No spoilers. During the 90's when NYPD aired I was working as a cop and wasn't very interested in cop shows. During retirement I have been watching this excellent series on Hulu and appreciating watching a series before everything went PC. I am near the end of Season 6 and read where some people thought this was a bit of a downturn. I must disagree.
First, with the season starting the way it did with Bobby's character arc, nothing that follows can match those episodes. With season 6 episode 5 Milch, Barclay and Smits, captured lightning in a bottle. I've been around and seen some things, those first 5 episodes stand out as some of the best television ever made, and blows anything being made in the 90's away. I'm glad I could binge it, checking in over 6 weeks must've been tough for the viewers.
The season that follows with the introduction of Rick Schroder was (I think) as good as the first seasons of both Caruso and Smits. The stories never bogged down in too much exposition, the characters went multiple emotional places off the circumstances starting the season, and Schroder created another compelling character to mix in with the ensemble. Even at his young age he was a veteran actor (if you've never seen The Champ check that out, or at least the last scenes on YouTube with the 9 year old Schroder).
The strength of Blue was not the actors - as talented as they are, it was the leadership of Bochco and Milch. I enjoyed what Schroder brought to the ensemble and the interactions of old school Sipowicz (Franz) with the ambitious young detective, Sorenson (Schroder).
4 Reviews
The Change We Didn't Know We Needed
jimalba-8788712 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I consider myself one of the biggest fans in the history of NYPD Blue and I remember seeing this episode during the show's original run and at first I couldn't accept the Sorenson character at first. However, over time I've realized that this episode was written to mimic the feelings of the fans. After a grueling five episode arc that marks the demise of Bobby Simone, fans were feeling just as Lt. Fancy said- "Raw". Diane Russell couldn't stand him and was not going to accept him on any level; Andy Sipowicz went against his normal trait of resisting change and was totally willing to give the new guys a shot; Martinez and Medavoy were a little impressed but made it clear that "He is no Bobby Simone". This was absolutely brilliant writing as it covered all the feelings that the fans had at that time. Many fans were just unwilling to accept Ricky Schroder at all, some were ready to move on, and others were just curious to see how the show moved forward. I am so glad I gave this character a chance at that time because, many years and about 25 viewings later, I realize this change was really, really good and it injected some life into a show that benefitted from the jolt.
It's not that the show was lagging, Jimmy Smits was still outstanding as Simone and the chemistry between he and Franz was palpable in every episode, but the show started to fade a little in terms of creativity and season 6 certainly changed all that.
Schroder played this character perfectly and believe me, he had challenges. First, he was replacing a fantastic actor and a wildly popular character, no small task at all. Second, there was turmoil behind the scenes as David Milch's substance abuse issues led to inconsistent appearances from him and other writers had to jump in and help out- and believe me, NOBODY can write like David Milch.
Enter Schroder, who strode in the show and acted like he belonged the whole time- Sorenson was confident, borderline cocky, he was his own man and was only going to put up with guff from others (Russell) for so long, and he took zero crap from Sipowicz. Schroder is an excellent actor- right up there with Franz, in the way that he could use his expressions to convey a thousand words and thoughts. As the Sorenson era progressed, until the writing went slightly off the rails in season 8 when Milch stopped showing up for good, the character was very interesting.
This episode in particular was strong- the shooting that led to two crime scenes and found Sorenson, on his first day, "stepping on toes" as the case caused him to "take" a crime from Russell, who was already not happy with him- on her first day back after losing her husband.
It's funny how after so many viewings- I watch the series from start to finish on a loop and have been doing so since '94, I actually now look forward to "Danny Boy" because the drama of "Hearts and Souls" and the episodes leading up to it are draining and when this episode rolls around, I am more than ready for it.
Reading the review from "bobleb" called "The Start of a Low Period" is based solely on the politics of Ricky Schroder and has nothing to do with the show itself- thank goodness people clearly recognized that.
The start of the Sorenson era reinvigorates the show and season 6 is a roller coaster from start to finish and Schroder is up to the task all the way.
It's not that the show was lagging, Jimmy Smits was still outstanding as Simone and the chemistry between he and Franz was palpable in every episode, but the show started to fade a little in terms of creativity and season 6 certainly changed all that.
Schroder played this character perfectly and believe me, he had challenges. First, he was replacing a fantastic actor and a wildly popular character, no small task at all. Second, there was turmoil behind the scenes as David Milch's substance abuse issues led to inconsistent appearances from him and other writers had to jump in and help out- and believe me, NOBODY can write like David Milch.
Enter Schroder, who strode in the show and acted like he belonged the whole time- Sorenson was confident, borderline cocky, he was his own man and was only going to put up with guff from others (Russell) for so long, and he took zero crap from Sipowicz. Schroder is an excellent actor- right up there with Franz, in the way that he could use his expressions to convey a thousand words and thoughts. As the Sorenson era progressed, until the writing went slightly off the rails in season 8 when Milch stopped showing up for good, the character was very interesting.
This episode in particular was strong- the shooting that led to two crime scenes and found Sorenson, on his first day, "stepping on toes" as the case caused him to "take" a crime from Russell, who was already not happy with him- on her first day back after losing her husband.
It's funny how after so many viewings- I watch the series from start to finish on a loop and have been doing so since '94, I actually now look forward to "Danny Boy" because the drama of "Hearts and Souls" and the episodes leading up to it are draining and when this episode rolls around, I am more than ready for it.
Reading the review from "bobleb" called "The Start of a Low Period" is based solely on the politics of Ricky Schroder and has nothing to do with the show itself- thank goodness people clearly recognized that.
The start of the Sorenson era reinvigorates the show and season 6 is a roller coaster from start to finish and Schroder is up to the task all the way.
Pedestrian Episode
Hitchcoc28 August 2021
Ricky Schroeder comes in as Danny Sorenson, replacing Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone. I won't comment on his age (he actually doesn't look that young). It's as if they made a composite of detectives and put it into a package. He has Sipowicz's harshness, a sort of caring thing, an edginess from being pushed around. He's been in the service so he has points. Diane dislikes him from the moment he walks in. His first trip to the streets is wrapped up and presented to us. Still, I'll be patient and give the guy a chance.
The start of a low period.
bobleb21 July 2019
This episode marks the beginning of the period when the show stopped (mostly) being great for a while. It is because of the introduction of the character Danny Sorenson, as a woefully inadequate replacement for Bobby Simone. Danny is a lousy cop and a total jerk, and "Little Ricky" Schroder is a simply horrible actor.
Fortunately, his tenure will not be all that long, and he will be gadually replaced by excellent people (as Characters and actors). So be patient for a couple of seasons.
Fortunately, his tenure will not be all that long, and he will be gadually replaced by excellent people (as Characters and actors). So be patient for a couple of seasons.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
