tries to fit in while the guys try to drive her out.

8. 08

   S02E01 · Season 2 peak · June 21, 2005 · 1h

   Voicemail9.5

   Tommy has trouble adjusting to the mundane life at his new firehouse and takes out his frustrations on street vendors hawking Sept. 11 memorabilia. Later, he has a confrontation with Johnny. Meanwhile, Sean plays a crude joke on Laura that backfires on him.

9. 09

   S03E01 · Season 3 peak · May 30, 2006 · 1h

   Devil9.5

   Johnny mediates a divorce agreement between Janet and Tommy, while Sheila asks Tommy to have a talk with Damian about sex after she finds condoms in his room. In return, she'll help out with John Sr. Meanwhile, Sean is seeing someone new; Jerry's hit with a rate hike for his wife's nursing home; and Uncle Teddy's "at peace" in jail after shooting Connor's killer. "I did the right thing," he says.

10. 10

    S04E01 · Season 4 peak · June 13, 2007 · 1h

    Babyface9.5

    Janet has given birth to a baby boy---whom she fears prefers Tommy to her. But Tommy has a bigger problem: He's suspected of starting the beach-house fire. Meanwhile, Jerry's son asks him to be his best man at his commitment ceremony; Richie wants Franco to marry Natalie; Lou and Theresa get distracted in church; and the volunteer firefighter who rescued Tommy from the beach house takes an interest in him---and isn't shy about letting him know.

11. 11

    S05E12 · Season 5 peak · June 23, 2009 · 1h

    Disease10.0

    The guys visit Sean in the hospital; Katy is home from school and wants a family dinner---one that includes Colleen and Black Shawn; and Lou and Tommy make a wager concerning the women in their lives.

12. 12

    S05E16 · Top rated · July 21, 2009 · 1h

    Clean9.7

    Tommy is cleaning the firehouse as punishment for yet another antiauthoritarian outburst when a mysterious woman strolls through. Meanwhile, Tommy's family confronts him about his drinking.

13. 13

    S05E20 · Top rated · August 18, 2009 · 1h

    Zippo10.0

    Tommy has rocky encounters with Janet and Sheila, and an encounter with Kelly that isn't as rocky. Meanwhile, the guys go grocery shopping with the newly domesticated Lou.

14. 14

    S07E02 · Season 7 peak · July 20, 2011 · 1h

    Menses10.0

    Tommy responds emotionally when he learns about a 9/11 documentary featuring Jimmy Keefe. He also runs into Kelly, who has disquieting news. Meanwhile, Lou faces his FDNY physical with trepidation (and a little help from his friends).

15. 15

    S07E09 · Series finale · September 7, 2011 · 1h

    Ashes6.3

    The guys at 62 Truck struggle to pick up the pieces and move on following a major fire. At the Fire Academy, meanwhile, a new batch of probies hear a familiar speech from a new leader.