TVSquad

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(S01E01) Ahh, the glory days. When men were men, gas was cheap(er), and David Caruso wasn't aging like a raisin while patrolling the beaches of Miami. Of course, I'm talking about NYPD Blue when Caruso (as Detective John Kelly) was scouring the streets of Manhattan with the best bad New York accent I've ever heard. The year was 1993 and Steven Bochco and David Milch's new ABC cop drama would ensure that television would never be the same. It was, after all, dubbed the first ever "R-Rated" TV series.

"R-Rated" you ask? Allow me to quickly address that before I get into the details of the episode. The pilot, all 45 or so glorious minutes, contained all of the following profane nuggets:

• bitch
• I'm horny
• dickhead
• tits
• douche bag
• kiss my ass
• an inflatable woman sex doll
• Amy Brenneman's bare buttocks
• and lets not forget the classic shot of Sipowicz grabbing his junk (pictured)

Granted, none of these seem like a big deal today. But back in '93, every single one of those words, items, or actions became a reason to tune in next week. The show did incredibly well in it's debut season, but what was it all about?

David Caruso plays Det. John Kelly, and despite what a terrible partner Sipowicz has been, Kelly can't give up on the guy. Dennis Franz turns in a stellar performance as Andy Sipowicz. He's old, he's seen it all, and that calls for a drink. Well maybe a few drinks. The man is an alcoholic and it's getting in the way of his job. Lieutenant Fancy wants to pull Andy off of street detail and unless he cleans up his act, Kelly agrees.

Then the unthinkable happens. After pushing gangster Alfonse Giardella too far, the con-man sets up Sipowicz and puts about half a dozen bullets into the well toasted Detective. He's rushed off to the hospital, but we're left hanging regarding his condition.

The remainder of the pilot unfolds as Kelly has to deal with his soon to be ex-wife and his new flame. Played by Sherry Stringfield (weird not seeing her in scrubs or a lab coat) and Amy Brenneman respectively, Kelly has his hands full when it comes to the ladies. Of course, he's still trying to get to the bottom of the Moreno crime family so that Alfonse can be brought to justice. In the oddest twist (and one that I didn't see coming), Brenneman's character Officer Janice Licalsi reveals herself to be working for the Morenos. Or is she? I wonder if they have some dirt on her and her hand is being forced? Regardless, hours after having some hot sex with Kelly, she's told she has to kill him. We'll see what happens there.

Eventually, John goes to visit Andy at the hospital and Sipowicz squeezes John's hand. He'll be alright, but will he be ready to help Kelly weather the impending storm? The Morenos want both of them dead now. One episode down and I'm hooked. I can definitely see how this show has influenced other "realistic" cop shows like The Shield and I can also see where David Milch honed his knack for well written profanity like we get from Deadwood.

Oh, and a few other random notes:

• I love the generic '90s beat that comes with all the bumpers in between scenes. Every time I hear it all I want to do is get up and dance like those people in that Lionel Richie music video.
• Let's talk about Kelly's temporary partner Martinez. Specifically his shirt. There's this Mexican restaurant I go to and his shirt looks just like the tile from the men's bathroom there. It's freaky.
• David Schiwmmer! So this was how he got by before Friends. Talk about a random guest star.
• For those of you interested in the chronology of the "David Caruso head-tilt," it's alive and well. He cocked his noggin' to the right about 29 minutes into the episode.

Next Monday we'll cover Episode 2, "4B or Not 4B." I needs me some more Sipowicz.