NYPD Blue (season 9)

NYPD Blue Season 9
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	22
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC
Original run	November 6, 2001 – May 21, 2002
Season chronology
← Previous NYPD Blue season 8 Next → NYPD Blue season 10

Lie Like a Rug

Original airdate: November 6, 2001

• Directed by: Mark Tinker
• Written by: Steven Bochco, Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton

In the wake of the World Trade Center disaster and Danny's disappearance, the 15th Precinct faces a gruesome investigation when four young girls are found dead in an apartment. Sipowicz, in a black mood because his partner's whereabouts are still unknown, takes out his anger on everyone around him. While investigating the murders, Sipowicz and McDowell team up with a young narcotics officer, John Clark. When a possible lead in Danny's disappearance emerges, the trail leads right to the son of a Mafia capo. When the worst possible news is confirmed, a witness is enlisted to wear a wire as they go after the suspect. As Medavoy, Jones and McDowell learn the quadruple murder was a robbery gone bad, Sipowicz once again confronts the temptations from the past, anticipating the next day's undercover operation.

Note

• This was Mark-Paul Gosselaar's first appearance as Det. John Clark, Jr.

Johnny Got His Gold

Original airdate: November 6, 2001

• Directed by: Mark Piznarski
• Written by: Steven Bochco, Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton

When the undercover sting operation to flush out Danny's killer goes bad, there's a major gun battle in the streets of New York between police and a "made" man. Clark acts the hero, saving innocent by-standers, but takes a bullet himself. When Sipowicz guns the suspect down, he becomes a very reluctant New York hero — and finally receives a well-deserved promotion to Detective First Grade. Meanwhile, Rodriguez is furious when his seventy-year-old mother is mugged by a face from his past. When the Lieutenant from another precinct blows the investigation, Rodriguez has to make it personal in order to bring the thug to justice. Also, Medavoy and Jones try to solve an apparent serial-killer targeting NYU students and faculty, and uncover more than they want to about one of the victims.

Note

• Vanessa Marcil guest stars as Det. Carmen Olivera. The show originally planned for Marcil to become a series regular, but the cast and crew weren't impressed with her work, and moved on to cast Jacqueline Obradors in a new but similar role (Det. Rita Ortiz).

Two Clarks in a Bar

Original airdate: November 13, 2001

• Directed by: Henry Bronchtein
• Written by: Bill Clark & Jody Worth

After the funeral of his old partner, Danny, Sipowicz returns to the squad room and is abruptly teamed with his new partner, John Clark. Clark's father, John Clark, Sr. — Sipowicz's old nemesis at another precinct — butts heads with both Sipowicz and Clark Jr., when he interferes with their first case together, the mysterious stabbing death of a wealthy woman. Meanwhile, McDowell and Jones discover a vintage '56 Les Paul guitar is a key piece of evidence in the death of a young, struggling musician, and leads to the victim's own jealous roommate.The tension between Clark, Jr. and his father rises when Clark, Sr. crashes the 15th's toast to Danny.

Note

• Eric Balfour guest stars as Charles 'Spyder' Price

Hit the Road, Clark

Original airdate: November 20, 2001

• Directed by: Jake Paltrow
• Written by: Bill Clark & Elizabeth Sarnoff

Sipowicz and Clark investigate the murder of an irrational female Corrections Officer who tempted fate. What at first seems like a clean murder becomes murky when Clark learns her own disturbed mental state may have played a part in her own murder. After realizing she was murdered for her weapon, despite her mild lunacy, Clark makes the right decision and puts the shooter away. Meanwhile, McDowell is assigned a new partner, none other than Eddie Gibson, a detective who has a reputation for being incompetent. The two investigate the murder of another woman who may have been a victim of spousal or maternal abuse, with a surprising twist. When they learn she was both an alcoholic and suffered from multiple sclerosis, the killer turns out to be from her own family. After successfully leading his first case, Clark Jr. is given an ultimatum by Clark Sr. — do as his father wishes, or live his own life.

Cops and Robber

Original airdate: November 27, 2001

• Directed by: Mark Tinker
• Written by: Bill Clark & Howard Sylvester

Clark's promotion is threatened after a thief steals his badge and then a rash of muggings are reported involving a man flashing the badge. McDowell takes a special interest in a murder investigation involving a pregnant teenager and continues to deal with Eddie Gibson's incompetence.

Baby Love

Original airdate: December 4, 2001

• Directed by: Donna Deitch
• Written by: Bill Clark & Matt Olmstead

The entire Fifteenth is on the case of a baby missing from a maternity ward, and Medavoy and Jones track an arsonist suspected of a hate crime when a store owned by two Arab brothers is burned down. Andy finds out Eddie has a serious health issue and agrees to partner with him. Connie begins following a young woman for no apparent reason.

Note

• Kal Penn guest stars as Solomon Al-Ramai
• Niecy Nash guest stars as Tonya Dunbar
• Although the show took place in a post-9/11 universe beginning with the Season 9 premiere, this was the first S9 episode to actually be filmed after the attacks.

Mom's Away

Original airdates: December 11, 2001

• Directed by: Steven DePaul
• Written by: Bill Clark & Nicholas Wootton

McDowell crosses the line with the daughter she gave up for adoption, Sipowicz and Gibson investigate two young men found dead in a gang hangout, and Medavoy and Jones are on the case of a woman found buried in concrete right after the 9/11 attacks— whose lover was in the construction business.

Puppy Love

Original airdate: December 18, 2001

• Directed by: Dick Lowry
• Written by: Bill Clark & Jody Worth

Sipowicz moonlights as a guard for an eccentric woman who drinks and who sings show tunes. When new Detective Rita Ortiz joins the squad, Sipowicz thinks she's unqualified. Meanwhile, Medavoy and Jones investigate the theft of purebred puppies from a pet store, and Sipowicz and Clark investigate the case of a murdered man accused of child molestation.

Note

• This was Jacqueline Obradors' first appearance as Det. Ritz Ortiz

Here Comes the Son

Original airdate: January 8, 2002

• Directed by: Charles Haid
• Written by: Bill Clark & Jonathan Robert Kaplan

A series of robberies at massage parlors forces Andy to work with his nemesis and his partner's father John Clark Sr., and Clark Sr. doesn't miss an opportunity to flaunt his by-the-book approach and put down Andy's whatever-it-takes pursuit. The other cops are unhappy when they have to investigate two good Samaritans who beat a mugger to death, Rita continues to face harassment from her jerk husband, and Valerie tells Baldwin she's pregnant.

Jealous Hearts

Original airdate: January 15, 2002

• Directed by: Bob Doherty
• Written by: Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton

A mentally unbalanced woman poses as a cop and performs heroic acts, lowlife Julian Pisano demands a reward before he'll ID the murderer of two young men at a taco stand, and Sipowicz tracks down the crook who is embezzling from the moneyed eccentric Mrs. Hornby.

Humpty Dumped

Original airdate: February 5, 2002

• Directed by: Dianne Houston
• Written by: Bill Clark, Nicholas Wootton & Matt Olmstead

Detective Rita Ortiz is told her husband is having an affair and later finds out it's the truth, Sipowicz and Clark face a young murder witness whose mother won't allow her to testify, Medavoy and Jones are at odds with each other during a murder case, and Sipowicz uncovers Mrs. Hornby's embezzler.

Oh, Mama

Original airdate: February 19, 2002

• Directed by: Peter Markle
• Written by: Bill Clark & Jody Worth

A murder investigation leads Sipowicz and Clark to a deranged woman who is having an incestuous relationship with her teenaged son, Ortiz and McDowell investigate the death of a child killed by a stray bullet, Connie and Andy take Theo out to the movies, and PAA John gets Andy's advice when considering a trip to Africa with his boyfriend.

Safari, So Good

Original airdate: February 26, 2002

• Directed by: Mark Piznarski
• Written by: Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton

Clark and McDowell suspect a sixteen year-old prostitute's involvement when a respected physician is murdered. Meanwhile, Sipowicz, who's avoiding McDowell after their recent kiss, investigates the murder of a rehabilitated ex-felon whom he had long regarded as a foe; Baldwin is devastated by personal events but restores his friendship with Greg; Rita's husband swears he'll make her life miserable when she says her divorce decision is final; and PAA John's replacement in the squad is not much liked by anyone.

Hand Job

Original airdate: March 5, 2002

• Directed by: Tawnia McKiernan
• Written by: Bill Clark & Matt Olmstead

Clark protects a police friend who is suspected in the cover-up of a rap star's murder, and Ortiz and McDowell investigate when a man and his stripper girlfriend are found crucified in her apartment.

Guns and Hoses

Original airdate: March 12, 2002

• Directed by: Craig Zisk
• Written by: Bill Clark & Nicholas Wootton

Sipowicz and Clark investigate the firebombing of an abortion clinic that resulted in the death of a security guard. Meanwhile Ortiz and McDowell find a dead woman whom Ortiz recognizes as her husband's mistress, Medavoy and Jones track another woman who's been missing for five years, and Baldwin and Valerie have an ugly confrontation.

A Little Dad'll Do Ya

Original airdate: March 19, 2002

• Directed by: Steven DePaul
• Written by: Bill Clark & Jody Worth

Clark tries to find a foster home for a teenaged boy who's been sexually abused by his mother. Meanwhile, he and Sipowicz are investigating the murder of a teenage girl from a family that never wanted her, Ortiz and McDowell question a woman who claims she was raped by her fiancé's half-cousin, and PAA John has a bitter reunion with his homophobic, dying father.

Gypsy Woe's Me

Original airdate: March 26, 2002

• Directed by: Mark Tinker
• Written by: Bill Clark, Nicholas Wootton & Matt Olmstead

A black man is fatally shot by a white cabbie — who claims self-defense — and Clark defends Ortiz against Laughlin's advances, but then Laughlin challenges him to a boxing match. Meanwhile, Rodriguez fears he's being set up for dismissal on bribery charges, a gay man is killed outside a bar, and PAA John and his father make peace with each other.

Less is Morte

Original airdate: April 16, 2002

• Directed by: Matthew Penn
• Written by: Bill Clark & Stephen Adly Guirgis

An armored car guard is shot to death, a female bank employee is found dead in a dumpster, and Sipowicz intervenes in an attempt to save Rodriguez's job. The armored car investigation reveals the culprit to be a bungling group of amateurs looking to pay off their bookie, and Andy confronts IAB Captain Fraker on the merits of his grudge against Rodriguez. When Andy reveals that he knows of Fraker's affair with another cop, Fraker sees the light and drops the investigation against the Lieu. Lieutenant Rodriguez is touched by Andy's assistance, even though Andy won't admit to helping him. Meanwhile, Clark prepares for his upcoming boxing match with Laughlin, and Ortiz seems to take a liking to Clark's chivalry.

Low Blow

Original airdate: April 30, 2002

• Directed by: Mark Tinker
• Written by: Bill Clark & Nicholas Wootton

Cops ridicule Clark when they think he is backing out of the big boxing match against Laughlin. Meanwhile, a fireman suspected of raping his estranged wife is also suspected of brutally raping another woman, and a phony physician is found dead in his car. Clark and Laughlin's fight is cancelled by the event organizer, but when they convince him the fight is not a grudge match, he reinstates it. At the fight, Clark knocks out Laughlin, despite taking a nasty, deliberate low blow from his angry competitor. Afterwards, Ortiz arrives at Clark's door to thank him for his chivalry, and Clark and Ortiz spend the night together.

Note

• Gabrielle Carteris guest stars as a rape victim
• Neil Flynn guest stars as Kevin Healey

Oedipus Wrecked

Original airdate: May 7, 2002

• Directed by: Nelson McCormick
• Written by: Bill Clark & Matt Olmstead

Sipowicz is suddenly taken hostage by a gunman in the interrogation room. Meanwhile, a woman is busted for possession of narcotics that her son planted on her, one of three people shot execution-style actually survives, and Medavoy's daughter threatens to elope because his ex can't face him at the wedding.

Dead Meat in New Deli

Original airdate: May 14, 2002

• Directed by: Jake Paltrow
• Written by: Bill Clark & Jody Worth

Sipowicz and Clark investigate the murder of a deli owner but begin to question the integrity of a robbery detective who is helping them with the case. Meanwhile, McDowell and Ortiz stumble on a sex slave operation, and McDowell accepts Sipowicz's proposal to join him and Theo on a vacation to Walt Disney World.

Note

• Daniel Baldwin guest stars as Det. Frank Hughes

Better Laid Than Never

Original airdate: May 21, 2002

• Directed by: Mark Tinker
• Written by: Bill Clark, Nicholas Wootton & Matt Olmstead

Clark and Sipowicz suspect a pedophile in the case of a missing 12-year-old-boy. Meanwhile Ortiz and McDowell investigate the death of an elderly woman, Clark and Ortiz reveal their relationship to the squad, and Irvin learns that he'll inherit a huge sum from his father's estate.

Note

• Claudia Christian guest stars as Catherine Lowe
• Mark Pellegrino guest stars as Fran Steve Dansick