"Self Defense" | |
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Homicide: Life on the Street episode | |
Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 18 |
Directed by | Barbara Kopple |
Written by | Lloyd Ross |
Cinematography by | Yaphet Kotto |
Production code | 718 |
Original air date | April 9, 1999 |
"Self Defense" is an episode of the seventh season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street . It originally aired on NBC on April 9, 1999. The episode was directed by Barbara Kopple and written by cast member Yaphet Kotto, who also plays Lt. Al Giardello. The episode is significant in story arcs regarding the romance between detectives Laura Ballard and Paul Falsone and Lt. Giardello's continued difficulties in his attempts to get promoted to a captaincy.
Eleanor Burke, the ex-wife of shooting victim Lorne Burke, admits to pulling the trigger, but plans on using battered person syndrome to bolster a self-defense claim. Despite overwhelming evidence against both claims (Eleanor had indeed been abused during the marriage, but they've been divorced for over a year, and Lorne had been shot while still reclined under the covers in bed), investigating officers Falsone and Terri Stivers discover overwhelming political support for Eleanor, whose family connections, wealth, and job as an assistant U.S. attorney all make her a sympathetic defendant in the eyes of the FBI, the police administration, and the federal and local Attorney's Offices. Ed Danvers conspires with Eleanor's attorney for a lenient outcome, but the judge imposes a stiff bail and orders the case before a jury. When Al Giardello attempts to convince the judge (who is an old friend) to reverse his decision, the judge instead convinces Gee that too many people are in Eleanor's corner, and somebody has to speak for the victim. Giardello's reversal on the matter puts a potential promotion in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Falsone and Stivers keep investigating and gradually convince Danvers and Giardello — both of whom were sympathetic to Eleanor — that she is manipulating the law and thus damaging the credibility of Battered Wife Syndrome.
In a parallel storyline, Laura accuses Det. Meldrick Lewis of sexism, and Lewis attempts to prove her wrong by partnering with her on a case involving a series of robberies at knife-point. Meanwhile, Falsone starts to regret breaking up with Laura when he discovers that she is not only dating medical examiner George Griscom, but she has also joined the M.E. bowling team, which he takes as a personal insult, since he is the one who taught her how to bowl. Falsone even goes so far as to spy on one of their bowling nights, which Laura seems to thoroughly enjoy.
Detective Stuart Gharty proposes to Billie Lou when drunk, but she declines and mentions her engagement to Detective John Munch.
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American police drama television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit. Created by Paul Attanasio, it ran for seven seasons and 122 episodes on NBC from January 31, 1993, to May 21, 1999, and was succeeded by Homicide: The Movie (2000), which served as the series finale. The series was created by Paul Attanasio and based on David Simon's book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets (1991). Many of the characters and stories used throughout the show were based on events depicted in the book.
Detective Michael Scott Kellerman is a fictional character on the television drama series Homicide: Life on the Street portrayed by Reed Diamond. He is a main character from seasons 4–6 (1995–98).
Meldrick Lewis is a fictional character on the television series Homicide: Life on the Street, played by Clark Johnson. The character is loosely based on Baltimore detective Donald Waltemeyer and appeared in the series for its entire run. Lewis had the very first and last lines of the series.
Terri Stivers is a fictional character in Homicide: Life on the Street. She was played by actress Toni Lewis.
Laura Ballard is a fictional character in Homicide: Life on the Street, played by Callie Thorne. She is a police detective in the homicide division of the Baltimore Police Department.
Roger Gaffney is a fictional police officer of the Baltimore Police Department on Homicide: Life on the Street. He was played by Walt MacPherson.
Stuart Gharty is a fictional character played by Peter Gerety in the television series Homicide: Life on the Street.
Ed Danvers is a fictional character played by Željko Ivanek in the television series Homicide: Life on the Street.
Rene Sheppard is a fictional character in Homicide: Life on the Street, played by Michael Michele.
"Blood Ties" is the three-episode sixth season premiere of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. The episodes constitute the 78th, 79th and 80th overall episodes of the series. They originally aired on NBC on October 17, 24 and 31, 1997, respectively.
"And the Rockets' Dead Glare" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 17, 1993. In the episode, Howard testifies in a murder trial, Pembleton is offered a promotion, and Lewis and Crosetti go to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. to investigate a political refugee's murder.
"Law & Disorder" is the 15th episode of the third season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It originally aired on NBC on February 24, 1995. The episode was written by Bonnie Mark and Julie Martin and directed by John McNaughton. The episode concludes elements of a storyline about the shooting of Beau Felton, Kay Howard, and Stanley Bolander.
"Lines of Fire" is an episode of the seventh season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It originally aired on NBC on May 7, 1999. The episode was written by James Yoshimura and directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
"Fallen Heroes" is a two-part episode that concludes the sixth season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It comprises the 99th and 100th overall episodes of the series, and originally aired on NBC in the United States on May 1, 1998 and May 8, 1998.
"Finnegan's Wake" is the 21st episode of the sixth season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It is the 98th overall episodes of the series, and originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 24, 1998.
Paul Falsone is a fictional character in Homicide: Life on the Street, portrayed by Jon Seda. He is a police detective of the Baltimore Police Department. Born on October 14, 1968, Falsone was introduced as a long-time member of the Auto Squad at the end of Season 5, where his natural talents proved useful in solving vehicle-related crimes. However, when the department began a rotation program, in which detectives would be periodically reassigned to new units, Falsone was transferred to the homicide shift commanded by Al Giardello. After three months, Giardello expressed satisfaction with Falsone's work and requested that he remain with the unit.
"Zen and the Art of Murder" is an episode of the seventh season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It originally aired on NBC on April 2, 1999. The episode was written by Lloyd Rose and directed by Miguel Arteta. The episode is significant in the story arc of Laura Ballard's romance with Paul Falsone; fearful that their secret romance will be discovered, Falsone ends the relationship.
"Nearer My God to Thee" is the third season premiere of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street, and the fourteenth overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on October 14, 1994. In the episode, the homicide department is assigned to the politically volatile murder of a beloved social worker, whose body is found wearing nothing but a pair of white gloves. Meanwhile, Felton struggles with marital problems, while Lewis and Munch try to find a business partner with whom to open a bar.
"Fire" is the season premiere of the fourth season of the American police drama television series Homicide: Life on the Street. It originally aired on NBC on October 20, 1995. The episode was written by Julie Martin and was directed by Tim Hunter. The two-part story centres on Pembleton and Bayliss' investigation into a pair of arson-related homicides, and introduces a new regular character, Arson Squad detective Mike Kellerman, who subsequently transfers to Homicide and partners with Det. Meldrick Lewis. This episode also flagged the permanent departure of regular characters Stanley Bolander and Beau Felton.