Detective Arthur "Art" Bradley, who is homosexual, but married with children, is the only surviving witness to a mass-murder in a gay bar; much of the episode revolves around attempts by Washington and LaRue to cover for him, and his eventual decision to come forward formally as a witness. Goldblume becomes Fay's partner in natural childbirth classes, a horse-riding eccentric, the "Cisco Kid" (Martin Ferrero) causes problems, and Calletano finally passes a kidney stone (with a loud scream) during very hot weather, and a series of city-wide power cuts. This episode introduced new photos for each cast member in the opening titles (except for Ed Marinaro); notably, Howard Hunter is finally shown with Lieutenant insignia, though he had been promoted in Episode 6 of the first season.

The title is a comment by Renko as Coffey walks out on a date with twin mud-wrestlers, arrested earlier in the day at a fracas in a mud-wrestling bar. Hill wins $100,000 on the lottery and promptly sets about losing it through gambling. Gang trouble flares on the eve of mayoral candidate Ben Fisk moving into a rough part of the Hill, the Dante Projects. The other candidate, Chief Daniels, attempts to engage the support of Furillo. Furillo and Goldblume fall out over the issue of gang leadership as Jesus Martinez returns from prison, undermining Goldblume's plan to promote Hector Ruiz. Deputy Chief Mahoney, who has a dislike of Hill Street, suspends Belker unjustly.

Deputy Chief Mahoney continues to make trouble for the Hill Street officers, leading Furillo to an uncharacteristic display of insubordination. LaRue and Washington recover a missing arm in time to have it sewn back on to the victim of a car crash. Davenport defends Kiki, a West Indian student who is robbed while working as a cab driver. Hector Ruiz takes another hostage - Ben Fisk - but this time loses his life when an EAT sniper kills him to save Fisk. Hill's winnings begin to have a negative effect on him. Renko loses a $2,500 gift from Hill, but Hill simply replaces the cash. Goldblume and Fay have their first kiss.

Bates and Coffey both pass the Sergeant's Examination (Bates third, Coffey 23rd) and hope for forthcoming vacancies in that rank. Kiki finds the knife used to attack him, but in his anxiety over his immigration status he visits his attacker to plead with him, and in the ensuing fight, kills him. Hill becomes insufferable (and only Renko stands by him) until he loses all his money in gambling. Fay is delivered of a healthy baby girl. At the Dante Projects, Ben Fisk returns (with press coverage) and is accidentally killed as he falls from a rotten window. At a gang killing across the street from Diablo headquarters, Jesus Martinez predicts it will be the last. Chief Daniels intervenes for Furillo and makes Deputy Chief Mahoney drop all charges against Hill Street officers.

Wonderland is a sex shop and peep show in Midtown Precinct, where Furillo's officers undertake an anti-vice operation on the orders of Daniels, as the Chief seeks points in the mayoral election race against his new opponent, Commander Ozzie Cleveland. Mike Perez accidentally shoots a small boy, Jimmy Robson, who was armed with a toy gun (this incident was based on a real-life incident in Stanton, California). To deflect attention during the election campaign, pressure is brought to bear on Furillo to arrest the child's mother, Mrs. Doris Robson (Alfre Woodard), for abandonment (she was out seeking employment, having insufficient money to feed the child). Bates is injured in a brawl and is invited on a date by the doctor who re-inflates her collapsed lung.

Hill and Renko capture the "Emily Post Bandit", though Renko is turned green by the explosion of dye packets in the money. The Bandit escapes custody and takes a woman hostage in her own home, demanding Dilaudid for her safe release. In court, the prosecution of Mrs. Robson for felony child endangerment is thrown out, with a severe reprimand from Judge Oberman to the city authorities for ever pursuing it. At the Wonderland operation, LaRue meets attorney Wachtel in a dress, exploring his sexual identity.

It is election day. Randolph Scripps, a late candidate, is creating more trouble than interest; Goldblume takes an interest. Daniels, expecting to win, offers to put Furillo forward as the next Chief. Deputy Chief Mahoney, overhearing, goes public with Daniels' and Furillo's roles in the failed Robson prosecution. Wachtel continues his comeback - still in women's clothes. Jimmy Robson's funeral takes place. Furillo spends time with Mike Perez Junior, the teenage son of Officer Mike Perez. Mike Junior has been bullied following Jimmy Robson's killing; Mike Senior remains in a psychiatric ward, traumatized by Jimmy Robson's death. This episode began with a tribute to Michael Conrad - this message, against a black screen: "Michael Conrad died November 22, 1983. Hill Street Blues is a living tribute to his memory. Rest in Peace"

"Buck Naked" has his feature role as a witness against corrupt taxi operators. The judge unexpectedly overturns the decision of the jury, and Davenport implies to Furillo that she suspects the judge of corruption. An investigation into police corruption turns up evidence that, fourteen years prior, rookie patrolman Howard Hunter was coerced into being the "bagman" for two corrupt Midtown detectives. Furillo informs Hunter, who sinks immediately into depression, believing that he has disgraced himself and the police force. Also in this episode, Fay and Henry have a sexual encounter, Hill is victorious in a police boxing match, and Michael Conrad makes a short and shaky appearance at roll call, looking very drawn and unwell. Rene Enriquez (Ray Calletano) does not appear in this episode.

Honk, the "guard goose on the loose", is caught by Bates and Coffey, but executed in the station by its owner; Calletano and Schnitz make arrangements to salvage the "dark meat". Hunter appears at the stationhouse with powder burns, having failed to commit suicide (LaRue, seeing his depression, had put blanks in Hunter's revolver); Furillo uses a favor from Daniels to avoid an Internal Affairs investigation of Hunter, then confronts Hunter about his state of mind. Belker is devastated and blames himself when a man who uses a wheelchair that he had arrested previously dies after helping him to go undercover as a disabled person and make an arrest. In the middleweight boxing finals, Hill falls prey to a rope-a-dope and is felled with one punch. Judge Cole is arrested for corruption as it becomes clear that the corruption runs deep, possibly including the entire vice squad of Midtown Precinct. Belker and Tataglia's relationship continues to get more serious. Michael Conrad again appears only at roll call with slurred speech due to his worsening cancer. NOTE: This episode portrays dangerously false information concerning the deadly consequences of blank cartridges fired at close range. Many fatal accidents have occurred from muzzle flash and concussion from blanks, including the death of Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee.

Three "Russian" journalists from the Soviet Republic of Georgia (now the independent Republic of Georgia) visit the Hill, where one attempts to defect. It transpires that he and the female delegate are in a relationship which has been complicated by the advances of the third delegate, a KGB officer. The matter is resolved without international incident. Belker goes undercover with an ambulance crew, and strikes up an unlikely relationship with the ambulance driver (Bruno Kirby) arising at first out of a shared diet. A temporary freeze on promotions upsets Bates, who is still awaiting a vacant sergeant's post. A young man with mental instability who is shot by police leaves a dependent dog whom Bates adopts, ironically naming him "Sarge". Furillo spots Goldblume kissing Fay. Note: A thin and frail Michael Conrad (Philip Freemason Esterhaus) makes his final appearance. Conrad's death will have a huge impact, not only on the lives of his fellow actors and the production crew, but his death will be written into the script of the show, thereby affecting various plotlines. Conrad's name appears in the opening credits through episode 16.

For the first time, Lieutenant Goldblume conducts Roll Call, filling in for Sergeant Esterhaus who is said to be "in for a check-up". Rats have infested the station house, but a man wearing evening dress and playing an accordion (Ron Rifkin) seems to lure them away, just as he promised. A cop killer is at large, causing anxiety. Belker goes undercover as a bag lady, and is slashed with a knife. Coffey and Bates staff an experimental police office within a housing project. Drawing on his recent suicide attempt, Hunter talks a woman out of suicide when Goldblume has failed to do so. Witnessing an armed robbery on his way home, Captain Furillo shoots the robber dead. Joyce Davenport learns that she is unable to have children.

Esterhaus is said to be in hospital for tests. For the second consecutive episode, Lieutenant Goldblume conducts Roll Call. Hill senses something wrong with his girlfriend, but she is gunned down before he can find out what. The cop killer is caught and arrested, but then discovered to be a copy-cat killer, with the original killer still at large. Nonetheless, the copy-cat killer helps implicate the corrupt Midtown cops being investigated secretly by Furillo, Calletano, LaRue, and Washington (with DA Irwin Bernstein). The rats return, but a better musician (in a dinner jacket) lures them away with bagpipes and deposits them in a fire station.

Two cops are transferred from Polk Avenue and are quickly joined by the third member of a love triangle, resulting in one shooting another. Coffey is shot and wounded by the cop killer. Goldblume takes his third roll call, but says Esterhaus will be "back tomorrow". The cop killer turns out to be the proprietor of the local cop hang-out cafe - he is arrested after nearly shooting Hunter. A social assembly of lieutenants and captains is interrupted by Washington, LaRue, and Goldblume as they arrest Lieutenant Tony Marino. The whole corruption ring at Midtown vice crumbles. Furillo is forced to tell Hill that his girlfriend was not only part of the Midtown corruption but also Marino's lover. Captain Fuchs is humiliated, and shown up as a poor manager - and his friendship with Furillo ends as they disagree over events.

Sergeant Phil Esterhaus dies while making love with Grace Gardner, and Captain Furillo announces the death at Roll Call, shocking the officers. In a double blow for Leo, he discovers his wife to be having an affair. Belker is let down by his backup (Hill and Renko) on an undercover operation, and the city suffers multiple lawsuits in consequence. Coffey's girlfriend Sandy (Linda Hamilton) is raped by a man recently released from prison as a non-violent offender. Jesus Martinez trades information for the release of two juvenile Diablos. Fay Furillo is arrested for prostitution by Officer Pfiezer, much to his embarrassment. Lucille Bates is offered promotion to sergeant, and the opportunity to take Esterhaus' job as Desk Sergeant - a thought which scares her. For the first time, Michael Conrad (Phil Esterhaus) does not appear in the opening credits. Note- In 1997 TV Guide ranked this episode number 49 on its "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.

A high class call girl (Kay Lenz) dominates the episode - particularly her relationship with Goldblume. Chief Daniels steals two videotapes of Goldblume's call girl having sex with prominent clients; he admits to Furillo that he (Daniels) appears on these two tapes. Furillo reads a last letter from Esterhaus to the officers at Roll Call, and then tries to find a legal way to scatter Esterhaus' ashes on the Hill. Bates tells Coffey that her promotion to Roll-Call Sergeant is to be announced the next day; still in mental turmoil from the rape of his girlfriend, Coffey is less than supportive, and his lack of support also ruins his relationship with Sandy. Former Captain Fuchs arrives to advertise his new private security consultancy and meets with disdain from Furillo and harsh words from Belker, who, because of his close relationship with Esterhaus, is taking his death particularly hard. The juvenile Diablos Jesus Martinez had released commit murder and then hold Leo Schnitz at knife-point; Jesus convinces them to surrender, but they are killed at Juvenile Hall later that night. Mr. Le Jardin from Divisional Accountancy arrives undercover to identify a petty thief, and discovers that Leo has been taking stationery home for personal use. At the end of the episode, the call girl - who was selling her story to the media - is found murdered. After being removed from the opening credits in the previous episode, Michael Conrad (Phil Esterhaus) appears in it as before.

The previous episode's murdered call girl may yet be avenged thanks to the evidence of her "manager", until he too is executed in the station, by an assassin dressed as a police officer. The police chaplain leads a memorial service for Phil Esterhaus. Bates' promotion is announced, but her first roll call goes badly, particularly as she reacts to the stealing of the podium; nonetheless, she gains respect during the episode. Renko develops what may have been a hernia, lifting a heavy woman stuck in a bath. The overcrowding of cells continues. Esterhaus' ashes are scattered on the road, at the very center of the Hill, as he requested, by a nocturnal gathering of officers; a street sweeper then sweeps them away. Natalie DeRoy arrives - a new khaki officer to assist Leo Schnitz. This episode marks the last appearance of Michael Conrad in the opening credits. Clarence Williams III of Mod Squad fame guests as Lester Menley; Edward James Olmos plays Judge Cruz.

Belker's recurring pickpocket is shot and killed - his real name finally emerging as James Logan; Belker reacts badly and breaks up with Robin, but she refuses to accept it. Fay and Goldblume also break up, but agree to remain friends. Deputy Chief Briscoe proves an annoyance to Furillo and Mayor Cleveland an even greater one, especially after Furillo is misquoted in the press over "Operation Stop and Cop", an operation Cleveland personally backed. The Mullins brothers appear - William is arrested and brother Timothy murders the key witness (Scatman Crothers). Joyce Davenport witnesses this murder but refuses to identify Mullins, fearing for her own life. Alan Wachtel becomes a judge, much to everyone's surprise. Cleveland refuses to believe Furillo was misquoted and threatens to make the captain pay for it. Bates misses the streets and the camaraderie with other street cops but Furillo encourages her and tells her it is time she put on her sergeant's stripes.

A genial census worker (Barry Corbin) is taken hostage and murdered, much to the dismay of his bodyguards, Hill and Renko, who were called away to back up other officers on the order of Deputy Chief Briscoe. Joyce Davenport agrees to testify against Timothy Mullins, but both brothers issue death threats against her. Furillo, most in need of his command to defend her, is relieved of duties by Chief Daniels on the orders of Mayor Cleveland. Cleveland is unhappy with Furillo's apology concerning his comments about "Operation Stop and Cop" and reassigns Furillo to command a task force at Division. Joyce accuses Furillo of failing to protect her, resulting in recovering alcoholic Furillo purchasing a fifth of Scotch. In the personal storylines, Renko's girlfriend Daryl Ann is pregnant, and Hunter dates both Bates and Fay Furillo, while looking for a partner - both turn him down (The lunch-date with Bates actually takes place in the previous episode). Kiel Martin (J.D. LaRue) does not appear in this episode; LaRue's absence is explained as due to infectious mononucleosis. This episode marks the first appearance of Ken Olin (Harry Garibaldi).

In a packed episode, "Operation Stop and Cop" continues to claim victims as Pilsky is shot and killed by a fleeing suspect; her delay in returning fire was caused by her "officer-involved" shooting the previous day. Bates and Briscoe argue publicly when the Deputy Chief denies that he ordered Pilsky's deployment; her death also affects Hunter, who had planned a date with her. Washington surrenders a video tape to Calletano showing Chief Daniels having sex with a prostitute (see Episode 72 above); Calletano uses the tape as leverage to facilitate Furillo's return to command Hill Street. Washington, Garibaldi and Belker, with Goldblume's approval, follow William Mullins all day cutting off his access to drugs until he slips up: when he refuses to surrender after committing an armed robbery, he is shot dead by the detectives after firing at them. Renko proposes nervously to Daryl Ann. Jesus Martinez marries his pregnant girlfriend (avoiding a conviction for her, as she had threatened him with a gun). Furillo, narrowly avoiding drinking the alcohol he has bought, seeks out his AA sponsor - only to discover that the sponsor has returned to hard drink himself and is in denial about the consequences. The episode title comes from a minor storyline about a legal battle between a man whose genitals became caught in a whirlpool drain and the distraught therapist who didn't release the power switch until he was punched. Kiel Martin (J.D. LaRue) does not appear in this episode.

The title comes from Judge Wachtel's wig as he wears a wire to help the DA's office convict a group of Mafia-connected loan sharks. The Hill Street precinct is also targeting them (with Belker, Renko, and Hill undercover), as is the State Liquor Authority, leading to considerable confusion and a SLA bust that nearly collapses the entire operation. Garibaldi does some unofficial investigation to avoid being sued after he crashed without insurance - Washington assists him, successfully. Marcus Peabody, a former gang member, is accused of corruption and embarrasses his new employer, Mayor Cleveland, who fires him. Natalie continues to admire Leo and discourages his attempts to regain the affections of his wife. Hunter's proposed "Equine Rapid Development Force" is rejected under budget cuts, even though he had bought his own horse (Apollo) to save the city money. Exhausted over their jobs leaking into their private life, Joyce and Frank separate at her suggestion. Kiel Martin (J.D. LaRue) does not appear in this episode. Andy Garcia appears as gang member Ernesto.

Lieutenant Calletano appears on the TV game show Lucky Ducks and does very well until he freezes on the question that would have guaranteed his winnings, losing everything. Peabody, back in charge of the Blood and seeking quick money to finance a gang war, approaches the group of Mafia-connected loan sharks which Belker has infiltrated. Peabody becomes too aggressive with the loan sharks, and they arrange to have him killed, leading to their arrests. Davenport's current client seems in a huge hurry to get through arraignment, which may mean he has an out-of-state record. Renko tries to marshal his wedding attendants - Hill (Best Man), Washington, Coffey, and Davis. At the rehearsal dinner, Darryl Ann's father is belittling of his daughter, the police, and especially Hill, whom he addresses by the epithet "boy". Lieutenant Hunter is increasingly worried about Apollo, his horse, who is seriously ill; the episode ends with Hunter settling down to a night in the stable with Apollo. Kiel Martin (J.D. LaRue) does not appear in this episode.

Belker is in demand from his Mafia prisoners after they hijack the prison bus transporting them to their incarceration. A guard is killed, but the prisoners are eventually recaptured. Goldblume and Garibaldi try video-dating, but Goldblume ends up arresting his first contact for solicitation. In order to make up a deficit to buy Renko's wedding gift, Coffey bets on a horse. Renko, after initial cold feet, finally marries Daryl Ann; J.D. LaRue, now recovered, is able to attend. Martinez and Calletano secure a gang cease-fire, but Martinez is attacked and wounded inside the station. Hunter's horse, Apollo, dies; but he secures a date with a fellow wedding guest at Renko's marriage, when she is attracted by his horse smell. Furillo and Davenport share one last night together before she leaves for Paris.