NYPD Blue (Season 2)

The following is a summary of the Season 2 episodes of "NYPD Blue". Each "NYPD Blue" episode entry includes its original airdate in the United States, the writing and directing credits, and a plot summary.

The season led to three Primetime Emmy Awards, one for "Outstanding Drama Series", another for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series" (Shirley Knight), and a Creative Arts Emmy for its casting. The show received an additional 10 nominations.

Season 2 was part of the 1994-95 United States network television schedule for ABC, premiering on 11 October 1994 and concluding on 23 May 1995.

Recurring guest roles

Season 2's recurring guest roles include:
*Justine Miceli was introduced as Det. Adrienne Lesniak during the season, in a recurring role as the partner of Det. James Martinez. Miceli became a cast member during the following season.
*Kim Delaney as Det. Diane Russell; Delaney also became a cast member starting in the third season.
*Melina Kanakaredes played an ambitious reporter, Benita Alden, who becomes romantically involved with Det. Bobby Simone, the first such relationship Simone has after his wife died. Simone helps Alden break a story about a major case, though the relationship ends several episodes later when information Simone mentions to her during pillow talk is leaked to the press the next day, resulting in the suicide of a cop.
*Debra Messing played Dana Abandando, the sister of Donna Abandando.

Trials and Tribulations

"Original airdate: October 11, 1994"
*Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch & Ted Mann

Detective Licalsi wants to plea bargain and accept a six-year prison term for her actions, but Kelly opposes that — even though it may mean compromising his own integrity. He's motivated by the realization that he's still in love with Janice — a fact which leads to his breakup with Robin Wirkus. Meanwhile, Kelly and Detective Andy Sipowicz stake out an apartment building in a neighborhood which has suffered a rash of recent robberies and are stunned to find two of their fellow cops are involved. Andy also suffers when his AA sponsor won't give him the green light to resume dating Sylvia Costas for a while, and confronts a wife-beater whose spouse keeps dropping charges against him.

For Whom the Skell Rolls

"Original airdate: October 18, 1994"
*Directed by: Michael M. Robin
*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch & Gardner Stern

Janice Licalsi takes the stand in her own murder trial — with critical testimony. In other developments, the Internal Affairs Bureau investigates Kelly and Sipowicz for their roles in the apprehension and arrest of Officers Guyce and Quint for robbery; and Kelly, Sipowicz, Martinez and Medavoy are involved in the probe of the mysterious murder of a black couple. Sleazy journalist Norman Gardner trashes Kelly again but thanks to disgraced ex-cop Mike Roberts, Andy finds a way to get Norman to shut up. And Inspector Haverill screws with a deal Kelly made with a witness, only to OK the deal once Kelly has insulted him and given him "what he needs".

Note

This episode marked Amy Brenneman's last appearance as Janice Licalsi.

Cop Suey

""'Original airdate: October 25, 1994
*Directed by: Mark Tinker
*Written by: Charles H. Eglee & Channing Gibson

In his probe into the killing of an off-duty cop in Chinatown, Kelly reluctantly accepts the cooperation of a Chinese gangleader and briefly annoys Det. Harold Ng [Tzi Ma. Andy is enraged when the beaten wife from the season premiere turns up dead. A new cop named Adrienne Lesniak arrives at the 15th and he briefly clashes with her over the case before they are able to work together to get a confession in the case. The other cops learn Adrienne has an ex-boyfriend who's a mean-spirited and jealous type.

Dead and Gone

"Original airdate: November 1, 1994"
*Directed by: Daniel Sackheim
*Written by: Leonard Gardner

The future of Detective John Kelly with the force is finally and irrevocably decided. An 18-month-old baby riding in a car driven by one Duane Rollins Michael Imperioli is shot and killed by a drive-by assailant. Rollins says it was a random shooting, but Kelly thinks Rollins was the intended victim. Sipowicz finds the body of a fellow cop in a compromising position, and at the same time, he tries to balance his personal life between the requirements of Alcoholics Anonymous and his romantic feelings toward Sylvia Costas.

Note

This episode marked David Caruso's last appearance as John Kelly.

imone Says

"Original airdate: November 15, 1994"
*Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch & Walon Green

Detective Bobby Simone joins the precinct and is immediately assigned with Sipowicz to investigate the mysterious murder of a notorious mobster's son. Also at the precinct, Detective Lesniak's over-the-edge ex-boyfriend, Detective Jimmy Abruzzo, threatens her with a gun; and a woman named Mrs. Davis arrives with suspicions that her husband is molesting their 14-year-old daughter, Allison.

Note

Bochco, Milch, and Green won an Edgar Award in the category "Best Mystery Teleplay from a Series" for this episode.

The Final Adjustment

""'Original airdate: November 22, 1994
*Directed by: Dennis Dugan
*Written by: Christopher McQuarrie, Charles H. Eglee and Channing Gibson

When a chiropractor's wife is murdered, Detectives Simone and Sipowicz learn that the doctor, Peter Shennon, had been engaged in an affair with his former secretary, Judith Krasky — and the arrow of suspicion points directly at him. Also, while moonlighting for a security company through ex-Det. Mike Roberts, Martinez becomes attracted to Leticia Beltran, the beautiful Hispanic college student he's been hired to protect; and a worried woman, Christine Williamson, brings a gun to Simone that she has found in the possession of her 11-year-old son.

Double Abandando

""'Original airdate: November 29, 1994
*Directed by: Andy Wolk
*Written by: Walon Green, Ted Mann, Gardner Stern and Burton Armus

An 11-year-old boy claims he shot and killed an Hispanic in a turf-war incident at school, but Detective Simone senses the kid is protecting someone. Meanwhile, Eddie Reyna, a handsome but unprincipled ladies' man who is HIV positive, becomes a target of one of the women he's infected; and Donna's attractive sister, Dana, comes to visit — and causes trouble between Donna and Medavoy.

Note

Debra Messing guest stars as Dana Abandando.

You Bet Your Life

""'Original airdate: December 6, 1994
*Directed by: Elodie Keene
*Written by: Eric Newman, Tom Towles & Leonard Gardner

Simone and Sipowicz investigate the murder of a pregnant woman whose charred remains leave few clues as to her identity or that of her killer. Meanwhile, Sipowicz is deeply concerned when his friend, Dan Breen, is beaten up by Breen's mentally disturbed son, Danny.

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

""'Original airdate: January 3, 1995
*Directed by: Michael M. Robin
*Written by: Stephen Bochco, David Milch, Channing Gibson, & Charles H. Eglee

With transsexual Candace La Rue as a material witness, Simone and Sipowicz investigate the murder of a gay-bar proprietor. Also, Dan Breen visits his mentally disturbed son Danny despite Sipowicz' strenuous objections. In other developments, Medavoy investigates a gypsy fortune-telling scam after his elderly neighbor has been bilked out of her savings; and Lieutenant Fancy's wife is about to give birth.

In the Butt, Bob

"Original airdate: January 10, 1995"
*Directed by: Donna Deitch
*Written by: Stephen Bochco, David Milch, Ted Mann, Burton Armus & Gardner Stern

In a power play, Detective Arnold Solomon uses his clout to take a case away from Detective Bobby Simone after Simone has arrested a suspected serial killer named Putnam. Meanwhile, Borough Commander Haverill is out to get Lieutenant Fancy by tricking him into lying about the involvement of a top crime boss in a planned armored-car heist; Detective Lesniak deals with a flasher; reporter Benita Alden makes a play for Simone; and Sipowicz again proposes marriage to Sylvia Costas — this time successfully.

Vishy Vashy Vinny

"Original airdate: January 17, 1995"
*Directed by: Michael M. Robin
*Written by: Stephen Bochco, David Milch, Ted Mann, Burton Armus & Gardner Stern

Simone and Sipowicz get closer to identifying the "Webster Dictionary" serial killer, despite internal politics which complicate the investigation. Meanwhile, with stoolie Vinnie Greco as a go-between, Sipowicz and his men go under cover to try to thwart an armored-car bank heist. Lieutenant Fancy, with a recording from Greco turns the tables against Borough Commander Haverill causing their early retirement.

Large Mouth Bass

"Original airdate: February 7, 1995'
*Directed by: Charles Haid
*Written by: Theresa Rebeck

Simone and Sipowicz investigate the brutal murder of a young woman; one of the suspects is Derrick Cobb, the girl's former stepfather. Meanwhile, Simone is concerned that his friend Raymond diSalvo is mixed up in drug dealing at the dance club where he works; and Detective Lesniak investigates handsome con artist Mac McClellan, who is peddling a bogus beauty machine to unsuspecting women. The one five gets a new Borough Commander, Captain Clifford Bass, a veteran of patrol who has little experience with the Detective Division.

Note

Shirley Knight won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series" for her portrayal of the mother of a murder victim.

Travels With Andy

""'Original airdate: February 14, 1995
*Directed by: Mark Tinker
*Written by: Rosemary Breslin

Simone and Sipowicz investigate the execution-style murders of three employees at a fast-food restaurant, while Martinez and Lesniak seek the man who attempted to rape a 78-year-old woman, Mrs. Stevens. In personal situations, Sipowicz and Sylvia disagree on the scope and grandeur of their planned wedding, and Martinez becomes jealous when Lesniak goes to lunch with an old acquaintance, Dr. Paul Druzinski

A Murder with Teeth In It

"Original airdate: February 21, 1995"
*Directed by: Donna Deitch
*Written by: Franklyn Ajaye & Barry Douglass

Simone and Sipowicz investigate the murder of a pimp, and all clues point to a suspect in their own department, Jerry McCabe, a friend of Sipowicz. Meanwhile, two romantic crises develop: Medavoy's irrational jealousy causes Donna to think twice about their relationship; and Simone suspects he's been betrayed in a breach of confidence by reporter Benita Alden.

Bombs Away

"Original airdate: February 28, 1995"
*Directed by: Jorge Montesi
*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch, Bill Clark, Ted Mann & Gardner Stern

Simone and Sipowicz investigate Vartan Illiescu, a disgruntled immigrant who may be a terrorist bomber; and someone bent on revenge assassinates serial killer George Putnam before he can come to trial. Meanwhile, Medavoy's relationship with Donna deteriorates after he makes the mistake of asking for advice from Donna's sister Dana.

UnAmerican Graffiti

"Original airdate: March 14, 1995"
*Directed by: Joe Ann Fogle
*Written by: Leonard Gardner

Simone and Sipowicz investigate the brutal murder of a teenage tagger who painted graffiti in Little Italy. Meanwhile, Donna decides what to do about her relationship with Medavoy; and Sylvia gets mugged, then reveals a dark secret to Sipowicz.

Dirty Socks

"Original airdate: March 21, 1995"
*Directed by: Elodie Keene
*Written by: Larry Cohen

Detective Simone tries to persuade emotionally fragile Joyce Novak, a material witness in a double-murder case, to testify before the grand jury. Meanwhile, Sipowicz is horrified when he's assigned to investigate the murder of an elderly woman — the owner of a candy store where he worked as a child.

Innuendo

"Original airdate: April 4, 1995"
*Directed by: Mark Tinker
*Written by: Walon Green & David Mills

Simone and Sipowicz try to track down a killer who took to the streets on a shooting spree that began with the murder of a waitress and felled two cops and three civilians before it ended. Meanwhile, Lt. Fancy faces problems with his younger brother, a loud mouthed uniformed cop at another precinct named Reggie.

Boxer Rebellion

"Original airdate: May 2, 1995"
*Directed by: Jorge Montesi
*Written by: Walon Green Bill Clark, Ted Mann & Gardner Stern

Detective Simone finds himself attracted to the undercover cop, Diane Russell, who helps him pull off an elaborate sting to trap an arsonist; Sipowicz gets emotionally involved when a woman he persuaded to testify in a robbery case is murdered; and Martinez discovers that Lieutenant Fancy literally pulls no punches when the two of them spar in preparation for a departmental boxing tournament.

The Bookie and Cooky Cookie

"Original airdate: May 9, 1995"
*Directed by: Mark Piznarski
*Written by: George D. Putnam

Trying to find the killer of a gambling bookie, Simone and Sipowicz get help from an unexpected source; mentally unstable Joyce Novak, witness to a previous murder, charges Simone with sexual misconduct after he spurns her advances; and Sylvia Costas and a reluctant Sipowicz begin religious counseling in preparation for their marriage.

The Bank Dick

"Original airdate: May 16, 1995"
*Directed by: Michael M. Robin
*Written by: Victor Bumbalo

A terminally ill infant proves the vital link between Simone and Sipowicz and a serial rapist; Simone suspects that Russell might be hiding a serious problem; Medavoy reluctantly considers reconciling with his estranged wife; Irvin solicit's Simone's help after he and his lover are assaulted — by police; and Sipowicz asks a personal favor of his partner.

A.D.A. Sipowicz

"Original airdate: May 23, 1995"
*Directed by: Mark Tinker
*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch, Ted Mann, Gardner Stern & Nicholas Wootton

Intent on getting a confession, Sipowicz capitalizes on a case of mistaken identity; Fancy's brother is set up by his sergeant to face a harassment complaint until the one-five's detectives uncover the truth; Russell's hangover results in a close call during a street sweep operation; and the squad throws a bachelor party for Sipowicz, whose prenuptial jitters permeate the precinct.

External links

* [http://www.tv.com/nypd-blue/show/219/episode_guide.html?season=2 Season 2 of "NYPD Blue"] from TV.com