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Trailer

Rescue Me

2004 – 2011Show7 seasons93 episodesTV-MA

Drama
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.3Metacritic857.9Rotten Tomatoes89%89%

A deeply moving, tense drama series about everyday modern life and family, with standout performances and characters.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Shows with

Episodes

7 seasons · 93 episodes · best: S2E13 "Justice" 9.2

Episodes

8.2
8.4
8.4
7.8
7.9
7.7
8.0

Story

They save us, but who saves them?

The aftermath of 9/11 has left the firefighters of the NYFD traumatized, and no one more so than Tommy Gavin. Recently separated from his wife and their three kids, Tommy drifts between sorrow and anger as he tries to shake the recurring nightmares of his fallen comrades, especially his late cousin, Jimmy Keefe. Working alongside veterans like Lt. “Lou” Shea, Franco Rivera and Sean Garrity, and rookie Mike Lombardi, Tommy battles alcohol and drugs as he struggles to remain first and foremost a New York City firefighter.

Feels like

  • Trauma Drama
  • Post-9/11 Grief
  • Blue Collar Realism
  • Toxic Masculinity Critique
  • Addiction Narrative
  • Brotherhood Bonds
  • Psychological Descent
  • NYFD Culture
  • Raw Emotional Intensity

Cast

24 of 196 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
John Fortenberry, Jace Alexander, Peter Tolan
Written by
Denis Leary, Peter Tolan, Salvatore Stabile
Produced by
Denis Leary, Peter Tolan
Music by
Christopher Tyng

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 21, 2004 · September 7, 2011 · Ended

First aired
July 21, 2004
Last aired
September 7, 2011
Status
Ended
Length
7 seasons · 93 episodes
Age rating
TV-MA
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Drug Use, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
132 countries

Tropes

Bolivian Army Cliffhanger, Cliffhanger, Off the Wagon +9

  • Bolivian Army Cliffhanger
  • Cliffhanger
  • Off the Wagon
  • One-Word Title
  • Due to the Dead
  • Big Damn Heroes
  • Da Chief
  • Bigger Is Better in Bed
  • Suspiciously Specific Denial
  • Big, Screwed-Up Family
  • All Just a Dream
  • Real Song Theme Tune

12 of 68 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Rescue Me?"

Questions about Rescue Me

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Rescue Me?

NetflixHulu

In the United States, Rescue Me streams on Netflix and Hulu. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 130 other countries.

Is Rescue Me worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84 (IMDb 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes 89%, and Metacritic 85).

Which season of Rescue Me is best?

Seasons 2 and 3, with an IMDb average of 8.4. Season 6 is the weakest at 7.7. The highest-rated episode is Justice (season 2, episode 13) at 9.2, and the lowest is Zippo (season 5, episode 20) at 7.2.

How long does it take to watch Rescue Me?

93 h

About 93 hours: 93 episodes in 7 seasons of about 60 minutes each, aired from 2004 to 2011.

Is Rescue Me plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Rescue Me use?

Bolivian Army CliffhangerCliffhangerOff the WagonOne-Word TitleDue to the DeadBig Damn HeroesDa ChiefBigger Is Better in BedSuspiciously Specific DenialBig, Screwed-Up FamilyAll Just a DreamReal Song Theme Tuneand 56 more

TV Tropes lists 68 tropes for it, including Bolivian Army Cliffhanger, Cliffhanger, and Off the Wagon.