NYPD Blue: Emission Accomplished

(S01E05) A Martinez-centric story. I didn't think we'd get one of these this early in the game. He still seems like too minor a character to warrant an episode largely devoted to him.

That being said, it wasn't half bad. One of the things I like about this show is seeing all the cop show stereotypes that it helped to create. In this case, I'm referring to the young rookie cop being side-lined because he has to watch over his smack addict brother. That's a stereotype... right?

Plus, the story allowed for the list of unexpected guest stars to keep growing. Luis Guzman made a random turn as James' father Hector. I didn't really buy it though, especially since Nicholas Turturro and Guzman only differ in age by five years. They looked more like brothers than father and son. Ahh, the joys of the suspension of disbelief.

The show seems to be leaning towards a trend of having one serious story and one humorous story for comic relief in each episode. They don't always jive well together and this episode was a good example. It's understandable though. We're still only five episodes into a then brand new series and it would be weird if Milch, Bochco, and Co. weren't taking some missteps. Even great shows need some time to find their groove.

Some more information on John Kelly, Sr. was given out via a dirty cop that Kelly brought down. Turns out that John's father was indeed killed in the line of duty.

I think the storyline I found most interesting was Kelly's first partner. To bring down that dirty cop I mentioned, someone had to wear a wire and rat him out. Initially it was going to be Martinez, but John took the task instead. It was interesting because when John was starting out, his partner ratted someone out and no one stepped up for him. He was blacklisted and eventually he could only get work in the I.A.D department. It was well done the way they mirrored the two stories together.

Sipowicz seems to be playing less and less of a role in each episode. But his stories are stretching out to other characters... if that makes any sense at all. Laura, who's now back as an A.D.A., is working with Alfonse Giardella in a government case. I can't see things going well when Sipowicz finds out that his partner's ex-wife is taking testimony from the man who shot him. Janice wasn't even in this episode.

But as I said, the show is still finding it's place. Characters are still being introduced (we met Detective Greg Medavoy for the first time). Story structure is being toyed with. But you can see a pattern developing. Of course, it's funny to think that the whole season and all that was accomplished needed to be reinvented again for the addition of Jimmy Smits in season two. But hey - that's television.