Ep 18. Chop Shop

Cagney & Lacey is a well-known cop drama television show that aired from 1981-1988. The show followed the lives of two female police officers, Mary Beth Lacey (played by Tyne Daly) and Christine Cagney (played by Sharon Gless) as they navigated their personal and professional lives while working in the NYPD.

Season 2 episode 18 of Cagney & Lacey is titled "Chop Shop". The episode first aired on March 13, 1983, and was directed by Reza Badiyi. In this episode, we see the two detectives investigating a ring of auto thieves who are running a "chop shop" operation in the city. The episode starts with a car being stolen right in front of Lacey. She chases the car on foot but fails to catch it. She later discovers that it's the fourth such theft in a week.

As she and Cagney begin to investigate the case, they find themselves going undercover to try and catch the car thieves. Christine goes to a local bar to gather intel, while Mary Beth poses as a wealthy car owner looking to sell her car. But things get complicated when Mary Beth's car is stolen, and the thieves begin to suspect that she is a cop. Meanwhile, Cagney befriends one of the car thieves, an ex-con named Eddie who seems to be in over his head. She tries to convince him to turn on his accomplices and help them catch the rest of the gang.

Throughout the episode, we see the tensions rising between the two detectives as they struggle to catch the thieves. Mary Beth is frustrated that their efforts have not yielded results, while Christine is more optimistic and wants to give their undercover operation more time. Nevertheless, the two maintain a strong working relationship and continue to push forward.

As the episode reaches its climax, Cagney and Lacey, with the help of Eddie, finally catch the thieves red-handed as they attempt to steal Mary Beth's car. A high-speed chase ensues and the action-packed conclusion of the episode leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

This episode of Cagney & Lacey is a well-crafted and exciting example of the show's unique blend of police procedural and feminist themes. Throughout the series, the two detectives face sexism and harassment from their male colleagues, but they refuse to be intimidated and continue to do their jobs with professionalism and dedication. The depiction of empowered female detectives in a male-dominated profession was groundbreaking at the time the show aired, and it paved the way for future female lead cop shows like Law and Order: SVU and Wynonna Earp.

Overall, "Chop Shop" is a memorable episode of Cagney & Lacey that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. With its compelling storyline, strong character development, and thrilling action scenes, it is a must-watch for fans of the show and newcomers alike.