Homicide: Life on the Streets
If the first two seasons introduced one of the great television crime dramas, Homicide really came into its own during the third. Instead of the mere 13 episodes scattered between 1993 and 1994, NBC ordered up a full 20 for the 1994-1995 season. The entire terrific cast is back, with the exception of Jon Polito, whose absence is explained in the fourth episode ("Crosetti"). There are other changes, like the addition of Megan Russert (Isabella Hofmann) as shift commander. Aside from the fact that the mostly male staff now has a woman to report to (alongside Yaphet Kotto's Lt. Giardello), it turns out that Russert has a "history" with one of the detectives. Homicide always excelled in its exploration of racial and office politics; now sexual politics would become a bigger issue. Religion also comes to the fore as Pembleton (Andre Braugher) is finally forced to confront the loss of his faith while working on a case ("The White Glove Murders") involving several aid workers (episodes 1-3). Meanwhile, his partner, Bayliss (Kyle Secor), is coming to resemble the naive young rookie of the first two seasons less and less by the second... while getting to enjoy a little more romance than the rest of the squad--especially the hapless Meldrick (Clark Johnson). But all is not sturm and drang. Humor still finds a place in each episode and Munch (Richard Belzer) still gets many of the best lines. In the season premiere ("Nearer My God to Thee"), for instance, he tells Bolander (Ned Beatty), "There is no such thing as gratuitous sex. Gratuitous violence, yes... Sex cannot and will not ever be gratuitous." He could be describing Homicide itself, in which nothing is ever gratuitous, especially the sudden loss of human life, which is never--and should never be--treated lightly. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
When a beautiful girl is murdered, dragged in a dumpster, the unit investigates the case, but it's difficult without a clue except of a white glove found on the hand of the victim.
While still investigating the murder of Catherine Goodrich, another victim is found with the same clues, and Frank is now the primary on the case. Felton is thinking about going back to his wife, andMunch and Lewis consider buying a tavern
With another girl found dead with a glove on her hand next to a Catholic Church, Frank questions his faith but then a witness might help the detectives find out the killer's identity.
Kay Howard becomes closer to John Munch when she realizes how saddened he is by children being involved in horrific crimes. Meanwhile, Bayliss falls for a seductive closet-goth, Emma Zoole.
Gee investigates the murder of an old friend, and Bayliss' relationship with the police artist turns sour.
The unit investigate the death of their friend and Lewis' partner, Steve Crosetti, which appears to be a suicide, but Lewis is sure there is more to it than that.
Howard decides to go on a sudden vacation to her hometown, but soon she has to investigate the murder of a conservationist. Meanwhile, Frank has to substitute in Howard's absence as Felton's partner to try & solve a case.
It's Christmas time, and Lewis gets a case in which the victim's identity is unknown due to heavy burns. Munch and Bolander deal with the death of "Santa" but nothing seems to ruin Bolander's Christmas spirit.
Bayliss and Frank investigate the murder of a kid who was shot in a bowling alley. Felton gets a clue about his family's whereabouts.
Lewis and Munch investigate the death of Andrew "Monk" Whetherly, a member of the Deacons Motorcycle Club. Whetherly's wife, Bree, leads them to Preacher, the gang's warlord, who says Monk was killed "because he loved his little girl." The case is further complicated when Lewis is approached by an FBI Agent who is also investigating the Deacons. Deputy Commissioner James Harris enlists Pembleton to look into a delicate matter involving a congressman - with disastrous results.
Detective Douglas Jones, Russert's former partner, joins Homicide from Narcotics. Later, when Jones' wife Natalie is admitted to the hospital with suspicious injuries, Russert confronts Jones about possible spousal abuse. Pembleton prepares to testify against James Harris and the department, with his future and friendships hanging in the balance. Bayliss, Lewis and Munch finally open The Waterfront Bar.
Detectives Howard, Bolander and Felton are shot during an ambush and left in critical condition. Pembleton feels obligated to get justice, Munch becomes traumatized and shocked, and Giardello faces an investigation of his work.
The Homicide Unit captures Glen Holton only to learn that he wasn't the one who shot Felton, Bolander and Howard. Meanwhile Russert is forced to investigate Giardello's work to find out if he should be at fault for the ordeal.
The scene of the crime, Apartment 201, is searched and reveals that the occupant, Gordon Pratt, is a gun freak who once tried to be a cop. A possible suspect is apprehended, but lack of a weapon gets him released. Later, Bayliss returns to the apartment building and is shocked to find that another shooting has claimed another victim. Russert and Howard declare a truce. Still recovering in the hospital, Bolander suffers another relapse.
Pembleton and Lewis investigate the random shooting of a woman, meanwhile Bayliss suspects Munch of going vigilante and murdering Gordon Pratt. Felton tries to get used to being back at work but finds getting around to be difficult.
Both Detectives Bolander and Howard return to work on the same day. Kay Howard obsesses over the relocation of her desk while she was out and refuses to assist Pembleton until it has been moved back, but changes her mind after the murderer unexpectedly walks in and confesses. Meanwhile, Bolander and Munch use the "good cop/bad cop" routine to solve the brutal murder of two elderly wealthy people. Bayliss & Felton tackle the case of a skeleton found by a dog digging in a neighbor's backyard, and Lt. Gee hopes for a promotion after leaking to the press the corruption of a superior.
On the eve of his execution, the accused's daughter takes Col. Barnfather hostage, demanding a reinvestigation of the case to save her father. Bolanger, who had originally investigated the murder, discovers links to a recent suicide. BPD races the clock to get a stay of execution. Meanwhile, an elderly woman's death in a bathtub leads to a poignant conclusion on a dance floor.
When Crosetti's caseload is to be distributed among the detectives, Howard's 100% clearance rate leads Giardello to assign her his most difficult unsolved case. Her partner Felton's obsession with finding his children causes him to lose key evidence; he turns to Russert for comfort. Bayliss, Munch and Lewis close the deal on the bar only to find that their troubles are just beginning. Giardello exhibits real emotions following a rejection by a friend of Russert's.
When Bayliss' cousin shoots a "crazed" Turkish young man at his door, Pembleton and Bayliss differ on motive. A Grand Jury is called to determine whether it is manslaughter or rightful protection of the home. Was it racially motivated--that is the question. Meanwhile, attempting to increase their bar business, Munch fires the French chef and Lewis hires his grandmother as cook.
Pembleton is oblivious to being relentlessly stalked by "The Gas Man," a man he sent to jail for negligence in a gas explosion that killed a whole family. The stalker steals evidence from a gruesome crime scene--the severed head of a Gypsy fortuneteller and a bloody knife. His plan is to force Pembleton to meet him alone and exact revenge.
|
Ned Beatty | |
|
Richard Belzer | |
|
Andre Braugher | |
|
Peter Gerety | |
|
Yaphet Kotto | |
|
Clark Johnson | |
|
Melissa Leo | |
|
Isabella Hofmann | |
|
Daniel Baldwin | |
|
Kyle Secor | |
|
Richard Belzer | John Munch |
|
Richard Belzer | Det. John Munch |
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Clark Johnson | Det. Meldrick Lewis |
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Andre Braugher | Frank Pembleton |
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Yaphet Kotto | Lt. Al Giardello |
|
Jon Seda | |
|
Melissa Leo | Kay Howard |
|
Yaphet Kotto | Al Giardello |
|
Zeljko Ivanek |
| Edition | 6pc |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Keep Case |
| Nr Discs | 6 |
| Screen Ratios | Fullscreen (4:3) |
| Audio Tracks | Dolby Digital Stereo [English] |
| Distributor | A&E Home Video |
| Layers | Single side, Dual layer |
| Edition Release Date | Oct 28, 2003 |
| Regions | Region 1 |
| Purchased | For $ 99.95 |
|---|---|
| Watched | |
| Index | 74 |
| Added Date | Aug 10, 2015 01:03:04 |
| Modified Date | Jun 20, 2024 23:31:16 |