Ep 7. Goodbye, Mr. Scripps

In Hill Street Blues season 4 episode 7, titled "Goodbye, Mr. Scripps," the Hill Street precinct is dealt a heavy blow when Sergeant Esterhaus (played by Michael Conrad) passes away in his sleep, leaving the officers in mourning. This episode follows the aftermath of his death and how it affects the precinct.

The episode begins with the officers of Hill Street station receiving the news of Esterhaus' passing, and the somber mood quickly sets in. Captain Furillo (played by Daniel J. Travanti) struggles with how to handle the situation, and it becomes clear that Esterhaus was well-loved and respected by all who knew him. The officer's disbelief and grief are palpable, and every character seems to be in a state of deep contemplation.

As the day goes on, the precinct is thrown into chaos when a man named Mr. Scripps (played by J.A. Preston) arrives at the station, claiming to have a bomb strapped to his body. The officers quickly start to evacuate the building and deal with the threat. Amidst the tense situation, Captain Furillo and the rest of the officers are forced to deal with their grief while trying to keep the situation under control.

Despite all the efforts of the officers to negotiate with Mr. Scripps, he refuses to give up and continues to make demands. Meanwhile, the officers are struggling to process their emotions around Esterhaus' death, with Sergeant Jablonski (played by Richard Jaeckel) in particular struggling to cope.

As the night wears on and the situation with Mr. Scripps starts to escalate, the officers are forced to make a difficult decision. In the midst of the chaos, everyone is forced to come to terms with the loss of both Esterhaus and the potential loss of their fellow officer at the hands of Mr. Scripps.

This episode is a powerful portrayal of how a tragedy can impact an entire community, and how difficult it can be to come to terms with loss in the face of danger and chaos. It explores the deep bonds that form between those who work together in law enforcement, and how the loss of one member can shake an entire organization to its core.

Overall, "Goodbye, Mr. Scripps" is a heartbreaking and intense episode that beautifully captures the complex emotions that come with dealing with loss and grief. The combination of Esterhaus' passing and the tense bomb situation creates a gripping storyline that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.