Grace Hanadarko is an Oklahoma City police detective who is heading down a long path of self-destruction. After experiencing a tragic event, Grace finds comfort in alcohol, but after drinking then driving, she hits a man. Grace prays for help and receives what she asked for in the form of Earl, an angel, who offers to help Grace but tells her the path to recovery won't be an easy one.
Grace and her team look into the murder of an oilman. Meanwhile, Ham learns about Grace's history with Butch, which hurts their relationship. Later, Grace tries to prove her courage by wrestling Earl.
A maid materializes as the prime suspect in the murder of a manager of a seedy hotel. But religious and political complications ensue when a local priest offers her a safe haven via the right of sanctuary. Meanwhile, Grace gradually comes to accept the recurring presence of the angel Earl in her life.
Grace is assigned to protect Wade, a Christian teenager who witnessed a murder, after he is threatened during the days leading up to the trial where he'll testify. Meanwhile, Grace has a vision of her nephew talking to a death row inmate, Leon, on the street. After seeing this, Grace lashes out at Earl, who tells her he wants her to do something with Leon, but won't tell her specifics.
Grace's team combs for clues in the vanishing of a bull statue. Among the suspects: a testy ex-wife, a peeved artist and an employee who was injured during the statue's installation. Meanwhile, Grace's eccentric aunt arrives for a salute to Grace's father, a hero during the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Grace investigates an ever-twisting case involving the slaying of a reporter who was working undercover as a prostitute. Elsewhere, Earl confronts Grace about her chronic lying---something that could even jeopardize her friendship with Rhetta.
The body of a Native American veteran is found in a shallow grave in the woods. For advice on the case, Grace turns to her grandfather, Geepaw, who is also a Native American, and is shocked to find that he is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.
The squad's effort to hunt down a killer results in the death of a well-regarded policeman, a tragic turn-of-events that causes Grace and her colleagues to confront their own mortality issues. Meanwhile, death-row inmate Leon, granted time with his son, mulls over the boy's possible adoption by the mother's new boyfriend.
Grace is sent to investigate the death of a woman who was brutally tortured, though the case soon reminds her of another incident that happened eleven years ago. Meanwhile, Rhetta decides to test her hypothesis regarding some of the objects that Earl has left behind.
While investigating a possible homicide of three children who died from a bus accident, Grace is encountered with the touch down of multiple tornadoes in Oklahoma City. First responder Grace helps a trapped victim who is coincidently named Dorothy. Meanwhile, Rhetta finds herself trapped in the morgue and Leon is thinking of becoming a Muslim.
An investigation of a deadly drive in robbery involves a man with Down Syndrome and the mentally challenged home he resides in. Meanwhile, Grace and the atheist son of her neighbor begin a romance.
A big time LA defense attorney arrives as the result of a murder trail, who may uncover the sloppy investigating the team had done, not to mention their messy personal lives...and Grace's past. Meanwhile, Ham is thinking of revealing his feelings to Grace, and Grace prepares to attend her nephew confirmation.
The first seaon finale leaves many questions when a charred car containing photos of Grace's sister, Paige, forcing Grace to pry into her sibling's past. Meanwhile, Earl leaves behind clues which may reveal the truth of Grace's shocking past.
While on her day off, Grace searches for secrets of her haunted past, but winds up capturing one of the FBI's Most Wanted criminals, an act in which she receives praise and a hero's status.
A troubled young man who has vanished had shared a past tragedy with Grace about his father: He died in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, just as Grace's sister had. Meanwhile, Ham's separation from his wife gives him more time for sexual relations with Grace.
One of their own is found murdered at a joint in which policemen frequent often, and a bizarre confession makes the case ever more complex. Meanwhile, Ham's brother readies for being dispatched to the war, and Grace and Leon share an unusual dream about each other.
A teen girl and her druggie boyfriend become prime suspects when a mother of two disappears. Meanwhile, when Grace's nephew joins a police program, he questions Ham about his romance with Grace. Also, Butch's stalker is possibly connected to the department.
When thousands of dollars are found hidden in Grace’s Porsche, the ensuing investigation swirls around a moneyed developer, a slain highway patrolman, and inquiries into previous owners—one of whom is noted football coach Barry Switzer (appearing as himself). Meanwhile, the entire squad is emotionally impacted by news that Ham’s brother has vanished in Afghanistan.
While Ham tries to cope with his brother's death, the rest of the team must investigate the murder of a woman. They discover that her son, Jack, is missing.
They find out that a small child has been found burnt in a car and it seems that it is Jack, the missing kid. They decide to wait and see if his dad will come to see him.
When a young Mexican woman is found dead, the case may have political implications. Bobby goes undercover, much to the shock of his family.
Grace works with a new partner, Abby Charles, a uniformed police woman and single mother as they hunt down a serial killer. Elsewhere, as Leon's execution day nears, Grace is asked by Earl to help the prisoner.
A number of teen partygoers find themselves in trouble, including Grace's niece, when a party filled with drugs turns deadly. Grace's temporary partner tries to prove her worth by scoring important leads in the case as they search for a drug pusher.
While investigating the death of a drug dealer, Ham and Butch find Bobby undercover. Meanwhile, Grace snoops into revolving police partner Amy's past, after being rebuffed by her fellow officers. And Leon has an unexpected reaction when Rhetta tries to build him a clemency case.
The team investigates a woman's death, while Grace seems captivated by the prime suspect, a high-profile architect and his unusual sex life. Meanwhile, Grace and Ham partner up once again, with hopes that their romance will be rekindled by the union. Elsewhere, Bobby's undercover case leads to an explosive conclusion, and Clay forms a bond with a young kid.
Grace takes on an investigation when a jogger with a intricate love life is found dead. Meanwhile, Clay's father and a new bartender from a local joint begin dating, and Grace worried that this will have a negative impact on Clay. Leon gets a visit from a former high school classmate.
Doug and Maggie's romance has flourished so much that they set their wedding date, but the date may be put on hold when Maggie is attacked by an unknown predator. Meanwhile, Johnny and Rhetta try passionately to save Leon from his upcoming execution by starting a petition. And young Clay continues bonding with Leon's son.
The squad looks into a fatal shooting of an elderly woman. As Leon Cooley’s execution date nears, Grace learns that Leon was once invited to a family birthday party. She also uncovers a connection between her and a young woman who may also be getting visits from Earl.
Grace ends up in the middle of what could be a plot by an anti-government group linked to the recent death of a police officer, as she reaches out to Neely, the young drug addict who shares visions of Earl. Grace's clumsy, off-the-books investigation causes Neely to become injured. Meanwhile, Grace and ham get caught in a compromising position, and Butch makes a surprise announcement.
Grace and her crew investigate the unusual suicide of a court reporter, and conclude the crime was staged. Elsewhere, Grace tries forming a bond with Neely, despite the fragile physical state of the young drug abuser; and Rhetta is close to losing something very special to her.
A bomb explodes at the church run by Grace's brother,, making the case personal for her. Meanwhile, Rhetta is haunted by family problems, causing her to search for a family time capsule she and Grace buried as children. And, Grace keeps a watch at Neely's bedside.
The team is focused on a series of brutal home break-ins, but the latest one seems different than the others. Meanwhile, Matthew, a fellow angel of Earl's, is having trouble saving souls, and hones in on Earl's space.
Grace's spiritual belief's are seriously challenged by a case where she and the team investigate the slaying of a Hasidic Jew which is found near a herd of dead cows. Meanwhile, Grace is still struggling with Neely to establish a rapport; and Ham's sister-in-law is struggling with the death of her husband.
Grace pursues a rape and kidnapping suspect on foot and disappears, possible as a victim herself. But nothing concerning this seems to make sense, including how Earl works the works the investigation. Ham and Rhetta must team up to find Grace before a shocking ending which will leave a lasting impression on the series.
The crew investigates the shooting death of a 99 year old man, possibly mimicking a crime which was committed years earlier in Tulsa. Meanwhile, Bobby wants to make a connection with his father; and Grace walks upon Rhetta's husband in a compromising situation.
Butch's reporter girlfriend covers the bizarre slaying of a drug company whistle blower in hopes for a big national scoop. Elsewhere, Grace's brother believes his neighbor has a dead body inside his home; and Johnny hopes to finally meet Grace's last-chance angel.
The death of a parole officer opens up some hushed and harbored secrets. Meanwhile, Grace and her brother Johnny search for the Earl-connected drug addict, Neely. Also, Rhetta decides to make some personal changes after having problems at home.
The third season finale follows the investigation of an intruder shot at the home of a prominent doctor and philanthropist. Earl gives Grace some direction involving Neely; Ham provides interesting news for Grace; and problems between Rhetta and Ronnie come to a head.
Grace decides to have it out with God, but a mysterious stranger has something to say about it; Ham struggles with his father now that Ham is dating his brother's widow.
Grace deals with the aftermath of her fall from a building; the squad investigates a double homicide; Rhetta discovers a secret about her daughter.
Grace's childhood friend is in jail for killing her husband; the squad investigates a young woman's disappearance.
The accidental death of Esperanza makes Grace feel desolated and borderline suicidal, while Bobby and Butch investigate the murder by beheading of Ron Carter.
When a friend from his past returns, Butch must do some soul-searching just like Grace does when her grief leads her over the edge.
A long-delayed final confrontation with Hut Flanders is what Grace heads for.