In the fifth-season opener, Cagney, Lacey and Lieutenant Samuels are forced to investigate one of their own. It starts when a junkie's broad-daylight burglary makes him easy prey for Cagney and Lacey, who happen to be across the street at the time. What isn't easy to take is the tip the addict offers in a bid for leniency; he says he saw a cop pocket some heroin from a crime scene--a detective from their own 14th squad. Bypassing Internal Affairs, Chris and Mary Beth go to Lieutenant Samuels, who orders them to have the junkie ID the alleged felon--and it's a real shocker. Even more shocking is their suspect's behavior when they set a trap for him, a trap that could very well ensnare them all. (TV Guide)

When an girl who wants to break away from her traditionally Islamic upbringing is murdered, Chris and Mary Beth must confront her family. Chris lusts for a possible assignment to a potentially career-making task force.

A sweltering day leads to an elevator failure, with Mary Beth and a claustrophobic Victor trapped inside.

After a girl accuses her father of molesting her younger sister, Cagney and Lacey are forced to take action to keep the girls safe.

The 14th Precinct is abuzz over a visit from the star of a female TV detective show who wants to tag along with Chris and Mary Beth to see real female cops in action.

Pornographers come under suspicion when an A.D.A. who championed against child exploitation is murdered.

Cagney and Lacey are charged with protecting a white South African runner in town for the New York City Marathon.

When hazing is suspected to have caused a girl to fall off a roof while rushing a sorority, the sisters close ranks, impeding the investigation.

Petrie falls under suspicion when someone he was squabbling with is murdered. Chris finds out a reporter she's dating isn't just interested in her romantically.

When Sara Jones, one of Mary Beth's maternity replacements, goes to trial for her act of vigilante justice against a rapist, Chris refuses to lie to save her.

When drug dealer Mansfield goes on trial, he surprises everyone by hiring David Keeler to represent him, especially upsetting Chris.

An environmental champion begs Chris and Mary Beth to investigate a toy company for the dumping of toxic waste. Meanwhile, Chris dates a younger man.

Chris and Mary Beth investigate a judge who's friends with Chris' father. Mary Beth is surprised at the results of her performance review from Chris.

Mary Beth has egg on her face when the Laceys' home is robbed, and it's revealed she doesn't follow the same home safeguarding tips she gives to civilians. Meanwhile, a high school athlete's death is investigated.

A rash of AA meeting robberies sends the detectives to pose as alcoholics. At a co-dependents' meeting, Chris is surprised to see Donna, her father's girlfriend.

Cagney and Lacey get placed in charge of planning a banquet to award Lt. Samuels with the Distinguished Service Award.

Cagney and Lacey try to bring down a scam artist who promises to get messages to the departed by giving them to the terminally ill, but face difficulty in that nobody seems to feel victimized.

The detectives question if a deaf girl could have committed the murder of which she's accused. David Keeler wants Christine to forgive him for representing Mansfield.

Mary Beth is arrested at a nuclear weapons protest, finding herself in the custody of Queens' Det. Dupnick.

After Lacey is shot, but saved by a bulletproof vest, her and Cagney deal with the stress by seeing the police psychiatrist.

Mary Beth saves a baby from a burning car before it explodes, becomes a hero. Meanwhile, Cagney finds her father lying dead at his home.

Mary Beth awaits a possible promotion, while Cagney turns to booze after her father's death.