Ep 2. Cop in a Bottle

Detective Andy Sipowicz is still struggling with his sobriety and the aftermath of his son's death as he returns to work for season six, episode two of NYPD Blue entitled "Cop in a Bottle." He soon gets involved in a case involving a cop who has a drinking problem, as he tries to help him and prevent him from spiraling out of control.

The episode opens with Sipowicz reluctantly showing up to the police station for his first day back on the job. Although he appears to have it together, it's clear that he's still struggling with his grief and his addiction. Meanwhile, young Detective James Martinez is tasked with investigating a hit-and-run accident that occurred on the night of July 4th. Witnesses claim that the driver was a police officer, and that he appeared to be drunk.

As the investigation unfolds, Martinez and Sipowicz begin to suspect that the prime suspect in the hit-and-run may be another cop. They question several officers and even go undercover at a local bar to try to gather more information.

While at the bar, Sipowicz runs into an old friend and fellow cop, Mike Roberts. Roberts, played by guest star Michael O'Keefe, is a hard-drinking cop who has been struggling with alcoholism for years. Sipowicz initially tries to ignore his friend's problems, but eventually decides to intervene and offer him some help.

As he struggles to balance his own sobriety with his attempts to help Roberts, Sipowicz also finds himself at odds with Lt. Fancy, who he feels is putting too much pressure on him to solve the hit-and-run case. The tension between the two colleagues escalates, and Sipowicz ultimately decides to take on the entire case himself.

Throughout the episode, we see Sipowicz's journey as he tries to navigate his own sobriety while also helping a friend and colleague. We also see the toll that alcoholism can take on the people around the alcoholic, and the challenges that come with trying to intervene in someone else's addiction.

As the episode draws to a close, Sipowicz succeeds in solving the hit-and-run case and bringing the guilty cop to justice. He also manages to reach out to Roberts and offer him some support on his path to recovery. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with Sipowicz continuing to battle his own demons even as he helps others overcome theirs.

Overall, "Cop in a Bottle" is a powerful, character-driven episode that showcases the complexities of addiction and recovery. With strong performances from the cast and guest star Michael O'Keefe, it's a standout entry in an already excellent season of NYPD Blue.