Television Review: Blood Ties: Part I (Homicide: Life on the Street, S6X01, 1997)
Blood Ties: Part I (S06E01)
Airdate: 17 October 1997
Written by: Anya Epstein
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Running Time: 45 minutes
For a significant portion of its run, "Homicide: Life on the Street" was affectionately dubbed "the best God damn show on television" by its devoted fanbase on the burgeoning platform of the Internet. However, by the time it reached its penultimate season, this accolade began to wane. While NBC had always pushed for more ratings-friendly content at the expense of realism, the producers truly capitulated to these pressures in Season 6. Many of the elements that would contribute to the show's frustrating and inglorious demise were already present in its three-part season premiere, "Blood Ties."
The plot of "Blood Ties: Part I" nominally resolves the mid-season cliffhanger from the previous Season 5, which involved the rotation of Baltimore Police detectives. This rotation allowed regular characters to disappear or remain depending on whether the regular cast members got fired, decided to leave, or chose to stay. In the case of the Homicide Unit, there are notable departures: Sgt. Kay Howard disappears to work in the Fugitive Squad, Megan Russert returns to France, and Brody abandons his job as the Unit’s videographer to pursue an Emmy Award for his documentary. These changes set the stage for new dynamics within the unit.
New additions to the cast include Stuart Ghary from Internal Affairs and Paul Falsone from the Auto Squad, both of whom were introduced as recurring characters in previous seasons. Another significant addition is Laura Ballard, played by Callie Thorne, a former Seattle Homicide detective who transfers to Baltimore. Her character is introduced with a clear intent to provide eye candy to the audience, a move that was heavily influenced by NBC executives.
Lewis, who has problems being partnered with Kellerman, is instead paired with Falsone. While driving to a crime scene, they are shot at by an unknown assailant using a .50 caliber Desert Eagle. En route to the crime scene, they discover Detective Stivers, whose witness was shot with what appears to be the same caliber weapon after being interrogated over a burglary. The next day, Kellerman, now partnered with Munch, is grazed by a .50 caliber bullet. It doesn't take long for the detectives to realise that the attempted assassinations might be connected—all the targets were involved in the shooting of drug lord Luther Mahoney.
The Baltimore Police nab Luther's nephew, Nathaniel Lee "Junior Bunk" Mahoney, played by Mekhi Phifer, who confesses to the crime and implicates his mother and Luther's sister, Georgia Rae Mahoney, played by Hazelle Goodman. Georgia Rae is arrested just as she is about to escape to the Cayman Islands. While in custody, she vows that this won't be the last time the Baltimore Police hear from her, setting the stage for future conflicts.
Like most "Homicide" episodes, "Blood Ties: Part I" introduces a side storyline that, somewhat unusually, won't be resolved within single episode. This storyline revolves around Malia Briere, a Haitian immigrant and maid in the service of Felix Wilson, played by James Earl Jones. Wilson is a snack food magnate, former Black Panther activist, and Lt. Giardello's old friend. Malia is found murdered in a hotel just as Wilson, his wife Regina, played by Lynne Thigpen, and his son Hal, played by Jeffrey Wright, are having a social function together with Giardello.
The script by Anya Epstein, in a cynical manner typical of 1990s broadcast television, decides to artificially continue the Luther Mahoney Saga by introducing the character of the villain's sister. Georgia Rae is portrayed as a vengeful figure who will continue to torment the main characters out of pure malice. This move feels contrived and is a clear capitulation to commercial considerations, prioritising ongoing drama over realistic storytelling.
Even more obvious is the show's capitulation to commercial pressures in the form of scenes that are more likely to be seen in cheesy action films. For instance, police helicopters are used to prevent Georgia Rae's small passenger jet from taking off from the runway, and Georgia Rae is depicted kneeing Kellerman in the groin. These over-the-top action sequences feel out of place in a show that had previously prided itself on its gritty realism and character-driven narratives.
The most far-reaching change in Season 6 is the arrival of Laura Ballard. Her character is introduced solely to provide eye candy to the audience, a move that was insisted upon by NBC executives. This decision underscores the network's shift towards more superficial and ratings-driven content, at the expense of the show's integrity and depth. Laura Ballard's presence feels forced and unnecessary, and her character lacks the depth and complexity that made the original cast so compelling.
At the end of the day, "Blood Ties: Part I" marks a significant turning point for "Homicide: Life on the Street." The episode introduces new characters and plotlines that feel contrived and driven by commercial considerations rather than a commitment to realistic and engaging storytelling. The departure of key cast members and the introduction of eye candy like Laura Ballard signal a shift towards more superficial content, which ultimately contributes to the show's decline. While the episode has its moments of intrigue and tension, it also highlights the compromises that the show's creators were forced to make in order to appease network executives and maintain ratings.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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