In the very first episode of the series, the hotheaded and alcoholic Detective Andy Sipowicz is determined to get mafia soldier Alphonse Giardella in prison, leading to Sipowicz attacking Giardella outside his restaurant. Suspended for his reckless actions, Sipowicz meets up with a prostitute and is lured into a trap by Giardella and shot nearly to death. A vengeful 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 (Rockford Files) as Head Mobster 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 NYPD Blue (season 1) was actor Robert Costanzo as the mafia soldier 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 appears in court on behalf of a man whose son was killed in a drive-by shooting. Laura Kelly's neighbour, Josh '4B' Goldstein, carries a concealed weapon hoping to surprise the person who mugged him.

Note

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

Kelly and Martinez investigate a strangulation murder; Fancy releases Sipowicz to full duty and he joins the investigation. Fallout from the Marino case implicates Licalsi's father in wrongdoing. Kelly moonlights as a bodyguard for the wife of a millionaire. Sipowicz exacts his own unique revenge on Giardella.

Note

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

Kelly and Sipowicz investigate a double homicide at a liquor store. Mrs. Wagner seeks revenge against her husband and Goldstein fatally ignores Kelly's warnings about confronting criminals.

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, come to take his brother to detox, discovers the super is also a cop. The super is harassing the tenants illegally to force them out. Following the death of a tenant in Roberto's building, a disgusted Kelly helps Martinez in bringing Hanlon to justice, saving Martinez from spending the rest of his career in IAB. A gambling addicted detective spends the last of his savings staging elaborate practical jokes at the precinct.

Notes

• Guest starring Luis Guzmán as James Martinez's father Hector and Mitchell Ryan as Officer Jack Hanlon.

Kelly is forced to arrest a close friend after a dispute on a basketball court results in a death. Sipowicz suspects a husband may be concealing the truth in the drive-by shooting of his wife. Licalsi's quick thinking saves Kelly's life during a drugs raid.

Notes

• Guest starring Tobin Bell as Jerry.
• There is a commentary for this episode by Brad Silberling on the DVD release.
• James Pickens Jr. guests stars as a postal worker named Nathan Foster, Pickens appeared again in Season 7 playing a different character, a Police Lieutenant named Joe Abner.

Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the disappearance of a young boy. Sipowicz's estranged son announces his engagement to a woman that raises the father's suspicions. Laura is the sole witness when an assassin ambushes Giardella. A man who claims to be a werewolf may have witnessed a murder.

Notes

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

Kelly interrogates a man suspected of committing a string of taxi robberies, one of which resulted in the shooting death of a cab driver. Sipowicz goes undercover at a topless bar. Lt. Fancy hires Donna Abandando, a civilian, as the precinct's receptionist and administrative assistant for the squad.

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".

When Roberto, Martinez's brother, dies of a drug overdose, their father vows revenge. Licalsi receives a blackmail threat from the mob. Medavoy, seeking a distraction from his troubled marriage, accepts Donna's offer to go ice skating.

Note

• Guest starring Luis Guzmán as Hector Martinez

Kelly investigates the brutal robbery-murder of a wealthy family and a Hollywood screenwriter reports that his Oscar has been stolen. Meanwhile, Licalsi ignores Kelly's advice and informs Lastarza that she is being blackmailed by the mob.

Note

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

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.