User Reviews

I knew Simone appears to Andy in this episode. I've seen the series three times prior, I watch the clip on YouTube. And still, tears at his appearance. This episode is the final turning point for Andy. His journey from the Pilot to know has always been laced with anger, doubt, frustration of others. After this he's more calm, he seems to just get it and roll with it. A talk with Simone and the reach out to Clark solidify Andy in his role.

Andy Sipowicz may go down in TV history as one of the most complex characters ever created. He will also go down as a character who had to deal with more tragedy than any TV character than I can remember. From his mother, his son, his second wife, and two partners, one can easily sympathize with Sipowicz.

Despite all of his bluster, witty and often offensive remarks, and hard-nosed police style, the genius of Dennis Franz was giving us a character that we all still loved. I've been watching TV shows for nearly 50 years, and believe me, there aren't many actors who are able to do that as deftly as Dennis Franz.

In so many ways, Andy Sipowicz is our champion. He is the one guy who stumbles and falls constantly, but he never gives up. He always keeps moving forward. That is his greatest strength.

John Clark Jr. Is still reeling from the death of his ex-girlfriend as well as his father. Both by suicide. He buries his pain and grief in alcohol and women. Sipowicz, of course, can easily relate. What makes the relationship between Andy and John so profound is that Andy sees himself in John's despair. He's been there and done that too many times to count. And we can understand why Andy can't be associated with John any longer. The pain is too near and dear.

In many ways, John serves as a mirror for Andy. With every cutting remark, every snide and hurtful comment, we see that Andy realizes the pain that he also caused for people when he was unable to deal with his grief. And Dennis Franz has always been able to tap into the entire spectrum of emotion and allow the audience to feel each of them with him.

It's ironic how you can draw the parallel from Andy in the first season to John in this one. They are nearly identical.

Enter the biggest surprise of the series. This is my first time through it, so yes, it was a shock--a pleasant one at that--when Sipowicz is visited by the spirit of Bobby Simone who showers him with profound love and wisdom. He tells Andy to be a teacher to his four kids. Andy states that he only has three. Simone responds with, "What about your partner?" It's then that it becomes very clear: Andy views John as a son just as John sees Andy as a father-figure. And neither one can stand to lose another loved one. But then, that is the very nature of love: it's risk and it's absolute vulnerability. This is something that Simone tries to impart to Andy; to stop being afraid of loss and to live in the moment.

The episode ends beautifully as Andy asks John to dinner to finally allow the healing to begin between the two. The episode carries over into the first bit of the next episode. "Father" and "Son" finally able to be there for each other. If this episode doesn't get you choked up a bit, I'm not sure what else could.

In any other show, bringing back a dead character can be cheesy and poorly done. Not here. Not on NYPD Blue. Not with Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits proving that even after six years apart, they were still at the top of their game.

The whole episode is good and it all ties together in teaching Andy Sipowicz the biggest lesson he has ever learned during his evolution- that he is a teacher.

The story about the young family that loses their husband/father to senseless violence, and Andy worrying about their future just after he has a shooting scare himself. Medavoy worrying about the future of his daughter, who wants to buy a house- so he takes a job in a bar. A bar is where Andy Jr. Lost his life.

Finally, the second stabbing victim, named "Andy"- who, after being stabbed and gets a picture of the perp "while going down"- the same words used to describe the second shot that killed Andy Jr. Hospital patient Andy telling Sipowicz that he will be okay as long as he "doesn't develop an infection" while pointing to his chest, and we all know that an infection in the chest is what killed Bobby Simone.

Clark acting like a petulant child, acting out, but really crying out for help.

Finally, the best 7 minutes of tv a person could ever hope for as two terrific actors and characters discuss life, death, God, family, love, and lessons learned and to be learned. I've watched this episode no less than 25 times and I love it more every time I do. The cooing of pigeons as Bobby shows up in the locker room is subtle and beautiful. This episode is one of the top 5 in the show's history.

Andy looks in the face of death. When a psychotic killer tries to shoot hi and his gun jams, he gets time to look at his mortality. He goes about his business but with the heaviest of hearts. John still isn't on board and this is hard. The final scene, however, will stand the test of time. When he talks with Bobby, their interaction is so beautiful. It isn't maudlin. It isn't saccharine.