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Season 1 – Rescue Me

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Rescue Me Jul 2004 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
New York firefighter Tommy Gavin is a hot mess. He talks to his cousin, Jimmy, who died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and he's seeing ghosts of other victims, too. Spotlighting Denis Leary as Gavin, a temperamental alcoholic whose self-destructive behavior has cost him his family, the series revolves around the daily drama associated with being a firefighter in post-9/11 New York, and how the men of 62 Truck use dark humor to color their true feelings.
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Rescue Me — Season 1

Rescue Me — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Rescue Me emerges from the station as a searing and powerful series, melding the pathos of national tragedy to a scaldingly funny interplay between its blue collar ensemble.

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Critics Reviews

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Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) May 11, 2026
3/5
...[The series is] a time capsule, whether in terms of the working-class Irish-American milieu or the casual brutalities handed out. Go to Full Review Chris Barsanti Slant Magazine Dec 12, 2018
3/5
Though it's hardly can't-miss television, there's plenty to recommend, not least of which is Leary, whose bitter humor forms the dark heart of each episode. Go to Full Review Steve O'Hagan Empire Magazine Dec 12, 2018
3/5
Fast pace, vibrant hand-held cameras, lurid characters and full-throttle dialogue, with an action-oriented fire call every ten minutes to end those difficult scenes. Go to Full Review Jason Zingale Bullz-Eye.com Dec 12, 2018
4.5/5
The weekly scripts incorporate a perfect mix of human emotion and frat house comedy, and Leary does a stand-out job on both sides of the acting spectrum. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mary M @RT37642092 Jun 30, 2026 This is without a doubt the most obnoxious and offensive tv show or movie I have ever seen, due to its misogyny. The open racism and prejudice against homosexuals was terribly offensive. I managed to get through episode 1, barely. Too bad we have to give it at least one star and can't give it none. See more Ken D @mynameisken Jun 4, 2026 This show should be called The Mentally Ill Men. Every man in it is clinically depressed and deserves to be.. locked up for good. It's watchable but not great. See more ed m @RT80499164 Nov 3, 2025 Just re-watched the 1st season. Not as good as I remembered. Good, but not great. See more Biker B @RT65637081 Mar 17, 2025 Denis Leary is absolutely brilliant and this series shows it! From his dedication to firefighters and their charities to honoring the heros of 9-11-01! This series combines hilarious comedy with drama and some heartfelt emotions. See more Joe B @RT60634917 Apr 15, 2023 Let's just say this would get cancelled after the first episode these days! But that means nothing. This show is absolutely brilliant. A bunch of under-paid working class anti-heroes, as firemen are, spanning multiple decades of masculinity at the turn of the century after 9/11, and shying away from NOTHING in showing how workplaces and lives are affected because of this. For better, and for worse. It's funny, crude, shocking, poignant, sad, and above all ... a fantastic drama and excellent tv. Shows like this simply don't(wont?) get made anymore. It's so worth the time investing in it. See more Timmy S @RT55209469 Sep 17, 2022 Just rediscovering this gem. I forgot how good this show was. No way this show would have been made today without unhinged outrage: See more Read all reviews
Rescue Me — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Denis Leary

Tommy Gavin

James McCaffrey

Jimmy Keefe

Andrea Roth

Janet Gavin

Michael Lombardi

Mike Silletti

Jack McGee

Chief Jerry Reilly

Steven Pasquale

Sean Garrity

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 21, 2004 Guts New York City firefighter Tommy Gavin questions his ability to do his job while trying to cope with the daily turmoil of his life. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 28, 2004 Gay A retired firefighter makes a public claim that several firemen who died on Sept. 11 were closeted homosexuals; Tommy dislikes his estranged wife's new boyfriend. Details Episode 3 Aired Aug 4, 2004 Kansas Tommy tries to ruin the finances of Janet's boyfriend; Chief Reilly faces suspension; Lou shares his poetry. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 11, 2004 DNA A date between Tommy and the widow of his dead cousin takes an unexpected turn; Franco's ex-girlfriend claims he is the father of her daughter. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 18, 2004 Orphans Tommy comes to terms with the reality of his broken family; Franco makes a life-changing decision when a freak accident occurs. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 25, 2004 Revenge Tommy tries to convince Janet to leave Roger; the boys set Sean up on a date; Franco discovers newfound fatherly instincts. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 1, 2004 Butterfly Tommy finds himself relying a bit too heavily on the advice of a psychotherapist who prescribes him medication for his depression. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 8, 2004 Inches Tommy tries to handle the insanity of his father while defending Colleen's new lifestyle to Janet; the guys in the house decide to have a contest to determine whose manhood is the longest. Details Episode 9 Aired Sep 15, 2004 False Alarm Tommy discovers a secret that Janet is keeping from him; Chief Reilly informs the men of a new, female replacement. Details Episode 10 Aired Sep 22, 2004 Immortal Tommy turns to his Uncle Teddy for help with a financial crisis; the new female addition to the house fights to be accepted; Mike is offered a free place to stay. Details Episode 11 Aired Sep 29, 2004 Mom Tommy continues to defy death with his dangerous stunts; Lou admits his infidelity to his wife; Tommy rescues his father. Details Episode 12 Aired Oct 6, 2004 Leaving Tommy asks Uncle Teddy for some extra cash; Franco struggles to juggle work and raising his daughter; a goodwill tribute to the firefighters lost on Sept. 11 goes awry. Details Episode 13 Aired Oct 13, 2004 Sanctuary Tommy prepares for the upcoming NYPD and FDNY hockey game; Tommy's relationship with Sheila is discovered; Franco comes to Tommy's rescue during a fire. Details

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Rescue Me — Season 1

Rescue Me View more photos

Season Info

Director
John Fortenberry, Peter Tolan, Jace Alexander, Adam Bernstein
Executive Producer
Peter Tolan, Jim Serpico
Screenwriter
Peter Tolan, Salvatore Stabile, Michael Caleo, Stephen Belber, Denis Leary
Network
FX
Rating
TV-MA (V|L)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 21, 2004
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