The Guardian

Watch The Guardian

  • TV-PG
  • 2001
  • 3 Seasons
  • 7.4  (5,446)

The Guardian is an American TV series that follows the life of fictional corporate lawyer Nicholas Fallin played by Simon Baker. After several successful years of pursuing his law career and hiding his drug problem, he is arrested. Instead of jail, he is sentenced to 1500 hours of community service as a child advocate at Pittsburgh Legal Services. As he services his sentence, he continues to work as a corporate lawyer for his father who is also an attorney. Besides that juggling act, Fallin struggles with personal issues revolving around his parents' divorce, his mother's death from cancer when he was a child, his feelings of childhood neglect at the hands of his father, temptations of substance abuse, and promiscuity. During his time in community service, he becomes romantically interested in Louise Archer, played by Wendy Moniz, his boss at community service. When her disastrous marriage ends, they develop a complicated and often unhappy romantic relationship. Fallin also works under the supervision of Alvin Masterson the founder of Pittsburgh Legal Services. Masterson has his own issues with substance abuse and inappropriate behavior. His problems create conflict with a board of directors he answers to and contributors he is dependent upon to keep Pittsburgh Legal Services open and running. Besides Fallin's struggle to manage the long hours of two jobs and often trying to be in two places at one time, he frequently finds his community service assignments stir up the anger and resentment he still feels toward his very successful father. He is caught between his inability to forgive his father for sending him to boarding schools after his mother's death, and his fear that his career success comes from trading on the name his father made well-known in legal circles. The role of Nicholas's father, Burton, is played by Dabney Coleman. Alvin Masterson, is played by Alan Rosenberg.

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Seasons
Antarctica
22. Antarctica
May 4, 2004
Nick takes a job at the law firm of Walter and McNeil. Lulu gives birth to a baby girl.
Blood In, Blood Out
21. Blood In, Blood Out
April 27, 2004
Nick 's future at the firm is about to be voted on, as Nick awaits the verdict on his future he takes on two cases that involve two boys.
The Vote
20. The Vote
April 20, 2004
Nick 's future at the firm is in question because of a lawyer Burton thinks quite highly of but he doesn't feel she is ready to be a partner.
Remember
19. Remember
April 6, 2004
At a court hearing Alvin is asked to turn over his files involving past clients at LSP. Alvin isn't ready to turn over the yet just yet.
The Bachelor Party
18. The Bachelor Party
March 9, 2004
Alvin Masterson has a lot to do in so little time he is getting married to Victoria Little and has ALS. Nick decides to Los Angles.
The Watchers
17. The Watchers
March 2, 2004
Nick sees a change in his dad that worries him, Burton keeps getting dizzy due to Vertigo. Burton wonders if he will be a good dad to Shannon.
Sparkle (aka: Glow)
16. Sparkle (aka: Glow)
February 24, 2004
Nick tries to find an unwanted foster child a home Philip may have hurt the baby.
Without Consent
15. Without Consent
February 17, 2004
Jake lies to everyone about how he got hurt soon Burton & Maureen find out the secret.
All Is Mended
14. All Is Mended
February 10, 2004
Nick learns his unborn baby has Down Syndrome to learn more about it Nick helps Mark set up a trust fund so he won't lose his Social Security.
Amends
13. Amends
January 27, 2004
Nick finds out how hard it is to get the trust of the people he hurt back. Burton feels Nick isn't ready for a heavy caseload.
Beautiful Blue Mystic
12. Beautiful Blue Mystic
January 13, 2004
Nick begins taking a drug called Beautiful Blue Mystic, not realizing how it hurt Fallin & Fallin and LSP. Nick goes to get help to kick the habit.
Legacy
11. Legacy
January 6, 2004
Ted's dad goes on a shooting spree killing himself & co-workers leaving Nick and Suzanne to tell Ted his dad has committed murder.
Swimming
10. Swimming
December 16, 2003
Nick learns that his dad will need surgery to fix his heart, also Nick must keep the firm from losing a merger.
Let God Sort 'Em Out
9. Let God Sort 'Em Out
November 25, 2003
Nick tries to find a place for Donny Longo & his Grandfather to live together, but Donny has a hard time with Rebecca's ruling.
Believe
8. Believe
November 11, 2003
LSP teams up with Victoria Little to form AIDS Relief Alliance, meanwhile Nick becomes a medical guardian to two kids who may have AIDS.
Hazel Park
7. Hazel Park
November 4, 2003
Nick runs into a former client while helping in a cleanup project for his Community Service.
Let's Spend the Night Together
6. Let's Spend the Night Together
October 28, 2003
Nick & Lulu move into his place and find out how hard it is keep their love life out of the office. Jake learns his mom and dad want to divorce.
Shame
5. Shame
October 21, 2003
When the bank insists that the firm pay off its loan immediately, Nick is forced to try to collect unpaid fees from delinquent clients.
The Father-Daughter Dance
4. The Father-Daughter Dance
October 14, 2003
Lulu starts her job as Director of LSP, leaving Alvin to wonder if he is needed at LSP.
The Line
3. The Line
October 7, 2003
Nick and Burton represent a clothing company in a discrimination lawsuit. Meanwhile, Lulu and Alvin square off over Lulu's new job in Berkeley.
Big Coal
2. Big Coal
September 30, 2003
Nick tries to help a young lady who has cancer but get can't the insurance company to help her out, this puts Nick in a bind.
Carnival
1. Carnival
September 23, 2003
The first episode begins with scenes from the season finale, leading up to Burton and Nick heading for the concert that was to start at 7:30 PM
Description

The Guardian is an American TV series that follows the life of fictional corporate lawyer Nicholas Fallin played by Simon Baker. After several successful years of pursuing his law career and hiding his drug problem, he is arrested. Instead of jail, he is sentenced to 1500 hours of community service as a child advocate at Pittsburgh Legal Services. As he services his sentence, he continues to work as a corporate lawyer for his father who is also an attorney. Besides that juggling act, Fallin struggles with personal issues revolving around his parents' divorce, his mother's death from cancer when he was a child, his feelings of childhood neglect at the hands of his father, temptations of substance abuse, and promiscuity.

During his time in community service, he becomes romantically interested in Louise Archer, played by Wendy Moniz, his boss at community service. When her disastrous marriage ends, they develop a complicated and often unhappy romantic relationship. Fallin also works under the supervision of Alvin Masterson the founder of Pittsburgh Legal Services. Masterson has his own issues with substance abuse and inappropriate behavior. His problems create conflict with a board of directors he answers to and contributors he is dependent upon to keep Pittsburgh Legal Services open and running.

Besides Fallin's struggle to manage the long hours of two jobs and often trying to be in two places at one time, he frequently finds his community service assignments stir up the anger and resentment he still feels toward his very successful father. He is caught between his inability to forgive his father for sending him to boarding schools after his mother's death, and his fear that his career success comes from trading on the name his father made well-known in legal circles.

The role of Nicholas's father, Burton, is played by Dabney Coleman. Alvin Masterson, is played by Alan Rosenberg.

The Guardian is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (67 episodes). The series first aired on September 25, 2001.

Where to Watch The Guardian

The Guardian is available for streaming on the CBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Guardian on demand at Apple TV Channels, Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Apple TV.

  • Premiere Date
    September 25, 2001
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (5,446)