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The Best Episodes of NYPD Blue Season 1

Every episode of NYPD Blue Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NYPD Blue Season 1!

Binge this in 2h 38m•Peaking at 8.6/10

Police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwined several plots involving an ensemble cast.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.2/10(500 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Detective John Kelly has his hands full. On the work front, his partner's drinking problem and continual harassment of gangster Alfonse Giardella is about to get them both in over their heads with the mob. On the personal front, his wife wants a divorce.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 2 - 4B or Not 4B
    8.0/10(352 votes)

    #2 - 4B or Not 4B

    S1:E2

    Lieutenant Fancy and Detective Kelly are warned to stop pressuring the mob even as Andy Sipowicz lies in the hospital with numerous gunshot wounds. Back at Kelly's ex-wife's apartment building, an angry young man starts carrying a gun for protection.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 3 - Brown Appetit
    7.7/10(314 votes)

    #3 - Brown Appetit

    S1:E3

    After discovering the hotel where Giardella is being held, Sipowicz gets his revenge with the help of a pet bulldog and the hotel's thankful chef.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 4 - True Confessions
    8.1/10(319 votes)

    #4 - True Confessions

    S1:E4

    Kelly quits moonlighting as a bodyguard after discovering his millionaire employer is a wife beater. Later Kelly speaks at a tenant meeting explaining the dangers of carrying a gun for protection. Unfortunately, his talk has little impact on the tenant in 4B.

    Director:Charles Haid
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 5 - Emission Accomplished
    8.0/10(305 votes)

    #5 - Emission Accomplished

    S1:E5

    Martinez discovers the superintendent of his brother's apartment building is a cop who beats and robs tenants who fall behind on their rent.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 6 - Personal Foul
    7.9/10(301 votes)

    #6 - Personal Foul

    S1:E6

    Kelly is forced to arrest a close friend after a fight on the basketball court leaves another friend dead.

    Director:Brad Silberling
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 7 - NYPD Lou
    8.2/10(301 votes)

    #7 - NYPD Lou

    S1:E7

    When Sipowicz's estranged son, Andy Jr., shows up and announces his engagement, Andy Sr. decides to look into the bride-to-be's background.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 8 - Tempest in a C-Cup
    8.0/10(283 votes)

    #8 - Tempest in a C-Cup

    S1:E8

    Lieutenant Fancy hires Donna Abandando, a well-endowed civilian employee, to work in the precinct's "safe street" program.

    Director:Daniel Sackheim
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 9 - Ice Follies
    7.7/10(263 votes)

    #9 - Ice Follies

    S1:E9

    When Martinez's brother dies from a drug overdose, their father sets out to kill the drug dealer responsible.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 10 - Oscar, Meyer, Weiner
    7.9/10(273 votes)

    #10 - Oscar, Meyer, Weiner

    S1:E10

    Ignoring Kelly's advice, Licalsi reveals that she's being blackmailed by the mob. Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the brutal robbery-murder of a wealthy family and work with a pawn dealer in hopes of retrieving a stolen Oscar statuette.

    Director:Brad Silberling
    Writers:Gardner Stern, Ted Mann

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  11. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 11 - From Hare to Eternity
    8.2/10(270 votes)

    #11 - From Hare to Eternity

    S1:E11

    As the holiday's approach, Kelly and Sipowicz get a early gift in the form of a hot tip while investigating the kidnapping of a young girl.

    Director:Eric Laneuville
    Writers:Burton Armus, David Milch

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  12. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 12 - Up on the Roof
    7.7/10(252 votes)

    #12 - Up on the Roof

    S1:E12

    While Martinez investigates a series of robberies involving a fake ATM machine, Kelly's current case yields evidence that links Licalsi to the mob. Meanwhile, Lt. Fancy tries to extend his custody of a young boy whose mother is in a drug rehabilitation program.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 13 - Abandando Abandoned
    8.1/10(260 votes)

    #13 - Abandando Abandoned

    S1:E13

    Donna's joy over Medavoy leaving his wife is short-lived when he has a change of heart.

    Director:Gregory Hoblit
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 14 - Jumpin' Jack Fleishman
    7.9/10(256 votes)

    #14 - Jumpin' Jack Fleishman

    S1:E14

    When a woman who was raped refuses to press charges for fear her husband will say she brought it upon herself, Licalsi acts as a decoy in an attempt to trap the prime suspect.

    Director:Rick Wallace
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 15 - Steroid Roy
    8.1/10(268 votes)

    #15 - Steroid Roy

    S1:E15

    When Kelly and Sipowicz respond to a suicide call they find the body of a police informant who had come to the precinct earlier that day shouting that she was sleeping with her police contact. Licalsi suspects that her partner is taking drugs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Ann Biderman

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  16. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 16 - A Sudden Fish
    7.8/10(252 votes)

    #16 - A Sudden Fish

    S1:E16

    Sipowicz has to diffuse an explosive situation when a disabled Vietnam vet who was mugged decides to take matters into his own hands.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 17 - Black Men Can Jump
    7.7/10(247 votes)

    #17 - Black Men Can Jump

    S1:E17

    Sipowicz is furious when he suspects a private investigator is giving false hope to a man whose daughter has been missing for 2 and a half years.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 18 - Zeppo Marks Brothers
    7.7/10(246 votes)

    #18 - Zeppo Marks Brothers

    S1:E18

    When a material witness to a drug hit turns up dead, Sipowicz and Kelly's investigation leads them to two brothers who have also planned a hit on Kelly's ex-wife, Laura. Sipowicz must perform uniform-detail in a dress uniform way too small.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 19 - Serge the Concierge
    7.7/10(247 votes)

    #19 - Serge the Concierge

    S1:E19

    Detectives searching a landfill for the body of a dead girl find the body of a millionaire instead. While Kelly interviews the wife of the deceased, Sipowicz does some investigating of his own after Andy Jr. is arrested for selling cocaine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 20 - Good Time Charlie
    8.0/10(244 votes)

    #20 - Good Time Charlie

    S1:E20

    Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the death of a man's mistress, which they later find out is one of many lovers the man currently has. Meanwhile, Licalsi is promoted and Fancy breaks the news to her husband that she's pregnant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 21 - Guns 'n Rosaries
    8.3/10(249 votes)

    #21 - Guns 'n Rosaries

    S1:E21

    Even as Licalsi confesses to shooting Angelo Marino and his driver, Martinez is forced to shoot an irate man who points a gun at Medavoy while they're stuck in traffic.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. NYPD Blue Season 1 Episode 22 - Rockin' Robin
    8.6/10(277 votes)

    #22 - Rockin' Robin

    S1:E22

    Sipowicz and Kelly investigate the stabbing death of a priest whose body was found in a park frequented by male prostitutes.

    Director:Gregory Hoblit
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "NYPD Blue" season 1. It scored 8.2/10 based on 500 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/21/1993. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "4B or Not 4B".