Ep 5. Simone Says

Simone Says is the fifth episode of the second season of the television series NYPD Blue. It revolves around the investigation of a murder case of a young girl, which affects the lives of the detectives who are trying to solve it.

The episode opens with Detective Andy Sipowicz (played by Dennis Franz) facing the aftermath of his alcohol relapse. He is met with disapproval from his partner, Detective Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits), who reminds him of their duties as cops. Later, the detectives are called to investigate the murder of a young girl who was found raped and strangled in an abandoned building. The case hits closer to home as Simone grew up in the same neighborhood as the victim, and he decides to lead the investigation.

As Simone and Sipowicz start to collect evidence, they meet with resistance from the neighborhood's residents who are suspicious of the police. Despite the challenges, Simone and Sipowicz make progress in the case, and they identify a suspect who has a history of assaulting women. However, when they arrest him, he denies the charges and refuses to provide any information.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Arthur Fancy (James McDaniel) is under pressure from his superiors to improve the station's clearance rate, and he is concerned that Simone's emotional investment in the case may impede his judgment. However, Fancy trusts Simone's abilities as a detective and allows him to proceed with the investigation.

As the detectives dig deeper into the case and uncover more evidence, they find themselves in a race against time to prevent the suspect from striking again. Simone's personal connection to the case adds another layer of tension to the proceedings, leading to a climactic standoff between the detectives and the perpetrator.

Simone Says is a tightly paced episode that showcases the strengths of the ensemble cast. The writing is nuanced and empathetic, capturing the difficulties faced by law enforcement when dealing with delicate cases like the one at the center of the episode. The show's trademark grittiness is on full display, but it is balanced with moments of humanity and compassion.

Overall, Simone Says is a standout episode that exemplifies the show's ability to tackle complex issues with grace and intelligence. It is a testament to the talent of the cast and the writing team, and it remains a fan-favorite episode to this day.