The sixth season of NYPD Blue premiered on ABC on October 20, 1998, and concluded on May 25, 1999.

NYPD Blue
Season 6
Season 6 U.S. DVD Cover
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseOctober 20, 1998 (1998-10-20) –
May 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 5
Next →
Season 7
List of episodes

Cast

edit
Actor Character Main cast Recurring cast
Jimmy Smits Bobby Simone episodes 1-5
Dennis Franz Andy Sipowicz entire season
Rick Schroder Danny Sorenson episodes 6-22
James McDaniel Arthur Fancy entire season
Kim Delaney Diane Russell entire season
Gordon Clapp Greg Medavoy entire season
Nicholas Turturro James Martinez entire season
Andrea Thompson Jill Kirkendall entire season
Sharon Lawrence Sylvia Costas episodes 1-10 episodes11-21
Bill Brochtrup John Irvin episodes 13-22 episodes 1,5,7,9,12

Episodes

edit
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1111"Top Gum"Mark TinkerStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Meredith Stiehm
October 20, 1998 (1998-10-20)0C01/560115.66[1]
Simone, Sipowicz, and Fancy are annoyed by the presence of retired cop Mike Roberts, who has been hired by a murder victim's father to keep a lid on his son's alleged homosexuality. Meanwhile, Costas lends a big assist to Russell and Kirkendall in their investigation of a teenage girl's rape, and Bobby Simone helps scare away the lowlife boyfriend of his dentist's daughter, but is clearly not feeling well.
1122"Cop in a Bottle"Paris BarclayStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Matt Olmstead
October 27, 1998 (1998-10-27)0C02/560215.98[2]
The detectives of the 15th Precinct investigate a double homicide involving one of their own, an alcoholic cop who seems to have done the right thing, but can't remember key details about the incident. The situation becomes more precarious as the cop's lieutenant tries to use the incident to get him kicked off the force. Looming over all these events is the health crisis afflicting Bobby, who collapses at the crime scene and is hospitalized.
1133"Numb and Number"Mark TinkerStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Leonard Gardner
November 10, 1998 (1998-11-10)0C03/560316.10[3]

Sipowicz, Medavoy and Martinez try to unravel the confusing information given by the suspect in the murder of a Pakistani man, who was found semi-naked in a park. Meanwhile, Simone's deteriorating health continues to worry Russell and leads Sipowicz into conflict with everyone, including Costas.

1144"Brother's Keeper"Donna DeitchStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Doug Palau
November 17, 1998 (1998-11-17)0C04/560416.86[4]

Lieutenant Fancy urgently reaches out to the entire New York City police department for assistance in resolving Simone's critical medical condition, while his co-workers at the 15th Precinct are frustrated by their inability to help their ailing comrade. Meanwhile, Sipowicz, Medavoy and Martinez investigate two brothers in the brutal murder of their 72-year-old mother.

1155"Hearts and Souls"Paris BarclayStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Nicholas Wootton
November 24, 1998 (1998-11-24)0C05/560522.10[5]

Sipowicz is led to a surprising reconnection with his ex-wife as Simone's medical crisis reaches the worst possible conclusion. Note: This episode exists in two versions. A 90-minute version was shown once during the original airing on ABC and is on the DVD release of Season 6. In order to fit in the show's usual 60-minute timeslot, a version was produced in which most subplots involving the squad's reactions to Bobby's death were cut out, leaving only the scenes involving Russell and Sipowicz. The 60-minute version is the only one that has been rebroadcast in reruns and syndication and is the version used on streaming services such as Hulu.

Notes:

  • Last credited appearance of Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone. He returned for one (uncredited) scene in Season 12 episode 6.
  • Director Paris Barclay won an Emmy and a Directors Guild of America Award for his work in this episode.
1166"Danny Boy"Mark TinkerStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Meredith Stiehm
December 1, 1998 (1998-12-01)0C06/560618.74[6]

Danny Sorenson transfers from Narcotics to the 15th Precinct's detective squad. While he and Sipowicz lead a double homicide investigation, Sorenson struggles to overcome the squad's suspicion of his techniques and intentions. Meanwhile, Costas has misgivings about the accuracy of the past conviction of a teenager and asks a reluctant Sipowicz for help, but Andy and the original detective on the case, Sgt. Dornan, don't click.

Note:

  • First appearance of Rick Schroeder as Danny Sorenson.
  • First episode where Dennis Franz receives top billing, which will remain for the rest of the run of the series
1177"Czech Bouncer"Paris BarclayStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Matt Olmstead
December 8, 1998 (1998-12-08)0C07/560717.77[7]

Sipowicz mentors Sorenson when the latter goes overboard with a suspect in the killing of two elderly gift shop owners; Russell and Kirkendall investigate the murder of a strip club patron and are shocked to learn that PAA Dolores Mayo is working there as a dancer; and Andy gets some info from Sgt. Dornan but it's too late to help Sylvia or an innocent man in jail.

  • Mos Def guest stars as Leslie Peach.
1188"Raging Bulls"Steven DePaulStory by : Steven Bochco & David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Leonard Gardner
December 15, 1998 (1998-12-15)0C08/560818.09[8]

An off duty white officer mistakenly shoots a black undercover officer when seeing suspects in pursuit of a crime. The white officer, Syzmanski, is the same officer who pulled over Lt. Fancy for driving in an all White neighborhood, leading to a violent explosion of racial tension between Sipowicz and Fancy. Diane and Jill help out an increasingly troubled Dolores Mayo. Andy consoles a distraught Sylvia.

1199"Grime Scene"Michael M. RobinStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Doug Palau & Nicholas Wootton
January 5, 1999 (1999-01-05)0C09/560915.34[9]
Russell and Sorenson scramble to close a stabbing case so that Kirkendall's son, a witness to the incident, doesn't have to testify; Greg and James slog through a case where a homeless man was beaten to death; PAA John tries to help out an increasingly out of control Dolores Mayo; Andy, Sylvia and Sgt. Dornan join forces to avenge a man who was conned into confessing to a crime, tortured in jail and murdered there; and Russell is tempted to drink.
12010"Show and Tell"Marc BucklandStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Matt Olmstead
January 12, 1999 (1999-01-12)0C10/561016.30[10]

Sipowicz and Sorenson are beyond frustrated when the FBI and Internal Affairs show up and meddle with their investigation of a family of dirty cops who may have been involved in a robbery-homicide. Meanwhile, Medavoy chafes at being the butt of one of Sipowicz's jokes; Sylvia reaches the end of her rope on the Suarez case; and Diane, still consumed with grief, reaches out for help.

12111"Big Bang Theory"Jake PaltrowStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Ted Mann
February 9, 1999 (1999-02-09)0C11/561114.50[11]

An apartment building gigolo (Carlos Gómez) is the prime suspect when one of the elderly ladies he "visited" is murdered; and Sorenson turns to Sipowicz for advice when a friend appears to be on the brink of a breakdown.

12212"What's Up, Chuck?"Bob DohertyStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : John Chambers
February 16, 1999 (1999-02-16)0C12/561214.88[12]

"Upstairs" John fears that Dolores' downward spiral might have ended tragically, and when Sipowicz and Sorenson investigate her disappearance, they face off with a high profile attorney from Sipowicz's past. Elsewhere, a dysfunctional family leads Greg and James into a bizarre murder case, and Jill and Diane get an even weirder case that could be a murder case, a kidnapping case, or no case at all.

12313"Dead Girl Walking"Paris BarclayStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Leonard Gardner
February 23, 1999 (1999-02-23)0C13/561314.42[13]
A girl thought to be dead really isn't, in spite of her mother's positive (and eager) identification. Meanwhile, a member of the 15th Precinct takes a bullet as a stakeout suddenly turns violent; Andy and Lt. Fancy try to help Det. Dornan, who is bitter for being demoted, even as his attitude sucks; and Henry Coffield surprisingly provides a smile to Diane's day.
12414"Raphael's Inferno"Matthew PennStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Doug Palau
March 2, 1999 (1999-03-02)0C14/561414.23[14]

A young girl is found dead in the basement of her apartment and Sipowicz and Sorenson rely on their instincts to narrow the list of suspects; an elderly gentleman suspects that his younger girlfriend was forced to steal money from him; and Sorenson's sister and Dolores Mayo's father visit the precinct, hoping to spend time with their loved ones.

12515"I Have a Dream"Marc BucklandStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Nicholas Wootton
April 6, 1999 (1999-04-06)0C15/561513.56[15]

Sorenson's acquaintance with a drug dealer proves helpful when a cop is accused of prematurely shooting a suspect; Russell and Kirkendall fear that a bitter neighborly dispute could get out of hand; and Sipowicz has a recurring dream about his past which helps him come to terms with his present.

12616"Tain't Misbehavin'"Karen GaviolaStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Matt Olmstead
April 13, 1999 (1999-04-13)0C16/561613.53[16]

Sorenson and his girlfriend, Nadine, experience an emotional crisis; and Sipowicz gives a convincing performance as a heavy in order to secure a murder confession.

12717"Don't Meth With Me"Steven DePaulStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Jody Worth
April 20, 1999 (1999-04-20)0C17/561711.46[17]
Sipowicz and Sorenson investigate the death of a woman whose spoiled, drug-using son is a prime suspect; and retired cop Mike Roberts needs help from his former colleagues when it appears that he may be responsible for a crime at his current job.
12818"Mister Roberts"Mark TinkerStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Michael A. Graham
April 27, 1999 (1999-04-27)0C18/561815.34[18]

Mike Roberts, a troubled former cop, meets an unfortunate end, which causes the detectives to reflect back on his cries for help. Sipowicz feels especially guilty about the situation until information from John Irvin leads him to the source of the tragedy.

12919"Judas Priest"Dennis M. WhiteStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Meredith Stiehm
May 4, 1999 (1999-05-04)0C19/561913.12[19]
Sipowicz and Sorenson must find more evidence in the Cullinan murder case; Sipowicz and Fancy try to help Ret. Det. Dornan with a drinking problem; ADA Leo Cohen and Jill's relationship comes to an end as he leaves the case.
13020"I'll Draw You a Map"Donna DeitchStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : Leonard Gardner
May 11, 1999 (1999-05-11)0C20/562013.83[20]

Sipowicz is overly eager to testify in the Cullinan murder trial, but Costas worries that Sipowicz is no match for defense attorney James Sinclair. Much to Sipowicz's chagrin, Costas thinks Sorenson will make a stronger witness and Andy increasingly loses his mind over having to deal with Sinclair's psychological button-pushing. Meanwhile, Russell and Kirkendall lead the investigation of a home invasion murder in which the widow becomes the prime suspect and everyone throws the shooting of Amadou Diallo right in their faces.

13121"Voir Dire This"Paris BarclayStory by : Bill Clark & Bernadette McNamara
Teleplay by : Bernadette McNamara
May 18, 1999 (1999-05-18)0C21/562115.01[21]

While Sipowicz continues to be haunted by attorney James Sinclair, the Cullinan murder trial takes a horrific turn, and the lives of the 15th Precinct detectives will never be the same.

13222"Safe Home"Mark TinkerStory by : David Milch & Bill Clark
Teleplay by : David Milch
May 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)0C22/562220.23[22]
Passions ignite when the detectives of the 15th Precinct go on a personal crusade to implicate the suspect they hold responsible for the death of Sylvia Costas, while simultaneously worrying about Andy's fragile state of mind—specifically whether he's going to start drinking again or kill himself. Meanwhile, John feels responsible for Sylvia's death.

References

edit
  1. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 19-25)". The Los Angeles Times. October 28, 1998. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  2. ^ "Dateline: Events/Week Of November 1, 1998 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "Dateline: Events/Week Of November 15, 1998 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  4. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 16-22)". The Los Angeles Times. November 25, 1998. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ Braxton, Greg (December 2, 1998). "CBS Scores KO With Sunday Punch, Other Shows". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  6. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 30-Dec. 6)". The Los Angeles Times. December 9, 1998. Retrieved March 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ "Dateline: Events/Week of December 15, 1998 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  8. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. December 24, 1998. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 4-10)". The Los Angeles Times. January 13, 1999. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ "Dateline: Week Of January 15, 1999 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  11. ^ Lowry, Brian (February 18, 1999). "Viewers Don't Take Shining to ABC's 'Storm'". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 15-21)". The Los Angeles Times. February 24, 1999. Retrieved March 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ "Dateline: Week Of March 1, 1999 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  14. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 1–7)". The Los Angeles Times. March 10, 1999. Retrieved March 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  15. ^ "Dateline: Week Of April 8, 1999 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Dateline: Week Of April 15, 1999 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 19–25)". The Los Angeles Times. April 28, 1999. Retrieved March 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  18. ^ Lowry, Brian (May 5, 1999). "'Noah's Ark' Takes NBC to Higher Ground". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 3–9)". The Los Angeles Times. May 12, 1999. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  20. ^ "Dateline: Week Of May 15, 1999 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  21. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 17–23)". The Los Angeles Times. May 26, 1999. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  22. ^ "Dateline: Week Of June 1, 1999 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts". Mr. Pop Culture. Retrieved October 13, 2018.