Ep 13. Travels With Andy

Travels With Andy is the thirteenth episode of the second season of NYPD Blue, a critically acclaimed police procedural drama that aired from 1993 to 2005. This episode was directed by Charles Haid and written by Gardner Stern.

The episode follows the investigations of Detective Andy Sipowicz, played by Dennis Franz, and his partner Detective Bobby Simone, played by Jimmy Smits. Sipowicz is a seasoned and rough-around-the-edges detective who often crosses the line in his investigations, while Simone has a more even-keeled approach.

At the start of the episode, Sipowicz is feeling down after a disagreement with his wife over her participation in a therapy group for families of alcoholics. He is assigned to investigate the suspicious death of a woman named Sarah Keplar, whose body is found in a hotel room. To complicate matters, Keplar was apparently a high-end call girl who was seeing a wealthy businessman named Martin Garfield, played by guest star Richard Kiley.

Simone, on the other hand, is assigned to investigate a case involving the theft of a jade horse statue from a man named Mr. Lee. The investigation leads Simone to a potential suspect, a woman named Mary Donovan, played by guest star Cynthia Nixon, who is Mr. Lee's former assistant.

Throughout the episode, Sipowicz and Simone navigate their separate investigations while dealing with personal issues that affect their work. Sipowicz struggles with his marriage and his sobriety, while Simone deals with the aftermath of his divorce and his feelings for his ex-wife.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Keplar's death leads Sipowicz and Simone to Garfield, who denies having anything to do with her death. As they delve deeper into the case, they discover that Keplar had a connection to another wealthy businessman, which leads them to question the motives of both men.

As Simone continues to investigate the theft of the jade horse statue, he discovers that Donovan has a troubled past and may be linked to other similar thefts. He confronts her about her criminal activities, leading to a tense confrontation that reveals more about Donovan's motivations.

Travels With Andy is a tense and compelling episode that showcases the strong performances of the show's talented cast, particularly Franz and Smits. The episode is notable for its exploration of the personal lives of the detectives, which adds a layer of depth to the characters and helps to bring them to life.

Overall, Travels With Andy is a standout episode of NYPD Blue that exemplifies the show's unique blend of gripping police procedural drama and nuanced character development. It is a must-see for fans of the series and a great introduction for newcomers.