A Death in the Family (7 May 1996)

Just days after Sylvia gives birth to a baby boy (Theo), Sipowicz suffers an emotional setback when Andy Jr. is found murdered in the line of duty. Sipowicz wants Simone to lead the case of... See full summary »

Director:

Mark Tinker

Writers:

Steven Bochco (creator), David Milch (creator)

Stars:

Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz, James McDaniel

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jimmy Smits	...	Det. Bobby Simone
Dennis Franz	...	Det. Andy Sipowicz
James McDaniel	...	Lt. Arthur Fancy
Nicholas Turturro	...	Det. James Martinez
Sharon Lawrence	...	A.D.A. Sylvia Costas
Gordon Clapp	...	Det. Greg Medavoy
Gail O'Grady	...	Donna Abandando
Justine Miceli	...	Det. Adrienne Lesniak (credit only)
Kim Delaney	...	Det. Diane Russell
Michael DeLuise	...	Andy Sipowicz Jr.
Debra Monk	...	Katie Sipowicz
Reno Wilson	...	Lonnie Edwards
Titus Welliver	...	Dr. Mondzac
Carmine Caridi	...	Det. Vince Gotelli
Dan Hildebrand	...	Mike

Storyline

Just days after Sylvia gives birth to a baby boy (Theo), Sipowicz suffers an emotional setback when Andy Jr. is found murdered in the line of duty. Sipowicz wants Simone to lead the case of his son's killer and also wants the opportunity for restitution. With Russell in tow, Simone tries to balance his desire for revenge, as well as his quest for justice to catch the killers. While Sipowicz breaks the news of his son's death to his first wife, Katie, he begins to show signs of an emotional breakdown. In the mist of all this turmoil, Donna makes her decision when she quits her job as administrative assistant to the precinct and moves to California, leaving New York for good.

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Plot Keywords:

sergeant

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1996 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 10, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Steven Bochco Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

46 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This marks Gail O'Grady's final appearance as Donna Abandando.

User Reviews

It was also my mourning… (DVD)

I choose now to extend reviews to my favorite shows on the basis of a symbolic episode. This "Death in Family" answers my expectations for the NYPD Blue show.

First, in spite of its shooting in LA, I really feel the Big Apple identity, even if I haven't go there so far.

Second, the best characters of all seasons are still here: Diane, Bobby, Andy, Meadevoy, Lesniak, James….

Third, unlike some audience who need extraordinary events, my preference goes to ordinary, simple life BUT shared by extraordinary human fellows: In this show, the 15th precinct accommodate high-class cops: they don't bicker each other, they aren't jealous, hypocrite, ambitious. In a working place, it is indeed a miracle !!! Everyone has his life, sometimes intertwined with colleagues, but they always stand united!!! In regard to all this assets, one of the best result was this particular episode: the depiction of the drama (the revelation & circling propgation)are very well told and all the cast are really moving.

In the storyline, it comes after a really funny episode (Andy & Bobby acted like criminals to arrest criminals) and it gives even more value to the compassionate cop lessons from Andy Sr to Andy Jr.

I feel all the more this mourning that, being single, I was following the lives of all those characters one show every evening: it was a bit like a family and thus, it is also a death in MY family.

Finally, when identification is so successful, you know that there is great Art (and Artists) behind !!!!

NB: the ending part[3.21] is also a Masterpiece !!!!!!