Ep 7. In-Laws, Outlaws

In this episode of NYPD Blue titled "In-Laws, Outlaws," the detectives of the 15th precinct find themselves caught up in a tangled web of family drama and illicit activity. The episode opens with Detective Sipowicz and his wife Sylvia preparing for a visit from her sister and brother-in-law, who are in town from Florida. Sipowicz is less than thrilled about the impending visit, as he has never gotten along with his brother-in-law and is wary of the man's shady business dealings.

Meanwhile, Detective Kirkendall is investigating a string of robberies committed by a group of young men who seem to be targeting mini-marts and convenience stores. Her investigation leads her to a shady character named Frankie Rafferty, who is rumored to be involved with the robberies. Kirkendall sets up a meeting with Rafferty and confronts him about his involvement, but he denies any involvement and walks away.

As the episode progresses, the two storylines begin to converge when Sipowicz's brother-in-law, a used car salesman named Lou DaSilva, becomes the prime suspect in Kirkendall's robbery investigation. It turns out that Lou has been hiring Rafferty and his crew to rob his own used car lot, in an effort to collect insurance money on the stolen vehicles. Kirkendall and her partner, Detective Medavoy, are able to track down Rafferty and convince him to cooperate with the investigation in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Meanwhile, Sipowicz and his brother-in-law continue to clash over Lou's shady business dealings. When Lou insists on taking Sipowicz to dinner at a seedy strip club, Sipowicz is disgusted and storms out. However, when Lou is arrested for his involvement in the robbery ring, Sipowicz is forced to put his personal feelings aside in order to help his sister-in-law through the ordeal.

Throughout the episode, the relationship between Sipowicz and his wife Sylvia is also put to the test, as they struggle to navigate the tensions between her family and his job as a detective. In one particularly poignant scene, Sylvia admits to Sipowicz that she's been considering leaving him because she's tired of the constant stress and danger that comes with his job. Sipowicz is heartbroken, but ultimately chooses to prioritize his wife and their marriage over his career.

Overall, "In-Laws, Outlaws" is an intense and emotional episode of NYPD Blue that explores the complex dynamics of family relationships and the difficult choices that law enforcement officers must make on a daily basis. It's a gripping hour of television that showcases the show's strong writing and poignant character development.