NYPD Blue (season 6)

Sipowicz is led to a surprising reconnection with his ex-wife as Simone's medical crisis reaches the worst possible conclusion.

Notes:

• Last appearance of Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone. He returned for one scene in one Season 12 episode 6.
• Director Paris Barclay won an Emmy and a Directors Guild of America Award for his work in this episode.

Danny Sorenson transfers from Narcotics to the 15th Precinct's detective squad. While he and Sipowicz lead a double homicide investigation, Sorenson struggles to overcome the squad's suspicion of his techniques and intentions. Meanwhile, Costas has misgivings about the accuracy of the past conviction of a teenager and asks a reluctant Sipowicz for help, but Andy and the original detective on the case, Sgt. Dornan, don't click.

Note:

• First appearance of Rick Schroeder as Danny Sorenson.
• First episode where Dennis Franz receives top billing, which will remain for the rest of the run of the series

Sipowicz mentors Sorenson when the latter goes overboard with a suspect in the killing of two elderly gift shop owners; Russell and Kirkendall investigate the murder of a strip club patron and are shocked to learn that PAA Dolores Mayo is working there as a dancer; and Andy gets some info from Sgt. Dornan but it's too late to help Sylvia or an innocent man in jail.

• Mos Def guest stars as Leslie Peach.

Sipowicz and Sorenson are beyond frustrated when the FBI and Internal Affairs show up and meddle with their investigation of a family of dirty cops who may have been involved in a robbery-homicide. Meanwhile, Medavoy chafes at being the butt of one of Sipowicz's jokes; Sylvia reaches the end of her rope on the Suarez case; and Diane, still consumed with grief, reaches out for help.

• Chad Allen guest stars as Tommy Ibarra

An apartment building gigolo is the prime suspect when one of the elderly ladies he "visited" is murdered; and Sorenson turns to Sipowicz for advice when a friend appears to be on the brink of a breakdown.

• D.B. Sweeney guest stars as Joey Dwyer.

Sorenson's acquaintance with a drug dealer proves helpful when a cop is accused of prematurely shooting a suspect; Russell and Kirkendall fear that a bitter neighborly dispute could get out of hand; and Sipowicz has a recurring dream about his past which helps him come to terms with his present.

• Kevin Dillon guest stars as Officer Neil Baker.

A troubled former cop meets an unfortunate end, which causes the detectives to reflect back on his cries for help. Sipowicz feels especially guilty about the situation until information from John Irvin leads him to the source of the tragedy.

• Daniel Benzali guest stars as James Sinclair, Esq.
• Gail O'Grady makes an uncredited appearance as Donna Abandando

Sipowicz is overly eager to testify in the Cullinan murder trial, but Costas worries that Sipowicz is no match for defense attorney James Sinclair. Much to Sipowicz's chagrin, Costas thinks Sorenson will make a stronger witness and Andy increasingly loses his mind over having to deal with Sinclair's psychological button-pushing. Meanwhile, Russell and Kirkendall lead the investigation of a home invasion murder in which the widow becomes the prime suspect and everyone throws the shooting of Amadou Diallo right in their faces.

• Daniel Benzali guest stars as James Sinclair.

While Sipowicz continues to be haunted by attorney James Sinclair, the Cullinan murder trial takes a horrific turn, and the lives of the 15th Precinct detectives will never be the same.

• This episode was Sharon Lawrence's last appearance as Sylvia Costas.