Tell me I'm not the only one on here who tuned in for the start of the 10th season. Looks to be another good one.

Positives:
- the fact that the relationships between Connie & Andy and Ortiz & Clark were kind of played down a little. i.e. Ortiz mentioning they've been dating for 4 months and just having them be at that spot in the relationship instead of having a big explanation of what happened during the off-season.
- the plot arch of the drug dealer coming after Andy. It does seem like he storms around quite a bit, pissing people off and it's pretty rare for someone to come after him for it.

Negatives:
- Medavoy seemed a little out of character at times
- Andy sticking up for Clark Sr. I know it's become a recurring thing for Andy to hate someone and then come around and realize it's more important to get over their differences, but sticking up for Clark's dad seemed a bit extreme, especially when Clark himself wasn't being all that judgemental towards him.

Anyway, these are just the first things that popped into my head when watching it. I thought the hour long "Ten Years on the job" was a fairly good history for those not familiar with the show. Might make a nice extra if they ever get around to releasing these on dvd.

I don't think Andy was sticking up for Clark's dad, he was pissed at Clark for taking the heat for his dad. He reminded Clark that "he's just a person" as if to ask "would you let anyone else put you in this position"?

A good episode.

A very good episode. I enjoyed all of the plot lines. I'm still thinking about that Rita & Connie double-team.

I think that Andy just saw a lot of himself in Clark's dad at that moment (given Andy's history of alcoholism, prostitutes, etc.) He was probably just saying to Clark what he wished someone had said to his own son years ago...

I didn't see that as a negative at all -- I thought it was pretty realistic.


[As an aside, I saw the documentary before the show and they were discussing the major production problems in later years, because of alcohol problems from the main writer/producer/director. Scripts being late, improvised on the spot, etc. Does anyone know if this is the true reason behind the late start that the show got a few years back -- starting in January and running without repeats?]

I taped both hours last night, and now I can't wait to get home and watch it...oh, how I want a tivo of my own, I am so sick of setting up tapes

I missed it.
Crap.

I didn't watch the documentary before the episode (I watched THE GUARDIAN), but I always thought they started late because of ONCE AND AGAIN.

But I may be wrong. Never heard of the alcoholic writer/producer/director.

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Great episode last night. Franz is always great, though. When he socked that dealer in the stomach and was going to hit him again.....I thought, damn I wish he would have finished the job, but no...his woman was there.

Did anyone else hear it? That's the first time I've ever heard the word "bullsh*t" on ABC!

Great episode... the show's still got it.

This was the best premiere of the night. And that's saying alot since Buffy & Smallville both turned in excellent season premieres.

Rita & Connie should go undercover some more.

All in all it was an excellent episode.

As far as the documentary goes...

I was kind of upset that Caruso didn't weigh in with a short comment or two. That whole "improve" situation was crazy. Made me appreciate the show more seeing what they had to deal with and still put out quality eps.

As far as Sharon Lawrence in the shower and Gail O'Grady stripping in front of Medavoy...I have one thing to say...

To borrow from a heckling cop last season:

"Andy Sipowics: Man of the Year."

Anyway, it was great to see angry, racist, misogynist, alcoholic Andy from Season 1 again. Now in Season 10, he's almost cuddly. Of course, don't tell him that to his face. ;-)

Geez, I wonder how much heroin David Milch was on an average day to be able to churn out episodes on the spot.

And it was nice to see nearly everyone participate in the docu. Unfortunatelty, Caruso not only burned that bridge, but nuked it. It was odd not to see Andrea Thompson, though. I never liked her character though. Oh wait, Kim Delaney wasn't on, was she?
Would have been great to see Michael Deluise as well. I really miss the ghost of Andy Jr.

Anyone catch what Jimmy Smits said the reason he left was? I missed what he said.

madcougar: Oh. Well due to David Milch's drug and alcohol problems, he started out turning scripts in very late. Smits stated that although some actors can memorize lines and get into character very quickly, he's not that kind of actor. So over time, he grew tired of it and decided to bail despite liking the cast very much. If you saw the rest of the show, Milch got even worse and didn't even bother to turn in scripts. He just improvised dialogue on the day of filming. There's footage of the actors writing down the lines! It's amazing considering that the Schroeder years had some very good episodes. And although some people din't particularly like Sorensen as a "crybaby," I found his character fascinating. He was so utterly hurt inside but we never totally find exactly what the hell happened in his past.

I caught the episode and was going to start a thread about it, but I was sure somebody had already started one and I was too lazy to search to find it.

Anyhow, great episode and it looks like we have some great story lines for this season. It's about time we had some couples back on the show also, now we have 2, including one of the most unlikely with Andy and Connie. Can't wait to see how the season turns out.

Excellent season premiere. I've been waiting a while for the series to start up again...now just waiting for the inevitable Connie + Andy bedroom scene. *shudder*

BTW, was I the only one wishing that Connie and Rita had "shown their goods" a little more to that bouncer?

Thanks for the info. I'm glad that NYPD Blue is back in its god given timeslot. I was one of the apparently few folks who was watching 24 during 8 p.m. last year.