NYPD Blue

10 Best Episodes of NYPD Blue

Police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwined several plots involving an ensemble cast.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 02, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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NYPD Blue - S1E21

#15 - Guns 'n Rosaries (Season 1 - Episode 21)

Medavoy tells Donna that he's caught his wife in the act of being unfaithful, so he is moving out. Racial hostilities flare up after Martinez shoots a belligerent black motorist who draws a gun on Medavoy, but the gun is missing. Distressed by recent events, Licalsi searches for direction, John points her to his friend, Father Downey. After talking with him, she then confesses to Fancy that she killed Angelo Marino and his chauffeur and then the circus begins. Sipowicz tries to attend an open meeting.

The episode was rated 8.23 from 43 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E14

#14 - Stratis Fear (Season 12 - Episode 14)

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The owner of a diner, Gene Stratis, has been stabbed to death and Sipowicz and Clark interview the victim's son. The son gives them his father's background, a real immigrant's success story, but he tells them nothing that would indicate his father should be the victim of murder. Ortiz's aunt comes to the squad to talk to her about her cousin, Paula. Ortiz's cousin has started hanging out with someone that her aunt isn't comfortable with and it is causing her daughter's behavior to change. Ortiz promises her aunt that she will stop by where her cousin works and check in on her and her new boyfriend, the owner of the business where she works. Sipowicz and Clark are going to run down a former employee of the diner who was let go last month. Jones and Medavoy are on the scene of a murder of public relations man, Paul Westerville at a parking garage. While looking into the victim's affects, Jones finds a picture of Brendan Quinn, a recently paralyzed cop that he went to the academy wi

The episode was rated 8.24 from 34 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E6

#13 - The Vision Thing (Season 12 - Episode 6)

On a city bus a man was stabbed in the chest in front of his wife and kids. A witness reports to Sipowicz that the victim and his killer were eyeballing each other down before the stabbing occurred. Medavoy tells Jones about his daughter's plans to buy a house. He is going to need to find a part time job to help her out. Jones tells him about a position as a bouncer, but he doesn't think Medavoy can handle that kind of job. Medavoy is a little put out that no one thinks he handle himself. Sipowicz is contemplating the stabbing case when Clark arrives and tries to discuss it with him. Sipowicz is distracted by the effect of the killing on the victim's family; he is also bothered by Clark's feeling for the case. They run the case by Bale and then Bale checks in with Sipowicz's mental state, post shooting and everything else that has recently been going on. Sipowicz tells him that everything is okay. An antiques dealer, Gerard Prosser comes into the squad to go over the details o

The episode was rated 8.24 from 34 votes.

NYPD Blue - S1E22

#12 - Rockin' Robin (Season 1 - Episode 22)

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Kelly gets a high priced attorney to defend Janice and helps out with her bail. Andy tries to make amends with Sylvia who's been attending Alanon meetings. Kelly investigates the murder of a priest. While helping his son look for a car, Andy comes across a lead in the disappearance case that has frustrated him for 2 1/2 years. John and Robin meet for lunch and then again later that night.

The episode was rated 8.24 from 49 votes.

NYPD Blue - S5E8

#11 - Lost Israel (1) (Season 5 - Episode 8)

A young boy is reported missing by his parents. Simone and Sipowicz agree to look for the young boy, when the father tells them it may have been his fault for letting him talk to a homeless man. Instincts tell Andy that the father is guilty. They locate the homeless man, named Israel; however, communication is difficult because he is a mute. Unfortunately, the boy's body is found and the detectives now must determine if Israel is responsible or perhaps the boy's father. Andy may have tipped his hand to the boy's father that he likes him for the murder. So for a while Andy bows out of the case and Diane steps in. Meanwhile, a Hasidic Jewish girl is murdered and the other detectives have to juggle the need for their investigation against the needs of her faith for a quick burial. Israel is brought in for further "questioning" to let father think suspicion has been removed from him. The father watches the interrogation of Israel with interest. The father has set-up all the evidence to poi

The episode was rated 8.25 from 36 votes.

NYPD Blue - S6E8

#10 - Raging Bulls (Season 6 - Episode 8)

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The cop that stopped Fancy for a broken taillight a couple of years ago is involved in the shooting of a black undercover officer. Tensions rise between Sipowicz and Fancy when the black and white issue comes up and later Fancy interviews Szymanski. Sipowicz and Sorenson's evidence from their interviews, points to the fact that Szymanski's story is good. Sipowicz tells Fancy that he can't jam up Szymanski for this. The tension in the squad rises so high, that Fancy and Sipowicz come to blows with each other. Shannon stops Russell and Kirkendall to tell them that Dolores was caught shoplifting. They reach out to help her and then try talking with her; however, Dolores only seems interested in knowing whether she still has a job. Sylvia returns home, disheartened by the Suarez story; Andy offers to help her get him justice.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 37 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E17

#9 - Sergeant Sipowicz' Lonely Hearts Club Band (Season 12 - Episode 17)

The detectives arrive on the scene of shooting outside of a school. The victim is Lester Bakewell, a sergeant in the US Army who was at the school to do recruitment. Also on the scene is another sergeant named Sipowicz, who is there with his uniform officers. Clark takes the opportunity to bust the new sergeant's balls. A woman, Denise Campo, comes in to report her great uncle has missing for four days. Jones and Medavoy take the case and she tells them that he is homeless and that he is just a sweet old man. She gives them a picture of her uncle. An Army warrant officer Steve Nutting from CID is in Bale's office, he is going to assist in the investigation. Clark and Nutting interview the dean of students from the school. The dean tells them about the peaceful demonstrations against recruiters, but he also tells them about Paul Corbelli, one of the students whose brother was killed in Iraq four months ago. He does know that the boy had access to a rifle and that according to t

The episode was rated 8.28 from 32 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E18

#8 - Lenny Scissorhands (Season 12 - Episode 18)

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Ortiz and Murphy arrived on the scene of a shooting, where two of Sipowicz's men were involved in chasing down a suspect, who got away after he able to shoot one of the officers. Back at the squad, Sipowicz tells the pair about a possible witness to the crime that he saw while they were all still at the scene, an elderly woman sitting at her window. Even though it is Medavoy's last day on the job, Sipowicz doesn't feel like getting his picture taken. With Medavoy leaving Clark is now partnered with Jones and together they go to the scene of crime, where a woman, Deborah Olshan, was beaten to death in her home, a possible victim of a robbery. At the scene they interview Maxine Annunziato, her friend and the one who discovered the body. Murphy and Ortiz talk with the woman that Sipowicz identified as a probable witness to the shooting of the officers. She tells them that she saw the officers enter the building, but she didn't see them chasing anyone. Clark and Jones return to the s

The episode was rated 8.31 from 32 votes.

NYPD Blue - S6E2

#7 - Cop in a Bottle (Season 6 - Episode 2)

The detectives arrive on the scene of a shooting, where the shooter is Det. Walsh, from the 27, who was having a late night out with a few drinks and hooker. Simone arrives on the scene, but his difficulty breathing causes his so much discomfort, he is taken to the hospital. It appears as though Bobby has some heart trouble, its enlarged, cause unknown. Later, back at the squad room, Sipowicz begins questioning alcoholic Det. Walsh. Walsh's lieutenant arrives, ready to crucify him, Fancy steps in and ask him wait until their investigation is over. The investigation concludes and the detective's actions are vindicated, although Andy offers him some advice about his drinking. Bobby's condition may be caused by an infection; however, more tests are needed to know for sure.

The episode was rated 8.32 from 37 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E16

#6 - Old Man Quiver (Season 12 - Episode 16)

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Sipowicz and Clark arrive at the home of an 80-year-old millionaire, Hugh Rasmussen, who was smothered to death. They talk to the man's secretary, Judith Howell, a middle-aged woman, who found the body. Then the wife, Amy Rasmussen arrives back home; she's come back from the gym and she is young enough (28-years-old) to be the victim's granddaughter. She acknowledges the comments that her husband has been thought about as a dirty old man and that she may be considered a gold digger, but as far as she's concerned they can all go straight to hell, she loved her husband. Sipowicz and Clark run the basics of what they know so far by Bale and Bale notes to Sipowicz that today is the day of his promotion and he offers his congratulations. Jones and Medavoy go to a retirement home, where Olive Rosenthal was found dead. The doctor found a suspicious needle mark on the woman's body. The director of the home wants the detectives to avoid talking to the other residents, but they tell her th

The episode was rated 8.33 from 27 votes.

NYPD Blue - S6E22

#5 - Safe Home (Season 6 - Episode 22)

As a result of her injuries, Sylvia has died. The squad worries about Andy's state, will he start drinking again. Andy is staying in his apartment, only making sure that Theo makes it to and from school. He is only accepting a minimal amount of help from his ex-wife Katie. Medavoy and Martinez interview a man who claims that he was hired to murder Kenny Priest at the Cullinan trial. He points to his sister, Lurleen as the one who set him up with the job; she also had something to do with Cullinan's murder of Mike Roberts. Sorenson goes to seek Sipowicz's help, when they get Cullinan to drop his high priced attorney. John Irvin is hard on himself and feels that he can never face Andy again. Danny gets Andy to help with the interview of Cullinan and the very subdued interview gets Cullinan to crack. John Irvin and Andy silently pass each other on the stairwell. A few moments later, Andy reappears and assures John he doesn't hold him responsible for Sylvia's death. Andy debates about how

The episode was rated 8.38 from 34 votes.

NYPD Blue - S3E20

#4 - A Death in the Family (Season 3 - Episode 20)

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A robbery-homicide sends Bobby and Andy to the hospital; however the victim is Andy Jr. Andy wants Bobby to lead the case and he also wants the opportunity for restitution. Diane doesn't like the way Bobby is handling the case. They turn up the weapon, but the suspects don't pan out. In the midst of all this turmoil, Donna makes the decision and quits her job. Andy goes for a walk and makes a stop.

The episode was rated 8.48 from 44 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E19

#3 - Bale to the Chief (Season 12 - Episode 19)

The interim boss Lt. Henry comes into the squad and introduces himself to the detectives, who in turn introduce themselves. They offer to bring him up to speed on their cases, but Lt. Henry is the anti-Bale and tells them they can get to it when they get to it. He is more interested in knowing if any of them like to play golf. Murphy and Ortiz go to the scene of a homicide where a young Muslim woman, Farah Amar has been stabbed to death. In questioning the neighbor they learn that the woman had numerous loud arguments with her husband. Back at the squad while Sipowicz tries to bring their new boss "Arnold Palmer" up to speed on their investigation into Bale's shooting, Jones and Clark try to get more information about Sergei Yesenin's whereabouts from "Russian Mike" who has come back in for further questioning. "Russian Mike" wants a deal before he will cooperate any further with the investigation. The husband of Murphy and Ortiz's victim, Adeeb Amar, comes in for questioning. Th

The episode was rated 8.58 from 33 votes.

NYPD Blue - S12E20

#2 - Moving Day (Season 12 - Episode 20)

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Jones and Clark respond to the death of woman named Pamela Wyatt, who appears to have been a high priced call girl. Ortiz and Murphy arrive on the scene along with Sgt. Sipowicz who enlightens Jones and Clark about his officially taking over command of the 15 Squad. They return to the Squad and meet two new detectives that have joined the squad, Ray Quinn and Joe Slovak. They ran a dump of the Pamela Wyatt's phone records and have come up with some names to check out. Sipowicz's former Sergeant, Al Angelotti from the 25 Squad, now a retired Chief who is working security for a wealthy client comes into the squad with his client, Robert Heilbrenner and Heilbrenner's attorney. While Clark and Jones (with Sipowicz in attendance) listen to Heilbrenner describe his relationship with the Pamela Wyatt, Angelotti is out talking to the rookie detectives about what they currently know about the case. Murphy and Ortiz interview the victim's parents, both of whom were ignorant of what their da

The episode was rated 8.58 from 38 votes.

NYPD Blue - S6E5

#1 - Hearts and Souls (Season 6 - Episode 5)

It is ten days after Bobbie's surgery and the detectives wait with anticipation as Bobby is set to be released from the hospital. A minor complication arises with a possible infection. Andy's ex-wife shows up at the squad, she's getting ready to defend herself against a DWI. She slips out while Andy is trying to reach out to help her. Bobby takes a turn for the worse and the entire squad is put on edge. Diane insists on seeing Dr. Carreras. He lays the hard news on Diane; it would be better overall for Bobby is he was kept from suffering any further. Dr. Carreras and Dr. Swan have differing opinions on the prognosis for Bobby's future. Carreras feels that Swan wants Bobby's inevitable condition to be on another department's record. Andy gets Katie to agree to begin attending meetings, as a way meet the terms of her. Diane calls the squad to advise them that after the shift is over, it might be a good idea to stop by the hospital to see Bobby. Bobby receives last rites. Au revoir Robert

The episode was rated 8.62 from 39 votes.

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