List of Hill Street Blues episodes

This is a list of episodes for Hill Street Blues. The series first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes into 1987.

Season 1 (1981)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Hill Street Station"	Robert Butler	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 15, 1981
A hostage situation arises in Captain Furillo's precinct. Public defender Joyce Davenport is looking for her client, lost due to bureaucratic mismanagement. Officers Hill and Renko are shot in the line of duty. The audience is introduced to Belker's growling, and his mother. This episode was awarded an Edgar for Best Teleplay from a Series. In 1996, TV Guide included this episode as part of its "100 Most Memorable Moments in TV History", ranking it # 63.
2	2	"Presidential Fever"	Robert Butler	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 17, 1981
Furillo is not pleased by the proposed visit of the US President to Hill Street. Meanwhile his emerging relationship with Joyce Davenport is floundering. Hill and Renko (who was in a coma for two weeks) return to work. Grace Gardner arrives to redecorate, and has her eyes at once on Sergeant Esterhaus. Belker solves a series of rapes and captures two rapists - but the main suspect remains at large. Two officers are jumped when they leave a building after finding no evidence of a suspected theft.
3	3	"Politics as Usual"	Robert Butler	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 22, 1981
Negotiations continue with the gangs over the Presidential visit. Hill and Renko split as partners. Corrupt detective Sergeant Ralph Macafee is introduced, and LaRue is challenged by a massive bribe. When LaRue attempts to return the bribe money back to Macafee, he is immediately busted by IAD agents. Faye is also busted being at the wrong place at the wrong time, but Furillo gets her out of jail on the condition they talk about an alimony arrangement they can both live with.
4	4	"Can World War III Be An Attitude?"	Robert Butler	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 24, 1981
The Presidential visit is canceled, leading to gang warfare, and a tense moment as the station house appears to be besieged. LaRue, under suspension, is investigated for corruption, and referred to the DA for prosecution. Grace Gardner begins her efforts to win over Sergeant Esterhaus. "Malibu" (a talented car thief and mechanic) is arrested by Hill and Renko, but released after mending most of the patrol cars and the station plumbing and electrics.
5	5	"Double Jeopardy" "Dressed to Kill"	Robert Butler	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 29, 1981
Many of the male stars appear in drag in an attempt to trap the serial rapist; they succeed, but Bates is hospitalized. Sergeant Esterhaus struggles with his two women, Cindy and Grace. Sergeant Macaffee's secret is finally uncovered - he has two wives and two families. His resulting corruption is uncovered, and saves LaRue from prosecution.
6	6	"Film at Eleven"	Georg Stanford Brown	Anthony Yerkovich	February 5, 1981
A film crew shadows the precinct, and takes a patrol with Hill and Renko. LaRue and Washington discover the gun used in the Hill/Renko shooting (pilot episode). Hunter appears for the first time as a Lieutenant, although he remains in the uniform of a Sergeant in the opening credits until the start of the fourth series. No direct reference is made to his promotion. Kevin "Dracula" is brought in by Belker on an assault charge, is detained in a jail cell and due to his mental instability hangs himself before the day is out. Both Joyce and Frank wonder if they did everything they could have to prevent it.
7	7	"Choice Cut"	Arnold Laven	Lee David Zlotoff	February 12, 1981
Hector (a 15-year-old repeat offender, for whom Furillo has a soft spot) takes hostages in an armed robbery; Furillo talks the situation to an end, preventing Hunter from deploying a massive arsenal of high-powered weaponry. Renko and Hill steal a large piece of meat, only to have it stolen from them by LaRue and Washington. The TV crew continues to cause trouble. There are questions about whether Renko has correctly identified his shooter. Men are still being kidnapped and stripped naked by three prostitutes in a black van.
8	8	"Up in Arms"	Georg Stanford Brown	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	February 19, 1981
Esterhaus goes out to meet a dangerous criminal, convicted on his evidence, now released from prison, only to find that his nemesis has taken to religion, and is seeking forgiveness from Esterhaus. Santini and Harris encounter the black van and attempt to apprehend the three prostitutes without calling for assistance; as a result, Harris is murdered. The alleged shooter of Renko and Hill is released without charge.
9	9	"Your Kind, My Kind, Humankind"	Arnold Laven	Teleplay: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich Story: Bill Taub	February 26, 1981
The TV presentation is favorable to Hill Street. The alleged shooter of Hill and Renko makes a confession, but Hill remains unconvinced, and distanced from Renko. Belker's love life suffers a setback. Following the death of Harris, Officer Santini resigns to pursue his passion for cabinet making.
10	10	"Gatorbait"	Georg Stanford Brown	E. Jack Kaplan	March 5, 1981
Commander Swanson has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Police. Furillo and Ed Chappell are the two Captains competing to be the new Commander. Hunter and the EAT are in the sewers on the annual alligator hunt, when LaRue and Washington play a joke on them. Fay Furillo is receiving abusive telephone calls.
11	11	"Life, Death, Eternity" "Life, Death, Eternity, Etcetera"	Jack Starrett	Gregory Hoblit & Lee David Zlotoff	March 12, 1981
Marvin (Marv) Box, the station handyman, dies aged 32, leaving no relatives, and causing much reflection by the other characters. Fay's stalker becomes bolder, entering her home. Furillo takes on a possibly corrupt City Councilman, despite the potential to damage his promotion to Commander. Esterhaus informs Furillo that in the light of his possible promotion out of the Precinct, certain other officers have requested to leave: one retirement, plus transfer requests from 17 detectives and 28 uniformed officers. Lieutenant Hunter produces a model of the PANDA (urban tank) with relish, while Furillo is upset by its proposed used in "Sniper Alley"; however, Chief Daniels has already authorized the deployment. One of the new officers in the field harasses Belker due to his Jewish heritage, resulting in a fight between the two.
12	12	"I Never Promised You a Rose, Marvin"	Robert C. Thompson	Anthony Yerkovich	March 19, 1981
The investigation of Councilman McAuley is successful, and he is charged; but given his influential friends, Furillo loses any chance of promotion to Commander. Esterhaus reveals (to Goldblume) that Cindy is only just 18. His other girlfriend (Grace) is considerably more mature, but he needs both. Hunter receives his PANDA (urban tank), but while lunching with a squad of EAT officers and two Japanese businessmen (from the PANDA's manufacturers) it is stolen, stripped, gutted, and dumped in the East River. Fay's telephone stalker is caught - a patient of Harvey. Transfer requests had topped 75, and everyone at the Hill is relieved that their Captain will not be promoted away from them.
13	13	"Fecund Hand Rose"	Gregory Hoblit	Alan Rachins	March 26, 1981
Lives are threatened as a mystery sniper takes a shot at Macafee and the officers protecting him; Goldblume, under fire for the first time, is particularly unnerved. Esterhaus is shocked when Grace bares all in the roll-call room. Later she turns up at his wedding to Cindy, prompting him to faint, and leaving the wedding postponed.
14/15	14/15	"Rites of Spring"	Gregory Hoblit	Part 1: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco Part 2: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	May 19, 1981
Part 1: Officers Mike Perez and Joe Coffey both have their first major roles in this episode; both were to be regulars for the next four years. There is a major clash between their respective partners (Cooper and Bates). Goldblume, reflecting on his son's illness and his clashes with narcotics colleagues, decides to resign, but Furillo persuades him to reflect further. Esterhaus is back with Grace, and his marriage to Cindy is cancelled. LaRue has an increasing problem with alcohol dependency, which leads to a near disaster for Belker, under cover, when he requests backup from LaRue. Weeks (Charles Hallahan), a racist narcotics officer, shoots a black suspect (legitimately) in the final scene. Part 2: While everyone pursues Weeks, he finds an unlikely ally in Washington, who believes his story. LaRue's drinking problem intensifies, and Furillo puts him on notice. Fay is mugged in the street.
16/17	16/17	"Jungle Madness"	Corey Allen	Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	May 26, 1981
Part 1: Everyone is still out to get Weeks, and even Furillo begins to question him; only Washington defends him. Davenport still wants to keep her relationship with Furillo secret. Esterhaus has a birthday, but doesn't like his belly dancing surprise gift, which interrupts roll call. LaRue's drinking nearly kills him and Washington, and Furillo gives him an ultimatum. Part 2: At the eleventh hour Washington finds the evidence to save Weeks, proving him innocent. Chief Daniels, who had already written off Weeks, is greatly displeased, and tempers flare between him and Captain Furillo. LaRue reaches rock bottom and finally walks into his first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous - only to find Furillo also in attendance (a theme that was to recur strongly throughout all seven seasons). Coffey is shot during a vehicle stop. In the original version (now hard to obtain) he dies instantly. In the remade version (now broadcast as the repeat, and also the version available on video release) he is gravely injured, but recovers to return to the second season.

Season 2 (1981–1982)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
18	1	"Hearts and Minds"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	October 29, 1981
Coffey is on his tenth day back at work after the shooting. A missing seven-year-old boy has a huge team searching throughout the episode, including Bates, Coffey, Renko, Hill, and Perez, but it is Goldblume who finally locates the child. A thieving orangutan and its owner are arrested. Esterhaus is worn out by Grace Gardner and trying to distance himself from her, without success. Detective Ben Lambert (Charles Guardino) is accused of sexual assault during an arrest. Furillo celebrates his 40th birthday, and both Fay and Davenport ask to spend the night with him. He chooses Davenport (who, unusually, addresses Furillo as "Pizza Man" twice in this episode), but having demanded more in their relationship, he ends the episode alone.
19	2	"Blood Money"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	November 5, 1981
The orangutan is still in the station, and Belker leads a successful raid to recover stolen military weaponry, in an otherwise relationship-dominated episode. Goldblume (who is married), undercover as a cab driver, meets a new lady friend; Furillo and Davenport meet socially at an art exhibition, with other partners; Esterhaus formally breaks up with Grace; Hunter asks Grace on a date, and ends up heading towards the desired night of passion; Goldblume throws caution to the wind, and ends the episode back with his new friend in her apartment.
20	3	"The Last White Man on East Ferry Avenue"	David Anspaugh	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Robert Crais Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	November 12, 1981
The eponymous hero of the episode is a widower defending his property from immigrant neighbors who have already killed his dog; unfortunately, carried away, he produces a shotgun and kills a teenage boy, leading to a siege, ended by Goldblume's brave intervention. In the other main storyline, Detective Brooks is murdered by the Black Arrow, leading to the arrest of Jesse John Hudson, their leader, posing as a respectable politician. Goldblume's affair is discovered by his wife, who throws him out and ends their marriage. Hunter is forced to admit failure in his proposed night of passion with Grace Gardner, due to what Furillo calls "an equipment failure". Esterhaus spends the night with Margaret, his estranged wife "just sleeping".
21	4	"The Second Oldest Profession"	Robert Butler	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Robert Crais Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich	November 19, 1981
The title comes from "Operation Jezebel", uniformed officers and EAT rounding up prostitutes on the Hill. Hudson arrives at court to face Furillo, but is assassinated by his former lawyer, still bearing the scars of the beating he gave her. Macallister comes out as gay to Esterhaus, and makes a pass at him - ruining Esterhaus' first lunch break outside the station since he came to the Precinct "three years ago". Esterhaus and Gardner, Furillo and Davenport, and the two Goldblumes, all get back together.
22	5	"Fruits of the Poisonous Tree"	Rod Holcomb	Jeffrey Lewis	December 3, 1981
When LaRue and Washington arrest Maxwell Jenkins (Essex Smith) a cat and mouse game begins between police and Joyce Davenport, resulting in Jenkins (a serial mugger preying on elderly people) being released, due to a legal concept known as "Fruit of the poisonous tree". Grace briefly thinks she is pregnant, much to the delight of Esterhaus - and his dismay when it proves untrue. Bates shoots and kills a 14-year-old boy (who had first fired on her), himself the murderer of a ten-year-old girl, leading many officers to reflective contemplation.
23	6	"Cranky Streets"	Randa Haines	Teleplay: Robert Crais Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	December 10, 1981
Officers Gerry Nash and Estella Sanchez, transferring from other precincts, are assigned to Hill and Renko for local training. Hill and Nash formerly served together at Jefferson Heights Precinct, and Nash starts well, rescuing two people from a burning car. Later, at a violent incident, Nash uses excessive force and seriously wounds a suspect, for which Hill later covers, also persuading Renko, Bates, and Coffey to do likewise. Coffey encounters childhood friends, while patrolling his old neighborhood, and arrests one of them. A strike looms as the City Council fails to meet police pay and conditions demands.
24	7	"Chipped Beef"	Georg Stanford Brown	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	December 17, 1981
William Teacher, a friendly and helpful black father and husband, saves Renko from a serious assault and Washington and LaRue from a mob - yet is arrested due to an outstanding warrant, five years old, from a different state. The officers are indignant and demand his release - something Furillo initially refuses, but finally arranges. In the initial scene with teacher (15 minutes into the episode) Hill uses an early example (1981 broadcast date) of the techno-intransigent catchphrase "Computer says no". Furillo talks to the officers covering for Nash and persuades them to change their statements and tell the truth; this leads Nash to resign. Belker has an undercover encounter with the new phenomenon of ATM cash machines - and catches the culprits involved. On the personal front Washington and his girlfriend Jill (Lynn Whitfield) have a hiccup and a reconciliation. Fay's new fiancé collapses and dies at a public lunch, in front of Furillo and Hunter. She is comforted by Davenport - their first formal meeting.
25	8	"The World According to Freedom"	Jeff Bleckner	Michael Wagner	January 7, 1982
An unidentified street gang tortures and murders several innocent people in an extended robbery and Furillo responds angrily against all the gangs. Belker's petrol station undercover operation is ruined by the well-intentioned "Captain Freedom", who fancies himself as a superhero, and dresses in a red lycra suit and green shorts and elbow pads, with a red leather cap and goggles. The downstairs holding cells are refurbished, and at once a prisoner tries to hang himself in them.
26	9	"Pestolozzi's Revenge"	Randa Haines	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 14, 1982
Chief Daniels is concerned about corruption in the South Ferry Precinct and asks Furillo to set up a fake saloon there; Furillo is dismayed that when he appears before the politically motivated corruption commission, plans (and the details of his private conversation with Daniels) appear to be known. As just part of a very bad day, Renko crashes two patrol cars, and has to confess to having his police revolver stolen while he was engaged in illegal gambling. Coffey is discovered to have engaged in sexual activity with a married woman, while standing up Bates - she is unforgiving. "Captain Freedom" continues his anti-crime campaign.
27	10	"The Spy Who Came in From Delgado"	Georg Stanford Brown	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 21, 1982
Corruption-spotting is still the central feature of Department life as the Sullivan Commission continues. A filing clerk transferred from Division seems friendly but inefficient, leading Calletano to uncover her as a detective, sent by Daniels to spy on the Precinct. She is sent away, but has already discovered the truth of Officer Arthur Delgado, kept on the books as a "paper soldier" by Furillo to get credit for 20 years service for his pension, having suffered burnout after nineteen and one-half exemplary years on the force. "Captain Freedom" continues shadowing Belker to "help and protect" him.
28	11	"Freedom's Last Stand"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	January 28, 1982
Goldblume goes undercover to solve a purse snatching, and gets badly beaten, yet successfully apprehends the purse snatcher. Furillo testifies again before the Sullivan Commission and offers his resignation to Chief Daniels, who has clearly set him up. Daniels refuses the resignation and agrees to restore Delgado to 30 years service for pension purposes. Still successfully entrapping corrupt officers in South Ferry, the fake saloon is raided by armed robbers - in the ensuing shoot-out "Captain Freedom" is fatally wounded, and dies in Belker's arms. After 30 hours of successful gambling, Bates loses out in the final game of the tenth annual inter-precinct Poker tournament.
29	12	"Of Mouse and Man"	Thomas Carter	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	February 11, 1982
The title comes from Belker's pet mouse, Micky, who is accidentally killed by Coffey during the episode. Public Defender Pam Gilliam is murdered (much to the distress of Davenport), but following a joint sweep of the Royal Blood gang by EAT and uniform, the murder weapon is recovered by Hunter, Schmeltzer, and Ballantine. In his absence, Hill is elected Vice President of the Black Officers' Coalition (BOC) (proposed by Lieutenant Cleveland), leading to a strained relationship with Renko. Goldblume pursues a complaint against a vicious and uncaring landlord in a decaying apartment block. Jonathan Frakes appears as a drug dealer.
30	13	"Zen and the Art of Law Enforcement"	Arnold Laven	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Thom Thomas & Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	February 18, 1982
The Gilliam murder suspects are released on a legal technicality. LaRue drinks and almost ruins a major drugs bust. Goldblume loses his patience with the corrupt landlord and uses force to make his point. Renko has a temporary partner (just transferred from Washington Heights Precinct) who lets him down badly, while Hill is busy with BOC work. Esterhaus discovers more about Grace's prolific sex life.
31	14	"The Young, the Beautiful and the Degraded"	Lawrence Levy	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	February 25, 1982
Gilliam's murderer is finally caught - but only after he has been released and killed his own accomplice for alleged disloyalty. Furillo sends LaRue to work in the motor pool and warns that he intends to recommend dismissal. Hill resigns as Vice President of the BOC.
32	15	"Some Like it Hot-Wired"	Thomas Carter	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner Story: Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco	March 18, 1982
A successful bust of car thieves gives the episode its title. In the opening scenes Furillo receives retirement threats from three of his senior staff: Sergeant Esterhaus (whose car has been stolen overnight), Sergeant Goldblume (who has missed out on promotion, apparently because a black promotion candidate was needed), and Lieutenant Calletano (whose pay deductions have left him with a monthly income of just nine dollars). Sergeant Chesley receives his promotion to Lieutenant, precipitating Goldblume's depression. Goldblume compensates by going out on an undercover operation, where he is shot, the bullet just missing his heart. Davenport narrowly avoids contempt of court when she suddenly refuses to defend her client - a reaction to the Gilliam murder. Renko visits his father in hospital and learns that Renko Sr. is riddled with cancer, and has a short time to live.
33	16	"Personal Foul"	David Anspaugh	Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	March 25, 1982
Belker and Washington are undercover at an adult movie cinema. A redundant housing authority cop takes his partner and child hostage. Goldblume returns to work and announces his divorce. The precinct plays basketball against a mixed team of gang members. A final second victory is denied when someone in the crowd shoots the ball (with a gun).
34	17	"The Shooter"	Thomas Carter	Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	May 6, 1982
Halloran and Tubbs are shot (the former fatally) with a weapon which had been in police custody. Officer Wallins (Ben Slack) of the Property Department admits to selling the piece to his brother-in-law, thus beginning a mammoth process of tracing the weapon. LaRue, who is incidentally involved via the motor pool, proves key to the trace. John Renko (Officer Renko's father) returns to hospital after his spine collapses, and prepares to die. Hill Street hosts a weapons convention, at which Hunter urges the chief officer of the EAT (Commander Remmington) to increase his weapons budget - Furillo is indignant at the suggestion.
35	18	"Invasion of the Third World Body Snatchers"	Gregory Hoblit	Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	May 13, 1982
John Renko dies, but the van containing his body is stolen from outside the funeral home. Later the abandoned corpse is discovered by Bates, Coffey, and Belker. Commander Lakeland continues to pester Bates, who has called off their relationship after discovering that Lakeland is married. Furillo and Davenport finally depart on holiday, after Joyce successfully clears a man falsely accused of rape.

Season 3 (1982–1983)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
36	1	"Trial by Fury"	Gregory Hoblit	David Milch	September 30, 1982
Sergeant Esterhaus appears only at roll call; it is explained that he will be spending each daytime training cadets (in fact actor Michael Conrad was increasingly ill and unable to act). Officer Jock Buchanan appears for the first time promoted to Corporal. The murder of shopkeeper Rodriguez is overshadowed (and unsolved) by the rape and murder of a nun by two black men. They are caught and finally confess, chiefly to avoid being released uncharged into the angry mob awaiting them. Calletano faces up to an IRS tax audit. Belker arrests Eddie Gregg - his first encounter with the young male prostitute, destined to have a profound effect upon the detective.
37	2	"Domestic Beef"	Jeff Bleckner	Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	October 7, 1982
Bates and Coffey find a bull in a fifth floor apartment, but Hill and Renko preside over the disaster of trying to return it to ground level in a sling under the police helicopter. Captain Hogan (Jefferson Heights) is found guilty of misconduct at Furillo's insistence by a Board of Rights because he could not control corruption in his precinct. Hogan later crashed the 25th anniversary dinner of Chief Daniels, makes an impromptu speech, then goes home and kills himself. Goldblume, undercover as an ice-cream salesman, arrests a 15-year-old robber. Belker, on the same operation, forgets his mother's birthday. LaRue is turned down for a security job in the Bahamas, and is furious that the job is offered to Washington instead.
38	3	"Heat Rash"	David Anspaugh	Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	October 14, 1982
The heatwave continues. A gang meeting to discuss participation in the Hollywood movie, proves a success. Fay begins work as a crime reporter, thanks to a press pass issued by Chief Daniels. The Chief orders Furillo to get rid of Goldblume, convinced he is corrupt - Furillo, naturally, resists. Councilman Detweiler is arrested (again) for drink driving, but is released (again) on the orders of Chief Daniels. Hunter heads into hospital with a tumor, fearing he has cancer.
39	4	"Rain of Terror"	Thomas Carter	Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	October 21, 1982
Officers Coley and Lyle, prominent figures of early series three episodes who had looked like new regulars, are discovered (by LaRue and Washington) to be corrupt - both are arrested and suspended. Furillo defies Chief Daniels in supporting Goldblume, and incurs the Chief's wrath. Hunter's tumor is discovered to be benign, although he has already discussed his funeral plans with Furillo. Renko meets a lovely woman on his birthday and spends an hour of passion with her - only to discover that she is a prostitute hired by his friends. Initially reacting badly, later he asks her to accompany him to the baseball, and she accepts. Actor John Gennaro is killed while on stake out with Belker. Washington turns down the job offer in the Bahamas, to stay with partner LaRue.
40	5	"Officer of the Year"	David Anspaugh	Karen Hall	October 28, 1982
Ray Calletano is Hispanic Officer of the Year, but unexpectedly uses his presentation dinner to attack the Police Department for institutional racism. Belker is undercover in a massage parlor, while Washington (as back up outside) accidentally shoots dead the shop keeper rather than the robber in the confused aftermath of a robbery in the massage parlor's neighboring store. Bates has her first court appearance and is made to look foolish by Davenport. Renko chases a mugger and subsequently dates the female victim. Frank Junior is missing throughout the episode, but is found in a tearful final scene.
41	6	"Stan the Man"	Thomas Carter	David Milch	November 4, 1982
Centered on a condemned building, in one storyline Goldblume contends with an elderly resident determined to jump from the roof, while in another storyline Hill and Renko deal with a family who will not leave without grandma (but she is immobile, elderly, and almost blind). The grandmother predicts that God will deal with the situation, and (clutching her Bible) promptly dies. Detective Mizell[1] (undercover narcotics) clashes with Washington and LaRue during a meeting with "Sid the Snitch" (set to become major character), and later also with Furillo. Out of control, he later smashes up LaRue's car and finally is found dead - causing suspicion to fall on LaRue. Hunter continues to get closer to Nurse Wulfawitz. Belker's father's condition deteriorates. Determined to fund a home nurse, he seeks a loan at his bank, which is firstly refused, but then granted after Belker deals with an armed robbery.
42	7	"Little Boil Blue"	David Anspaugh	Robert Earll	November 11, 1982
The boil of the title is on Hill's bottom. A suspect is found in the Mizell[1] murder; Daniels asks Furillo to investigate and keep Fuchs informed - then behind Captain Fuchs' back indicates that he wants Fuchs hung out to dry. Belker is undercover investigating insurance fraud, which requires him to get knocked down by Goldblume in a car. Bates and Coffey try to deal with a disturbed Vietnam veteran, but the encounter ends in disaster. Fay's first newspaper article is twisted by the editors, prompting her to accept the advances of Wachtel the lawyer, in order to secure some free legal advice.
43	8	"Requiem For a Hairbag"	Robert Kelljan	Mark Frost	November 18, 1982
Chief Daniels praises Mizell[1] at his funeral, for the sake of his family, while preparing to act on the evidence of Mizell's widespread corruption. Councilman Detweiler threatens to expose Mizell's corruption - and corruption in the police force in general - but, before he can act, he kills an old lady while driving drunk. Hill is naked on the doctor's table when his fellow officers burst in to arrest the doctor for fraud. LaRue abandons his attorney, Wachtel, moments before he too is arrested, on the same charge. Hunter proposes to his nurse girlfriend, but she (a Jewish woman) turns him down on grounds of religion. Fay Furillo's home is burgled. Bates and Coffey deal with a baby abandoned in the back of their patrol car. A title card before this episode states: "This episode of Hill Street Blues is dedicated to the memory of Dominique Dunne" (who portrayed Cindy, the abused teenage mother of the abandoned baby).
44	9	"A Hair of the Dog"	Gregory Hoblit	Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	November 25, 1982
Six newly qualified officers start their first shift, including Robin Tataglia who was destined to remain to the very end. The State Governor pays a visit, during which his wife's dog (a gift from the people of Tibet) is stolen and held for ransom. On Chief Daniels' orders disproportionate police resources are assigned to the search. A missing autopsy report highlights drastic failings on the part of the coroner and his staff. Furillo (an old friend) tries to help. Eddie Gregg becomes an informant for Belker.
45	10	"Phantom of the Hill"	David Anspaugh	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch Story: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	December 2, 1982
The Phantom (a fictional sewer-dwelling beast, acted out by an experienced officer to frighten rookies) strikes. Played by LaRue, he strikes terror into the four new officers in a storm drain until one of them panics and opens fire - happily missing his target. Eddie Gregg informs on his boyfriend, who has committed a multiple murder. Belker allow Gregg to sleep at his house. Belker also arrests a suspect during a robbery at a jeweler, where he is collecting a ring for Esterhaus. Esterhaus proposes to Grace Gardner, but is rejected. The coroner's incompetence intensifies as it transpires that a corpse essential as evidence has been cremated.
46	11	"No Body's Perfect"	Randa Haines	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch Story: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	December 9, 1982
Coroner Nydorf is humiliated in court, despite Furillo's warning that the authorities wish to get rid of him. Officer Crawford is partnered with Hill, his third partner is three days. Despite assuming a reputation for cowardice, he bravely stands up to an armed murderer, winning the respect of his colleagues. Renko and Coffey fight over a woman, but make up. Sid the Snitch is arrested. Belker's relationship with Eddie Gregg becomes more complex. The Governor's wife's dog is found - but promptly lost again by Hunter. Ray Calletano attempts to set up Esterhaus with the Esperanza, the cousin of his wife (Rosa), whose US visa is close to expiring. Big Bertha, the station furnace, misbehaves throughout the episode, causing extremes of heat in the building.
47	12	"Santaclaustraphobia"	Jeff Bleckner	Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	December 16, 1982
To catch a thief Belker is one of three detectives undercover as street Santas in this Christmas episode. Later Belker distributes toys at the Children's Hospital, assisted by several cast members dressed as elves or reindeer. Thus attired, they make a significant arrest (of armed muggers) on their way home in a police van. Hill's father visits, but is not welcome. He borrows money and leaves again. Washington suffers guilt following his shooting of an innocent shopkeeper three months earlier.
48	13	"Gung Ho"	David Anspaugh	David Milch & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	January 20, 1983
The Gung Ho Chinese takeaway supplies lunch to a busy Hill Street station, resulting in multiple upset stomachs. Two terrorists from the "Uhuru" movement are questioned in the station following the armed robbery of a security van, in which two guards were killed. Meanwhile the same group shoots dead Officer Dorsey while he is collecting coffee for himself, Tataglia, and Belker who are undercover in a games arcade. The group's headquarters is later discovered, and all those inside are killed in a shoot-out with the Hill Street officers.
49	14	"Moon Over Uranus"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & David Milch Story: Joseph Gunn & Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis	January 27, 1983
Furillo, woken in the night by the county sheriff to vouch for Renko who had exposed himself at a stag party, assigns Renko to parking ticket duty, riding a Vespa moped. His first ticket is issued to Detective Benedetto, and leads to a fist fight. Goldblume, now promoted to Lieutenant, tries to support a young woman threatened by her ex-boyfriend. Bates and Coffey arrest a survivalist who is then, in a case of mistaken identity, shot in the station by a detective from another precinct, whose daughter has been attacked. Fay tries to get herself sent to court in order to see her traffic judge boyfriend again after a row. Chief Daniels takes to the streets, but is bitten by a rat, leading to an intensive rat hunt.
50	15	"Moon Over Uranus: the Sequel"	Oz Scott	Teleplay: Mark Frost Story: Mark Frost & Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis	February 3, 1983
Renko rescues several people from a burning building, and is recommended for a medal - and returned to motor patrol. Hill fights Benedetto, to avenge Renko. Goldblume's female victim is murdered by her stalker, as she predicted, and as Goldblume had feared. Chief Daniels orders a massive swoop on drug dealers, but the operation is aborted by Furillo. Hunter is upset, but Daniels is furious, ordering a series of repeat operations. Furillo goes on a date while Joyce Davenport is out of town.
51	16	"Moon Over Uranus: the Final Legacy"	David Anspaugh	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & David Milch Story: Philip Combest & Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis	February 10, 1983
Furillo questions Davenport about why she never checked into her hotel while away on interview; their relationship becomes strained. Lieutenant Calletano sports a wig (briefly, and to the amusement of colleagues) before confessing a fear that he will never be promoted to Captain (in the light of Goldblume, who is a confidant of Furillo, being recently promoted to Lieutenant). Sergeant Esterhaus confides that he once took, and passed, the Lieutenant's Examination, but was still passed over for promotion to that rank.
52	17	"The Belles of St. Mary's"	David Rosenbloom	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & David Milch Story: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	February 17, 1983
LaRue makes a fool of himself when a group of schoolgirls visit the station - revealing his fantasies about schoolgirls, which recur in later episodes (see ep 140, for example). Vic Hitler, a penniless comedian with multiple outstanding traffic tickets, is arrested, and causes much amusement. The death-in-custody of a young black man leaves Coffey under suspicion. Lieutenant Calletano and newly promoted Lieutenant Goldblume argue over seniority - technically Goldblume is senior as he is a "Detective Lieutenant", while Calletano believes he has seniority, having been a Lieutenant for several years. Furillo takes them out to lunch to solve the problem, but relationships remain tense. Belker and Tataglia develop their relationship further. Davenport is offered the job in Washington.
53	18	"Life in the Minors"	Jeff Bleckner	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall Story: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	February 24, 1983
LaRue continues to work with Vic Hitler, investing $500. The much sought-after biker is found and arrested - an alternative suspect in the death-in-custody, though IAD continue to question Coffey (much to the annoyance of Bates). Belker's father dies, and Furillo breaks the news while Belker is on an operation. Calletano, still working on his promotion prospects, draws up a list of refutations of possible criticisms of himself (none of which has actually been made). LaRue sets up a false undercover operation to lure one of the school girls into a van. She offers him sexual favors, but he has a lucid moment, makes his apologies, and leaves.
54	19	"Eugene's Comedy Empire Strikes Back"	David Anspaugh	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & David Milch & Karen Hall Story: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	March 3, 1983
Crockett, the biker, continues to cause trouble. Furillo and Davenport surprise themselves, and everyone else, by getting married during their lunch break. Fay Furillo is distressed, and admits she had hoped that she and Frank would get back together eventually. Tataglia transfers to a different precinct, maintaining her relationship with Belker, but no longer working with him. Bates goes undercover as a bus driver, and successfully arrests armed robbers. Vic Hitler begins a comedy routine on stage, arranged by LaRue, but then falls asleep - later admitting he has narcolepsy.
55	20	"Spotlight on Rico"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner	April 28, 1983
Benedetto reappears, this time on temporary transfer to Hill Street. While making his first arrest (Mo Feldstein) with Washington he kills Crockett (the biker) who had drawn a gun and threatened the detectives. A man arrested at the scene of a murder in a night shelter turns out to be the murderer. It is discovered that he has dissociative identity disorder, without about 30 personalities. Hunter proposes to Nurse Wulfawitz, who turns him down and ends their relationship. Rico finally comes down from his six-year high on drugs, thanks to Leo's dedicated support. Benedetto proves corrupt when the episode closes with him illegally executing Mo Feldstein in a secret night-time meeting.
56	21	"Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart?"	Thomas Carter	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall Story: Steven Bochco & Anthony Yerkovich & Jeffrey Lewis	May 5, 1983
LaRue's attempts to fool colleagues with a cow's heart fall flat - nobody mistakes it for a human heart. Hill and Renko recover a large sum of money and are tempted to keep it - but don't. Their cruiser is stolen by a young boy living rough, for whom Hill rapidly develops an affection. Hunter continues to develop a relationship with his Vietnamese masseuse. A bomb in the male toilets at the precinct house is claimed as the work of the multiple-personality secure hospital escapee, who is later cornered by Goldblume, but kills himself by jumping from a window. Washington and Benedetto, undercover, are jumped by two masked and armed men instead of meeting with the contact mark-the mele ends with a gunshot to Washington's left shoulder area. The scene concludes with Benedetto frantically driving Neil to the closest hospital while he is bleeding heavily with his life on the line.
57	22	"A Hill of Beans"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Anthony Yerkovich & David Milch & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	May 12, 1983
The theme of unpaid police wages, raised over the previous two episodes, reaches a climax when the pay-roll is sent in cash, but the courier is robbed by the Diabalos gang en route. Their leader, Jesus Martinez, is jailed and the cash recovered at the close of the episode. The background rejoicing is poignantly overwritten by the cameras focusing on Rico, who has returned to drugs and is high, and Leo, deeply grieved that Rico's "rescue" has failed. "Iggie", a corrupt property clerk at the Midtown precinct, is arrested and surrenders the name of Benedetto as being behind the hold-up which left Washington wounded in hospital. Benedetto is cornered, and takes his own life. In two other storylines of the close of the season, Esterhaus is deeply moved when Fay asks him to be Godfather to her unborn daughter; and the TK4600 robot, after featuring in several episodes with its English inventor, is finally put to practical use while Benedetto is temporarily holding a hostage. The robot's inventor asks Bates and Coffey for a farewell encounter, with clear sexual overtones - the officers turn him down, and withdraw.

Season 4 (1983–1984)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
58	1	"Here's Adventure, Here's Romance"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	October 13, 1983
Detective Arthur "Art" Bradley, a homosexual, but married with children, is the only surviving witness to a mass-murder in a gay bar; much of the episode revolves around attempts by Washington and LaRue to cover for him, and his eventual decision to come forward formally as a witness. Goldblume becomes Fay's partner in natural childbirth classes, the "Cisco Kid" (a horse-riding eccentric) causes problems, and Calletano finally passes a kidney stone (with a loud scream) during very hot weather, and a series of city-wide power cuts. This episode introduced new photos for each cast member in the opening titles; notably, Howard Hunter is finally shown with Lieutenant insignia, though he had been promoted in Episode 6 of the first season.
59	2	"Ba-bing, Ba-bing"	David Anspaugh	Karen Hall	October 20, 1983
The title is a comment by Renko as Coffey walks out on a date with twin mud-wrestlers, arrested earlier in the day at a fracas in a mud-wrestling bar. Hill wins $100,000 on the lottery and promptly sets about losing it through gambling. Gang trouble flares on the eve of mayoral candidate Ben Fisk moving into a rough part of the Hill, the Dante Projects. The other candidate, Chief Daniels, attempts to engage the support of Furillo. Furillo and Goldblume fall out over the issue of gang leadership as Jesus Martinez returns from prison, undermining Goldblume's plan to promote Hector Ruiz. Deputy Chief Mahoney, who has a dislike of Hill Street, suspends Belker unjustly.
60	3	"The Long Law of the Arm"	Alexander Singer	Michael Wagner	October 27, 1983
Deputy Chief Mahoney continues to make trouble for the Hill Street officers, leading Furillo to an uncharacteristic display of insubordination. LaRue and Washington recover a missing arm in time to have it sewn back on to the victim of a car crash. Davenport defends Kiki, a West Indian student who is robbed while working as a cab driver. Hector Ruiz takes another hostage - Ben Fisk - but this time loses his life when an EAT sniper kills him to save Fisk. Hill's winnings begin to have a negative effect on him. Renko loses a $2,500 gift from Hill, but Hill simply replaces the cash. Goldblume and Fay have their first kiss.
61	4	"Death by Kiki"	Bill Duke	David Milch & Mark Frost	November 3, 1983
Bates and Coffey both pass the Sergeant's Examination (Bates third, Coffey 23rd) and hope for forthcoming vacancies in that rank. Kiki finds the knife used to attack him, but in his anxiety over his immigration status he visits his attacker to plead with him, and in the ensuing fight, kills him. Hill becomes insufferable (and only Renko stands by him) until he loses all his money in gambling. Fay is delivered of a healthy baby girl. At the Dante Projects, Ben Fisk returns (with press coverage) and is accidentally killed as he falls from a rotten window. At a gang killing across the street from Diablo headquarters, Jesus Martinez predicts it will be the last. Chief Daniels intervenes for Furillo and makes Deputy Chief Mahoney drop all charges against Hill Street officers.
62	5	"Doris in Wonderland"	Arthur Allan Seidelman	Teleplay: Peter Silverman Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	November 10, 1983
Wonderland is a sex shop and peep show in Midtown Precinct, where Furillo's officers undertake an anti-vice operation on the orders of Daniels, as the Chief seeks points in the mayoral election race against his new opponent, Commander Ozzie Cleveland. Mike Perez accidentally shoots a small boy, Jimmy Robson, who was armed with a toy gun (this incident was based on a real-life incident in Stanton, California). To deflect attention during the election campaign, pressure is brought to bear on Furillo to arrest the child's mother, Mrs. Doris Robson, for abandonment (she was out seeking employment, having insufficient money to feed the child). The emotionally charged episode ends with Perez attempting to take his own life. Bates is injured in a brawl and is invited on a date by the doctor who re-inflates her collapsed lung.
63	6	"Praise Dilaudid"	Gabrielle Beaumont	Teleplay: Michael Wagner Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	November 17, 1983
Hill and Renko capture the "Emily Post Bandit", though Renko is turned green by the explosion of dye packets in the money. The Bandit escapes custody and takes a woman hostage in her own home, demanding Dilaudid for her safe release. In court, the prosecution of Mrs. Robson for felony child endangerment is thrown out, with a severe reprimand from Judge Oberman to the city authorities for ever pursuing it. At the Wonderland operation, LaRue meets attorney Wachtel in a dress, exploring his sexual identity. Murray, the owner of Wonderland, is shot and killed during an attempt to arrest narcotics traffickers, who engage in a shoot-out with police.
64	7	"Goodbye, Mr. Scripps"	Corey Allen	Teleplay: Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	November 24, 1983
It is election day. Randolph Scripps, a late candidate, is creating more trouble than interest; Goldblume takes an interest. Daniels, expecting to win, offers to put Furillo forward as the next Chief. Deputy Chief Mahoney, overhearing, goes public with Daniels' and Furillo's roles in the failed Robson prosecution. Commander Ozzie Cleveland wins the election handily, and Goldblume narrowly prevents Scripps from stabbing the new mayor. Wachtel continues his comeback - still in women's clothes. Jimmy Robson's funeral takes place. Furillo spends time with Mike Perez Junior, the teenage son of Officer Mike Perez. Mike Junior has been bullied following Jimmy Robson's killing; Mike Senior remains in a psychiatric ward, traumatized by Jimmy Robson's death. This episode began with a tribute to Michael Conrad - this message, against a black screen: "Michael Conrad died November 22, 1983. Hill Street Blues is a living tribute to his memory. Rest in Peace"
65	8	"Midway to What?"	Thomas Carter	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	December 1, 1983
"Buck Naked" has his feature role as a witness against corrupt taxi operators. The judge unexpectedly overturns the decision of the jury, and Davenport implies to Furillo that she suspects the judge of corruption. An investigation into police corruption turns up evidence that, fourteen years prior, rookie patrolman Howard Hunter was coerced into being the "bagman" for two corrupt Midtown detectives. Furillo informs Hunter, who sinks immediately into depression, believing that he has disgraced himself and the police force. At home, he tidies his desk, arranges his photographs and medals, writes a last note, and holds a revolver to his head; an off-screen gunshot ends the episode. Also in this episode, Fay and Henry have a sexual encounter, Hill is victorious in a police boxing match, and Michael Conrad makes a short and shaky appearance at roll call, looking very drawn and unwell. Rene Enriquez (Ray Calletano) does not appear in this episode.
66	9	"Honk if You're a Goose"	Arthur Allan Seidelman	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	December 8, 1983
Honk, the "guard goose on the loose", is caught by Bates and Coffey, but executed in the station by its owner. Calletano and Schnitz make arrangements to salvage the "dark meat". Hunter appears at the stationhouse with powder burns, having failed to commit suicide; LaRue, seeing his depression, had put blanks in Hunter's revolver. Furillo uses a favor from Daniels to avoid an Internal Affairs investigation of Hunter, then confronts Hunter about his state of mind. Belker is devastated and blames himself when a wheelchair-bound man he had arrested previously is killed while helping him to go undercover as a disabled person. In the middleweight boxing finals, Hill falls prey to a rope-a-dope and is felled with one punch. Judge Cole is arrested for corruption as it becomes clear that the corruption runs deep, possibly including the entire vice squad of Midtown Precinct. Esterhaus again appears only at roll call.
67	10	"The Russians Are Coming"	Randa Haines	Teleplay: Dennis Cooper Story: Jeffrey Lewis & Dennis Cooper	December 15, 1983
Three "Russians" (from what is now the independent Republic of Georgia, then part of the USSR) visit the Hill, where one attempts to defect. It transpires that he and the female delegate are in a relationship which has been complicated by the advances of the third delegate, a KGB officer. The matter is resolved without international incident. Belker goes undercover with an ambulance crew, and strikes up an unlikely relationship with the ambulance driver, arising at first out of a shared diet. A temporary freeze on promotions upsets Bates, who is still awaiting a vacant sergeant's post. A young man with mental instability who is shot by police leaves a dependent dog whom Bates adopts, ironically naming him "Sarge". Furillo spots Goldblume kissing Fay. This episode marks the last appearance of Michael Conrad (Philip Freemason Esterhaus). He still appears in the opening credits until episode 16.
68	11	"Ratman and Bobbin"	Richard Compton	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 12, 1984
For the first time, Lieutenant Goldblume conducts Roll Call, filling in for Sergeant Esterhaus who is said to be "in for a check-up". Rats have infested the station house, but a man wearing evening dress and playing an accordion seems to lure them away, just as he promised. A cop killer is at large, causing anxiety. Belker goes undercover as a bag lady, and is slashed with a knife. Coffey and Bates staff an experimental police office within a housing project. Drawing on his recent suicide attempt, Hunter talks a woman out of suicide when Goldblume has failed to do so. Witnessing an armed robbery on his way home, Captain Furillo shoots the robber dead. Joyce Davenport learns that she is unable to have children.
69	12	"Nichols from Heaven"	Thomas Carter	Teleplay: Dennis Cooper Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 19, 1984
Esterhaus is said to be in hospital for tests. For the second consecutive episode, Lieutenant Goldblume conducts Roll Call. The cop killer is caught and arrested, but then discovered to be a copy-cat killer, with the original killer still at large. Nonetheless, the copy-cat killer helps implicate the corrupt Midtown cops being investigated secretly by Furillo, Calletano, LaRue, and Washington (with DA Irwin Bernstein). The rats return, but a better musician (in a dinner jacket) lures them away with bagpipes and deposits them in a fire station.
70	13	"Fuchs Me? Fuchs You!"	Arthur Allan Seidelman	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 26, 1984
Two cops are transferred from Polk Avenue and are quickly joined by the third member of a love triangle, resulting in one shooting another. Coffey is shot and wounded by the cop killer. Goldblume takes his third roll call, but says Esterhaus will be "back tomorrow". The cop killer turns out to be the proprietor of the local cop hang-out cafe - he is arrested after nearly shooting Hunter. A social assembly of lieutenants and captains is interrupted by Washington, LaRue, and Goldblume as they arrest Lieutenant Tony Marino. The whole corruption ring at Midtown vice crumbles. Captain Fuchs is humiliated, and shown up as a poor manager - and his friendship with Furillo ends as they disagree over events.
71	14	"Grace Under Pressure"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	February 2, 1984
Sergeant Phil Esterhaus dies while making love with Grace Gardner, and Captain Furillo announces the death at Roll Call, shocking the officers. In a double blow for Leo, he discovers his wife to be having an affair. Belker is let down by his backup (Hill and Renko) on an undercover operation, and the city suffers multiple law suits in consequence. Coffey's girlfriend Susan is raped by a man recently released from prison as a non-violent offender. Jesus Martinez trades information for the release of two juvenile Diablos. Fay Furillo is arrested for prostitution by Officer Pfiezer, much to his embarrassment. Lucille Bates is offered promotion to sergeant, and the opportunity to take Esterhaus' job as Desk Sergeant - a thought which scares her. Note- In 1997 TV Guide ranked this episode number 49 on its "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.[2]
72	15	"The Other Side of Oneness"	Alexander Singer	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Mark Frost & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	February 9, 1984
A high class call girl dominates the episode - particularly her relationship with Goldblume. Chief Daniels steals two videotapes of Goldblume's call girl having sex with prominent clients; he admits to Furillo that he (Daniels) appears on these two tapes. Furillo reads a last letter from Esterhaus to the officers at Roll Call, and then tries to find a legal way to scatter Esterhaus' ashes on the Hill. Bates tells Coffey that her promotion to Roll-Call Sergeant is to be announced the next day; still in mental turmoil from the rape of his girlfriend, Coffey is less than supportive, and his lack of support also ruins his relationship with Susan. Former Captain Fuchs arrives to advertise his new private security consultancy and meets with harsh words from Belker (who is taking Esterhaus' death particularly poorly) and disdain from Furillo. The juvenile Diablos Jesus Martinez had released commit murder and then hold Leo Schnitz at knife-point; Jesus convinces them to surrender, but they are killed at Juvenile Hall later that night. Mr. Le Jardin from Divisional Accountancy arrives undercover to identify a petty thief, and discovers that Leo has been taking stationery home for personal use. At the end of the episode, the call girl - who was selling her story to the media - is found murdered.
73	16	"Parting is Such Sweep Sorrow"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & David Milch & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	February 16, 1984
The previous episode's murdered call girl may yet be avenged thanks to the evidence of her "manager", until he too is executed in the station, by an assassin dressed as a police officer. The police chaplain leads a memorial service for Phil Esterhaus. Bates' promotion is announced, but her first roll call goes badly, particularly as she reacts to the stealing of the podium; nonetheless, she gains respect during the episode. Renko develops what may have been a hernia, lifting a heavy woman stuck in a bath. The overcrowding of cells continues. Esterhaus' ashes are scattered on the road, at the very center of the Hill, as he requested, by a nocturnal gathering of officers; a street sweeper then sweeps them away. Natalie DeRoy arrives - a new khaki officer to assist Leo Schnitz.
74	17	"The End of Logan's Run"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	March 1, 1984
Belker's recurring pickpocket is shot and killed - his real name finally emerging as James Logan. Belker reacts badly, and breaks up with Robin. Fay and Goldblume also break up. Deputy Chief Briscoe proves an annoyance to Furillo. Mayor Cleveland is an even greater annoyance, after Furillo is misquoted in the press over "Operation Stop and Cop", an operation Cleveland personally backed. The Mullins brothers appear - William is arrested and brother Timothy murders the key witness. Joyce Davenport witnesses this murder, but refuses to identify Mullins, fearing for her own life. Alan Wachtel becomes a judge, much to everyone's surprise. Bates is missing the streets - Furillo encourages her, and tells her it is time she put on her sergeant's stripes. For the first time, Michael Conrad (Esterhaus) does not appear in the opening credits.
75	18	"The Count of Monte Tasco"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & Mark Frost & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	March 8, 1984
A genial census worker is taken hostage and murdered, much to the dismay of his bodyguards, Hill and Renko, who were called away to back up other officers on the order of Deputy Chief Briscoe. Joyce Davenport agrees to testify against Timothy Mullins, but both brothers issue death threats against her. Furillo, most in need of his command to defend her, is relieved of duties by Chief Daniels on the orders of Mayor Cleveland. Cleveland is unhappy with Furillo's apology concerning his comments about "Operation Stop and Cop", and he reassigns Furillo to command a task force at Division. Joyce accuses Furillo of failing to protect her, resulting in recovering alcoholic Furillo purchasing a fifth of Scotch whisky. In the personal storylines, Renko's girlfriend is pregnant, and Hunter dates both Bates and Fay Furillo, while looking for a partner - both turn him down. Kiel Martin (J.D. La Rue) and Ellen Blake (Natalie De Roy) do not appear in this episode; LaRue's absence is explained as due to infectious mononucleosis. This episode marks the first appearance of Ken Olin (Harry Garibaldi).
76	19	"Nutcracker Suite"	Arthur Allan Seidelman	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	March 15, 1984
In a packed episode, "Operation Stop and Cop" continues to claim victims as Pilsky is shot and killed by a fleeing suspect; her delay in returning fire was caused by her "officer-involved" shooting the previous day. Later, Bates and Briscoe argue publicly when the Deputy Chief denies that he ordered Pilsky to be deployed again; her death also affects Hunter, who had planned a date with Pilsky. Washington surrenders a video tape to Calletano showing Chief Daniels having sex with a prostitute (see Episode 72 above). Calletano uses the tape as leverage with Daniels to facilitate Furillo's return to his command at Hill Street. Washington - with Garabaldi and Belker, and with Goldblume's approval - follows William Mullins all day until he slips up: when he refuses to surrender after committing an armed robbery, he is shot dead by the detectives. Renko proposes to Daryl Ann. Jesus Martinez marries his pregnant girlfriend (avoiding a conviction for her, as she had threatened him with a gun). Furillo, narrowly avoiding drinking the alcohol he has bought, seeks out his AA sponsor - only to discover that the sponsor has returned to hard drink himself and is in denial about the consequences. The episode title comes from a minor storyline about a legal battle between a man whose genitals became caught in a whirlpool drain and the distraught therapist who didn't release the power switch until he was punched. Kiel Martin (J.D. La Rue) does not appear in this episode.
77	20	"Hair Apparent"	Corey Allen	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Michael Wagner & Karen Hall & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost	May 3, 1984
The title comes from Judge Wachtel's wig as he wears a wire to help the DA's office convict a group of Mafia-connected loan sharks. The Hill Street precinct are also targeting them (with Belker, Renko, and Hill undercover), as is the State Liquor Authority, leading to considerable confusion and a SLA bust that nearly collapses the entire operation. Garibaldi does some unofficial investigation to avoid being sued after he crashed without insurance - Washington assists him, successfully. Marcus Peabody, a former gang member, proves corrupt and embarrasses his new employer, the Mayor, who fires him. Natalie continues to admire Leo, and discourages his attempts to regain the affections of his wife. Hunter's proposed "Equine Rapid Development Force" is rejected under budget cuts, even though he had bought his own horse (Apollo) to save the city money. The Furillos separate, at Joyce's suggestion. Kiel Martin (J.D. La Rue) not appear in this episode.
78	21	"Lucky Ducks"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Michael Wagner & David Milch & Karen Hall & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Karen Hall	May 10, 1984
Lieutenant Calletano appears on the TV game show Lucky Ducks and does very well until he freezes on the question that would have guaranteed his winnings; he loses everything. Peabody, in charge of the Blood and seeking quick money to finance a gang war, approaches the group of Mafia-connected loan sharks which Belker has infiltrated. Peabody becomes too aggressive with the loan sharks, and they arrange to have him killed, leading to their arrests. Renko tries to marshal his wedding attendants - Hill (Best Man), Washington, Coffey, and Davis. At the rehearsal dinner, Darryl Ann's father is belittling of his daughter, the police, and especially Hill, who he addresses by the epithet "boy". Lieutenant Hunter is increasingly worried about Apollo, his horse, who is seriously ill; the episode ends with Hunter settling down to a night in the stable with Apollo. Kiel Martin (J.D. La Rue) does not appear in this episode.
79	22	"Eva's Brawn"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	May 17, 1984
Belker is in demand from his Mafia prisoners, after they hijack the prison bus transporting them to their incarceration. A guard is killed, but the prisoners are eventually recaptured. Goldblume and Garibaldi try video-dating, but Goldblume ends up arresting his first contact for solicitation. Renko, after initial cold feet, finally marries Daryl Ann. Martinez and Calletano secure a gang cease-fire, but Martinez is attacked and wounded inside the station. Hunter's horse, Apollo, dies; but he secures a date with a fellow wedding guest at Renko's marriage, when she is attracted by his horse smell.

Season 5 (1984–1985)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
80	1	"Mayo, Hold the Pickle"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	September 27, 1984
In a busy pre-titles opening sequence, the viewer is introduced to Sergeant Stan Jablonski (Robert Prosky), a 22-year veteran from the Polk Avenue Precinct; he has transferred after an altercation with female Lieutenant Vera Horvath (Sharon Barr), in which the latter was struck a blow, alleged by Jablonski to have been self-defence. Sergeant Bates returns to motor patrol as a street sergeant, explained by Jablosnski as being an extra sergeant post created by "adding the Jefferson renewal to the Hill Street Precinct". The new Sergeant's catchphrase is heard for the first time: "Let's do it to them, before they do it to us". The sequence ends with Jablonski being knocked down by his nemesis from Polk Avenue, she having turned up at Hill street, despite being subject to psychological assessment and treatment. In the rest of the episode: Celestine Grey (Juney Smith) is to be executed for raping and murdering a nun (which he denies), resulting in much consternation; Goldblume's opposition is reported in the press. An all-night ordeal of robbery and torture leads to a war hero, Mr. Parsons, dying in hospital, while police comfort his widow. Belker is undercover at a seedy hotel. Fay Furillo starts full time at the station as a Victim Aid Counselor (also covering the Polk Avenue Precinct). An unfortunate couple from New York (Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry) are repeatedly robbed, but rescued by Bates and Coffey. An unusual man stealing ice is found to be preserving the body of his dead mother. Detective Mayo goes on a date with Furillo, though he turns down a proposed night together - luckily, as Joyce Davenport elects to return after their four-month separation. Laura Ann Renko (Andrew Renko's daughter) is born. The opening credits feature new pictures for all main characters except Barbara Bosson (Fay Furillo) and Veronica Hamel (Joyce Davenport); added to the credits are Prosky, Robert Hirschfeld ("Khaki Officer" Leo Schnitz), Mimi Kuzyk (Detective Patricia Mayo), and Ken Olin (Detective Harry Garibaldi).
81	2	"Watt a Way to Go"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: David Milch & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	October 4, 1984
Rachel Goldblume is raped in her own bed during the night with daughter Annie (Jennifer Ursitti) and son Josh asleep in the next room. She won't press charges, but Henry Goldblume takes fingerprints, identifies the suspect, arrests him roughly, and secures a conviction on outstanding warrants. The poor New York couple (see previous entry) are robbed again while withdrawing money wired to them; they are then caught up in a hostage situation when Belker's hotel undercover goes wrong. At another hostage situation a man holding his wife is shot dead by EAT officers, with 23-year-old Officer Foster expressing delight, which is caught by TV cameras. Celestine Grey is finally executed. In a closing ironic paradox LaRue picks up a girl in a bar by pretending to be Henry Goldblume (using her anti-capital punishment sensibilities), while the real Goldblume stands in the cold outside Grey's prison, joining a group of Christians praying for Grey as he is executed.
82	3	"Rookie Nookie"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost	October 18, 1984
When Lieutenant Hunter upsets clerk-typist Rhonda Kimmel, she barricades herself in the male toilet. Belker goes undercover dressed as a chicken, and loses a suspect due to the well-intentioned interference of a mime artist. LaRue spends the night with Cathleen McConnell, the victim of a car-jacking, but during the night she receives news of the murder of her husband - LaRue wonders if he has been set up as an alibi. An illegal cable TV installer is arrested, and Davenport turns out to be one of his customers; she is unwittingly involved, but Furillo uses the situation to engineer an end to their separation. Rachel Goldblume's rapist is released on bail, murders his girlfriend, and is re-arrested. Two new rookie officers cause trouble; Laurence "Larry" Swann (Tim Robbins) by his timidness, and Randall "Randy" Buttman by his arrogance and insubordination, leading to first day reprimands from Sergeant Bates and Captain Furillo. At an end-of-shift gathering of rookies from across the precincts, Swann is tied up and stripped, and forced to engage in sexual activity with a prostitute in front of the other rookies.
83	4	"Fowl Play"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Mark Frost Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	October 25, 1984
Officer Swann hangs himself, unable to cope with his humiliation. The independent witness (the prostitute involved) is found murdered, after Buttman had taken a 45-minute unauthorized absence (Sergeant Bates puts him up on a charge of abandoning his patrol without authority). Belker discovers a drug ring in his fried chicken undercover. A TV crew tails Renko and Hill, filming Renko's four morning doughnut stops. Rookie Ronnie Garfield (Polk Avenue Precinct) comes forward to implicate Buttman, who is arrested. LaRue spends another night with McConnell and shoots an intruder during the night. A $6,000 grant for an administrative research post of two hours per week leads to fierce competition between the three Lieutenants (Hunter, Calletano, Goldblume) until Captain Furillo finally takes the grant himself.
84	5	"Bangladesh Slowly"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	November 1, 1984
A local Indian restaurant attracts many police officers (including Lieutenants Hunter and Goldblume) for its reduced rate lunch, just as Sergeant Bates leads a raid to arrest the chefs and the owner, and recover a number of stolen local cats waiting to be cooked. Renko has a more positive TV appearance after arresting the prostitute serial murderer. The McConnell intruder turns out to be the man who shot her husband, and LaRue agrees to wear a wire to trap her. All the rookies are sacked, including Garfield, leading Washington to challenge Chief Daniels, and then resign. Daniels later agrees to 21 days without pay instead, and Washington returns. Hill and Renko arrest an incredibly fat man abusing an "all you can eat" buffet lunch.
85	6	"Ewe and Me, Babe"	Jeff Bleckner	Teleplay: David Stenn Story: Floyd Byars	November 8, 1984
A man is found dead in an apartment, with a sheep tethered in the bathroom. The Reverend Booker Simons is murdered, but his killer plea-bargains a greatly reduced charge when Fay Furillo leaks news to Simons' widow, while the suspect is also the only witness in a major anti-drug operation, in which police officers have been killed at the police motor pool. Inspector Joe Keenan comes to blows with Captain Furillo concerning overlapping jurisdiction between the precinct and Special Narcotics. Jesus Martinez appears in a new manifestation as a paralegal aid to Attorney Brown. Prostitute Lotta Gue (pronounced "goo") has her third arrest for soliciting in 48 hours; but Lieutenant Hunter, who has developed a soft spot for her, lets her go.
86	7	"Blues for Mr. Green"	Bill Duke	Teleplay: Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	November 15, 1984
Floyd Green (Forest Whittaker), convicted for murder as a child, is released from custody having completed his sentence. Now 18, he is monitored by Hill Street officers who find him rapidly getting into trouble again. Later, during an armed hostage taking in court by another prisoner, Green tries to escape in the confusion, but is instead shot dead, accidentally, in crossfire. Fabian De Witt, a regular character for the remainder of the show's history, is introduced in this episode; one sister is dead, another is an under-age prostitute, and their prostitute mother is absent. Fabian goes to live with Sergeant Bates, who was later to adopt the boy. Belker is sent to Las Vegas to escort a prisoner home. A large number of the other male officers also go, after LaRue secures a block of cheap airline tickets from a grateful travel agent whose robbery LaRue has solved. All these officers (who include Lieutenants Calletano and Hunter) report themselves sick to avoid duty.
87	8	"Fuched Again"	Scott Brazil	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Jacob Epstein Story: Jeffrey Lewis & Steven Bochco & David Milch	November 22, 1984
The episode is dominated by "The Monarch Project"—the restoration of the Monarch Theatre in the Hill Street district. In two related storylines, widespread corruption is uncovered which reaches into the office of Chief Daniels; and Mayor Cleveland is the victim of an assassination attempt. In Vegas, Belker (the only non-gambler) takes his free pull on a gaming machine and wins the $5,000 jackpot. Coffey borrows and loses much of the money, and later steals most of the rest. Belker collects his prisoner, who dies of a heart attack while handcuffed to Belker. Hill and Renko deal with an immigrant whose winning lottery ticket is stolen and then offered back to him through a broker in return for half the $3,000 winnings. This arrangement ends in tragedy for the family and career trouble for Hill and Renko. Joe Keenan, head of the narcotics squad, is implicated as the corrupt officer in Chief Daniels' office. Meanwhile, the man accused of shooting the mayor is assassinated on his way to court; his shooter is later identified as former police Captain (and friend of Furillo) Jerry Fuchs. Fabian is in trouble for skipping school as he and Bates adjust to their new relationship.
88	9	"Low Blow"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Jacob Epstein Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	November 29, 1984
Thanksgiving spirit abounds. "The Cisco Kid" returns as an Indian. Jerry Fuchs dies of a heart attack, so Captain Furillo uses "what Jerry might have said" to strong-arm Biff Lowe into wearing a wire while meeting with the Barletta brothers. The sting works, as the Barlettas incriminate themselves in the attempt on Mayor Cleveland's life. The Vegas crew prepares to come home, not knowing that J.D.'s rubber check has meant that their return trip tickets have been pulled by the travel agent. Furthermore, the agent has informed Captain Furillo that they are in Vegas and not "sick", as they had reported. Belker and Coffey regain both their lost money and their friendship. Myrna Schnitz confesses that she is pregnant, broke and miserable in Vegas and return to the Hill with the guys. Leo takes her back without hesitation. Fabian's mother — a hardcore junkie — is arrested and brought in to Hill Street where Bates tells her the fate of her three children. Fabian finds out that Bates has met with his mother and is very upset that she has not told him. They attend his mother's arraignment, where she opts for detox. Vera Horvath, after weeks of harassing phone calls and stalking Jablonski, shows up to tell him that she actually has loved him all along. When Jablonski tells her that he just wants to be friends, she opens fire and is killed by other officers at the station. Robin breaks up with Belker.
89	10	"The Rise and Fall of Paul the Wall"	Thomas Carter	Teleplay: Jacob Epstein Story: Michael Wagner	December 6, 1984
Mayo and Garibaldi investigate when Councilman Detweiler's mother shoots an intruder; Hill and Renko catch a notorious loan shark with over $300 in outstanding parking fines; a distraught man threatens to set fire to his wife and child; and Belker is kidnapped and abused by a group of winos.
90	11	"Last Chance Salon"	Christian I. Nyby II	Roger Director	December 13, 1984
Renewed gang feuding involves a small local grocery store and its owners; Belker takes his anger about Robin's decision to stop seeing him out on his frightened informant during a beauty parlor undercover; Garibaldi cuts corners to help a young hooker and in his night school class; and Furillo must work against Daniels to head off a major gang battle.
91	12	"Intestinal Fortitude"	Scott Brazil	Teleplay: Elia Katz & David Stenn Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 10, 1985
Belker, LaRue and Washington go undercover as garbagemen to investigate a protection racket; Fay tries to help an elderly rape victim identify her assailants; Hill runs for PBA representative; and Mayo gets proof that the hispanic rape suspect can speak English.
92	13	"Of Human Garbage"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Jacob Epstein Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 17, 1985
The garbage business undercover continues; Officer Perez rescues a family from a burning building; a Federal witness is kidnapped; and Fay reports the suspicious chairside technique of dentist Ted Rose.
93	14	"Dr. Hoof and Mouth"	John Patterson	Teleplay: David Stenn & Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 24, 1985
Belker temporarily moves into Hunter's RV; Joyce introduces a new PD to the Hill before leaving to become an ADA; LaRue gloats over the videotape evidence of Mayo's undercover visit to Dr. Ted Rose; Fabian's mother reclaims him; and Hill and Renko deal with a man who has several outstanding warrants and who has just lost his whole family to a hit and run driver.
94	15	"Davenport in a Storm"	Gabrielle Beaumont	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Roger Director Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 31, 1985
New ADA Davenport faces opposition when she decides to prosecute three white teens for the death of a young black athlete; Furillo's car accident starts an investigation into illegal gun sales by Al DiPiano; and Mayo has a date with Chief Daniels.
95	16	"Washington Deceased"	Mark Frost	Frank South	February 7, 1985
LaRue moonlights on a low budget horror picture and "borrows" one of the props for a joke on an obnoxious detective; a department accountant dogs Furillo; and Chief Daniels uses his position to punish Mayo for refusing his advances the night before.
96	17	"Passage to Libya"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: David Milch & Jacob Epstein & Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Michael Wagner	February 14, 1985
Belker keeps running up against a bitter one man band; Gina Srignoli agrees to wear a wire in an effort to incriminate Al DiPiano; Fay goes a little too far to help a welfare mother assaulted by her abusive boyfriend; and Howard tries to sell his RV only to have it stolen by the first interested party.
97	18	"El Capitan"	Georg Stanford Brown	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Roger Director & Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	February 21, 1985
Calletano takes over command while Furillo attends an encounter group for precinct captains and their superiors; Hill and Renko get hold of some suspicious tea; Hunter's RV is stolen by a fugitive father and son; Goldblume is bemused by his new relationship with Gina Srignoli.
98	19	"The Life and Time of Dominic Florio Jr."	John Patterson	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Jacob Epstein Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	March 21, 1985
An anti-abortion agitator sends a woman into premature labor; Jablonski can't get his 300 game sanctioned by the Bowling Congress; LaRue and Washington tape a home security video; Fay and Garibaldi resent Goldblume's relationship with Gina Srignoli.
99	20	"G.Q."	Gabrielle Beaumont	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & Roger Director & Jacob Epstein & Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Michael Wagner	March 28, 1985
The arson squad questions Jablonski about the fire at BowlMor Lanes; Hill remains angry at Renko over his hesitation under pressure; Bates and Coffey are assigned to make a wino presentable for his appearance in court; Furillo gets a copy of LaRue's slightly altered home security video; and Davenport puts her job on the line when she refuses to accept the security cops' version of an alleged window smashing at the volatile O'Neil Projects.
100	21	"Queen for a Day"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: David Milch & Mark Frost & Jacob Epstein & Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	April 11, 1985
A hooker sweep for gays and straights attracts Coffey's former high school coach. Renko joins Belker on his drug undercover, which is collapsed - literally - by Hunter and his new, battering-ram-equipped tank. Hill's slowness leads to his new partner being blindsided, causing Hill to rethink what happened with Renko and forgive him. Davenport rejoins the Public Defenders office as Connie Chapman is fired for cocaine use. Goldblume attempts to calm the angst of Fay and Garabaldi regarding Gina by inviting them to dinner; unfortunately, an assassin shoots and kills Gina at the table, and she dies in Goldblume's arms.
101	22	"You're in Alice's"	Scott Brazil	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Roger Director & Jacob Epstein Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	May 9, 1985
Detective Phil Dugan cuts some corners to catch an elusive mobster; Goldblume pursues a solitary investigation into Gina's death; Hill and Renko try to help a homeless family caught up in red tape; Coffey gets to ride with Jablonski; Calletano and Hunter test for the captain's position; and everyone faces a random drug screening.
102	23	"Grin and Bear It"	Gregory Hoblit	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Mark Frost & Elia Katz Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	May 16, 1985
Belker's drycleaners undercover catches Dugan, who offers them Joe Keenan and a major ring of police corruption; Furillo copes with the results of the random drug test; Goldblume wrestles with Gina's estate; Hill and Renko spend the day escorting Officer McBear.

Season 6 (1985–1986)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
103	1	"Blues in the Night"	Ben Bolt	Teleplay: David Milch & Walon Green & Jacob Epstein Story: Steven Bochco & Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Barry Jay Kaplan	September 26, 1985
At roll call, the entire cast appears to have been replaced; it is revealed that this is roll call of the night shift, while the program then follows the nocturnal activities of the day shift officers. Henry Goldblume, while trying to mediate a dispute with militant group S.O.I.L., is taken captive at the command of their leader; tensions quickly mount until the leader is killed by a EAT sharpshooter. Renko bets LaRue that he has a better driving route to the stationhouse, but the race ends in a "no contest" when Renko disables his car driving through a flooded underpass and LaRue is ticketed for speeding. Renko also meets his favorite musician, Bobby Angel, but then must arrange Angel's arrest for narcotics possession. Belker spends the night in a dumpster while undercover, but his stakeout ends when his mother dies of heart failure at the age of 84. Joyce and Frank enjoy a crazy dinner party, while Jablonski spends the night at home alone (except for his dog). The credits no longer feature a freeze-frame of each lead actor; additionally, the footage of the police cars in the credits appears color-faded for the entire season. Dennis Franz (Norman Buntz) is added to the credits, while Barbara Bosson (Fay Furillo), Robert Hirschfeld ("Khaki Officer" Leo Schnitz), Mimi Kuzyk (Detective Patricia Mayo), and Ken Olin (Detective Harry Garibaldi) are removed.
104	2	"Hacked to Pieces"	Rick Wallace	Teleplay: David Milch Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	October 3, 1985
Lieutenant Calletano is nominated to be Captain of the Polk Avenue Precinct; Lieutenant Buntz is transferred from the Heights to take his place, and he facilitates the departure of the current Captain at Polk Avenue to ensure he keeps his position. Furillo must mediate between Mayor Cleveland and his wife when their son is arrested on a narcotics charge, and is also placed in charge of a special corruption taskforce by Chief Daniels. Hill and Renko try to mediate tensions between a Korean storeowner and his Black clientele. Belker's car is destroyed by a car bomb on the day his girlfriend, Robin Tataglia, discovers that she's pregnant. Garibaldi, deep in debt to a loan shark, considers going bad to cover his debts; he decides not to do the bidding of his new loan shark and is fatally stabbed. Beginning with this episode, the majority of episodes no longer begin in Roll Call.
105	3	"Seoul on Ice"	John Patterson	Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	October 17, 1985
A runner trying to raise money for cancer research is victimized; Daniels asks Furillo to head up an internal investigation of corruption arising out of Keenan's death; Garibaldi's death shakes the station house; Lee Cleveland comes to the end of his rope; and Howard gets a shock from his latest love.
106	4	"In the Belly of the Bus"	Alexander Singer	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Walon Green & Jacob Epstein Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Walon Green	October 24, 1985
Lieutenant Buntz is introduced to a new partner, Detective Manny Rodriguez, (Del Zamora). They arrest a criminal, handcuffed to a boiler room valve.
107	5	"Somewhere Over the Rambo"	Stan Lathan	Jacob Epstein & Walon Green & Dick Wolf	October 31, 1985
Furillo's corruption commission delivers its findings and antagonizes Daniels, who is willing to sacrifice a night shift cop involved in an off duty shooting that has incited public opinion; Alan Branford returns as Rambo; and Buntz explores his duties as personnel officer.
108	6	"Oh, You Kid"	John D. Hancock	Robert Ward	November 7, 1985
Buntz catches a mugger only to lose him when the victim won't press charges; a sculptor refuses to let anyone remove his obscene work of art; Lynnetta pushes Neal about commitment to her and her son with tragic results; Belker goes undercover to learn why so many vagrants have fallen from high buildings recently.
109	7	"An Oy for an Oy"	Ben Bolt	Teleplay: Jacob Epstein Story: Elia Katz	November 14, 1985
Sgt. Jablonski risks his own money to catch a pair of confidence men; Sgt. Belker acts as a courier for a pair of devious Hasidic jewelry merchants; and Captain Calletano reacts badly when Buntz accuses a lazy Polk Avenue officer of dumping vagrants in Hill Street precinct.
110	8	"Fathers and Huns"	Stan Lathan	Walon Green	November 21, 1985
Goldblume has to protect a parade by neo-fascists. Bobby's dad visits to tell Bobby he is dying. Furillo is under pressure to accept a plea bargain from a drug baron to prevent mayhem on the streets where the supply is being withheld.
111	9	"What Are Friends For?"	John Patterson	Dick Wolf	December 5, 1985
Belker goes undercover at the pound. Buntz and Rodriguez are taken hostage by a murderer from Buntz's past. A baseball player stopped on a DUI is found to have a stash of drugs in his trunk.
112	10	"The Virgin and the Turkey"	John D. Hancock	Teleplay: David Milch & Walon Green & Robert Ward Story: Jeffrey Lewis & Walon Green & Robert Ward	December 12, 1985
Coffey tries to mediate between an irate landlord and a tenant who insists an image on his water stained wall is that of the Virgin Mary; the Furillos try to renew a family relationship with his parents; Buntz uses "Officer Giblet" to make a drug bust; and the guys compete in a benefit tug of war competition.
113	11	"Two Easy Pieces"	Gabrielle Beaumont	Teleplay: Jacob Epstein & Dick Wolf & Robert Ward Story: Jeffrey Lewis & Walon Green & David Milch	January 9, 1986
Belker and Robin are getting married after work, but first he has undercover work infiltrating drug dealers. Rookie officer Ron Garfield shoots a criminal threatening him with a gun, but things get complicated. A coolbox containing a transplant heart is stolen from a crashed ambulance, and had to be recovered within four hours.
114	12	"Say It as It Plays"	Stan Lathan	Teleplay: Walon Green & Jacob Epstein & Dick Wolf & Robert Ward Story: Jeffrey Lewis & Dick Wolf & David Milch	January 16, 1986
The Internal Affairs investigation of officer Garfield continues. Belker's wedding to Robin has been set for this evening, but he is still undercover. Hill and Renko get a shock when delivering a corpse at the morgue - one of the corpses is Hill's father.
115	13	"Das Blues"	Scott Brazil	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Jacob Epstein & Dick Wolf Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Robert Ward	January 23, 1986
Fabian has turned up unannounced to stay with Bates. Hunter hits his head falling into the station basement and begins hallucinating. Buntz is unhappy at being involved by an ex-colleague in shaking down a loan shark. Furillo is approached by a politician who thinks he should stand for mayor. Belker and Robin finally get married. Hill returns home for his father's funeral.
116	14	"Scales of Justice"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: David Milch & Jacob Epstein & Dick Wolf & Robert Ward Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch	January 30, 1986
A smoking ban at the precinct causes tempers to fray. Bates faces a tough decision about Fabian. LaRue and Washington are still staking out the tattoo parlor for a murderer. Buntz is on the trail of a new drugs supply that's killing some of the users. Bobby Hill meets an old childhood friend.
117	15	"I Want My Hill Street Blues"	Gabrielle Beaumont	Teleplay: John Mankiewicz & Russ Woody Story: John Mankiewicz	February 6, 1986
Belker goes undercover to expose a corrupt parole officer; Goldblume clashes with Furillo over Goldblume's attempts to use his position to delay demolition of some low-rent housing in his new neighborhood; Bates makes a deal with Vivian DeWitt to sign guardianship papers for Fabian; Jablonski tries to cope with a crew making a music video in the station house, while LaRue attempts to make a quick $100 by renting out Lt. Hunter's dog to the production crew as his own. Comic relief in the episode includes a hefty man who sits on people, then demands to be paid to get up.
118	16	"Remembrance of Hits Past"	Ben Bolt	Teleplay: Walon Green Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Walon Green	February 13, 1986
A mobster mentioned in previous seasons is extradited from Italy to stand trial locally. Before he can testify at the trial, Furillo is gunned down on courthouse steps. The entire department mobilizes as Furillo fights for his life in the ICU. As she waits, Joyce remembers how she and Frank first met seven years before, at a trial connected to the same mobster, and how their romance developed. The shooter turns out to be unconnected to the mobster, proving instead to be a deranged man with a grudge against mayoral candidates. He infiltrates the hospital disguised as a police officer, but is spotted by Buntz and killed in a shootout in the stairwell.
119	17	"Larry of Arabia"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Jacob Epstein & John William Sel Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Jerry Patrick Brown	February 27, 1986
Buntz makes a fool of himself on a courtroom TV show where he is appearing as a witness in support of his nephew. Coffey discovers that Fabian's mother is extorting Bates for additional cash and after making clear to the mother that no more cash will be forthcoming, he insists on shepherding Bates through the process of filing official guardianship papers. LaRue and Renko try to use evidence money and a phone number found on a dead courier to complete the "buy" and bust a big case, but it gets them into deep water when the erstwhile buyers turn out to be FBI agents conducting a sting. An elderly woman threatens to blow Belker's cover at a pawnshop. Tragedy hits as an off-duty Officer Coffey is shot after walking into a store in the process of being robbed.
120	18	"Iced Coffey"	Georg Stanford Brown	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Duncan Smith Story: Dick Wolf & Robert Ward & Robert Schlitt & Duncan Smith	March 6, 1986
Bates agonizes over identifying a man suspected of killing Joe Coffey. Belker is harassed by an overzealous security guard. Hunter is told to uncover a petty thief within the station - with surprising results. A prostitute sells out Jesus Martinez and Attorney Brown in a bribery scandal.
121	19	"Jagga the Hunk"	Gabrielle Beaumont	Teleplay: David Milch & Walon Green & Dick Wolf & Jacob Epstein Story: Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Dick Wolf	March 13, 1986
Martinez is hiding out following Attorney Brown's death. He is trying to broker a meeting with Furillo, who is hoping to get him to incriminate Judge Hardin. LaRue and Washington bust Martinez and endanger the deal. Belker is undercover at a building site aiming to catch a loan shark. A new officer, Kate McBride (Lindsay Crouse), is partnered with Bates. A man claiming to be Prunella's husband asks Hunter to arrange a meeting. Buntz's ex-partner asks him to smooth over a colleague, who is later found dead.
122	20	"Look Homeward, Ninja"	John Patterson	Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & Walon Green	March 20, 1986
A prostitute accuses McBride of trying to blackmail her; in the process of discussing the false charges with Bates, McBride confides that she is a lesbian.[3][4][5] Two new officers, Ron Lipsky (Chris Noth) and Michael Galva, are called to deal with a suicidal man. Ballantine's mental health problems continue. Furillo is courted by a group of men to run for mayor. Buntz has to decide what to do about his ex-partner, Tommy Donahue, whom he suspects of murdering a fellow officer.
123	21	"Slum Enchanted Evening"	Michael Switzer	Teleplay: Walon Green and Robert Ward Story: Jonathan Lemkin & Michael Wagner	March 27, 1986
Belker meets an old informant, Eddie Gregg (Charles Levin), who is dying of AIDS. Judge Wachtel sentences a slumlord to live in one of his own buildings. Hill and Renko have a difficult time keeping him there. Internal Affairs are investigating Buntz, unconvinced that he shot Donahue in self-defense. His ex-captain seems out to get him.
124	22	"Come and Get It"	Scott Brazil	Robert Schlitt	April 3, 1986
Hill and Renko rescue a suspected multiple murderer and rapist, Albert Sawyer (Paul McCrane), from a mob. A media and political circus ensues. The arrest brings out the worst in a lot of people. Belker is called away as Robin goes into labor; she delivers a healthy baby boy (whom they later name Philip, after deceased Desk Sergeant Esterhaus).

Season 7 (1986–1987)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
125	1	"Suitcase"	Stan Lathan	Teleplay: David Milch & John Romano Story: David Milch & John Romano & Darrell Vienna	October 2, 1986
A suitcase containing eighty pounds of cocaine is stolen by a small-time dealer after a light aircraft crash. Sid the Snitch and Buntz get involved as potential buyers, but a more-established dealer kills the small-time dealer and kidnaps Buntz at gunpoint; Buntz eventually kills him. (This plot line initially appears to be self-contained, but in fact this plot line returns in the final two episodes of the series, setting up a spinoff series.) Belker is undercover among homeless people looking into a hotel-voucher scam. Goldblume investigates a case of poison substituted for aspirin tablets at a drug store. Jablonski's angina is worsening, and Furillo threatens to involuntarily retire him if he doesn't seek medical care.
126	2	"A Case of Klapp"	Scott Brazil	Terry Curtis Fox	October 9, 1986
Hunter shoots a boy caught robbing a convenience store; Internal Affairs finds that neither his firearm nor the bullets used were department-issue, leaving Hunter subject to dismissal from the force. Belker struggles to protect senior citizens from a violent mugger. The public defenders are engaging in a work slow-down to protest recent cuts in their workforce; Judge Wachtel insults Davenport repeatedly from the bench, leading Davenport to slap him across the face and Wachtel to have her arrested for battery. The public defenders elect to strike. Jablonski takes voluntary retirement in the face of upcoming coronary artery bypass surgery.
127	3	"The Best Defense"	John Patterson	Teleplay: Steve Bello & Robert Ward Story: Steve Bello & Robert Ward & Jonathan Lemkin	October 16, 1986
Hunter is demoted to Sergeant as a result of the Internal Affairs investigation; Furillo convinces him to take over the Desk Sergeant position. With the public defenders on strike, the officers must use discretion in making borderline arrests as the station overflows with suspects. Belker finds the storeowner cashing the checks of the mugged senior citizens; while Belker tries to get the name of the criminal from the shopowner, LaRue reopens the store - acting as the storeowner - and catches the criminal when he comes in to cash another stolen check. The public defenders return to work after the cuts are rescinded. Jablonski undergoes successful bypass surgery. Robert Clohessy (Officer Patrick Flaherty) joins the opening credits.
128	4	"Bald Ambition"	Ben Bolt	Jeffrey Lewis	October 30, 1986
Chief Daniels asks Furillo to intervene at the Polk Avenue Precinct, where racial tensions are simmering and Captain Calletano - derisively nicknamed "Captain Taco" by his officers - has been unable to control the tensions. Calletano denies there is a problem and vehemently resists help; Furillo looks on sadly as a brawl between white and black Polk Avenue officers erupts after a black officer is shot, and Calletano is unable to stop it. Internal Affairs is investigating Buntz after several people he has arrested have been burglarized while in custody; Buntz traces the burglaries to the man feeding names to Sid the Snitch, who has been forwarding those names to Buntz for arrest. Hill becomes a minor celebrity after catching a baby thrown from a fourth-story window. Rene Enriquez (Captain Ray Calletano) returns to the opening credits; James B. Sikking (Sgt. Howard Hunter) now appears in the credits wearing his Desk Sergeant's blues instead of his EAT khakis.
129	5	"I Come on My Knees"	Don Weis	David Milch	November 6, 1986
Captain Calletano loses command of Polk Avenue and is reassigned to Division; he threatens to go to the press. Several Polk Avenue officers are fired outright or reassigned; Officer James Sanders is transferred to Hill Street and is treated as a pariah. A college friend of Goldblume turns vigilante, with fatal consequences for criminals, police, and ultimately himself. Renko's damaged car is stolen by a hood who offers to get him full replacement cost from his insurance; Renko backs out, and the hood returns his car. Buntz explains his hostility for Flaherty - Flaherty turned in his partner, an old friend of Buntz's. A hit man attempts to kill Sid; Buntz kills the hit man instead. Jablonski asks to return to the police force. Megan Gallagher (Officer Tina Russo) is added to the opening credits; Betty Thomas (Sgt. Bates) takes over Robert Prosky's (Retired Sgt. Stan Jablonski) spot, while Prosky now appears not wearing a police uniform. Added to the guest star credits (after the opening credits) is "Also Starring Jon Cypher as Chief Daniels".
130	6	"Say Uncle"	Gabrielle Beaumont	John Romano	November 13, 1986
A renowned mobster, Uncle John Petruzzi, is expected to be assassinated prior to going to jail; Russo is beaten and raped by her mobster "boyfriend" while trying to discover the location and time of the hit. Belker counsels Russo on how to be an undercover cop. LaRue and Washington arrest a purse snatcher who then confesses to several high-profile murders; further research reveals that he has not committed the crimes. Furillo has to intervene to help Ray Calletano, who is testing Chief Daniels' patience to the limit; Calletano decides to resign. Jablonski assists Belker on an arrest. Taurean Blacque's credit is re-shot to reflect his shaving off his beard.
131	7	"Amazing Grace"	Don Weis	Teleplay: Robert Ward Story: David Milch & Robert Ward	November 27, 1986
Grace Gardner, a character from the early seasons who dated Sergeant Esterhaus, returns as a nun planning outreach work on the Hill; Flaherty is assigned as liaison. Councilman Wade, out for personal glory, repeatedly jeopardizes the precinct's battle against drugs; he ends up shooting an unarmed juvenile dealer, claiming self-defense, and is arrested by Washington. Belker and Buntz (separately) are working on drug busts; Buntz is forced to delay his bust due to a lack of supporting officers and has his finger cut off in retaliation by the loan shark who bankrolled his buy. Jablonski is hoping to return to police work, but experiences a flare of his chest pain and is not cleared by the police surgeon. Goldblume has a new lady in his life: the producer of a TV talk show. Rene Enriquez is removed from the opening credits.
132	8	"Falling from Grace"	Dale White	Terry Curtis Fox	December 2, 1986
Councilman Wade attempts to derail Furillo's investigation of his shooting by revealing details from Washington's personnel file to the press to discredit the detective. Furillo and Washington discover the conspiracy that allowed Wade access to Washington's file, and Wade is arrested for the conspiracy. Grace Gardner's vocation is challenged by her attraction to Flaherty. Buntz chooses to be the one who arrests the loan shark who clipped his finger; though he tries for a clean bust, the loan shark pulls a gun, and Buntz is forced to shoot him. A literary agent, unimpressed by the manuscript of Goldblume's deceased friend, offers Goldblume the chance to write his memoirs. Robert Prosky is removed from the opening credits.
133	9	"Fathers and Guns"	Ed Sherin	Teleplay: Jeffrey Lewis Story: Jeffrey Lewis & Jerry Patrick Brown	December 9, 1986
Captain Furillo is advised that his father was shot and killed during a robbery. Furillo investigates and discovers that his father had a brain tumor and killed himself due to the pain; for the sake of his mother, Furillo disposes of the suicide weapon and uses his pull with the police to avoid having the case classified as a suicide. Meanwhile, Belker - who has been suffering from nightmares regarding nuclear war - takes charge of an abandoned baby and then gets involved with the father's plight. A Korean restauranteur tows LaRue's car from his parking lot; LaRue retaliates by releasing rats in his restaurant and notifying the Board of Health. Unusually, this episode includes several dream sequences and a flashback.
134	10	"More Skinned Against Than Skinning"	Dale White	David Black	December 23, 1986
Racial tensions escalate when a white undercover officer shoots his black partner. Buntz has temporarily lost his sight and goes undercover with Belker, posing as a beggar. A store-owner causes disturbance by displaying Nazi artefacts in his store.
135	11	"She's So Fein"	Christian I. Nyby II	Marjorie David	January 6, 1987
LaRue thinks he has a chance with a new public defender, Sharon Fein, until she asks Washington for a date. Later that day, Fein allows a criminal in the interrogation room to snatch a gun from her. The criminal kidnaps Davenport at gunpoint and decamps from the station, eventually becoming holed up at a convenience store after shooting the owner; Davenport manages to broker an amnesty. Belker wrecks a car belonging to LaRue's brother-in-law while chasing a robber; the car is later discovered to contain stolen parts.
136	12	"A Wasted Weekend"	John Patterson	David Mamet	January 13, 1987
Jablonski, Renko and Hill go on a deer-hunting weekend; after being accosted by state troopers, breaking into the wrong cabin, and recalling war-time experiences, the weekend is cut short when Hill steps on a spike during the hunt. Henry Goldblume, who had planned to join them, is sidetracked by a speech to the Boy Scouts, an unstable woman who accuses him of raping her in the Captain's office, and a lack of money; he is then kidnapped by a serial robber who, upon learning that Goldblume is a police officer, forces him to dig his own grave before leaving in Goldblume's car. Officer McBride voices uncertainty and regret after shooting an armed robber, until Buntz mentors her. Unusually, this episode starts with the opening credits - no Roll Call or other pre-credits footage. The episode was playwright David Mamet's first script ever accepted for television, which included the recurring character played by his wife, Lindsay Crouse.[6]
137	13	"City of Refuse"	Don Weis	Peter Silverman	January 20, 1987
During a strike by refuse collectors, the police take over collections, with dramatic consequences when a gangland funeral interferes with a refuse collection route. Hunter is asked to take command of an EAT unit at a siege after their lieutenant is injured by the gunman; the gunman is none other than Jack Ballantine, Hunter's former EAT second-in-command. Russo and Flaherty try to deal with an angry old deaf man who has been in a fight with crack addicts; he ends up shot by police after he doesn't hear their command to drop his shotgun. Russo and Flaherty sleep together.
138	14	"Der Roachenkavalier"	Christian I. Nyby II	Christian Williams & Bob Woodward	February 3, 1987
LaRue becomes obsessed with a radio contest to find the largest live cockroach; he loses the contest, but busts a wanted felon when he shows up to enter the contest. Buntz is worried about the state of Furillo's marriage, based on a (erroneous) tip. A drug user, released on bail after Goldblume changes his charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, kills a grandmother while intoxicated. Goldblume is suspended, but takes his complaints regarding understaffing to Chief Daniels and TV; his actions result in a reversal of his suspension, as well as an authorization for 3 new judges, 40 new police cadets, and a study for building a new prison. Belker adopts a dog whose previous owner trained him to snatch purses.
139	15	"Norman Conquest"	Dale White	Teleplay: Steve Bello Story: Steve Bello & Neil Eglash & Jonathan Lemkin & Michael Wagner	February 10, 1987
Due to a clerical change, the Hill Street Precinct is $130,000 short of their quota for seized narcotics, and is at risk of losing funding for overtime. Buntz, in command for the day, mounts a campaign to meet the quota. Belker busts a tough kid named "Fetch" who bites and runs drugs; Russo and Flaherty bust a disowned snitch who tips them to a mobile drug lab, but the bust literally goes up in flames. Inspector Scapizzi sends his new girlfriend to the Hill to redecorate the stationhouse; Buntz catches her stealing cocaine from the property room, and the bust allows Hill Street to meet their quota.
140	16	"Sorry, Wrong Number"	Christian I. Nyby II	Ron Koertge	March 3, 1987
Seven members of a family are murdered in their home. Goldblume tries to use a former member of the Blood as an informant, but the head of the Blood immediately identifies him as a "snitch". Belker lucks into the identity of the murderers when he busts a low-level drug dealer who met the murderers immediately after the crime. Meanwhile, Renko has both urine and vomit thrown upon him during his patrol, but his day improves when he delivers a baby girl and the parents name the child after him (Andrea). At the end of the episode, the head of the Blood is found dead, and Goldblume's informant is suspected of the homicide.
141	17	"The Cookie Crumbles"	John Patterson	Robert Ward	March 10, 1987
A jealous Renko confronts his wife about her relationship with her business partner in her cookie-making company; at the end of the episode, he sleeps with a classmate from night school. A Hill Street officer with limited fluency in Spanish shoots an innocent Hispanic when he doesn't understand what he's saying. Ray Calletano, now representing the Latin-American Coalition, threatens a lawsuit on the victim's behalf - until he finds out that Furillo would bear the blame. Flaherty's romantic involvement with Russo begins to interfere with work, resulting in Bates dressing down both of them after she is slashed due to Flaherty's inattentiveness. Goldblume finds his informant, who did indeed kill the head of the Blood, and is forced to kill him when he turns a gun on him. Belker, acting on a tip from a snitch, buys stolen credit cards, but is shot in his car in the final scene. Rene Enriquez (Ray Calletano) returns to the opening credits for this episode only.
142	18	"Dogsbreath Afternoon"	Christian I. Nyby II	Teleplay: George Goldsmith & Jeff Melvoin Story: George Goldsmith & Jeff Melvoin & Jerome Portman	March 17, 1987
Belker survives the shooting and is rushed to the hospital with a bullet near his spine; after two complicated surgeries, the bullet is removed, and Belker is not paralyzed. Buntz brutalizes Belker's snitch to get the name of Belker's contact, who refuses to provide any information and is later found dead. Furillo, who is blaming himself for Belker's injury, takes Buntz off the case. Buntz continues investigating anyway and finds a District Attorney's investigator with connections to the stolen credit cards, Belker's contact, and Belker himself; the investigator kills himself when Buntz, LaRue, and Washington arrive to question him. Renko and his wife part company after he confesses to sleeping with another woman, and his wife responds by confessing her on-going affair with her business partner. Flaherty and Russo also part company after a drugged Russo calls for another man. Sergeant Hunter is restored to his former rank of Lieutenant, and resumes command of the EAT. Robert Prosky (Stan Jablonski) returns to the opening credits for this episode and the next.
143	19	"Days of Swine and Roses"	John Patterson	Teleplay: David Black Story: John Litvack & David Black	March 31, 1987
The city is full of stunts after a radio station challenges citizens to commit "outrageous acts"; this includes gang members releasing a live piglet into the Hill Street squad room. With Hunter resuming command of the EAT, Bates resumes Desk Sergeant duties. Hill and Renko are assigned a new unit (2403), state of the art, and computer-controlled - with disastrous results, which include Renko inadvertently winning the radio competition when he accidentally uses the unit's computer to disrupt traffic lights along a fifty-block length of Dekker Avenue. Renko forgives Darryl Ann, who is still uncertain about forgiving Renko. Jablonski's badge is found on an arrested prostitute; Belker gives it back to Jablonski, who voices frustration that he could not prevent the theft. While investigating a possible Indian burial mound in a house's basement, Hunter and a friend are caught in a cave-in.
144	20	"The Runner Falls on His Kisser"	Ken Lavet	Jody Taylor Worth	April 7, 1987
A famous American football player is arrested for soliciting, but his high-powered attorney and Chief Daniels intervene to reduce the charges and protect his reputation. Given 20-1 odds against beating the department's four-time marksmanship champion, LaRue's syndicate bets $400 on Buntz; Buntz loses by two points in the final round of competition. Furillo backs a loan for his brother, whose construction company is in debt after missing a completion date on a project. Fears grow as Lieutenant Hunter fails to report for duty; his paramour Prunella returns from Samoa to search for him. Unusually, this episode begins without the usual on-screen opening time check, though Furillo quotes the time as 6:30 A.M. after examining his own bedside alarm clock.
145	21	"A Pound of Flesh"	Don Weis	Christian Williams	May 5, 1987
Lieutenant Hunter is found alive after 11 days; it is discovered that his friend had been dead for a week, and - under a pact with Hunter - Hunter ate a portion of him to stay alive. Hunter discusses this with Furillo (who advises him not to discuss it) and Prunella (who leaves him). Lieutenant Buntz is accused of stealing a kilogram of cocaine from the suitcase in Episode 1; a box containing $17,000 (actually belonging to his late friend Donahue) is found in Buntz's apartment, leading Internal Affairs to suspend him. Grace Gardner returns to the precinct after having left the convent after finding her "concept of love" incompatible with chastity; she now works with a condom-distribution company and informs Furillo that the company installs machines free for law enforcement agencies, as "Our motto is the same as yours: To protect and serve."[7] The sister of Jesus Martinez is apparently kidnapped shortly before her wedding to a member of the Gypsy Boys; it is discovered that she actually loves a member of the Shamrocks, and Jesus gives his blessing for them to be married. LaRue narrowly escapes death and rides a rollercoaster of emotion, finally breaking down sobbing in Washington's arms.
146	22	"It Ain't Over Till It's Over"	Stan Lathan	Jeffrey Lewis & David Milch & John Romano	May 12, 1987
The final episode. The Hill Street stationhouse is gutted by fire, though the basic structure still stands. Lieutenant Buntz, Captain Furillo, and Sidney Thurston investigate the case against Buntz and uncover a plot to frame Buntz, in which Internal Affairs investigator Lieutenant Shipman is implicated. Fearing that Shipman will flee prosecution, Buntz takes matters into his own hands and holds Shipman at gunpoint; both are arrested, Shipman for the cover-up and Buntz for carrying a gun while suspended. Chief Daniels announces publicly that he intends to have Buntz fired; Buntz punches the Chief in the face (a development that TV critic Ron Miller called "marvelous" in a column bidding farewell to the series).[7] Goldblume works with a Division investigator and a prostitute to locate and arrest a notorious serial killer. Belker finally addresses his late mother's possessions. Sergeant Bates and Sal the plumber finally have dinner together, with perhaps a hint at a relationship developing. Buntz leaves the fire-damaged station in the final scene, but the last words are spoken by a constant, but low-profile, character — the night shift desk sergeant. He answers a ringing telephone, and states the final words of the series: "Hill Street". The Buntz plot set up the spinoff series Beverly Hills Buntz.

References

1. Most references cite this name as MAIZEL, but it is clearly stated to be MIZELL in the credits of episode 43, "Requiem for a Hairbag", in reference to the detective's wife and children.
2. TV Guide Book of Lists. Running Press. ISBN 0-7624-3007-9.
3. Fred Rothenberg. "New lease on life for the 'Hill'?" Philadelphia Daily News, March 17, 1986, page 48.
4. Kim Campbell. "Gay characters, before and after 'Ellen'," Christian Science Monitor, April 6, 2001, page 16.
5. Manuel Mendoza. "More gay characters, less furor," The Dallas Morning News, April 28, 1999, page 1C.
6. Glenna Syse. "Writer David Mamet fills roles with Chicago actors," Chicago Sun-Times, December 18, 1986, page 92.
7. Ron Miller. "'Hill Street' leaves gap for its fans," San Jose Mercury News, May 12, 1987, page 1E.

Sources

• Museum.tv showtimes
• Epguides.com episode guide