Ep 3. Victimless Crime

Cagney & Lacey season 3 episode 3, titled "Victimless Crime," follows Detectives Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey as they investigate a case involving a victimless crime. The episode begins with the detectives receiving a tip about a gambling ring operating out of a local bar. They arrive at the bar during a game and arrest several of the players.

Back at the station, the detectives discover that the players are all off-duty police officers. The lieutenant is hesitant to pursue the case, as he believes that gambling is a victimless crime and the officers were not on-duty at the time. However, Cagney and Lacey insist on following through with the investigation, as they believe that the officers' illegal activity undermines the integrity of the police department.

Their investigation leads them to a high-ranking officer who is involved in organizing the gambling ring. Cagney and Lacey struggle to gather evidence against him, as he is careful to keep his involvement discreet. They also face resistance from other officers, who are unwilling to turn against one of their own.

As the investigation drags on, tensions rise between Cagney and Lacey. Cagney becomes increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress, while Lacey worries that their pursuit of the case is putting their careers in jeopardy. At one point, Cagney nearly jeopardizes the case by confronting the high-ranking officer without proper backup.

Despite these challenges, the detectives ultimately succeed in bringing the officer to justice. The episode ends with Cagney and Lacey reflecting on the case and their partnership, reaffirming their commitment to taking on difficult cases and protecting the public from those who abuse their power.

"Victimless Crime" is a tense and engaging episode of Cagney & Lacey that explores issues of police corruption and loyalty. The episode is notable for its nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers who are tasked with investigating their own colleagues. Overall, the episode is a compelling addition to the show's ongoing narrative of two strong, complex women fighting to uphold justice in a male-dominated profession.