A personal favorite, this is a touching episode with powerful drama and strong character work.
Detective Crosetti (Jon Polito, sadly missing from this season on) is found dead. His distraught partner Lewis (a great Clark Johnson) refuses to believe his friend killed himself, in spite of Crosetti's recent suspicious behaviour. Bolander (Ned Beatty) investigates the case; his methods anger Lewis. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) and other detectives deal with the death of their colleague, each one in his own typical fashion.
I love how the show's gritty realism prevents any sort of sappiness. Lewis's denial about his partner's suicide is motivated not only by affection but also by a sense of guilt. A member of the Crosetti family hits on Howard (Melissa Leo) during the funeral procession, complimenting her red hair. Bolander admits he didn't particularly care about Crosetti but the suicide bothers him, inviting a reflection about his own failures. Best of all, usually sensitive Bayliss (Kyle Secor) learns that Crosetti's favorite pastries for the post-funeral reception will cost him a lot of money and blurts out: "That silly man and his silly cookies".
There are two big emotional payoffs. In the first, Lewis finally accepts that Crosetti committed suicide. In the second, Pembleton (Andre Braugher), who refused to attend the funeral for personal reasons, gives Crosetti a memorable goodbye as the procession passes by.
10/10
Detective Crosetti (Jon Polito, sadly missing from this season on) is found dead. His distraught partner Lewis (a great Clark Johnson) refuses to believe his friend killed himself, in spite of Crosetti's recent suspicious behaviour. Bolander (Ned Beatty) investigates the case; his methods anger Lewis. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) and other detectives deal with the death of their colleague, each one in his own typical fashion.
I love how the show's gritty realism prevents any sort of sappiness. Lewis's denial about his partner's suicide is motivated not only by affection but also by a sense of guilt. A member of the Crosetti family hits on Howard (Melissa Leo) during the funeral procession, complimenting her red hair. Bolander admits he didn't particularly care about Crosetti but the suicide bothers him, inviting a reflection about his own failures. Best of all, usually sensitive Bayliss (Kyle Secor) learns that Crosetti's favorite pastries for the post-funeral reception will cost him a lot of money and blurts out: "That silly man and his silly cookies".
There are two big emotional payoffs. In the first, Lewis finally accepts that Crosetti committed suicide. In the second, Pembleton (Andre Braugher), who refused to attend the funeral for personal reasons, gives Crosetti a memorable goodbye as the procession passes by.
10/10