NYPD Blue: Summary/Review  by Amanda Wilson aka Puedo01@aol.com
Episode 17, Season 6
"Don't Meth With Me" 4/20/99
Teleplay by  Jody Worth
Story by David Milch & Bill Clark
Directed by Steven DePaul

The good stories just keep coming--pushing us to what promises to be a really 
good season's end.  Great cliffhanger in this one.

SPECIAL K:  Andy and Danny investigate the death of an elderly woman found in 
her apartment tied to a chair.  Rita had been gagged and died when she threw 
up with the gag on and choked.   The learn from her sister that she was the 
recipient of the better portion of their mother's inheritance, including some 
jewelry and gold coins. Those items were missing.  The sister was bitter 
about the way the inheritance worked out, figuring she got the short end of 
the stick because the family lawyer had a crush on Rita. 
   She told Andy and Danny about Rita's son Justin, who was into drugs and 
always trying to finance raves.  Andy and Danny hear from a neighbor the 
description of a stranger who was in the building earlier and learn he had a 
tattoo similar to that of Rita's son.  
    Andy and Danny bring in a guy they find in one of Justin's hangouts who 
has a similar tattoo.  They bust this guy, Joey, because he's carrying drugs 
(special K). Joey tries to convince them he was just holding the drugs for a 
friend.  He goes about this convincing by explaining that special K renders a 
person nearly catatonic and very near going into "the K hole,"  which is 
state of extreme depression.  Joey pointed out that he was obviously not 
using the drug he was caught with.  He went to explain how he's more a meth 
guy (methamphetamine).  Andy and Danny, of course, don't care much and 
question him about the robbery.
     Joey's pretty worried about the drug charge, though, and realizes the 
only way out is to tell the name of the guy who did the robbery, Jerry 
Edwards.
     Before Jerry is brought in, Rita's lawyer arrives and provides 
information about her son Justin and his drug habit.  
    Andy and Danny pick up Jerry Edwards, telling him there was a problem 
with the paper work on his recent release from Riker's.  Andy hits him hard 
with information about the robbery. Jerry tries to ignore it, but Andy keeps 
pushing, making cryptic references to Jerry's brother Tom and light bulbs.  
It takes Danny to explain the confusion off Jerry's face:  He says Andy is 
referring to how Jerry used the name Edison at the place where he fenced the 
stolen goods and how they've got the whole transaction on video.  
    Jerry finally gets it and quickly announces that he was hired to do the 
job, and that he treated the old lady very well.  He says it was her son who 
hired him to rob the place, and that the woman was not supposed to be there.  
As he reveals the details of the story, he continually mentions how kind he 
was to the woman and how he made a point of making sure he treated her gently 
and left her comfortable. He seems pleased that at least he didn't hurt 
anyone. He is not told that she's dead.
      The utterly stoned Justin is brought in next.  His body is hanging off 
his chair, his head is rolling around and he's taunting Andy--saying he's 
screwed more women than Andy even spotting him 30 years.   Danny gets tough 
with this one finally getting him to admit that he set up the robbery.  He 
swears he never intended for his mother to get hurt, and even begins to cry a 
bit as he says it. Andy quickly identifies this behavior as being "in the K 
hole."  
     As they're taking Justin away, Seymour, the family lawyer comes back. He 
scolds Justin strongly and then offers an abrupt, unsolicited bit of advice 
to Danny.  Seymour describes the lifetime he spent waiting for Rita to 
acknowledge his affection and realizes that now his own moment has passed.  
He tells Danny ("young man") that it's not enough to just understand 
something--but that he needs to actually live things while he still has time.

MISTER ROBERTS:  Mike Roberts, the sleazy former cop fired by Fancy some 
seasons ago, returns.  He introduces himself to John as he walks into the 
squad and as John politely introduces himself back, Roberts says he knows 
him. John seems puzzled.
     Roberts then announces he's got some information about a courier truck 
robbery that Diane and Jill are investigating.  Diane shakes his hand, and 
then he meets Jill. His reaction to her ("You could work for Hugh Hefner in 
the position of your choice.") makes it clear Mike hasn't changed a bit.  
    Roberts, who has been a security consultant since the time Fancy canned 
him, tells Diane and Jill that the courier service is one his clients.  He 
nervously tells them that he might have some information about the heist, but 
wants to be certain that his name will be left out of the investigation.  
They assure him it will be, and he tells them that it was an inside job.  The 
man who put it together, a dispatcher named Steve Jung, is someone Roberts 
hired. Jung has a bad history with gambling, but Roberts hired him anyway.  
Roberts had been having a fling with Jung's sister, and hired Jung as a favor 
to her.  
     Fancy is told of Roberts' involvement and doesn't bother hiding his 
disgust. Diane, who has met Roberts before, notes that he seems "down."  
     Later, Roberts corners Andy, who is preparing for an interview in his 
own case.  He seems happy to see Andy, though Andy is a little uncomfortable 
with the reunion. He accepts a handshake from Roberts and hopes to make it a 
quick hello, but Roberts won't let go of his hand.  Idle chit-chat ensues, 
Roberts hanging on to Andy's hand and clutching Andy's elbow.  Andy begins 
looking around, trying to make it clear through his demeanor that he's got 
other things to do, but Roberts just hangs on.  Andy wipes his forehead--a 
sure sign that he's had enough--and Roberts asks him then if they can talk.  
Andy seems about to refuse, but then looks Roberts in the eye.  He can tell 
there is more to this long handshake than just another encounter with the 
socially inept.
   Andy and Mike go to the locker room.  As Andy thoroughly washes his hands, 
Mike begins to talk about how he's not happy with his life.  Andy tells him 
that if he's talking about trying to get back on the job he should just 
forget that.  Mike tells him that's not it.  He says he's bothered by 
information he's got. Information that at one time he'd have been happy to 
have, but now gives him nightmares.  He refuses to tell Andy what that 
information is, but refers to a junkie he was once involved with who killed 
herself.  He says if he were going to tell anyone, he'd tell Andy.  He 
remembers how Andy could always tell if he was lying.  He leaves Andy with a 
heartfelt "thank you,"  but Andy seems to be left with confusion.
    Jung is brought in. James and Greg are going to interview him, and they 
discuss strategy with Diane and Jill. They know one of the robbers is named 
Ramone, and Greg comes up with the idea to tell Jung that they've got Ramone 
in custody and that he gave up Jung's name.   He and James present that 
information to Jung who seems very surprised. Jung says he's got some 
information, but that it won't mean anything if Ramone is already in custody. 
 Caught, but not about to admit it, James and Greg tell Jung that if he wants 
to pretend Ramone is not in custody, that's OK. Jung knows he's been lied to 
and says so.  James and Greg deny it, and remind Jung that the question at 
hand is what he's going to do to help himself.  If thinking Ramone is out is 
the best way for him to help himself, then just go on and think Ramone is 
out.  Jung tells them that Ramone and his friends are planning another hijack 
that very afternoon.
    Diane, Jill, Greg, James and Anti-Crime set out to bust up the hijack.  
They arrest everyone in the act.  
    Later, Roberts can't help but feel good that the bad guys got caught. 
He's trying to be humble but instead stumbles all over himself in expressing 
his good feelings to Fancy.  Fancy's not impressed, and Roberts good feelings 
turn worse when the boss of the courier company shows up.  Roberts tries to 
put a good spin on things, telling him all the bad guys are caught now, but 
the boss won't hear it. He demands that Fancy investigate Roberts.  He thinks 
Roberts is in on it because he hired Jung. Roberts tries to backpedal, 
telling the boss he hired Jung on the recommendation of a family member.  The 
boss sees right through it and asks if this family member was someone Roberts 
was banging.  
     All the detectives who worked on the case are there to hear this, and 
Roberts' humiliation is complete.  He tries to make light of it, but he has 
become that rather large elephant in the room that everyone is trying to 
ignore. His embarrassment is so huge that no one wants to look his way.  Jill 
gets brave and thanks him, and he responds with another sleazy comment as if 
to seal the already intractable impression he's made on everyone.
    He kind of skulks out of the squad room, maybe even a little surprised at 
himself. He then sees John coming down the stairs.  "Hey, Rocky Marciano," he 
calls. John looks around to be sure it is he who is being spoken to.  Roberts 
mentions John's right hook, and John tells him he has no idea what he's 
talking about.  
    Roberts proceeds to give John a friendly word to the wise.  He says 
John's got nothing to fear from him, but that doesn't mean he's got nothing 
to fear.  He tells John that rich people are vain and they carry grudges.  He 
says they have the money to make their whims happen.  John begins to 
understand that Roberts is referring to Malcom Cullinin, the rich man former 
PAA Dolores Mayo spent her last minutes with (episode "What's Up Chuck?").  
John ended up punching Cullinin out.  Roberts tells John he can't tell him 
anymore and he leaves.   
     Later, the detectives are all going over the Roberts situation, talking 
about what a jerk he is. Andy asks if he told anyone about anything else he's 
involved in.  They all say no, but John, sitting at his desk, remains silent. 
Consumed with worry, he struggles with whether to tell anyone what Roberts 
told him.  In the end, he says nothing.

Review

SPECIAL K:  The first of two stories that seem to highlight the fact that 
domestic entanglements drive most crimes. The stories are also heavily 
focused on cop work--the sometimes delicate and most always chaotic 
situations cops are bound to try to make order of.
    Seymour's appearance in the story was a nice touch.  I think he's sort of 
the intelligent, introspective version of Mike Roberts. He's made a fool of 
himself, but he admits it and he tries to pass the benefit of his experience 
on to a young person (Danny) so that his mistakes are not repeated.
    I enjoyed the explanation of the effects of Special K.  My most favorite 
moment with this was when Andy was pointing out that Joey was "in the K hole" 
and using "K logic" to explain himself.  (I've heard this drug called Vitamin 
K also, but I can't for the life of me remember what it really is.)
     
MISTER ROBERTS:  I found this story much more compelling than the above 
story, but interesting how Mike's own "domestic entanglements" have set this 
crime in motion.  
    We've always known Roberts to be a slime, but this is the first time I 
ever felt sympathy for the dirty old bastard.  Just a few well-placed lines 
and some fine acting by Michael Harney brought that little bit of humanity 
out of Roberts. 
    He doesn't start out seeming human at all.  His comments to Jill were a 
stroke of genius on the part of writer Jody Worth.  They showed with clarity 
what Roberts is all about:  They were desperation wrapped in slime but 
Roberts, the poor fool, thought he was being smooth.  I'm not a good enough 
writer to convey this, dammit! But the Hugh Hefner line and Jill's total 
non-reaction to that exposed Roberts for the class-less, crude little man he 
is. He wanted Jill, no question, and he stupidly thought he could have her, 
but the kind of man who thinks he's going to impress a woman with a comment 
like that could never in a million years get anywhere with a woman like Jill. 
     
And at the end, when he tried again to let Jill know he was interested, he 
fell flat on his face a second time.  The really sad part of it is that a man 
like that can't understand what he's doing wrong. He knows it's not working, 
but he can't figure out why.  You could see a little glimmer of that 
confusion cross Mike's face just as he left the squad for the last time. A 
sort of "Gee...what'd I do??" bewilderment.  Beautiful.
   It was that second attempt with Jill and his little bewildered look that 
evoked the first bit of sympathy from me.  Not that I felt like giving him a 
hug, you understand, but I felt sort of sorry for the poor old sap.  There 
are two kinds of people in the world: Those who get it and those who don't.  
Mike don't.  
   I also felt a little twinge of "he's Ok..under all that false machismo" 
when he gave John the warning about Cullinin. 
   It's this part of the story that intrigued me the most, of course, because 
we don't know yet what it all means.  We don't know just yet what Mike's 
involvement with the Dolores situation is.  
   I was again impressed with Bill Brochtrup, our beloved John, who can play 
this light and bright almost-funny character so well and also be so strongly 
serious.  He made a perfect transition from caricature in "I haven't the 
vaguest idea what you're talking about" to studied concern in "I'm listening" 
in his conversation with Roberts.
    If your wondering why John didn't just spit this story out to Andy and 
the others, I'm wondering right along with you.  It's probably just a way to 
keep us hanging on for a while, and that's just fine with me.   I like this 
little cliffhanger thing, and I especially like how it's tied in with past 
happenings.  
    I don't think we've seen the last of Roberts, and it looks as if we 
haven't heard the end of the Dolores saga.

QUICK HITS:
*I enjoyed seeing the strategy conversation between Diane, Jill, Greg and 
James before the Jung interview.  I think it's the second time we've seen 
this kind of thing. Nice to see that the interviews and the information 
gathered from them aren't just a matter of luck.  

*Also along those lines, Greg came up with the plan in the Jung interview. I 
liked seeing that, and I liked it that they handled it so smoothly when Jung 
busted their lie. You have to think that happens in real life from time to 
time.

*Roberts, the jerk, didn't mention Bobby when he said hello to Diane. 

*Speaking of men who want Jill, where on earth has little Leo Cohen been 
these days? 

*Ok..and where the HELL is Hank??  Only kidding! I saw him going up the 
stairs as John was coming down, but in this episode, it was Josh who got to 
take the skels to 
lock-up and look after everyone.  Do you suppose Josh and Hank are buddies? 
What do they talk about when no one else is around? Think they make fun of 
Andy?

*Diane didn't appear to bat an eye when she learned the main perp in the 
truck hijack was named Ramone.....

CAST LEGACIES & SUNDRY INFO:
Our teleplay was penned by Jody Worth who has turned in some really fine 
scripts for Blue over the years and who is the son of the legendary Marvin 
Worth.  
Michael Harney returned as Mike Roberts.
Allan Arbus, perhaps best known for his role as Hawkeye's shrink Sidney in 
MASH, turned in a fine performance as Seymour Epstein.   
Impressive work also from Sean Maysonet who played Joey (another guy who, 
when put next to Rick Shroder, blows away that "kid" label Shroder gets stuck 
with) and Maurice Compte who played Justin.
John Doman was perfectly cool as Roberts' boss, Frank DiNovi. 
Benito Martinez played Ramon; Michael Echols was Officer Lowen; Carole 
Goldman was the persnickety Rose Kaplan; Joe Ochman was Al Frickman; Jonathan 
Floyd played George Larson; Glenn Phillips played Jerry Edwards; Pat Healy 
was Steve Jung, and Ray Latulupe as "The Josh."

Amanda Wilson