The Rainmaker Episode 1 recap: Rudy and Sarah’s first case creates tension between them

The Rainmaker has finally premiered with an episode that is equal parts chaotic and unexpected. Based on John Grisham’s book, the first episode was released on August 15, 2025, and follows the story of a new law graduate, Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan).

The first episode of The Rainmaker was packed with everything a legal drama requires to be a hit. From fistfights to debates about equal rights, Rudy went through everything in just a single episode. Further, he also had to join a law firm in a rundown taco restaurant after being fired, and wound up taking a case that put him against his own girlfriend, Sarah (Madison Iseman).

Here’s what happened in The Rainmaker Episode 1.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

The Rainmaker Episode 1 recap: Rudy and Sarah learn about Dot Black’s case

In the premiere episode of The Rainmaker, we are introduced to fresh new law graduates, Rudy and Sarah, who are about to join a prestigious law firm. They are providing free legal services for their voluntary work. During this, they meet a woman, Dot Black, who wants to sue the hospital for the death of her son, who was brought in with only the flu.

While the court has stayed the case until Dot gets a lawyer, the hospital has offered a settlement to her. Rudy senses a case in there. He suspects there’s more to the case; otherwise, the hospital would not have offered a settlement. However, the duo cannot help her as the hospital is represented by the same law firm that hired Rudy and Sarah.

The Rainmaker Episode 1 recap: Rudy gets fired on his first day of job

Rudy’s struggles have just begun in The Rainmaker. His first day is everyone’s nightmare. His day started with a fistfight with his mother’s boyfriend, Hank, after he commented on something about his late brother.

This makes him late for his first day on the job. Further, his never-backdown attitude gets him into a tough position when he begins to argue with his new boss, Leo Drummond, played by John Slattery, about equal rights. This costs him his job as he gets fired on his first day.

All hope is not lost when his bar manager suggests that he join Bruiser’s law firm, which she operates from an old taco restaurant with paralegal Deck.

The Rainmaker Episode 1 recap: Rudy struggles to find a client while Sarah makes hopeful progress toward her career

Rudy does not have other options than to join Bruiser, played by Lana Parrilla, as other firms are not hiring anymore. He has to work for a fraction of the money that he was being offered in Leo’s firm. Meanwhile, Sarah wins big when she impresses the hospital CEO, where she did her voluntary work with Rudy.

Later, Deck, who is an ambulance chaser, tries to get Melvin Pitcher, accused of killing his own mother at the beginning of the series, as his client but fails. Rudy then thinks of taking Dot Black’s case, as now his hands are not tied, and he can do what he thinks is right.

While Bruiser isn’t sure about taking the case and going up against a powerful law firm, Rudy tries to convince her about the case where Dot has been offered $50,000 for a settlement. The case also connects to Melvin, as he used to work in the same hospital. He is also seen injecting something into the neck of the landlady after breaking into her house at the end of The Rainmaker premiere episode.

Meanwhile, Dot’s case might also raise numerous difficulties for Rudy, as she is already being followed by someone. Moreover, Sarah will be representing the hospital in the Dot Black case, putting the young couple at odds.

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Also Read: The Rainmaker release schedule: Every episode of the latest legal drama and when do they drop

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