Note: Some sources split the final episode into two parts, making 17 total.
Episode 9, "A Greater Good," tackles assisted suicide years before it became a mainstream media debate. Episode 14, "Death Be Not Proud," is still cited in law school ethics classes. index of boston legal season 1
| Ep # | Title | Air Date | Synopsis / Key Case | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Head Cases | Oct 3, 2004 | Alan Shore finds himself in need of legal help after a kidnapping prank goes wrong. He turns to Crane, Poole & Schmidt. | | 2 | Still Crazy After All These Years | Oct 10, 2004 | Alan helps an old friend (Leslie) who believes she was fired for being too attractive. Denny Crane defends a doctor who prescribed an experimental drug. | | 3 | Catch and Release | Oct 17, 2004 | Denny takes on a high-profile case involving a murdered judge. Lori helps a client sue a company for wrongful termination based on a "bad attitude." | | 4 | Change of Course | Oct 24, 2004 | A major storyline involving a witness in a mob trial. Tara tries to help a client who lost his job after crossing a picket line. | | 5 | An Eye for an Eye | Oct 31, 2004 | Alan defends a man suing a dating service for fraud. The firm deals with the fallout of a partner's sudden death. | | 6 | Truth Be Told | Nov 7, 2004 | Alan takes a case involving a private school expelling a student for being pregnant. Denny represents a man who shot a burglar. | | 7 | Questionable Characters | Nov 14, 2004 | Lori and Alan defend a woman accused of killing her husband with a stiletto heel. Paul Lewiston tries to rein in Denny's erratic behavior. | | 8 | Loose Lips | Nov 21, 2004 | Alan defends a client suing the US military. Denny attempts to prove he is still mentally competent to practice law. | | 9 | A Greater Good | Nov 28, 2004 | Brad defends a TV news anchor fired for being too old. Alan helps a minister fighting for the right to marry same-sex couples. | | 10 | Hired Guns | Dec 12, 2004 | Alan and Denny defend a man accused of murdering his wife's lover. Sally Heep gets her first murder trial. | | 11 | Schmidt Happens | Jan 9, 2005 | Candice Bergen joins the cast. Shirley Schmidt arrives to clean house. Alan defends a homeless man seeking asylum in a dumpster. | | 12 | From Whence We Came | Jan 16, 2005 | Lori helps a man whose sperm was used without his consent. Denny and Alan bond over a case involving a toad. | | 13 | It Girls and Beyond | Jan 23, 2005 | Alan defends a woman accused of hacking her boss to death. Denny is sued for sexual harassment by a former employee. | | 14 | Til We Meat Again | Feb 13, 2005 | A satirical episode where Alan defends a cattle rancher. Denny represents a company suing a former employee for stealing trade secrets. | | 15 | Tortured Souls | Feb 20, 2005 | Alan defends a man suing the Catholic Church. Denny takes a case involving a friend from his past with Alzheimer's. | | 16 | Let Sales Ring | Mar 13, 2005 | A high school principal hires the firm to ban a student newspaper. Alan and Denny continue their friendship rituals on the balcony. | | 17 | Death Be Not Proud | Mar 20, 2005 | Season Finale. Alan defends a man on death row in Louisiana. Lori faces a moral dilemma regarding a client's secret. The firm faces a potential split. | Note: Some sources split the final episode into
(January 23, 2005) The firm represents a woman who was involved in a car accident. Meanwhile, Shore's past comes back to haunt him. | Ep # | Title | Air Date
| Episode # | Title | Original Air Date | Key Plot Points | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | "Head Cases" | Oct 3, 2004 | Pilot. Alan Shore defends a man who murdered a corporate CEO. He meets eccentric senior partner Denny Crane for the first time. | | 2 | "Still Crazy After All These Years" | Oct 10, 2004 | Alan represents a woman suing a tobacco company. Brad Chase joins the firm to “babysit” Denny. | | 3 | "Catch and Release" | Oct 17, 2004 | Lori Colson defends a man accused of killing his wife’s lover. Tara Wilson and Alan’s complicated history is revealed. | | 4 | "Change of Course" | Oct 24, 2004 | Alan represents a student expelled for date rape. The case explores consent and campus politics. | | 5 | "An Eye for an Eye" | Oct 31, 2004 | A mother on trial for killing her daughter’s molester. Denny defends a man who shot a mugger—in the back. | | 6 | "Truth Be Told" | Nov 7, 2004 | Alan defends a lawyer accused of leaking grand jury secrets. Sally Heep joins the firm. | | 7 | "Questionable Characters" | Nov 14, 2004 | Denny takes a case defending a white supremacist’s right to speak. Alan sues a dating service. | | 8 | "Loose Lips" | Nov 21, 2004 | A naval officer accused of leaking submarine secrets. Lori and Brad clash over legal ethics. | | 9 | "A Greater Good" | Nov 28, 2004 | Alan defends a doctor who refused to treat a dying patient due to insurance limits. | | 10 | "Hired Guns" | Dec 12, 2004 | Class action against a gun manufacturer. Denny struggles with memory lapses. | | 11 | "Schmidt Happens" | Jan 9, 2005 | Founding partner Bernard Schmidt (a recurring antagonist) returns to shake up the firm. | | 12 | "From Whence We Came" | Jan 16, 2005 | Alan represents a transgender teacher fired from a private school. Denny’s competency is questioned. | | 13 | "It Girls and Beyond" | Jan 23, 2005 | A teenage heiress sues her parents for emancipation. Brad prosecutes a priest accused of theft. | | 14 | "Til We Meat Again" | Feb 13, 2005 | A fast-food chain is sued for causing obesity. Alan and Tara’s romance heats up. | | 15 | "Tortured Souls" | Feb 20, 2005 | Alan defends a reporter who exposed a CIA torture program. Denny represents a dog on death row. | | 16 | "Let Sales Ring" | Mar 6, 2005 | A car dealership owner is killed by a disgruntled customer. The firm deals with a major internal leak. | | 17 | "Death Be Not Proud" (Season Finale) | Mar 20, 2005 | Alan and Denny team up to defend a terminally ill man charged with euthanasia. A stunning betrayal rocks the firm. |
– Lori Colson handles a complex case involving a man wanting to annul his marriage because of suspected infidelity. Episode 5: An Eye for an Eye