Guilty (Awake)

Clifton Powell (pictured) guest starred as John Cooper.

The episode featured guest performances from many actors including: Logan Miller, who was cast as Cole, Rex's best friend. Daniela Bobadilla appeared as Emma, who is Rex's girlfriend, currently. Bailey Chase, who played as David Walker. Clifton Powell as John Cooper, a man who was falsely accused of a crime ten years earlier.[3] He was framed by Jim Mayhew, played by William Russ. Jim Cantafio appeared as an IA Officer. Lolly Ward as Nancy, a man who had helped Cooper escape from jail. David Pease as Doubting Cop. Enrique Almeida, who was cast as Perez. Kevin Jackson, who appeared as a Homeless Man, and Christopher Judd, who was cast as the Paramedic.

"Guilty" was originally broadcast on March 15, 2012 in the United States on NBC between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm, preceded by Up All Night.[3][5][6] The episode garnered 5.12 million viewers in its original airing the United States, and it ranked second in its timeslot despite airing simultaneously with Private Practice on ABC, and a live airing of the college basketball game, with teams New Mexico and Indiana playing.[7] It acquired a 1.6/4 rating-share in the 18–49 demographic, meaning that it was seen by 1.6% of all 18- to 49-year-olds, according to Nielsen ratings.[7] The episode's ratings had slightly improved over the previous episode, "The Little Guy", which obtained 4 million viewers.[8] It was simultaneously broadcast on Global in Canada, and was subsequently aired on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2012.[9] The episode obtained 277,000 million viewers in the United Kingdom on its original airing, making it the third most-watched program for that week on the channel behind Game of Thrones and Blue Bloods.[9] Its ratings had slightly dropped from the previous episode.[10]

"Guilty" was well received by most television commentators, who praised its storylines. Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a complimentary review.[6] He claimed that the episode "effectively ramped up the tension".[6] Fowler thought that it "might have been a bit too much to accept that poor Rex had to suffer through yet another near-death ordeal", and that "the episode itself was able to provide genuine thrills mixed with some incredible moments of tenderness".[6] Fowler noted that Michael fully took "advantage of his unique, tragic, situation by having him purposefully use one world as a source of information to help him solve a case".[6] Stating that the episode had "top-tier entertainment", Fowler concluded his review by giving the episode a "9 out of 10", classifying it as "great".[6] Nick McHatton from TV Fanatic mainly enjoyed this episode.[11] McHatton claimed that Rex's current behaviour and thoughts are "understandable" and "heart-renching".[11] He concluded his review by giving the episode a "4.7 out of 5" score.[11] Caroline Preece from Den of Geek gave praise in the episode.[12] He thought the episode was "built around a gripping premise".[12] Preece wrote that the series is "still very odd" after the episode.[12] HitFix's Alan Sepinwall noted many parts of the episode.[2] Sepinwall stated that there was a "notable change in feel or style" from other episodes, because of different writers for the episode.[2] He noted that "the idea of the loved one getting kidnapped feels like a very big card to play this early", and that "it does fit in with the theme of the show".[2] Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave less praise and enjoyment in the episode.[13] In his "B-" review, he noted that the "premise has been established".[13] He stated that it is "a clever device".[13] He argued that the "plotting isn't helping" the episode.[13] The Voice of TV's Mary Powers gave the episode a "A-" grade.[14] She called the episode "fabulous".[14] Carl Cortez from Assignment X gave much praise in the episode.[1] He called it a "twisty/turny adventure".[1] Cortez claimed that it "feels too early and convenient" for Rex to get kidnapped.[1]