5 ways Rescue Me succeeded in handling 9/11 on TV

The New York firefighter drama ends Wednesday night, after seven seasons of capturing the complicated aftermath of our national tragedy

FX's "Rescue Me"
(Image credit: Jeff Niera / FX)

In 2004, Rescue Me became the first scripted television show to directly address the effects of 9/11 on America. Over its seven seasons, the show, which stars Denis Leary as a veteran New York City firefighter grappling with alcoholism and the death of his cousin in the 9/11 attacks, has alternately been called both brave and insensitive. With the series finale set to air Wednesday night — just four days before the 10th anniversary of the attacks — critics are reflecting on Rescue Me's groundbreaking portrayal of 9/11. Here, five talking points:

1. Rescue Me accomplished the "impossible"

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