The first season of Cold Case, an American television series, aired on CBS from September 28, 2003 to May 23, 2004. Cold Case is a drama about Lilly Rush, an enigmatic and highly effective detective on the Philadelphia Homicide Squad. Rush's instinctive understanding of the criminal mind and her singular passion for uncovering the truth makes her the perfect fit for investigating cold cases, yester-crimes that have remained unsolved – some only a few months old, others going back decades. Rush and her team use their wits to take on aging evidence and witnesses with buried secrets, uncovering fresh clues, digging into old wounds and doggedly pursuing the truth. Joining Rush on her mission are a team of talented detectives: Scotty Valens, Rush's confident and street-smart partner; Nick Vera, rough around the edges but a sharp investigator; Will Jeffries, an experienced veteran who's been around the block; Kat Miller, no-nonsense and resourceful; and Lieutenant John Stillman, Rush's mentor and sometime father figure. With their assistance, Rush is able to take on the toughest cases, giving voice to victims unable to speak for themselves – making sure none is ever forgotten. Season one regular cast members include Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn, Thom Barry and Jeremy Ratchford. In 3 episodes, Justin Chambers had played Chris Lassing, Lilly's partner on the Philadelphia Homicide Squad, but left the show to star as Alex Karev in ABC's hit drama show Grey's Anatomy.

Cold Case
Season 1
No. of episodes23
Release
Original networkCBS
Original releaseSeptember 28, 2003 (2003-09-28) –
May 23, 2004 (2004-05-23)
Season chronology
Next →
Season 2
List of episodes

Characters

edit
Actor Character Main cast Recurring cast
Kathryn Morris Det. Lilly Rush entire season
Danny Pino Det. Scotty Valens episodes 6–23 absent in episode 9
John Finn Lt. John Stillman entire season
Thom Barry Det. Will Jeffries entire season
Jeremy Ratchford Det. Nick Vera entire season
Justin Chambers Det. Chris Lassing episodes 1–4 absent in episode 3
Doug Spinuzza Louie Amante episodes 2, 16
Josh Hopkins ADA Jason Kite episodes 6, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 23
Ameenah Kaplan Leticia Castillo episode 15
Susan Chuang Dr. Frannie Ching episode 21
Kevin McCorkle Det. Gil Sherman episode 4, 6, 18

Episodes

edit
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
11"Look Again"Mark PellingtonMeredith StiehmSeptember 28, 2003 (2003-09-28)47519515.55[1]

Detective Lilly Rush from Philadelphia Homicide force is transferred to the Cold Case Unit. She kicks off her career as a Cold Case detective by reopening the 1976 murder of Jill Shelby, a 15-year-old girl who was found beaten to death at a party hosted by her wealthy neighbors, one of them being her boyfriend, after one of the neighbors' former housekeepers comes forward, claiming to have witnessed the murder. Lily must battle both the rich society and people reluctant to go back to that fateful night to solve the case.

  • Song featured in the intro: "More Than a Feeling", by Boston
  • Song featured in the finale: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?", by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
  • This is one of the few times that a song featured in the finale was played in its entirety.
  • Loosely based upon the Martha Moxley case.
  • Kate Mara guest stars as Jill Shelby.
  • The episode begins with the flashback and it says "PHILADELPHIA 1976" on the screen and after showing the victim dead, it fast forwards to the present and it now says "PHILADELPHIA 2003" on the screen and the show's logo and main cast appears on the screen shortly thereafter meaning that the opening where the woman can be heard yelling is not used on this episode which would not be used again in the season 3 episode Death Penalty: Final Appeal.
  • This episode has one scene that shows Jill Shelby giving the middle finger which was not blurred out when it originally aired on CBS but has been blurred out when this episode has been rerun on other networks including Start TV.
  • A homicide featured in an early scene in the episode is later investigated in the episode The Badlands, which occurs one year later.
  • First appearance of Kathryn Morris, Justin Chambers, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford and Thom Barry.
  • This is the first episode to air in the regularly scheduled 8:00 pm slot which would last until the end of season 3.
22"Gleen"Paris BarclayJan OxenbergOctober 5, 2003 (2003-10-05)17670213.96[2]

The team reinvestigates the 1983 murder of 25-year-old Dana Deamer, a young wife and mother who was killed in an explosion outside her own house while picking up what was supposed to be a box of laundry detergent shortly before she was to testify in court against a man who indecently exposed himself to her in public. The daughter believes the man is culpable, but when the team delves into Dana's personal life, they discover a shocking secret that could lead them to the true killer.

33"Our Boy Is Back"Bryan SpicerStacy KravetzOctober 12, 2003 (2003-10-12)17670412.82[3]

The team reinvestigates the 1998 murder of college student Gail Chimayo when her killer, a serial rapist who has been inactive for the past five years, sends them a letter announcing his return to Philadelphia and his intentions.

44"Churchgoing People"Mark PellingtonMeredith StiehmOctober 19, 2003 (2003-10-19)17670111.62[4]

The team reinvestigates the 1990 murder of 49-year-old Mitchell Bayes, a church organist, when his Alzheimer's-stricken widow begins having flashbacks from the night he died. The team soon learns dark secrets about the family that could lead them to the killer.

55"The Runner"David StraitonVeena Cabreros SudOctober 26, 2003 (2003-10-26)17670314.08[5]

When a drug addict brings in an audio tape capturing the recording of a fatal shooting, the team reopens the 1973 murder of a young police officer, 21-year-old Joe Washington, who was killed after responding to a call at a drug-infested housing project. Rush soon discovers several inconsistences with the statement and fears a dirty cop may have been involved.

66"Love Conquers Al"Greg YaitanesKim NewtonNovember 9, 2003 (2003-11-09)17670614.39[6]

The team reopens the 1981 murder of Paige Pratt, a 16-year-old high school track runner, after a petty crook, hoping to receive a reduced sentence, comes forward claiming to have evidence that her boyfriend, then 21-year-old Al Clarkson was wrongly convicted of her murder. Rush and her new partner, Scotty Valens, get off to a rocky start.

77"A Time to Hate"Deran SarafianJan OxenbergNovember 16, 2003 (2003-11-16)17670713.95[7]

A woman asks Lilly to reinvestigate the unsolved murder of her son Daniel Holtz, a 21-year-old former college baseball player, who was beaten to death outside of a gay bar in 1964 after it was discovered that he was homosexual. Things get personal however, when the team discovers a police nightstick at the crime scene, implying that a policeman may have been involved.

88"Fly Away"James Whitmore, Jr.Veena Cabreros SudNovember 30, 2003 (2003-11-30)17670816.46[8]

The team reinvestigates the 2001 death of 6-year-old Toya Miles, who died after falling through her bedroom window, along with her then 23-year-old mother, Rosie, who survived, but suffered severe head trauma, putting her in a two-year coma. Her recent awakening makes Lilly and the squad try to put the pieces together to determine if this young mother or someone else is responsible for the tragedy.

  • No arrest, as it is proven that the victim's death was an accident which marked the first time during the show's run that no one was arrested during the finale.
  • Song featured in the intro: "Sleep", by Azure Ray
  • Song featured in the finale: "Heaven (Candlelight Mix)", by DJ Sammy.
99"Sherry Darlin'"Rachel TalalaySean WhitesellDecember 7, 2003 (2003-12-07)17670516.11[9]

When Lilly receives an anonymous phone call from a man who claims to have killed an elderly woman in 1989, the team investigates the disappearance of Krystal Hogan, an 81-year-old grandmother who went missing that same year. The team discovers that Krystal lived with her orphaned step-grandson, then 19-year-old James Hogan, whose lifestyle she disliked.

1010"The Hitchhiker"Marita GrabiakSean WhitesellDecember 21, 2003 (2003-12-21)17670913.95[10]

The team reopens the 1997 murder of Matthew Mills, a 20-year-old hitchhiker killed on his way back to Philadelphia after winning big in Atlantic City, when new evidence is uncovered linking a current case to his murder. Scotty learns a lesson in humility after he makes a poor call that hinders the investigation, and the team makes a stunning discovery that could also close the case.

1111"Hubris"Agnieszka HollandStacy Kravetz & Kim NewtonJanuary 11, 2004 (2004-01-11)17671015.20[11]

The team reopens the 1995 murder of 21-year-old Holly Richardson at the request of one of her college professors, whose career ended in disgrace after he was suspected of her death after their affair was discovered. The professor hopes to clear his name after another young woman is killed in an identical fashion as Holly, though the team is skeptical about his innocence.

1212"Glued"Peter MarkleTyler BensingerJanuary 18, 2004 (2004-01-18)17671112.80[12]

Lt. Stillman asks Lilly to reinvestigate one of his first cases as a homicide detective: the 1980 murder of 8-year-old Timothy Barnes, who was knocked out and left on the snowy ground and died tragically of hypothermia. Suspects include his own parents, a group of troubled teenage boys, and his priest.

1313"The Letter"Tim HunterVeena Cabreros SudJanuary 25, 2004 (2004-01-25)17671315.75[13]

After a young woman comes forward with new information about the death of her grandmother, Lilly and the squad reopen the unsolved 1939 rape and murder of a 25-year-old black woman, Sadie Douglas. During their investigation, the team uncovers racial tensions and a secret romance that could help identify the killer.

  • Song featured in the intro: “Dream Lucky Blues”, by Julia Lee.
  • Song featured in the finale: "Blue Moon", by Ella Fitzgerald.
1414"Boy in the Box"Karen GaviolaMeredith StiehmFebruary 15, 2004 (2004-02-15)17671217.33[14]

The team reopens the case of the 1958 murder of an unidentified 6-year-old boy, whose body was found in a cardboard box in a field outside Philadelphia, after a suitcase is found containing a photo of the boy, among other things. The team discovers that the boy may have been part of the government's radiation experiments on orphans.

1515"Disco Inferno"James Whitmore, Jr.Tyler BensingerFebruary 22, 2004 (2004-02-22)17671515.33[15]
The team reinvestigates a mysterious 1978 fire that killed 22 people and destroyed a disco nightclub when the newly discovered remains of 22-year-old Benny Rosen reveal that he was killed by a gunshot to the head, which leads the team to deduce that the fire was actually a cover-up. The investigation reveals that the victim’s profession was conflicting with his personal life.
1616"Volunteers"Allison AndersJan OxenbergMarch 7, 2004 (2004-03-07)17671615.98[16]

Human remains found during a building demolition prompt the team to investigate the unsolved 1969 double murders of 22-year-old Julia Hoffman and 23-year-old Gerald Gary, two hippies who belonged to a group that facilitated access of illegal abortions.

1717"The Lost Soul of Herman Lester"Tim MathesonSean WhitesellMarch 14, 2004 (2004-03-14)17671415.92[17]

After a high school basketball phenom receives threatening phone calls, the team reopens the 1987 murder of his father, 17-year-old Herman Lester, another star basketball player who was found stabbed to death hours after leading his team to victory in the State Championship. The team tries to determine if there is a link between the phone calls and the murder.

1818"Resolutions"Alex ZakrzewskiKim NewtonMarch 28, 2004 (2004-03-28)17671714.26[18]

The team reinvestigates the 2000 murder of 39-year-old Greg Cardiff, a husband and father who was killed in a hit-and-run accident just a few minutes into New Year's Day, after a recovering alcoholic comes forward as the possible culprit. During the investigation, however, the team finds evidence that the victim was poisoned and already dead when the car hit him.

1919"Late Returns"David StraitonJay Beattie & Dan DworkinApril 4, 2004 (2004-04-04)17671814.25[19]

Suspicious evidence found at the scene of a current murder prompts the team to reopen the 1992 murder of 20-year-old Vanessa Prosser, a young and highly politically involved woman who was killed on the night of the 1992 presidential election. The team learns that the victim was dating a congressman with a dark secret.

2020"Greed"Karen GaviolaStacy KravetzApril 18, 2004 (2004-04-18)17671912.93[20]

The team reopens the 1985 murder of Charles Danville, a wealthy stockbroker who was shot and killed during an apparent carjacking gone wrong, after new evidence points towards premeditated murder. The team uncovers evidence that the victim may have been cheating his clients and having illicit relationships with his protégés.

2121"Maternal Instincts"Kevin HooksLaurie ArentApril 25, 2004 (2004-04-25)17672014.83[21]

When a juvenile delinquent comes forward claiming to have witnessed his mother's death, the team reinvestigates the 1989 murder of the young mother, 30-year-old Rebecca Morgan. The team soon discovers that the victim is not who they thought she was.

2222"The Plan"Agnieszka HollandVeena Cabreros SudMay 2, 2004 (2004-05-02)17672114.39[22]

The team reopens the 1999 murder of Nash Cavanaugh, a 35-year-old military academy's strict swim coach who drowned in the academy pool, after the homicide division receives a note suggesting his death was a homicide. The team learns that the victim was a pedophile who preyed upon his weaker students.

2323"Lover's Lane"Nelson McCormickMeredith StiehmMay 23, 2004 (2004-05-23)17672214.53[23]

When DNA evidence reveals a man was wrongfully convicted of murder, the team reopens the 1986 murder of Eve Kendell, a 15-year-old girl who was raped and killed during a date with her boyfriend, 16-year-old Mark Adams, who was also assaulted but survived, at a popular lover's lane. The team soon discovers the victim was a regular object of relentless attention, leading them to believe that her murder may have been a crime of passion.

References

edit
  1. ^ ""Cold Case" is Hot!". CBS PressExpress. September 29, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Big Three Networks Debate Second Week of Fall Season". TheFutonCritic. October 8, 2003. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  3. ^ "CBS Places a Competitive Second in a Week Dominated". CBS PressExpress. October 14, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Against Six Nights of Baseball, CBS is a Solid Second". CBS PressExpress. October 21, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  5. ^ "CBS wins Sundays in viewers, households, adults 25–54". CBS PressExpress. October 27, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "A Week of Milestones for CBS!". CBS PressExpress. November 11, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  7. ^ "CBS is Sunday's Most Watched Network". CBS PressExpress. November 17, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "CBS keeps the post-sweeps Momentum going, Winning its fourth consecutive week in viewers, households and adults 25–54 while also placing first in adults 18–49". CBS PressExpress. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  9. ^ "CBS wins Sunday in viewers for the seventh consecutive week". CBS PressExpress. December 8, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Ho, Ho, Ho, Jerry Bruckheimer steals the week's show". CBS PressExpress. December 23, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "CBS places first in viewers for the 12th time in 16 weeks". CBS PressExpress. January 13, 2004. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  12. ^ "CBS places first in households and strong second in viewers to football-driven FOX". CBS PressExpress. January 21, 2004. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  13. ^ "CBS ratings for the week ending January 25". CBS PressExpress. January 27, 2004. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "CBS enjoys a very Jerry Week". CBS PressExpress. February 18, 2004. Retrieved July 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 24, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  16. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 9, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  17. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 16, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  18. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 30, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  19. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 6, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  20. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 20, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  21. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 27, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  22. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 4, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  23. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 25, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2010.