NYPD Blue (season 1)

The first season of NYPD Blue, an American television police drama set in New York City, aired as part of the 1993–94 United States network television schedule for ABC, premiering on 21 September 1993 and concluding on 17 May 1994. The show explores the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble cast. The season led to a record 26 Emmy nominations.[1] and six awards.

NYPD Blue
Season 1
Season 1 U.S. DVD Cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	September 21, 1993 (1993-09-21) – May 17, 1994 (1994-05-17)
Season chronology

Plot synopsis

John Kelly and Andy Sipowicz are detectives in the 15th squad. Sipowicz is the elder partner but is a drunk and a threat to the partnership lasting much longer. Kelly has a genuine affection for his partner but becomes increasingly exasperated by Sipowicz's behavior. In the pilot, Sipowicz is shot, and nearly killed, by Alphonse Giardella, a gangster whom Sipowicz, while drunk, insulted badly in public. This leads to his decision to stay sober (after involuntarily drying out while in a coma) and save his job. While his partner is recuperating, Kelly is teamed up by the squad's Lieutenant, Arthur Fancy, with a young cop from Anti-Crime, James Martinez.

Kelly's personal life is no less complicated, as he is reluctantly going through a divorce from his wife, Laura, and is embarking on an affair with a uniformed cop, Janice Licalsi. To complicate matters further, Licalsi has been ordered to do a 'hit' on Kelly by mob boss Angelo Marino, otherwise Marino will turn in Licalsi's father, who is on his payroll. Instead, Licalsi murders Marino and the repercussions come back to haunt both her and Kelly.

Sipowicz begins a relationship with A.D.A. Sylvia Costas while another detective in the squad, Greg Medavoy, embarks on an affair of his own with the squad's new police administrative aide (P.A.A.), Donna Abandando.

Main Cast

Actor	Character	Main cast	Recurring cast
David Caruso	John Kelly	entire season	N/A
Dennis Franz	Andy Sipowicz	entire season	N/A
James McDaniel	Arthur Fancy	entire season	N/A
Sherry Stringfield	ADA Laura Michaels	1 - 18	N/A
Amy Brenneman	Janice Licalsi	entire season	N/A
Nicholas Turturro	James Martinez	entire season	N/A
Sharon Lawrence	ADA Sylvia Costas	N/A	Episodes 1, 4, 6-9, 11, 13-16, 18-22
Gordon Clapp	Greg Medavoy	N/A	Episodes 3, 5-6, 8-19, 21-22
Gail O'Grady	PAA Donna Abandando	N/A	Episodes 8-22

Recurring guest roles

Season 1's recurring guest roles include:

• David Schwimmer as Josh '4B' Goldstein (Episodes 1-4), Laura Michaels' neighbor, whose stint as a vigilante ends badly. Dies in episode 4.
• Robert Costanzo as Alphonse Giardella (Episodes 1-3, 5-7), a mobster who, after shooting and nearly killing Sipowitz in the pilot, turns State's evidence. Assassinated in episode 7.
• Joe Santos as Marino (Episodes 1-2), head mobster who wants Kelly dead for continued "business" interference. Murdered in episode 2.
• Larry Romano as Richie Catina (Episodes 2, 9-12),
• Daniel Benzali as James Sinclair, Esq. (Episodes 1, 2, 22)
• Luis Guzman as Hector Martinez (Episodes 5, 9), Detective Martinez' father
• Michael Harney as Detective Mike Roberts (Episodes 6, 8-9, 15, 18)
• Michael DeLuise as Andy Sipowicz, Jr. (Episode 7, 19, 22)
• Bradley Whitford as Norman Gardner (Episodes 13, 21), a crusading reporter.

Episodes

See also: List of NYPD Blue episodes

Each NYPD Blue episode entry includes its original airdate in the United States, the writing and directing credits, and a plot summary. The credits and airdates are taken from the pamphlet accompanying the Region 1 Season 1 DVDs.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
1	1	"Pilot"	Gregory Hoblit	Story by : David Milch & Steven Bochco Teleplay by : David Milch	September 21, 1993 (1993-09-21)	0K01/5101	22.80
John Kelly takes on the mob after his partner, Andy Sipowicz, is shot by a vengeful gangster. Kelly's wife wants a divorce. Notes First appearance of David Caruso as John Kelly, Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz, James McDaniel as Arthur Fancy, Sherry Stringfield as Laura Michaels, Amy Brenneman as Janice Licalsi, Nicholas Turturro as James Martinez and Sharon Lawrence as Sylvia Costas. Guest starring Daniel Benzali as James Sinclair, Joe Santos (Rockford Files) as Head Mobster Marino and David Schwimmer as Josh '4B' Goldstein. A quarter of ABC's 225 member stations preempted the pilot. The pilot earned a DGA Award; the competition included two other episodes from the season, "True Confessions" and "From Hare To Eternity". A Recurring guest-star during NYPD Blue (season 1) was actor Robert Costanzo as the mafia soldier Alphonse Giardella. Costanzo was also a guest on Friends, playing the character Joey Tribbiani Sr in the first season episode The One With the Boobies. Costanzo and Schwimmer are two Friends actors who appeared in multiple NYPD Blue episodes in the first season. The famous opening scene between Sipowicz and ADA Costas includes her saying the line "I would say 'Res ipsa loquitur' if I thought you knew what it meant," to which Sipowicz replied, "Hey, ipsa this you pissy little bitch", while grabbing his crotch. The phrase Costas is referring to is latin meaning 'the thing speaks for itself'. In 1996, TV Guide included this episode as part of its "100 Most Memorable Moments in TV History", ranking it # 83.
2	2	"4B or Not 4B"	Gregory Hoblit	Story by : David Milch & Steven Bochco Teleplay by : David Milch	September 28, 1993 (1993-09-28)	0K02/5102	20.30
As Sipowicz slowly recovers from his wounds he says that he cannot remember who shot him. Kelly appears in court on behalf of a man whose son was killed in a drive-by shooting. Laura Kelly's neighbour, Josh '4B' Goldstein, carries a concealed weapon hoping to surprise the person who mugged him. Note This episode earned screenwriters David Milch, Michael S. Chernuchin, and René Balcer the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Teleplay from a Series.
3	3	"Brown Appetit"	Gregory Hoblit	Story by : David Milch & Steven Bochco Teleplay by : David Milch	October 5, 1993 (1993-10-05)	0K03/5103	21.00
Kelly and Martinez investigate a strangulation murder; Fancy releases Sipowicz to full duty and he joins the investigation. Fallout from the Marino case implicates Licalsi's father in wrongdoing. Kelly moonlights as a bodyguard for the wife of a millionaire. Sipowicz exacts his own unique revenge on Giardella. Note First appearance of Gordon Clapp as Greg Medavoy: Wendie Malick guest stars as Susan Wagner
4	4	"True Confessions"	Charles Haid	Story by : Art Monterastelli, David Milch & Steven Bochco Teleplay by : David Milch & Art Monterastelli	October 12, 1993 (1993-10-12)	K506/5105	21.20
Kelly and Sipowicz investigate a double homicide at a liquor store. Mrs. Wagner seeks revenge against her husband and Goldstein fatally ignores Kelly's warnings about confronting criminals. Notes Guest starring Wendie Malick as Susan Wagner, Ethan Phillips as Dwight, and David Schwimmer as Josh '4B' Goldstein. There is a commentary for this episode by David Milch on the DVD release. In 1997 TV Guide ranked this episode number 36 on its '100 Greatest Episodes of All Time' list.
5	5	"Emission Accomplished"	Michael M. Robin	Ted Mann	October 19, 1993 (1993-10-19)	0K11/5111	19.60
Martinez, come to take his brother to detox, discovers the super is also a cop. The super is harassing the tenants illegally to force them out. Following the death of a tenant in Roberto's building, a disgusted Kelly helps Martinez in bringing Hanlon to justice, saving Martinez from spending the rest of his career in IAB. A gambling addicted detective spends the last of his savings staging elaborate practical jokes at the precinct. Notes Guest starring Luis Guzmán as James Martinez's father Hector and Mitchell Ryan as Officer Jack Hanlon.
6	6	"Personal Foul"	Brad Silberling	Story by : David Milch Teleplay by : Burton Armus	October 26, 1993 (1993-10-26)	0K08/5108	22.20
Kelly is forced to arrest a close friend after a dispute on a basketball court results in a death. Sipowicz suspects a husband may be concealing the truth in the drive-by shooting of his wife. Licalsi's quick thinking saves Kelly's life during a drugs raid. Notes Guest starring Tobin Bell as Jerry. There is a commentary for this episode by Brad Silberling on the DVD release. James Pickens Jr. guests stars as a postal worker named Nathan Foster, Pickens would appear again in Season 7 playing a different character, a Police Lieutenant named Joe Abner.
7	7	"NYPD Lou"	Gregory Hoblit	Ted Mann	November 2, 1993 (1993-11-02)	0K07/5107	19.70
Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the disappearance of a young boy. Sipowicz's estranged son announces his engagement to a woman that raises the father's suspicions. Laura is the sole witness when an assassin ambushes Giardella. A man who claims to be a werewolf may have witnessed a murder. Notes This is the first appearance of Michael DeLuise as Andy Jr., Sipowicz's son Guest starring Dan Hedaya as Lou the Werewolf
8	8	"Tempest in a C-Cup"	Daniel Sackheim	Gardner Stern	November 16, 1993 (1993-11-16)	0K10/5110	19.80
Kelly interrogates a man suspected of committing a string of taxi robberies, one of which resulted in the shooting death of a cab driver. Sipowicz goes undercover at a topless bar. Lt. Fancy hires Donna Abandando, a civilian, as the precinct's receptionist and administrative assistant for the squad. Notes First appearance of Gail O'Grady as Donna Abandando. Guest starring Ginger Lynn Allen as Monique This episode earned director Daniel Sackheim a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and editor Stanford C. Allen a Creative Arts Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production".
9	9	"Ice Follies"	Dennis Dugan	W.K. Scott Meyer	November 30, 1993 (1993-11-30)	0K09/5109	18.50
When Roberto, Martinez's brother, dies of a drug overdose, their father vows revenge. Licalsi receives a blackmail threat from the mob. Medavoy, seeking a distraction from his troubled marriage, accepts Donna's offer to go ice skating. Note Guest starring Luis Guzmán as Hector Martinez
10	10	"Oscar, Meyer, Weiner"	Brad Silberling	Ted Mann & Gardner Stern	December 7, 1993 (1993-12-07)	0K12/5112	17.50
Kelly investigates the brutal robbery-murder of a wealthy family and a Hollywood screenwriter reports that his Oscar has been stolen. Meanwhile, Licalsi ignores Kelly's advice and informs Lastarza that she is being blackmailed by the mob. Note Guest starring Renee O'Connor as Rebecca Sloane There is a commentary for this episode by Brad Silberling on the DVD release.
11	11	"From Hare to Eternity"	Eric Laneuville	David Milch & Burton Armus	December 14, 1993 (1993-12-14)	0K13/5113	19.00
Fancy is harassed by Borough Commander Haverill who accuses him of mismanaging the detectives. Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the kidnapping of a young girl while a destitute mother with a questionable past agrees to testify against a man who is suspected of committing armed robbery. Sipowicz realizing that Haverill is trying to move Fancy out for bogus reasons blackmails Haverill over an unsolved mob murder. The precinct staff collects gifts for a Christmas party they are hosting for some needy children.
12	12	"Up on the Roof"	Michael M. Robin	George D. Putnam	January 4, 1994 (1994-01-04)	0K14/5114	20.70
A manhunt ensues when Tommy Linardi's dead body is discovered inside a nightclub. A robber uses a fake ATM to rob unsuspecting customers of their savings and Fancy tries retaining temporary custody of a young boy whose mother only recently finished a drug rehabilitation program.
13	13	"Abandando Abandoned"	Gregory Hoblit	Story by : David Milch & Steven Bochco Teleplay by : Ted Mann & Gardner Stern	January 11, 1994 (1994-01-11)	0K15/5115	20.50
Detectives investigate the shooting death of a man whose wife recently transferred to the precinct. A woman claims she wants her husband prosecuted for spousal abuse but never follows through on her threat. Elsewhere, Medavoy begins an affair with Donna. Notes Guest starring Bradley Whitford as Norman Gardner
14	14	"Jumpin’ Jack Fleishman"	Rick Wallace	Story by : Steven Bochco & David Milch Teleplay by : Ted Mann, Gardner Stern & Burton Armus	January 18, 1994 (1994-01-18)	0K16/5116	21.70
The detectives search for a cross-dressing killer, while a sexual assault victim fears her husband will blame the attack on her provocative style of dress. Sipowicz's dental appointment is interrupted when a doctor threatens to commit suicide.
15	15	"Steroid Roy"	Félix Alcalá	Ann Biderman	February 8, 1994 (1994-02-08)	0K17/5117	23.50
A detective becomes the prime suspect in the suspicious suicide of a police informant. Laura believes Kelly may have overlooked evidence in a homicide investigation and a detective obsessed with his physique is tested for substance abuse. Note This episode won the 1994 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. There is a commentary for this episode by Sharon Lawrence on the DVD release; she notes that her role as a district attorney was originally written for a man; after she was cast and exhibited a behind-the-scenes rapport with Franz, her character was expanded to meet Franz's request for Sipowicz to have a romantic interest.
16	16	"A Sudden Fish"	Lesli Linka Glatter	Story by : Steven Bochco & David Milch Teleplay by : Burton Armus & Gardner Stern	February 15, 1994 (1994-02-15)	0K18/5118	15.80
The girlfriend of a terminally ill millionaire is blackmailed by her ex-lover and Sipowicz investigates the robbery of a disabled Vietnam veteran.
17	17	"Black Men Can Jump"	Jesús S. Treviño	Story by : Steven Bochco & David Milch Teleplay by : Ted Mann	March 1, 1994 (1994-03-01)	0K19/5119	22.20
The detectives investigate the slaying of a young black teenager whose father takes matters in his own hands when a likely suspect escapes. Sipowicz suspects a private investigator is taking advantage of a man whose daughter disappeared 2½ years earlier. Notes There is a commentary for this episode by Bill Clark on the DVD release. Clark notes that the only roles that were initially cast were Franz as Sipowicz and McDaniel as Fancy. After Clark saw Mad Dog and Glory he suggested to the show's creators that David Caruso play Sipowicz's partner; Clark then found out that Caruso was already under consideration.
18	18	"Zeppo Marks Brothers"	Michael M. Robin	Story by : Steven Bochco & David Milch Teleplay by : Ann Biderman	March 22, 1994 (1994-03-22)	0K20/5120	19.90
After a material witness escapes, again, from protective custody, and is gunned down in the street, the detectives scramble to save their case against the two brothers he was to testify against -- who have also planned a hit on Laura. Notes Guest starring Leland Orser as Zeppo The episode marked the final appearance of Sherry Stringfield as Laura Michaels. Title plays with the Name of Zeppo Marx, one of the Marx Brothers
19	19	"Serge the Concierge"	Lesli Linka Glatter	Story by : Bill Clark Teleplay by : David Milch, Gardner Stern & Burton Armus	March 29, 1994 (1994-03-29)	0K21/5121	21.20
Kelly, Medavoy, and Martinez lead a search for a girl's body in a Staten Island landfill, finding another body in the process. Sipowicz attempts to clear Andy Jr.'s name after his son is arrested for selling drugs. Note The episode earned production designer Paul Eads and set decorator Mary Ann Biddle a Creative Arts Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Series".
20	20	"Good Time Charlie"	Gregory Hoblit	Story by : Steven Bochco & David Milch Teleplay by : Ted Mann & Ann Biderman	May 3, 1994 (1994-05-03)	0K22/5122	19.00
Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the death of one of Charlie Lear's many mistresses. Licalsi receives an unexpected promotion. Sipowicz has a rough night after meeting Costas' family at a birthday party. Fancy's wife tells her husband that she is pregnant.
21	21	"Guns ‘N’ Rosaries"	Michael M. Robin	Story by : Steven Bochco & David Milch Teleplay by : Burton Armus & Gardner Stern	May 10, 1994 (1994-05-10)	0K23/5123	22.80
Medavoy and Martinez narrowly escape injury when a disgruntled driver tries to shoot them, then face the wrath of angry African Americans who believe that they have killed a black man without reason. Licalsi confesses to murdering Marino and his driver and Andy attends an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Meanwhile, Medavoy moves out once again after he discovers his wife has been cheating on him.
22	22	"Rockin' Robin"	Gregory Hoblit	Story by : Jody Worth Teleplay by : Jody Worth & Ted Mann	May 17, 1994 (1994-05-17)	0K24/5124	23.20
Detectives investigate the murder of a priest whose body was discovered in a park frequented by male prostitutes. Sipowicz reopens an investigation into the disappearance of a friend's daughter. While Kelly and Robin become lovers, Licalsi wins release on bail. Notes Guest starring Daniel Benzali as James Sinclair and Bradley Whitford as Norman Gardner.

References

1. N.Y.P.D. Blue Receives 26 Emmy Nominations from The New York Times