DVD Review: NYPD Blue: Season 7

NYPD Blue is one of television’s best dramas, partly because the main characters have serious weaknesses as well as strengths, making them seem more like real people, and consequently making us care more about them. And elements and storylines from the previous seasons are not dropped or forgotten, but are forces still at work on these characters. Plus, the performances are excellent. The characters’ weaknesses certainly come into play in the twenty-two episodes of the series’ seventh season. The main cast for this season includes Dennis Franz, Rick Schroder, James McDaniel, Kim Delaney, Gordon Clapp, Nicholas Turturro, Andrea Thompson, Bill Brochtrup, and Henry Simmons.

This season sees the return of several supporting players as well, including Kevin Dillon as Neil Baker, a cop who might be involved in a fatal beating in the season’s opener. He was in a couple of episodes in the sixth season. That episode also features Erich Anderson as Don Kirkendall, Jill’s ex-husband, a character who plays a prominent part in one of the season’s main plots. I became a fan of Erich Anderson’s work years ago when he played Billy Sidel on thirtysomething, and he gives a really good performance here as well. I also really appreciate Jill’s complicated feelings regarding Don (as in episodes like “These Shoots Are Made For Joaquin”).

Also giving a good performance in a supporting role is Sheeri Rappaport as Mary Franco, an officer that Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder) becomes involved with. Rick Schroder does some excellent work in this series, and a lot of his character’s elements are explored and revealed through his relationship with Mary. His character is also explored through his relationship with J.B. (Jeff Cahill), an informant who begins using drugs again.

There are some really touching moments between Andy (Dennis Franz) and his son Theo, whom Andy must raise mostly on his own after the sixth season’s death of his wife. Debra Monk returns as Katie, Andy’s ex-wife, who also plays a significant role in this season, helping Andy with Theo and with some of his own demons. Andy and Danny also become closer this season, like in “Who Murders Sleep,” one of the best episodes (the title of which is a reference to Macbeth).

But perhaps the most interesting relationship this season is that between Diane (Kim Delaney) and Jill (Andrea Thompson), as Diane worries that Jill might be involved in the criminal activities of her ex. Kim Delaney is particularly excellent in “Bats Off To Larry,” in the scene where she tells Jill what she knows and learns a bit about what Jill may know. It’s a very tense scene, and both actors do a tremendous job with it. They are also both excellent in the season’s final episode (as is Gordon Clapp as Greg Medavoy, a character you come to really feel for this season).

There are several good guest appearances as well this season. Frank Vincent plays Dino “The Rat” in a couple of episodes. M. Emmet Walsh appears as Joe Kroft, the medical examiner, in “Roll Out The Barrel.” And it’s always great to see Richard Libertini, who plays Luciano in “Lucky Luciano.” Amy Aquino also appears in that episode.

Sam Lloyd is great in a small role in “The Man With Two Right Shoes.” But the best line of that episode belongs to Tommy (Rodney Eastman), a suspect: “So if you found me in an automobile assembly plant, you’d accuse me of being a car?” Speaking of good lines, in “These Shoots Are Made For Joaquin,” Arthur Fancy says, “Keep me posted,” and Andy replies: “Are there any cases that you don’t want us to keep you posted on? I mean, what’s the point of saying that?” And I love in “This Old Spouse,” when Andy gets impatient with a computer and threatens to punch it in the face.

One other minor thing I can’t help but mention: The series uses exterior shots between scenes, and two episodes this season use the same odd shot of a car parked on the sidewalk.

NYPD Blue: Season 7 is scheduled to be released on DVD on September 30, 2014 through Shout! Factory. There are six discs in the set, containing all twenty-two episodes. There are no special features.