Amazon.com: Originally broadcast in 1994, the second season of NYPD Blue was disrupted by the departure of star David Caruso (Detective John Kelly) after just four episodes, under apparently less than amicable circumstances. He was ably replaced as Detective Sipowicz's partner by Jimmy Smits as the smoother Detective Bobby Simone, and the series managed not to miss a beat.
More streamlined and downbeat than its predecessor, Hill Street Blues (also created by Steven Bochco), NYPD Blue continued second time around to mix near-the-knuckle detective work to foil New York's scummiest with more character- and relationship-based drama. Although it's regrettable that its ethnic minority characters, such as Lieutenant Fancy, are increasingly marginalized here, the series is more comfortable--and even has fun--with regular characters such as the nervy Detective Medavoy and his on-off paramour Donna Abandando. Andy Sipowicz's simmering, tough-nosed recovering alcoholic is increasingly and amusingly put to the test in a number of situations, including: a murder investigation in a gay bar; being sung to at his own wedding by Nic Turturro's Detective Martinez; and a love scene in the shower in which we experience the dubious pleasure of seeing his bare rear.
New female introductions, such as the strong but sympathetic Detective Lesniak, also helped to shake up the series with a much-needed estrogen boost. There's also fun to be had in spotting a number of guest appearances by up-and-coming actors destined to make it in their own right such as Richard Schiff and Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) and Debra Messing (Will & Grace).
The DVD set contains a number of extras, primarily a one-hour documentary in which the cast and crew discuss the series episode by episode, the self-congratulatory mood broken only by some subtle digs at departing star David Caruso (apparently, he walked straight off the set following his final take into a waiting limo without any farewells). There's also a small piece paying tribute to the music of theme-writer Mike Post and an item covering the relationship between Sipowicz and Assistant DA Sylvia Costas, in whose marriage this series culminates. --David Stubbs
NYPD Blue Season 2 I must have recieved some very poor quality discs. Won't play in several drives. The drives it will play in is the worst quality I've seen.
Transitional "Blue" "NYPD Blue" never fully recovered from the abrupt exit of David Caruso in Season Two (1994-95). Despite his solid performance as Bobby Simone, it was impossible for Jimmy Smits to fill the void created by Caruso's departure. Nevertheless, Dennis Franz's complex portrayal of Andy Sipowicz remained integral to the series - thanks to the guiding hand of creators Steven Bochco and David Milch. The six-DVD set is worth having for the final Caruso episodes and the evolving chemistry between Franz and Smits. However, the dramatic uniqueness of "NYPD Blue" was dead and gone after Detective John Kelly left the 15th Precinct.
whoops! This is a 6 disc set. My copy, when received, had problems. The first disc had dislocated from its place in the container, and the disc was damaged by the container's hard plastic center spool, making two of the episodes on it unplayable on my Panasonic equipment. This is a first for me, never happened before with any other set ordered from AMAZON. The cost of the set was so low, and since we had already seen the two episodes when first aired, we decided the matter was not worth pursuing. I do not hold Amazon at fault here, but the manufacturer, who might have foreseen this happening, and instead of the "book style" container, provided individual disc cases, as was done on later years of this series.
A great Cop Drama Probably one of the best cop Dramas. If you like Third Watch, Brooklyn South or Law & Order you will enjoy all of the NYPD Blue seasons.
Very Interesting series I purchased this DVD because of David Caruso who starred in its first season. Then when I got into it I had to have the other seasons as well. It is a well written and very well acted series. Pretty raw for the 90s when it was shown, but tame by todays standards. I just wonder IF New York city is that conjested and crowded, the 15th precinct shows a down and dirty part of the city. I enjoy the series, but sorry NY is a place I would definately wouldn't want to live.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
