NYPD Blue (season 9)

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.

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 of a newly promoted young Latina officer (Det. Rita Ortiz).

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

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.

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.

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. Rita Ortiz

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 Lieutenant 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 him.

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 canceled 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. Afterward, 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

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

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