7.7/10175 votes#1 - A Rightful Place
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/1989
While keeping vigil over Rudy, Vinnie learns that Grosset's father-in-law was also hit, setting up a power struggle within the mob. Albert courts Vinnie's alliance by letting him in on his plan to smuggle millions of dollars worth of heroin into the country. Vinnie goes to the Commission and demands Rudy's seat at the table. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Robert Iscove
Writer: David J. Burke
7.8/10167 votes#2 - Battle of the Barge
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/1989
The tension mounts between Cerrico and Grosset over control of the garbage collection business. Grosset forms an uneasy alliance with Chinatown mobster Chin. Carlotta urges Rudy to get better and get Vinnie out of the middle of the impending mob war. The OCB closes down the explosives factory in Chinatown. Gina Grosset kills Chin. After an assassination attempt at the opera, Amber tells Vinnie to move out. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Robert Iscove
Writer: Clifton Campbell
7.7/10169 votes#3 - Sins of the Father
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/4/1989
Frank wants to pull Vinnie off the case when he finds out that D.A. Peter Alatorre plans to expose Vinnie as the head of the Commission in a news conference. Albert is distraught when his son is expelled from school because of his recent press coverage. Rudy calls Alatorre to his hospital room to show that he is back in the country, taking the heat off Vinnie. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: David J. Burke
Writer: N/A
7.9/10179 votes#4 - Heir to the Throne
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/1989
Rudy discovers Joey's plan to kill him, Albert and Vinnie, so sets his own plan into operation by convincing Albert he must kill Grosset. Albert and Joey have a showdown that ends with Joey dead and Albert in jail for his murder. Wanting her due, Gina sets up a meet with the Commission to offer them Albert's heroin deal. When Frank easily affects the arrest of the Commission, Vinnie begins to suspect that Rudy set everything up for them. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Bill Corcoran
Writer: N/A
8.1/1020 votes#5 - Sleepwalk
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/1989
Frank and Dan urge Vinnie to try and reconcile with Amber. At their urging, he goes to her, they make love, then she demands that they see a counselor. Following their therapist's advice, they go away for the weekend, where they both realize they're too involved in their careers to be able to maintain a relationship with each other. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: N/A
Writer: David J. Burke, Clifton Campbell
8.2/1031 votes#6 - How Will They Remember Me?
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 11/1/1989
When a local priest finds a box that belonged to Pete, he takes it to Vinnie, who finds a diary of his father's inside. As he reads it, he finds out about a dark episode involving his father and the local mob. The episode uses black and white film and familiar faces to bring John's diary to life. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: William A. Fraker
Writer: N/A
7.3/1021 votes#7 - People Do it All the Time
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/8/1989
Vinnie and Frank try to cheer up Dan, who's depressed about becoming a grandfather. When Lauren finds a phony check in her husband's pocket, she asks Dan to investigate, and he uncovers a scam a local builder is using to bilk his insurance company. The builder is shut down, throwing Stephen out of a job and making him decide to leave town. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Jonathan Sanger
Writer: N/A
7.2/1022 votes#8 - Reunion
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/15/1989
Vinnie attends his 15-year high school reunion and bumps into two old friends, one a mob lawyer and one a detective. Vinnie is torn between telling Denise he's a cop and protecting his cover. Frank tells Vinnie that Denise has bugged his house, making Vinnie furious and determined to teach Denise a lesson. Denise and Mooch get married. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: William A. Fraker
Writer: David J. Burke
8.3/1024 votes#9 - Day One
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/1989
Vinnie is called to Washington to investigate a counterfeiting operation designed to sabotage the Japanese economy. Frank warns Vinnie to be careful, that there is some kind of power play going on, because Paul was mysteriously sent to Thailand, leaving Mark in charge. Vinnie suspects Masters wants to set him up for throwing the coup of Isle Pavot. Mark is relieved of duty when he loses control after his former mentor is murdered. Vinnie meets Kate Gallagher. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Mario Van Peebles
Writer: David J. Burke
8.4/1025 votes#10 - Day Four
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/1989
In the aftermath of economist Valenti's assassination, new paths open in Vinnie's investigation of the plot to disrupt the Japanese economy. Although Vinnie strongly suspects that Masters is behind the plot, he follows the trail Masters sets out for him. Vinnie and Kate both go to Utah to track down the mysterious Mr. Wilson. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: N/A
Writer: David J. Burke
8.4/1028 votes#11 - Day Seven
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 12/13/1989
Vinnie and Dan find evidence of the counterfeiting ring in Utah, but it seems to have come too easily, so Vinnie heads into the mountains to meet a billionaire recluse, Prescott Wilson, who might hold the key to the truth in the case. Frank and Vinnie convince Senator Pickering to delay passage of Senator Getzloff's trade bill while they search for the plane carrying the yen. Masters presents the Attorney General with photos of Vinnie and Kate talking with Wilson, as well as the printing plate with Vinnie's prints on it. Frank is ordered to arrest Vinnie. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: William A. Fraker
Writer: David J. Burke
8.2/1033 votes#12 - Day Nine
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 12/20/1989
Vinnie is the fall guy in the alleged plot to disrupt the Japanese economy, prompting the Attorney General to launch a classified Senate investigation that could cost Vinnie his badge. Fearing her career is ruined, Kate attempts suicide. After hearing all the evidence, the Attorney General relieves Vinnie of his duties, stating there's enough to prosecute him for treason. Prescott Wilson arrives and places all the blame on Masters. Masters goes off the deep end and kills Strichen. Vinnie is cleared of all charges. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Les Sheldon
Writer: David J. Burke
7.6/1022 votes#13 - Meet Mike McPike
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 1/10/1990
During a budget meeting, Frank gets a call from Jenny that his father is causing trouble at the rest home he's at. Frank takes Mike home while he looks for a new home for him. Mike tells Frank he's not going to leave until Frank reconciles with Jenny. Vinnie takes Mike to a bar for lunch and the old man gets them into a brawl. Jenny reluctantly agrees to have dinner with Frank and Mike. Mike realizes Frank and Jenny aren't going to get back together, so he allows Frank to find him a new rest home. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/1027 votes#14 - To Die in Bettendorf
Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 1/17/1990
Steelgrave's former accountant, Sid Royce, is suffering in the Witness Protection life Frank assigned him. When his wife leaves, he snaps and decides to get revenge against Frank for destroying his life. Jenny agrees to have dinner with Frank, then invites him back home. Their romantic evening is destroyed when Sid pulls a gun on them. Jenny talks Sid into letting Frank go by convincing him she's his missing wife. Frank kills Sid in front of Jenny, ending whatever chance they might have had at reconciling. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Jorge Montesi
Writer: Morgan Gendel
6.8/1033 votes#15 - Romp
Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 2/7/1990
Feeling lonely, Vinnie joins his old buddy Mike Caccatori at the bachelor party for their high-school friend Jimmy ""The Legend"" Vitale, but the trio's friendship is put to the test when Jimmy reveals that he's broke and owes money to a loan shark. It ends up being a dream. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/1032 votes#16 - A One Horse Town
Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 2/14/1990
Frank's reporter friend tells him about a corrupt town in Washington, spurring Frank to assign Vinnie to the case. Vinnie sets his cover as a truck driver whose rig just got repossessed. The local sheriff investigates Vinnie and finds out he used to be a cop, so he offers him a job as deputy. Vinnie prevents Bobby from killing Volchek, then fakes Bobby's death to win Volchek's trust. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: N/A
Writer: David J. Burke
7.9/1034 votes#17 - His Master's Voice
Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 3/7/1990
When the bodies of two missing deputies turn up, it points to a serial killer who has been terrorizing the northwest. Volchek assigns the investigation to Vinnie when Stem loses control. Frank warns Vinnie he has to leave after Dan tells him there's a 40 man task force on the way to Lynchboro. As Volchek tries to eliminate possible suspects, Stem confesses to the murders, then electrocutes himself. Vinnie flashes back to Sonny killing himself, then snaps and takes off, stealing Frank's car.(source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: James A. Contner
Writer: Robert Engels
8.2/1035 votes#18 - Hello Buckwheat
Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 3/14/1990
Vinnie calls in Roger Lococco to take over the case, then holes up in a seedy hotel in Seattle. Frank is more interested in looking for Vinnie than in nailing Volchek. Paul orders Frank to continue the case and offers him another agent, which Frank refuses. Roger takes over as sheriff. Dan moves to Seattle to support Frank and look for Vinnie. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: Jonathan Sanger
Writer: David J. Burke
7.8/1032 votes#19 - Let Them Eat Cake
Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 3/21/1990
Vinnie takes a job hauling hospital waste as he continues to hide out in Seattle. Frank finds out Volchek is going to bribe a state official to get the license for his hospital and plans to arrest them after dinner. Roger uncovers Volchek's cryogenic vault. Lacey talks to Roger about how important Volchek is to the town, causing him to throw the arrest. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: James A. Contner
Writer: Clifton Campbell, Robert Engels
8.0/1034 votes#20 - Meltdown
Season 3 Episode 20 - Aired 3/28/1990
Volchek becomes depressed over losing the hospital. Roger and Frank try to save Lynchboro by getting Volchek to realize he really is in control. Vinnie goes to Kousakis when he realizes the waste they're dumping is causing a hepatitis outbreak in a nearby school, then attacks Kousakis when he tells Vinnie to mind his own business. Vinnie tries to alert an official to the toxic waste, but it turns out the guy is corrupt and tells Kousakis to kill Vinnie. Feeling trapped, Vinnie kills the two gunmen sent to kill him, then flees into the night. Roger leaves, telling Frank to tell Vinnie they're now even. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: N/A
Writer: Clifton Campbell
7.8/1029 votes#21 - Sanctuary
Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 4/11/1990
Depressed, Vinnie contemplates suicide, then hears church bells. He goes to confession and breaks down, begging Father Pat to help him. Frank goes to Seattle to look for Vinnie. Vinnie tells Father Pat about the toxic dumping, and the priest arranges a press conference. Frank finally finds Vinnie at the church. Kousakis overhears the plan to expose him on the news and shoots at them, wounding Frank and Father Pat. Vinnie and Dan chase Kousakis. Dan finds out Frank is in critical condition and goes to the hospital. After trying to revive Frank, the doctors give up when he flat lines. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
Director: William A. Fraker
Writer: David J. Burke, Robert Engels
8.2/1024 votes#22 - Brrump-Bump
Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 4/18/1990
Frank has an out-of-body experience, then briefly awakens when he hears Vinnie calling him. Kousakis kills Harriet, then hides out at the church while waiting to kill Boden. Vinnie decides to try repairing the church bells in the hopes that they will awaken Frank from his coma. Vinnie discovers Kousakis in the bell tower, but Kousakis jumps to his death before Vinnie can summon the police. Vinnie repairs the bells and rings them, waking Frank.
Director: N/A
Writer: Robert Engels
The Best Episodes of Wiseguy Season 3
Every episode of Wiseguy Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Wiseguy Season 3!
Vinnie Terranova does time in a New Jersey penitentiary to set up his undercover role as an agent for the OCB (Organized Crime Bureau) of...
Genres:CrimeDramaAction & Adventure
Network:CBS
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"A Rightful Place" is the best rated episode of "Wiseguy" season 3. It scored 7.7/10 based on 175 votes. Directed by Robert Iscove and written by David J. Burke, it aired on 9/20/1989. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Battle of the Barge".