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Brief Encounters
s01e12 · 2014-12-31 · 03:30
What it is
Benched is a single-camera comedy about a high-powered corporate lawyer's fall from grace into the rough-and-tumble world of the public defenders. From ABC Signature Studio, it stars Coupe as Nina Whitley, a distinguished corporate lawyer who has given up everything in her climb to the top. However, when she's hit with her ex-fiancé's engagement announcement and learns that she hasn't made partner at her high power firm, Nina snaps -- breaking vases and burning bridges.Now that Nina is shunned from the corporate world, the only place she can get a job is at the Public Defender's office: home to the underfunded, understaffed, overworked, "if you can't afford a lawyer, one will be provided... " lawyers. In addition to her new clients, Nina must learn to connect with her co-workers, including the roguish Phil, the idealistic Carlos, the useless empathetic Cheryl and the dedicated intern Micah. If that didn't sound tough enough for Nina, she'll also be going head-to-head with her ex-fiancé, Trent, the rising star of the District Attorney's office.
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Episode guide
12 this season · 12 totals01e01 Pilot 2014-10-29 02:30
Pilot
Distinguished corporate lawyer Nina Whitley has given up everything in her climb to the top. However, when she's passed over for a coveted promotion and discovers that her fiancé Trent is now engaged to another woman—Nina has an epic meltdown. Now, shunned from the corporate world, the only place Nina can get a job is at the Public Defender's office.
s01e02 Downsizing 2014-11-05 03:30
Downsizing
Nina learns about an upcoming gala where wealthy corporate lawyers honor the public defenders. Desperate to be accepted back into her former corporate world, Nina gives a speech in an attempt to impress her old colleagues. It doesn't go according to plan. Meanwhile the rest of the gang struggles to fit in at the fancy event.
s01e03 Hooked & Booked 2014-11-12 03:30
Hooked & Booked
Nina tries desperately to fit in with the gang; Phil plays a cruel trick; Phil and Boring Larry take Carlos for a night on the town.
s01e04 Sell It 2014-11-19 03:30
Sell It
Nina finds she needs a refresher on influencing jurors and winning friends after arguing her first jury trial; elsewhere, Phil and Trent face a curmudgeonly judge.
s01e05 Shark, Actually 2014-11-26 03:30
Shark, Actually
Nina is worried she is being played by a private defense lawyer assigned to her case; Phil tries to impress a cute stenographer.
s01e06 Rights & Wrongs 2014-12-03 03:30
Rights & Wrongs
When Nina's refusal to lose cases to her ex-fiancé Trent starts clogging up the court system, she's forced to accept that in this world compromising isn't losing -it's a fact of life. Meanwhile, Carlos gives up smoking and the gang worries about his ability to de-stress without that vice.
s01e07 Curry Favor 2014-12-10 03:30
Curry Favor
Feeling like her coworkers don't "get" her, Nina finds a new friend in Edie a spunky forensics analyst. However, Nina's new friend takes the meaning of loyalty too far. Meanwhile, Carlos needs to crash with Phil for a few days and gets a worrisome glimpse into his life.
s01e08 Diamond is a Girl's Worst Friend 2014-12-17 03:30
Diamond is a Girl's Worst Friend
Nina is assigned one of Phil's old defendants and makes a bet with Phil that she'll fix what he couldn't and get the guy out of the court system once and for all. Meanwhile, after Micah criticizes Phil and Carlos's performance in court, they decide to teach her a lesson and give her a case of her own.
s01e09 A New Development 2014-12-24 03:00
A New Development
When Nina discovers that Trent and the DA's office are involved in a plot to arrest the city's homeless, Nina struggles with her priorities: should she protect justice, Trent, or her own reputation? Meanwhile, Cheryl, whose terrible record has left her on thin ice with the new boss, turns to Nina for help.
s01e10 Solitary Refinement 2014-12-24 03:30
Solitary Refinement
Nina runs into an old friend, Francine, who asks Nina to set her up with Phil. When they hit it off, Francine returns the favor by setting Nina up on an ill-fated double date. Meanwhile, a female judge (Molly Shannon, guest star) takes a liking to Carlos, but Carlos becomes worried that all her attention is crossing a line.
s01e11 Campaign Contributions 2014-12-31 03:00
Campaign Contributions
When the news breaks that Phil is on the shortlist for Public Defender of the Year, Nina insists on helping him win, despite the fact that he thinks the award is silly. Meanwhile, Trent brings his 10-year-old "Little Brother" Walter to court for the week.
s01e12 Brief Encounters 2014-12-31 03:30
Brief Encounters
After secretly reuniting with Trent, Nina realizes she has some hard choices to make, especially when Phil unintentionally steps up to the plate. Meanwhile, Phil is forced to take a look at his own relationships when Morris calls out his glibness.