User Reviews

When this episode first ran, I remember sitting there in stunned silence when it was discovered that Andy J had died. As I've re-watched the episode several times since then, several things stand out to me. First, is the outstanding acting by Jimmy Smits and Dennis Franz in the scene where they discover that Andy J is the one behind the curtain. The look on Simone's (Smits) face when he realizes who is on the gurney, he goes from horror and shock to sorrow, and then the look he gives Andy Sr. as Andy is coming to the slow realization that it's his son who has been killed. Sipowicz's (Franz) voice breaks a little when he asks "is it him, is it Andy?" and Simone sadly says "Yeah Andy". Unbelievable scene that should be shown in acting classes. Then when Andy Sr. gets back to the squadroom and you have that awkward moment when nobody knows what to say to him and he looks like he will explode at any moment. That is real life- I've lost people to sudden deaths and that is how people react- nobody knows what to do. Donna sniffling in the background, Lt. Fancy (the great and underrated James McDaniel) talking to Andy, etc. Then Andy goes to tell Katie (Debra Monk) that their son is dead and it's so simple, yet sad. Katie: "Is he hurt" Andy: "He's dead Katie". This episode was a top 5 episode in the series, probably top 3. The episodes that follow are fantastic as Andy relapses into alcoholism, and his squad mates try to bring him back- those episodes contain great performances by Franz, Smits, Sharon Lawrence and a great few moments from Gordon Clapp as Greg Medavoy. Fantastic episode of a brilliant series, you can watch it five times and appreciate something different every time.

The death of Andy Jr. And its aftermath seemed to harsh. I'm not usually so affected by what happens on the television shows that I watch but this storyline hit me just as hard the second time that I watched it as it did 25 years ago. I suppose that these feelings are mostly the fault of Dennis Franz, who is without a doubt, the ultimate character actor.

I choose now to extend reviews to my favorite shows on the basis of a symbolic episode. This "Death in Family" answers my expectations for the NYPD Blue show.

First, in spite of its shooting in LA, I really feel the Big Apple identity, even if I haven't go there so far.

Second, the best characters of all seasons are still here: Diane, Bobby, Andy, Meadevoy, Lesniak, James….

Third, unlike some audience who need extraordinary events, my preference goes to ordinary, simple life BUT shared by extraordinary human fellows: In this show, the 15th precinct accommodate high- class cops: they don't bicker each other, they aren't jealous, hypocrite, ambitious. In a working place, it is indeed a miracle !!! Everyone has his life, sometimes intertwined with colleagues, but they always stand united!!! In regard to all this assets, one of the best result was this particular episode: the depiction of the drama (the revelation & circling propagation)are very well told and all the cast are really moving.

In the story-line, it comes after a really funny episode (Andy & Bobby acted like criminals to arrest criminals) and it gives even more value to the compassionate cop lessons from Andy Sr to Andy Jr.

I feel all the more this mourning that, being single, I was following the lives of all those characters one show every evening: it was a bit like a family and thus, it is also a death in MY family.

Finally, when identification is so successful, you know that there is great Art (and Artists) behind !!!!

NB: the ending part[3.21] is also a Masterpiece !!!!!!

From this episode into the next, we see Dennis Franz put on a clinic. Put on a show and demonstrate why he's one of the best actors in the business. It's a shame that he doesn't get as many accolades as many other stars.

Andy Sipowicz is arguably one of the most complex characters in TV history, and it takes an actor with incredible skill and proficiency to play such a character such as Dennis does here.

I'm not sure that any other character that I have ever seen in 45+ years of television endures more hardship and suffering than Andy Sipowicz (although Jack Bauer would be close!), and yet the guy still finds a way to keep going. Yes, he stumbles and falls, but he always picks himself up again. Despite all of his bigotry and snide remarks, make no mistake that Sipowicz is a true hero. Because when the chips are down, and you need someone in those trenches, Sipowicz is the guy you want.

His baby boy is just days old and Andy endures a most shocking discovery when he goes to the hospital to check on the two victims of a bar robbery gone bad. Little does Andy know that his own son is one of the victims. First seeing Simone's reaction and then Andy's is gut-wrenching. And for anyone who's seen this episode for the first time, it's like catching an unexpected gut-punch because just like with Andy, the audience is completely blind-sided.

Andy's like an old grizzly bear, pacing the room, sitting down with great agitation, and running around trying to take care of things (talk to his ex-wife, make the funeral arrangements, etc.), and you know that at some point, he's going to explode. Or, perhaps more accurately, implode.

There are few things in life that take the wind out of a person's sails more effectively than guilt. Andy had been teaching his son the ropes of what it means to be a cop, and a number of times throughout the episode, Andy can't help but wonder if he got his own son killed. And, frankly, that is the heart-wrenching part of this episode that pulls the most at the heartstrings.

In many ways, Donna responds for us as she tearfully and sweetly takes Andy's hand and holds it to her cheek while expressing her own grief and sympathies.

Sipowicz has always been masterful--and often funny--at expressing himself and his views about crimes, people, and situations. However, when it comes to dealing with personal pain, Sipowicz is lost. Sylvia desperately wants him to stay with her so that they can share that grief together. But Sipowicz sees that expression as a weakness, which is why he holds it all in. And Sipowicz mirrors many people when it comes to pain: find a way to not have to think about it, which is often taken care of via alcohol or drugs. The tragedy of this method is that the pain is still there after the effects wear off.

Dennis Franz only continues to show his brilliance as the series continued, and it was most often his performance that touched the hearts and souls of so many viewers. Perhaps the reason for this is that so many people can relate to him.