Ted Mann Movies

1877. A new day is dawning in the Black Hills outlaw camp of Deadwood. For better or worse, times are changing, and the transformation from camp to town is imminent. Unsavory new arrivals - looking to cash in on the lucrative anarchy -- and a government of outsiders usher in an era of hard decisions and brutal power struggles among the camp's founders, all learning the hard way...fortune comes with a price.

Trixie (Paula Malcomson) is tending to Al (Ian McShane), whose condition is worsening. Doc (Brad Dourif) decides that he may have to perform surgery, which Al would stand little chance of surviving. Ellsworth (Jim Beaver) catches Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt) snooping around at Alma's (Molly Parker) claim and confronts him. Ellsworth is painfully familiar with George Hearst's operation, and makes his disposition toward Hearst quite clear. Lawrence County Commissioner Hugo Jarry (Stephen Tobolowsky) arrives from Yankton, and confirms to Cy (Powers Boothe) and Wolcott that the gold claims will be validated. Panicked prospectors are selling their claims to Cy, who is acting as a front for Hearst. When Alma notes the air of panic in the camp, Ellsworth reassures her. "Panic's easier on the back than the short-handed shovel," he jokes, before noting that Hearst's man's presence in the camp might have something to do with the rumors that have been circulating. E.B. mentions to Alma that the camp is in peril, and she coolly offers to buy his hotel, sending him into his own personal panic. Sol (John Hawkes) suggests to Seth (Timothy Olyphant) that they could use Alma's holdings as collateral to open a bank in Deadwood, but Seth doesn't want to involve Alma. Mr. Lee (Philip Moon), another of Hearst's employees, arrives in camp and makes his presence know in "Celestials' Alley," much to Wu's (Keone Young) dismay. Miss Isringhausen (Sarah Paulson), having lost her job, turns to an unlikely source for help. Carrie (Izabella Miko), the whore Wolcott likes, arrives in camp. Joanie (Kim Dickens) expresses further trepidation about Maddie's (Alice Krige) plot. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

Amidst his investigation of a murder involving a apartment-building gigolo (Raul Gomez), Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder) takes time off to help his old army buddy Joey Dwyer (D.B. Sweeney). When Joey's ramblings turn suicidal, Sorenson seeks out assistance from Sipowicz (Dennis Franz). Unfortunately, Joey has already decided to "leave town" -- and thus precipitates a hostage crisis that may result in several more deaths than his own. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Simone (Jimmy Smits) and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) investigate when a distraught father (Brian Markinson) insists that his missing son was kidnapped by Israel (Thom Gossom Jr.), a homeless mute. After the boy's body is found, the detectives are confronted with evidence that seems to point irrevocably to Israel. But Diane (Kim Delaney) thinks that the suspect has been framed, corroborating Sipowicz' suspicions about the dead boy's father. Elsewhere, the squad's investigation of a girl's murder is complicated by the burial demands of the victim's father, a Hasidic Jew. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fancy (James McDaniel) overenthusiastically "helps" Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) train for the upcoming boxing tournament. A woman whom Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) urged to testify against the man who assaulted her ends up dead. And while working on an arson sting, Simone (Jimmy Smits) is somewhat taken aback by the behavior of his temporary partner, undercover detective Diane Russell (Kim Delaney, in her first series appearance). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Glory-grabbing Detective Solomon (Gordon Clapp) is foiled when Simone (Jimmy Smits) unearths the evidence needed to interrogate a suspected serial killer. After the armored-car heist is thwarted, Fancy (James McDaniel) -- with the grudging assistance of snitch Greco (Joe Pantoliano) -- confronts Commander Haverell (James Handy) with irrefutable evidence of Haverell's corruption. And Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Lesniak (Justine Miceli) realize with startling suddenness that they are more than just friends and co-workers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It's an evening of togetherness as Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence) move in together, and Donna Abandando's sister Dana (future Will & Grace star Debra Messing) moves in with Donna (Gail O'Grady) and Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) -- whereupon Dana starts putting her on moves on Greg. In other developments, Simone (Jimmy Smits) has trouble believing the confession of his friend's son (Adam Hann-Byrd) regarding a school shooting. And while Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Lesniak (Justine Miceli) prepare to file charges against a man who knowingly transmitted HIV to his girlfriends, one of the man's victims grimly prepares her own brand of justice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

NYPD Blue begins its second season with 15th Precinct police officer Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman) on trial for the killing of mob functionary Marino. Despite having suppressed evidence that would have incriminated Janice, Detective John Kelly (David Caruso) testifies on her behalf -- and outside chambers, Kelly tells Robin Wirkus (Debrah Farentino) of his innermost feelings. Elsewhere, the squad investigates a series of robberies targeting drug dealers, and Andy Sipowicz, (Dennis Franz), busy on a case involving a battered wife, must agree to signing a contract with his AA sponsor, Dan Breen (Peter Boyle), before renewing his romance with another recovering alcoholic. With this episode, Gail O'Grady (Donna Abandando), Gordon Clapp (Greg Medavoy), and Sharon Lawrence (Sylvia Costas) graduate from recurring-characters to full "series regular" status. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though Janice (Amy Brenneman) has been promoted to the Intelligence division, she must continue biding her time with the 15th precinct detectives. Despite damning evidence, Kelly (David Caruso) feels that his pal Charlie (Charles Haid) is being framed for murder. Fancy (James McDaniel) worries that his wife is in for another very difficult pregnancy. And, while visiting the family of Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence), Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) has several drinks too many. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having all but defined the "police precinct" TV-series genre of the 1980s with his Hill Street Blues, Steven Bochco did the same for the 1990s with NYPD Blue, which joined the ABC Tuesday-night lineup on September 21, 1993. The setting was New York's fictional 15th Precinct, originally presided over by Lieutenant (and later Captain) Arthur Fancy (James McDaniel). Most of the stories revolved around the cases handled by a team of veteran cops, with one-half of that team represented by the thuggish, moody, emotionally unstable, but occasionally sensitive and sentimental Detective Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz). Andy's first partner was Det. John Kelly (David Caruso), who was just as tough as Andy but more compassionate. After all but ruining his career by trying to cover up a murder committed by his lover, mob-connected uniformed officer Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman), Kelly retired from the force. Also exiting the 15th around that same time was Kelly's ex-wife, attorney Laura Michaels (Sherry Stringfield), who'd been an eyewitness to the murder of the mob boss who nearly bumped off Sipowicz in the very first episode. Kelly's replacement was Detective Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits), who devoted himself to his work to overcome the recent death of his wife. Like his predecessor, Bobby was the polar opposite of his partner Sipowicz, but the two managed to become friends. Eventually, Bobby would marry again, taking co-worker Det. Diane Russell (Kim Delaney) as his bride, but their happiness was tragically brief; by the end of NYPD Blue's 1997-1998 season, Bobby Simone was dead of heart failure. The grieving Diane found brief consolation in the arms of Simone's replacement, Det. Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder), but eventually transferred out of the 15th. The demise of Bobby was also a crushing blow to Sipowicz, who had already lost his 18-year-old son, Andy Jr. (Michael DeLuise) in a shoot-out. Within the next few years, Andy would endure the death of his erstwhile sweetheart, Assistant DA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence), and also the passing of Bobby's replacement, Dan Sorenson, who was killed in a botched undercover operation. On a more upbeat note, Andy doted on Theo (Austin Majors), his son by Sylvia Costas; he enjoyed a December-May romance with Det. Connie McDowell (Charlotte Ross); and, surprisingly, in light of Andy's homophobia, he developed a close friendship with openly gay administrative aide John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup). Sipowicz also managed to get along with his new partner John Clark Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), even though Andy and John Clark Sr. despised each other.
Among the other prominent NYPD Blue characters over the years were Barrio-born Det. James Martinez (Nicholas Turturro), who had a short but torrid affair with Det. Adriene Lesniak (Justine Miceli) before being promoted to sergeant and transferred to another precinct; Martinez's replacement, Det. Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons), who was romantically involved with new Assistant DA Valerie Heywood (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon); unhappily married Det. James Medavoy (Gordon Clapp), whose main squeeze was voluptuous administrative assistant Donna Abandando (Gail O'Grady) -- at least until Donna quit police work to sign on with a major computer firm; Lt. Tony Rodriguez (Esai Morales), who replaced Lt. Fancy as "skipper" of the 15th precinct; and Det. Rita Ortiz (Jacqueline Obradors), who transferred to the 15th because her husband wanted to get her out of the vice squad. Beyond the above-catalogued intramural relationships and requisite excessive violence, NYPD Blue is best known for breaking down such network-TV taboos as profanity and nudity, though what seemed to be scandalous when the series originally signed on was virtually kid stuff in the early years of the 21st century. Consummately produced, directed, written, and acted, the series had not only ridden high in the ratings ever since its inception, but as of 2003, the program had garnered 15 Emmy awards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

NYPD Blue seemed destined to end before it began, with leading character Det. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) being gunned down in the very first episode. Andy would recover, but the person responsible for his wounds, mob boss Alfornse Giardella (Robert Costanzo), would prove to be the catalyst of many of the series' initial plot lines and subplots. Attorney Laura Michaels (Sherry Stringfield), ex-wife of Andy's partner, Det. John Kelly (David Caruso), turned out to be the sole eyewitness when Giardella was himself slain by his enemies. And, rather than do the bidding of Giardella crony Angelo Marino (Joe Santos), uniformed officer Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman), who had been forced into collusion with the Mob because of her on-the-take policeman father, cold-bloodedly murdered Marino -- a fact that would lead to grief and professional disgrace for Janice's erstwhile lover John Kelly. Other first-season NYPD Blue developments: The contentious Sipowicz almost begrudgingly entered into a romance with Assistant DA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence), who like Andy, had a serious problem with booze; the drug-addicted brother of Det. James Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) died of a drug overdose; precinct skipper Arthur Fancy (James McDaniel) had problems at home due to a custody battle over a foster child and Mrs. Fancy's difficult pregnancy; and unhappily married Det. Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) began an affair with sexy new administrative assistant Donna Abandando (Gail O'Grady). (Clapp and O'Grady were merely recurring characters this season, but would graduate to full "regular" status for season two). NYPD Blue closed out the 1993-1994 season by winning five Emmy awards, for best lead actor (Dennis Franz), best writer (Ann Biderman), best director (Daniel Sackheim), best art direction (Paul Eads, Mary Ann Biddle) and best casting (Junie Lowry-Johnson, Alexa L. Fogel). The series also endured the first of many cast defections, when Sherry Stringfield relinquished the role of Laura Michaels in order to accept a job on the new medical drama series ER. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Detective Sharon LaSalle (Wendy Makkena), who'd attended Police Academy with Kelly (David Caruso), joins the unit. Before long, LaSalle's ex-cop husband is killed, and Kelly and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) are assigned to investigate. Elsewhere, detective Medavoy (Gordon Clapp), having left his wife, discovers that his feelings toward Donna (Gail O'Grady) are mutual. And a drunken woman turns out to be more than "just talk" when complaining about her husband. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide