| Title |
Writer (s) |
Director |
Original airdate |
# |
|
| "Guts" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2004-07-21 |
1 |
| Denis Leary stars as New York City firefighter Tommy Gavin, a soon-to-be-divorced alcoholic who's gripped by fear of his job. First up: Gavin is haunted by the ghosts of comrades who died on Sept. 11, 2001. |
|
| "Gay" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2004-07-28 |
2 |
| Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) launches a campaign of dirty tricks against his wife's new boyfriend, and a retired fireman announces that he's gay in a newspaper article, sparking strong reactions at the firehouse. |
|
| "Kansas" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2004-08-04 |
3 |
| Chief Reilly faces the consequences of his altercation with an openly gay fireman; Tommy faces the repercussions of a prank. |
|
| "DNA" |
Peter Tolan, Denis Leary & John Scurti |
Jace Alexander |
2004-08-11 |
4 |
| Tommy and the widow of his cousin Jimmy go on a “friendly” date, which becomes something more when she makes a move on him; and Franco's ex-girlfriend claims he's the father of her 5-year-old daughter. |
|
| "Orphans" |
Salvatore Stabile |
Jace Alexander |
2004-08-18 |
5 |
| An experience with his father (Charles Durning) 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. |
|
| "Revenge" |
Michael Caleo |
Adam Bernstein |
2004-08-25 |
6 |
| Tommy gets closer to his goal when he persuades Janet to leave Roger, but loses ground when she stumbles onto his latest romance. |
|
| "Butterfly" |
Robert Krausz |
Adam Bernstein |
2004-09-01 |
7 |
| Tommy takes time off and builds a deck for his neighbor, who offers advice that prompts Tommy to attempt reconciliation with Janet (Andrea Roth). |
|
| "Inches" |
Michael Caleo |
Adam Bernstein |
2004-09-08 |
8 |
| 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. |
|
| "Alarm" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2004-09-15 |
9 |
| 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. |
|
| "Immortal" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2004-09-22 |
10 |
| 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. |
|
| "Mom" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2004-09-29 |
11 |
| Tommy tries to bring order to the chaos of his life, and pulls dangerous stunts on the job. Also, Lou tells his wife that he cheated on her. |
|
| "Leaving" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2004-10-06 |
12 |
| Janet needs money to cover house repairs and Tommy turns to Uncle Teddy for help. Also: Franco's father has a stroke, and Franco has trouble raising his daughter alone. |
|
| "Sanctuary" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2004-10-13 |
13 |
| Tommy's relationship with Sheila is discovered by the guys, who handle it in a traditional way. Elsewhere, Tommy tries to avoid getting pummeled by the cops, as the FDNY-NYPD hockey rematch looms. |
| Title |
Writer (s) |
Director |
Original airdate |
# |
|
| "Voicemail" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2005-06-21 |
14 |
| 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. |
|
| "Harmony" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2005-06-28 |
15 |
| Tommy finds out his wife and kids are living in Ohio, so he joins his firehouse's barbershop quartet, who happen to be traveling there for a singing competition. Elsewhere, Mike flies off the handle after Theresa breaks up with him; and Lou tries to get Tommy transferred back to 62 Truck. |
|
| "Balls" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2005-07-05 |
16 |
| Chief Perrolli agrees to let Tommy come back to the station on one condition: The crew must vote unanimously to trade Sully for Tommy. Elsewhere, things heat up between Franco and Laura; Theresa files a restraining order against Mike; and Tommy's dad remarries. |
|
| "Twat" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2005-07-12 |
17 |
| Lou faces heat from headquarters for using a derogatory term to insult Laura. Meanwhile, the guys try to convince her that name-calling is part of the job. Meanwhile, Tommy injures his hand when he has another dispute with a cop over a parking ticket; and Johnny Sr. wants to become a plus-size model after he learns that Uncle Teddy is making a fortune. |
|
| "Sensitivity" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2005-07-19 |
18 |
| With Colleen's help, Tommy gets another chance to find the kids and bring them back to New York. Also, Jerry needs his son's assistance when his wife's condition gets worse; and a priest tells Tommy and Johnny that he is part of their family. |
|
| "Reunion" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2005-07-26 |
19 |
| Tommy finds out about Sheila's miscarriage and reacts badly. He later gets a visit from Jimmy, who orders Tommy to get her pregnant again. Also, Sean learns his new girlfriend has a suspicious past; Jerry has trouble communicating with his son; and Tommy gets kicked out of his apartment. |
|
| "Shame" |
Even Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2005-08-02 |
20 |
| Franco goes to support-group meetings to get help for his addiction to painkillers; Lou runs into Sondra and lies about his love life; Jerry meets his son's life partner (David Alan Basche); Tommy and Johnny meet their half sister (Noelle Beck); and Mickey has an uneasy feeling about Father Murphy (Scott Winters). |
|
| "Believe" |
Even Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2005-08-09 |
21 |
| Jerry forces the crew to attend a birthday party that his son is throwing for his boyfriend. Meanwhile, Tommy makes a move on Mariel (Noelle Beck) after she tells him she might not be his half sister after all; Franco asks Laura to move in with him; Sheila tries to make Tommy jealous by showing off her new girlfriend. |
|
| "Rebirth" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jefery Levy |
2005-08-16 |
22 |
| Tommy discovers that Janet is taking antidepressants, and he decides to take some for himself. Elsewhere, Sean tries to make things right between Franco and Laura, but he only makes things worse; and the crew questions Mike's sexual orientation after a gay guy stops by the station looking for him. |
|
| "Brains" |
Mike Martineau |
Jefery Levy |
2005-08-23 |
23 |
| Tommy, Mickey and Johnny confront Father Murphy about his suspicious relationship with Ricky. Also, Lou meets with Candy's pimp to tell him she's quitting; Jerry looks into hiring a nurse to care for his wife; and Laura pressures Franco to write another poem. |
|
| "Bitch/Stranded" |
John Scurti |
John Fortenberry |
2005-08-30 |
24 |
| When Tommy's hockey buddies kick him off the team because they think he's gone soft, he decides to lay off Janet's antidepressants to prove he's still tough. Meanwhile, Damien wants to become a firefighter, so Sheila tells Tommy to talk him out of it; and Franco gets jealous when he sees Laura with another guy. |
|
| "Happy" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2005-09-06 |
25 |
| Tommy's sister (Tatum O'Neal) visits after a four-year absence — a curious coincidence considering their dad's announcement that he's about to inherit millions of dollars. Also: Mike worries he might have cancer when he finds a lump; and Tommy and Janet decide to renew their wedding vows, but their plans are derailed by tragedy. |
|
| "Justice" |
Peter Tolan, Denis Leary & Even Reilly |
Peter Tolan |
2005-09-13 |
26 |
| Family tragedy puts a strain on Tommy and Janet's recently mended relationship. In other events, Tommy finds out who's been spying on him at his AA meetings; Sean questions his belief in Heaven; Lou learns troubling news about Candy; and Jerry considers putting his wife in a health-care facility for Alzheimer's patients. |
| Title |
Writer (s) |
Director |
Original airdate |
# |
|
| "Devil" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2006-05-30 |
27 |
| Johnny mediates a divorce agreement between Janet and Tommy, while Sheila asks Tommy to have a talk with Damian (Michael Zegen) about sex after she finds condoms in his room. In return, she'll help out with John Sr. (Charles Durning). 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. |
|
| "Discovery" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2006-06-06 |
28 |
| At a singles bar, Franco meets an older woman (Susan Sarandon) while Tommy picks up a woman (Alexa Havins) who won't shut up. And Tommy's daughter Colleen will certainly blab to Janet about her dad's indulgent treatment of sister Katy unless he bribes her. Meanwhile, Jerry visits Jeannie (Peggy Scott) at her way-too-expensive nursing home, and John Sr. (Charles Durning) insists on having his 83rd-birthday party at his favorite Chinese restaurant---the one no one else likes. |
|
| "Torture" |
Even Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2006-06-13 |
29 |
| Franco fears he's becoming the boy toy of Alicia (Susan Sarandon), the well-to-do older woman he's been seeing, and Tommy finds a way to end Damian's fling with his science teacher, Mrs. Turbody (Paige Turco). Meanwhile, Lou's growing increasingly unstable emotionally; the chief is growing increasingly desperate financially; and Sean is certain that he'll be “a dead man” when Tommy finds out who he's been sleeping with. |
|
| "Sparks" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2006-06-20 |
30 |
| The crew save children from a disabled school bus they pass on their way to a call in Harlem---and get a tongue-lashing from Al Sharpton (in a cameo) for “ignoring” the Harlem call; Franco discovers why Alicia (Susan Sarandon) is interested in him; Mike and his roommate (Timothy Adams) discuss their sexuality; Sean tells Tommy about his feelings for Maggie (Tatum O'Neal); Sheila has a proposal for Tommy; and Janet wants to talk to him about their settlement---no lawyers, just them. |
|
| "Chlamydia" |
Even Reilly |
John Fortenberry |
2006-07-07 |
31 |
| Tommy seeks out Johnny's ex-wife, Angie (Marisa Tomei), after Sheila runs into her; Sean breaks up with Maggie (Tatum O'Neal); Jerry and Rose spend a romantic evening together; Mrs. Turbody (Paige Turco) is jailed for statutory rape, a development that gives Tommy some relief but also a new worry; and Franco can't find his daughter, Keela. |
|
| "Zombies" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2006-07-11 |
32 |
| After getting hurt playing street hockey, Sean mistakes sleeping pills for painkillers. They do more than put him to sleep. Meanwhile, Tommy and Angie (Marisa Tomei) go on a pretend date they know Janet will find out about; and, after a close call, Lou gets a new perspective on firefighting from his Uncle Red. |
|
| "Satisfaction" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Ken Girotti |
2006-07-18 |
33 |
| Tommy and Johnny have another confrontation while Janet and Angie (Marisa Tomei) renew their acquaintance; Sheila sees Tommy and Angie together and she's not at all happy about it; Maggie wants to get back together with Sean; Mike meets a woman at a bar, arousing Chris's jealousy; Franco finds out about Jerry's second job; and the money in the no-smoking kitty turns up missing. |
|
| "Karate" |
Even Reilly |
Ken Girotti |
2006-07-25 |
34 |
| During a hockey game, Tommy takes all he can stand from a wisecracking NYPD foe until he can finally stand no more. Later, they meet again in the locker room. Meanwhile, Lou has an epiphany upon learning of Candy's arrest on drug charges; Franco meets someone who might be more than a one-night stand; and Sean and Maggie, Jerry and Rose, Teddy and Ellie, and Mike and Chris all arrive at crossroads in their relationships, as do Tommy and Angie (Marisa Tomei). |
|
| "Pieces" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2006-08-01 |
35 |
| Johnny has something to tell Tommy, who's distracted by fears for his future after visiting his seriously burned buddy Stack in the hospital. Tommy's also worried about the future of Ladder 62 in light of developments concerning Lou, Mike and Franco. Meanwhile, Sheila has a proposition for Tommy; Franco fears that his new girlfriend, Natalie (Sherri Saum), is keeping something from him; and Sean has a request of John Gavin Sr. (Charles Durning). |
|
| "Retards" |
Even Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2006-08-08 |
36 |
| Following a tense meeting with Janet, Tommy has yet another confrontation with Johnny. And Franco tries to befriend his new girlfriend's mentally challenged brother (Cornell Womack). Elsewhere, Mike puts in for a transfer; Teddy's conjugal visits with Ellie (Patti D'Arbanville) prove to be a letdown; Jerry gives some thought to what Jeannie's caregiver (Harriet D. Foy) has been telling him; and Tommy keeps his vigil at Stack's bedside. |
|
| "Twilight" |
John Scurti |
John Fortenberry |
2006-08-15 |
37 |
| John Gavin Sr. (Charles Durning) disappears following an argument with Tommy over living conditions; Lou's new love interest doesn't sit well with Tommy; the new woman in Jerry's life could be dangerous; and Sean and Maggie (Tatum O'Neal) meet with a priest about their marriage. |
|
| "Hell" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2006-08-22 |
38 |
| Another Gavin tragedy brings Tommy and Janet together; Jerry fails to show up for work; Mike looks for advice about his sexuality; and Maggie has a wedding surprise for Sean. |
|
| "Beached" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2006-08-29 |
39 |
| Tommy makes a promise to Janet to help her with the baby, but fails to share with her his and Sheila's plans for the future. Elsewhere, Franco checks in on his daughter, Keela, and several crew members plan their exits from the house. |
| Title |
Writer (s) |
Director |
Original airdate |
# |
|
| "Baby Face" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Peter Tolan |
2007-06-13 |
40 |
| As the fourth season begins, 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 (Jennifer Esposito) who rescued Tommy from the beach house takes an interest in him---and isn't shy about letting him know. |
|
| "Tuesday" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2007-06-20 |
41 |
| Sheila lies to Tommy when he confronts her about the beach-house fire. But they present a united front to the insurance investigators, as embarrassing as it is for Tommy. Meanwhile, Lou is determined to get a basketball ringer (Larenz Tate) to be 62 Truck's new probie; Uncle Teddy is released from jail; Colleen runs away with her rock-musician boyfriend; and Mike's mother has a deathbed request. |
|
| "Commitment" |
Evan Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2007-06-27 |
42 |
| Tommy encounters Colleen's boyfriend and sparks fly; Jerry learns he flunked his physical and is given a desk job; Uncle Teddy, hiding from Ellie, breaks into prison guard Lenny's apartment; Sheila goes out with the man who pulled her from the beach house, while Tommy keeps avoiding Nona (Jennifer Esposito), the volunteer firefighter who rescued him from the blaze; and Mike seeks Tommy's advice on how to deal with his dying mother's request that he kill her. |
|
| "Pussified" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Jace Alexander |
2007-07-11 |
43 |
| Emotions flare up when the crew learns about Jerry's death; Tommy's manhood is called into question after some embarrassing romantic encounters; Sean confronts Maggie about her drinking; Franco considers asking Natalie to marry him; and Lou looks for a way to get that ringer Bart for the house basketball team. |
|
| "Black" |
Mike Martineau |
Jace Alexander |
2007-07-18 |
44 |
| The firehouse gets a new chief (Jerry Adler), who is rumored to possess a very special gift; Tommy suffers embarrassment during a hockey game against the NYPD; Franco works up the nerve to propose to Natalie while Sean tries to talk Maggie out of a divorce; and Sheila makes a surprising proposition as Janet's depression deepens. |
|
| "Balance" |
Evan Reilly |
Don Scardino |
2007-07-25 |
45 |
| Janet sinks deeper into her postpartum depression; Sean learns a secret that Mike has been trying to hide; the new probie (Larenz Tate) holds the guys to their agreement about not doing “probie” work; Lou and (especially) Theresa struggle with their decision to “take a break” from sex. |
|
| "Seven" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
Don Scardino |
2007-08-01 |
46 |
| A devastating fire has a profound effect on the crew; Tommy wrestles with his feelings about the baby; Alicia (Susan Sarandon) returns with a proposition for Franco; Troy breaks up with Sheila while Lou makes a tough decision about Theresa; and Sean apologizes to Mike about the fire he set that burned down Mike's mother's house. |
|
| "Solo" |
Peter Tolan, Denis Leary, & Evan Reilly |
Ken Girotti |
2007-08-08 |
47 |
| Janet plots revenge when she learns what Tommy did with the baby; Franco questions his marriage proposal to Natalie in light of Alicia and Keela's return; and Tommy faces his ghosts. He also agrees to date Chief Feinberg's needy and awkward daughter (Amy Sedaris). |
|
| "Animal" |
Evan Reilly |
Ken Girotti |
2007-08-15 |
48 |
| The Gavin clan stages an intervention after several disturbing family calls; the mysterious woman (Gina Gershon) from the restaurant leaves Tommy wanting more; Janet must take matters into her own hands to get her baby back; and a depressed Mike calls Tommy in a moment of despair. |
|
| "High" |
Peter Tolan & Denis Leary |
John Fortenberry |
2007-08-22 |
49 |
| The Gavins attend their first AA meeting, but Sean isn't welcome since he doesn't drink enough; Tommy turns to Colleen for information about Janet and learns some disturbing things about his childhood from his father (Charles Durning); Richie tells Franco what Natalie has been doing since their breakup; Lou mulls revenge on his cousin (Artie Lange); and Mike, under orders from Tommy to “stop moping,” visits a singles bar. |
|
| "Cycle" |
John Scurti |
John Fortenberry |
2007-08-29 |
50 |
| Tommy goes on a second date with Beth (Amy Sedaris) for the sake of the crew. He also sees Valerie (Gina Gershon) again, and makes a trade with Colleen. Meanwhile, Black Shawn proves himself in an unexpected arena; Franco sees what he has lost; and Lou finds something very attractive about Latrina (Sharon Wilkins). |
|
| "Keefe" |
Peter Tolan, Denis Leary, & Evan Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2007-09-05 |
51 |
| Tommy plays hero in someone else's uniform, confusing the crew; Colleen finds a new reason to get upset with Tommy; Natalie asks Franco for a favor; a rift between Mike and Black Shawn nearly leads to blows; and the chief is not pleased with the move Tommy makes on his daughter. |
|
| "Yaz" |
Peter Tolan, Denis Leary, & Evan Reilly |
Jace Alexander |
2007-09-12 |
52 |
| In the fourth-season finale, the sighting of Jimmy's “ghost” is the talk of the firehouse; Colleen blames Tommy for her failed relationship, and Tommy figures out a way to fix his own. Meanwhile, Franco and Natalie come to an understanding, as do Lou, Mike and Latrina; Tommy and his father take in a ball game. At the ball game, Tommy's father dies. |
The show will return in March 2009 for an extended season of 22 episodes, aired consecutively.
