NYPD Blue (season 8)

When a female cop is shot while responding to a call, her husband, a captain on the force, blames her partner for leaving her side and wants to seek his own revenge. A new assistant district attorney arrives to handle the case and prompts concerns over her by-the-book approach. Meanwhile, Sorenson must make some important decisions in his personal life, which is bad news for Mary Franco and maybe good news for Diane.

Notes

• First appearance of Garcelle Beuvais as A.D.A Valerie Heywood
• Richard Brooks guest stars as Capt. Eric Knowlton
• Eugene Byrd guest stars as Andre Cutler

The detectives are suspicious of a Russian widow's alibi when her husband is found floating in the East River, and Medavoy's newfound interest in the Chinese language comes in handy when he and Det. Harold Ng (Episodes 2.3 & 3.9) helps an immigrant family rescue their kidnapped relative. Meanwhile, Diane is emotionally conflicted about the end of her relationship with Danny.

• Tzi Ma guests as Det. Harold Ng

A trio of Goth teens are involved in a stabbing during a night of wild partying, and Sipowicz tries to save the case that Sorenson nearly blew. Meanwhile Russell tries out a new partner named Connie McDowell, who has to overcome a wave of hostility when she arrives to fill in for the troubled Danny, who gets a huge break and a stern lecture about how his poor-me routine is DOA, both courtesy of Andy.

Note:

• First appearance of Charlotte Ross as Connie McDowell.

Sipowicz and a fully reinstated Sorenson work to help an officer's relative whose temper gets him in trouble, while the rest of the detectives investigate an apparent stabbing attack on Captain Bass' wife. Meanwhile, romance blossoms, as Sipowicz spends more time with Cynthia and Baldwin Jones has a date, while PAA John finds an admirer in an antiques store owner.

Note

• Scott Lawrence guest stars as Anthony Mackey

Sipowicz's split-second decision during a shooting puts his entire career in jeopardy unless a victim corroborates his story, while Danny and Diane team up to find the evidence that exonerates Andy. Meanwhile, a rape at a bar leads to a disturbing discovery that lets Det. McDowell close the case and find a home at the 15th.

• Timothy Omundson guest stars as Seth Werna, the department Shrink.
• Eric Balfour guest stars as Eli Beardsley.

Andy Sipowicz has an unusual response upon hearing the news that Lieutenant Fancy is leaving the 15th precinct. Meanwhile, Detectives Russell and McDowell have the onerous task of tracking down a very private severed body-part in hopes of reattaching it to its owner, and as Sipowicz and Sorenson investigate what seems to be a mob execution, their suspect drives a hard bargain that leads to a suspect from a long-unsolved drug murder. The new Lieutenant arrives and quickly establishes that she hates all of the detectives and the feeling is mutual.

Notes

• Denise Crosby guest stars as Lt. Susan Dalto
• Ricardo Chavira guest stars as Customs Off. Kenny Sotomayor

As Lieutenant Fancy moves on to his new position as a captain, the sadness felt by the detectives of the 15th precinct is compounded by the chafing ways of his replacement, an icy, tough, female detective. And then, as though in answer to their prayers, she's out — and the detectives anxiously await details on the next candidate to occupy their beloved Fancy's office. Meanwhile, a teenage immigrant girl with a troubled past is murdered and the suspects are many.

Notes

• Last appearance of James McDaniel as Arthur Fancy.
• First appearance of Esai Morales as Tony Rodriguez.
• Denise Crosby guest stars as Lt. Susan Dalto

Sipowicz reaches out to an alcoholic ex-cop whose daughter has been murdered, and Lt. Rodriguez steps in when detectives from another squad try to take over the investigation. Meanwhile, in his personal life, Sipowicz stumbles in his new relationship with Cynthia and turns to his ex-wife, Katie, for comfort.

Notes

• John Finn guest stars as Jimmy McElroy

Still grieving the loss of her husband and the failed relationship with Danny Sorenson, Diane Russell decides to take the drastic step of leaving her job in order to get her life back together. But the manner in which she leaves has her co-workers, particularly Sorenson, feeling hurt and confused. Meanwhile Medavoy and Sipowicz go undercover to nab a pair of robbers who've been preying on the elderly, while Andy wonders openly whether his plans to marry his ex-wife are a good idea. Danny meets a stripper while working a double-murder case and seems to be falling for her.

Notes:

• Final appearance of Kim Delaney as Diane Russell (except a brief return as a recurring character for 5 episodes in seasons 10 & 11)
• Greg Grunberg guest stars as Joey Schulman

Much to the displeasure of his partner Andy Sipowicz, Sorenson seems to be losing himself in his relationship with Kristen, the stripper. He even puts himself in jeopardy when his attempt to protect her from a rude patron leads to a fight. Connie works with Greg on a case where a slutty young woman manipulated two stupid young men into a robbery that turned into a double homicide. Meanwhile, Katie and Andy make a crucial decision about their remarriage, while Baldwin holds his temper in check on a case where a woman was savagely beaten and her husband murdered for no reason.

Note

• Greg Grunberg guest stars as Joey Schulman
• Last appearance of Rick Schroeder as Danny Sorenson, however he remains opening credits for the next episode.

Everyone in the department fears the worst as Sorenson is missing and Kristen, the stripper he dated, is found dead in his apartment. As the detectives all desperately cling to the belief that he is not the murderer, concern and fear for their colleague cloud their search. Lt. Rodriguez gets the squad to focus on the job and helps them close a murder case involving a gay hustler and a Reverend's wife.

Notes:

• Greg Grunberg guest stars as Joey Schulman
• World Trade Center last show in this series