T V | House of Stapleton

Homicide: Life On The Street (1993)

Rating

Run Time: 60 min

Color: Color

Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1

Sound: Stereo

Producer: Baltimore Pictures

Genre

Crime
Drama
Mystery
Thriller

Seasons: 7

Episodes: 122

Overview

A one-hour drama inspired by David Simon's acclaimed non-fiction book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets." It is at once a mundane yet compelling look in and around a Homicide unit of the Baltimore Police Department, a group of determined individuals who are committed to their grim job.

Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7

1. Nearer My God to Thee

First Aired October 13, 1994

New Shift Commander Megan Russert heads the Redball investigation of the murder of "Samaritan of the Year", Catherine Goodrich. Due to the political volatility of the case, Lieutenant Al Giardello and his shift are called in to assist the investigation. Detective Beau Felton and his wife separate, leaving Detective Kay Howard to deal with the fallout. Detectives Meldrick Lewis and John Munch look within their ranks for a third person to buy a local tavern.*First appearance of Lt. Megan Russert

2. Fits Like a Glove

First Aired October 20, 1994

A second white glove victim is found behind a church. Primary Detective Roger Gaffney allows a possible murder scene to be compromised, so Russert throws him out of Homicide and puts Pembleton on the case. Later a serial murder groupie, Frederik Fuchs, shows up and gives the squad a lead on the investigation. Felton continues to wrestle with the possibility of reconciling with his wife. An indiscretion in Detective Tim Bayliss' past jeopardizes Lewis and Munch's ability to buy the tavern.

3. Extreme Unction

First Aired October 27, 1994

As Pembleton digs deeper into the serial murder investigation a witness, "Pamela" Wilgis, suddenly emerges. While Pembleton questions her, Bolander checks her apartment and uncovers a link to the case. Pembleton closes in on a confession, only to be interrupted by a startling discovery. Later, a statement given by Wilgis on live television undermines Pembleton's faith in the system, himself, and God.

4. Crosetti

First Aired November 10, 1994

The squad is shocked when Lewis' longtime partner Steve Crosetti, who was thought to have been on vacation, is found dead in Chesapeake Bay. Bolander, the primary on the case, gathers proof that it's a suicide, but Lewis initially believes otherwise and interferes with the investigation in the hopes of changing the outcome. As the squad prepares for the funeral, the brass tells Giardello that there will be no honor guard for Crosetti due to the nature of his death. Pembleton, still struggling with his own issues of faith, finds his own way to honor the departed detective.*(NOTE: Though intended by the producers to follow the episode "Extreme Unction", this episode was aired after "A Model Citizen", where Lewis made a jarring reference to Crosetti's death. An opening title card stating "One day last October..." informs the viewers that this episode takes place in the past.)

5. The Last of the Watermen

First Aired November 17, 1994

When Howard and Felton are summoned to a grisly crime scene, Howard snaps and heads home to the Chesapeake Bay. Back home, she's soon investigating the murder of a local conservationist. Howard suspects a local oysterman may be involved. She soon finds herself investigating friends, family, and her old flame Chick Tawes. Back in Baltimore, Giardello assigns Pembleton as Felton's temporary partner. To their shock and amazement, they work well together and come to an understanding.

6. A Model Citizen

First Aired December 01, 1994

Sparks fly when Lewis meets his dream girl, police artist Emma Zoole, who only has eyes for Bayliss. Munch and Howard investigate the shooting of a teenager by his brother. The experience compels Munch to take some action as a volunteer. When the department, Pembleton, and Russert are sued by Annabella Wilgis for violating her civil rights, her action pits Pembleton and Russert against one another. Felton comes home from his shift to find that his wife has emptied the house and disappeared, taking the children with her.

7. Happy to Be Here

First Aired December 08, 1994

Munch and Bolander investigate the murder of Sam Thorne, a journalist crusader and good friend of Giardello. Bayliss and Pembleton look into the death of an elderly woman who has been decaying in her house for two weeks. Felton continues his search for his family and confronts Howard and Russert, looking for answers to his situation. Bayliss' ongoing relationship with Emma Zoole causes a further rift between himself and Lewis and throws his personal life into turmoil.

8. All Through the House

First Aired December 15, 1994

It's Christmas Eve and the squad is on duty. Munch and Bolander investigate the death of Nicholas McGibney, a streetside Santa Claus. When they go to the victim's residence, they find his 10-year-old son Fidel, who's waiting for his dad to come home. Bolander checks with Child Welfare, leaving Munch to deal with the child. Lewis and Russert, meanwhile, spend the evening trying to find a young woman's killer, and Bayliss tries to hustle his colleagues in cards during a quiet night in the squad room.

9. Nothing Personal

First Aired January 05, 1995

Crosetti's caseload is finally reassigned to the detectives and Howard's 100% clearance rate may be in jeopardy when she gets his most difficult unsolved case. Giardello's difficult personal life turns volatile when he believes that he has been discriminated against by a friend of Russert's. Felton looks to Russert for comfort when his wife decides not to bring the children home and he loses a piece of key evidence critical to Howard's unsolved case. Bayliss, Munch, and Lewis close the deal on the bar only to find that their troubles are just beginning.*(NOTE: An opening title card states "Six weeks after the death of Det. Crosetti", to inform the viewer that this episode takes place in the past. With production code 309, this episode was scheduled to air nearly four months earlier, so that events seen in this episode do not acknowledge the shootings of Howard, Felton, and Bolander, the full takeover of the tavern by Munch, Lewis and Bayliss, nor Russert's promotion to captain.)

10. Every Mother's Son

First Aired January 12, 1995

Pembleton and Bayliss investigate the shooting of a 13-year-old boy, Darryl Nawls. During the course of their investigation, the mother of the shooter unknowingly meets the mother of the victim and finds that they have much in common. Past events wreak havoc on Munch and Lewis' plans to remodel and open the bar. Felton continues searching for his estranged wife and kids.

11. Cradle to Grave

First Aired January 19, 1995

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 help cover up a Congressman's false reporting of a crime, but denies involvement and throws Pembleton to the wolves when a reporter unearths the cover-up.

12. Partners

First Aired January 26, 1995

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 the Congressman, with his friendships and future in the department hanging in the balance. Bayliss, Lewis, and Munch finally open The Waterfront Bar.

13. The City That Bleeds

First Aired February 02, 1995

Bolander, Munch, Howard, and Felton all meet to serve a routine warrant but are caught in an ambush when a gunman opens fire, critically wounding all but Munch. Pembleton is assigned as the primary in the investigation and is partnered with Detective Theresa Walker, who specializes in the psychology of their prime suspect, a pedophile. Bolander's ex-partner Mitch Drummond from the bomb squad offers his help on the investigation. Part one of three.

14. Dead End

First Aired February 09, 1995

Working with the Quick Response Team, Pembleton and Bayliss close in on the pedophile and suspected sniper, Glen Holton. Felton wrestles with his guilt over Howard's condition, as does Bolander's ex-wife, who arrives in Baltimore. Captain George Barnfather and Colonel Bert Granger tell Russert to review Giardello's actions on the day of the shooting to determine if he was negligent in his duties. A shocking admission from an apprehended suspect has unforeseen consequences on the investigation. Part two of three.

15. End Game

First Aired February 16, 1995

The investigation into the detective shootings leads to a new prime suspect, Gordon Pratt. Conclusion.

16. Law & Disorder

First Aired February 23, 1995

Bayliss is met with hostility when he has to question his colleagues after Pratt is found dead and finds out no one is interested in helping him solve the case.

17. The Old and the Dead

First Aired April 13, 1995

Howard and Bolander return to duty, eager to put the shooting behind them and get back to closing cases. However, Howard's rhythm is thrown off due to her desk being moved, while Bolander has become irritable and has trouble sleeping. Felton teams with Bayliss to investigate a skeleton dug up in a backyard in a Billytown neighborhood of southwest Baltimore. Giardello stumbles across corruption in the department's upper levels, leading to a forced resignation and a surprise promotion to captain - that goes to Russert.*Guest star: Tim Russert as himself/cousin of character Megan Russert.*Note: In the pre-credits scene, Russert appears in a captain's dress uniform, though she does not get the promotion until the second half of the episode.

18. In Search of Crimes Past

First Aired April 20, 1995

A desperate young woman takes Colonel Barnfather hostage and demands that Bolander reopen a 16-year-old murder case that put her father on death row. Lewis investigates a suicide that proves to have a surprising connection to this case, while Pembleton and Bayliss try to find answers concerning an old woman found dead in her own bathtub. Munch hires a new bartender (Jerry Stiller) who has some unusual ideas for drumming up business at the Waterfront.

19. Colors

First Aired April 27, 1995

Bayliss' cousin Jim shoots and kills a Turkish exchange student who shows up at his front door looking for a party. When Pembleton investigates, he uncovers evidence suggesting that Jim may have acted out of prejudice against foreigners. Tension rises between Pembleton and Bayliss as the case goes to the grand jury. Meanwhile, Lewis tries to revive the restaurant end of the Waterfront's business by hiring a new cook: his grandmother.*Guest Star: David Morse as Jim Bayliss

20. The Gas Man

First Aired May 04, 1995

Released from prison after serving six years, a vengeful ex-con targets Pembleton, whom he blames for putting him there and ruining his life. He stalks Pembleton and Mary all day long, determined to harass and humiliate them both before finally deciding to kill Pembleton.