In the very first episode of the series, the hotheaded and alcoholic Detective Andy Sipowicz is foiled in his latest attempt to get mobster Alphonse Giardella in prison, leading to Sipowicz attacking Giardella outside his restaurant. Suspended for his reckless actions, Sipowicz is lured into an ambush by Giardella, who shoots him several times. Detective John Kelly, Sipowicz's younger partner who is going through a divorce, decides to take on the mob himself while starting a relationship with Officer Janice Licalsi.

Notes

• First appearance of David Caruso as John Kelly, Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz, James McDaniel as Arthur Fancy, Sherry Stringfield as Laura Michaels, Amy Brenneman as Janice Licalsi, Nicholas Turturro as James Martinez, and Sharon Lawrence as Sylvia Costas.
• Guest starring Daniel Benzali as James Sinclair, Joe Santos (The Rockford Files) as Angelo Marino, and David Schwimmer as Josh '4B' Goldstein.
• A quarter of ABC's 225 member stations preempted the pilot.
• The pilot earned a DGA Award; the competition included two other episodes from the season, "True Confessions" and "From Hare To Eternity".
• A recurring guest-star during Season 1 was actor Robert Costanzo as the mafioso Alphonse Giardella. Costanzo was also a guest on Friends, playing the character Joey Tribbiani Sr. in the first season episode "The One With the Boobies". Costanzo and Schwimmer are two Friends actors who appeared in multiple NYPD Blue episodes in the first season.
• The famous opening scene between Sipowicz and ADA Costas includes her saying the line "I would say 'Res ipsa loquitur' if I thought you knew what it meant," to which Sipowicz replied, "Hey, ipsa this you pissy little bitch", while grabbing his crotch. The phrase Costas is referring to is latin meaning 'the thing speaks for itself'.
• In 1996, TV Guide included this episode as part of its "100 Most Memorable Moments in TV History", ranking it # 83.

As Sipowicz slowly recovers from his wounds, he says that he cannot remember who shot him. Kelly intervenes to save a judge being held at gunpoint by a man angered by the former giving his son's killer a favorable plea bargain. Licalsi is forced to take matters into her own hands when the mob pressures her to deal with Kelly. Laura Kelly's neighbour, Josh '4B' Goldstein, is mugged and obtains a gun, ignoring Kelly's advice not to be consumed by vengeance.

Note

• This episode earned screenwriters David Milch, Michael S. Chernuchin, and René Balcer the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Teleplay from a Series.

Despite some lingering concerns, Fancy restores Sipowicz to full duty; he and Kelly resume their partnership by tackling a brutal robbery-homicide. Fallout from the Marino case implicates Licalsi's cop father in wrongdoing and threatens her new relationship with Kelly. Millionaire financier Thomas Wagner arranges for Kelly to moonlight as a bodyguard for his wife Susan, exposing a terrible secret between them. Disgusted with the DOJ cutting Giardella a deal for witness protection, Sipowicz decides to carry out one final act of revenge.

Note

• First appearance of Gordon Clapp as Greg Medavoy: Wendie Malick guest stars as Susan Wagner.

Kelly and Sipowicz assist a fellow detective on a double homicide committed during a liquor store holdup, but Sipowicz suspects that the wrong man has been fingered for the crime. Licalsi turns to Kelly for support when her father has committed suicide to avoid the shame of a trial. Mrs. Wagner turns herself in after a life-changing decision. Goldstein's obsession with vigilantism takes a deadly turn.

Notes

• Guest starring Wendie Malick as Susan Wagner, Ethan Phillips as Dwight, and David Schwimmer as Josh '4B' Goldstein.
• There is a commentary for this episode by David Milch on the DVD release.
• In 1997 TV Guide ranked this episode number 36 on its '100 Greatest Episodes of All Time' list.

Martinez discovers that his drug-addicted brother Roberto has been harassed by a dirty cop; learning that the same cop is behind a scheme to drive poor residents out of their apartments, he decides to become an IAB informant. Kelly, knowing that "turning rat" could destroy Martinez's career, makes a hard choice. In her first week as an ADA, Laura forms an unexpected connection with Giardella while collecting his testimony. A veteran detective in the 15th, facing bankruptcy after getting scammed, spends the last of his money on elaborate pranks.

Notes

• Guest starring Luis Guzmán as Hector Martinez and Mitchell Ryan as Officer Jack Hanlon.

Kelly is forced to arrest a close friend for fatally injuring a fellow basketball player; when the man then attacks a corrections officer, the two must come to terms with their strained relationship. Sipowicz uses psychological tactics to get answers in the drive-by shooting of a woman on the freeway. When Licalsi's quick thinking saves his life, Kelly contemplates giving her a second chance.

Notes

• Guest starring Tobin Bell as Jerry and Dean Norris as Father Curly
• There is a commentary for this episode by Brad Silberling on the DVD release.
• James Pickens Jr., who played defendant Nathan Foster, later appeared in Season 7 as Lieutenant Joe Abner.

While working on an emotionally charged case involving a missing boy and an alleged rapist, Sipowicz tries to reconnect with his own estranged son, Andy Jr., who is considering marriage. Laura is the sole witness when Giardella is murdered in a mob hit. Kelly helps a mentally ill homeless man find the courage to cooperate in a murder investigation. Licalsi and Kelly decide to make things official.

Notes

• This is the first appearance of Michael DeLuise as Andy Jr., Sipowicz's son.
• Guest starring Dan Hedaya as Lou the Werewolf.

Unable to directly prove that a man responsible for several cab robberies is also responsible for an act of murder, Kelly (with Martinez's help) goes all the way to obtain a confession. Sipowicz helps Costas prosecute a mobbed-up club owner; at dinner that night, they decide to start dating. Laura resists pressure from her boss to make false statements in court. Fancy hires Donna Abandando as the 15th's new administrative assistant.

Notes

• First appearance of Gail O'Grady as Donna Abandando.
• Guest starring Ginger Lynn Allen as Monique
• This episode earned director Daniel Sackheim a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and editor Stanford C. Allen a Creative Arts Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production".

Roberto Martinez dies of a heroin overdose; when Martinez realizes that his father plans to avenge Roberto and risk ruining his own life, Sipowicz and Kelly get involved. Licalsi is coerced into providing a favor to the mob and decides to face the consequences rather than get Kelly involved. Medavoy, in the throes of a midlife crisis, accepts Donna's offer to go ice skating.

Note

• Guest starring Luis Guzmán as Hector Martinez

An investigation into the brutal murders of a wealthy family forces Sipowicz to confront his personal bigotry when several black men are linked to the crime. Licalsi makes a deal with Lastarza to inform on her mob contacts, setting off Kelly's overprotective nature. A gay screenwriter suffering from writer's block and gerascophobia reaches out to Sipowicz for help recovering his stolen Oscar.

Note

• Guest starring Renee O'Connor as Rebecca Sloane
• There is a commentary for this episode by Brad Silberling on the DVD release.

On Christmas Eve, Sipowicz and Kelly race against time to save the life of a kidnapped girl. Medavoy and Martinez build a case against a fugitive set to be extradited to North Carolina, but the only witness proves to be a challenge. Fancy is pressured by Captain Haverill to transfer out of the 15th or end his career in disgrace; an unexpected ally comes to his aid. At the precinct Christmas party, Costas is turned down by Sipowicz. Kelly takes Laura's advice to trust Licalsi and stop judging her decisions. Licalsi makes contact with a dangerous man.

Note

• Guest starring Anthony Powers as Tommy Linardi

Detectives investigate the shooting death of a man whose wife recently transferred to the precinct. A woman claims she wants her husband prosecuted for spousal abuse but never follows through on her threat. Elsewhere, Medavoy begins an affair with Donna.

Notes

• Guest starring Bradley Whitford as Norman Gardner

A detective becomes the prime suspect in the suspicious suicide of a police informant. Laura believes Kelly may have overlooked evidence in a homicide investigation and a detective obsessed with his physique is tested for substance abuse.

Note

• This episode won the 1994 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
• There is a commentary for this episode by Sharon Lawrence on the DVD release; she notes that her role as a district attorney was originally written for a man; after she was cast and exhibited a behind-the-scenes rapport with Franz, her character was expanded to meet Franz's request for Sipowicz to have a romantic interest.

The detectives investigate the slaying of a young black teenager whose father takes matters in his own hands when a likely suspect escapes. Sipowicz suspects a private investigator is taking advantage of a man whose daughter disappeared 2+1⁄2 years earlier.

Notes

• There is a commentary for this episode by Bill Clark on the DVD release. Clark notes that the only roles that were initially cast were Franz as Sipowicz and McDaniel as Fancy. After Clark saw Mad Dog and Glory he suggested to the show's creators that David Caruso play Sipowicz's partner; Clark then found out that Caruso was already under consideration.

After a material witness escapes, again, from protective custody, and is gunned down in the street, the detectives scramble to save their case against the two brothers he was to testify against -- who have also planned a hit on Laura.

Notes

• Guest starring Leland Orser as Zeppo
• The episode marked the final appearance of Sherry Stringfield as Laura Michaels. Regardless, she remains credited for the rest of the season.
• Title plays with the Name of Zeppo Marx, one of the Marx Brothers

Kelly, Medavoy, and Martinez lead a search for a girl's body in a Staten Island landfill, finding another body in the process. Sipowicz attempts to clear Andy Jr.'s name after his son is arrested for selling drugs.

Note

• The episode earned production designer Paul Eads and set decorator Mary Ann Biddle a Creative Arts Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Series".

Detectives investigate the murder of a priest whose body was discovered in a park frequented by male prostitutes. Sipowicz reopens an investigation into the disappearance of a friend's daughter. While Kelly and Robin become lovers, Licalsi wins release on bail.

Notes

• Guest starring Daniel Benzali as James Sinclair and Bradley Whitford as Norman Gardner.