Mayo (Mimi Kuzyk) continues her undercover work to bust Dr. Rose (Sandy McPeak) for his sexual assault of his patients while they are under anesthesia. She’s less than thrilled to discover what LaRue (Kiel Martin) is doing with the videotape evidence. Every time his character redeems himself a little, he does a jackass thing like this.

Dr. Hoof and Mouth was written by David Stenn and Elia Katz from a story by Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis, and David Milch. It first aired on 24 January, 1985.

Once Rose is arrested, Joyce (Veronica Hamel) in her final few days before she switches sides to the prosecutor interviews him with a potential new public defender (Frances McDormand!).

Howard (James Sikking) decides to buy himself an RV even as Belker (Bruce Weitz) learns that his building is being torn down and will leave him nowhere to live. And Lucy (Betty Thomas) may have to let Fabian (Zero Hubbard) go because his mother is now clean and wants him back.

The best narrative thread in the episode is the Hill (Michael Warren) and Renko (Charles Haid) story which sees them getting called in on a vehicular collision that saw the perpetrator fleeing the scene.

Jerome Simmons (Frank McRae) is the sole survivor, his wife and children were killed in the collision, he’s in shock, heartbroken and destroyed. And there are a number of warrants out for his arrest which comes out when Renko runs his name.

Is it right to arrest him when the man has had his whole life ripped away from him in a moment? And what happens when they capture the man who caused the accident? Will Jerome testify, will he just remain in shock?

McRae is a great actor, and this story thread is one of the best I’ve seen so far this season.

Davenport in a Storm was written by Lewis, Milch, Mark Frost and Roger Director from a story by Bochco, Lewis and Milch. It first debuted on 31 January, 1985.

Joyce starts her new role as Assistant District Attorney and Goldblume (Joe Spano) gets her drawn into a case that has the odds stacked against her, three white boys are accused of beating, and practically crippling a young black man, ruining a promising life, but none of the boys are breaking from their agreed upon story.

But maybe Goldblume will find a way to get the truth out and help Joyce win one.

Howard is less than impressed with his RV, but after some repairs, he’s persuaded to keep a hold of it and offers Belker a temporary place of residence until he can find a new apartment.

Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti) ends up in an accident while travelling with Fay (Barbara Bosson) and it leads to an unacceptable bust, leaving the captain frustrated by his own behaviour and the hero worship his son engages in because of his activities.

And in a real creep move, Chief Daniels (Jon Cypher), who has obviously seen the recording of Mayo in the dentist’s chair, asks her out and begins to make really awkward and troubling advances on her.

This one wasn’t my favourite, though I like most of Dr. Hoof and Mouth. Five seasons in, I think I’m just expecting a little more from the writing and the characters. There’s been some growth, but not enough for five years’ worth of episodes.

Let’s see how the rest of the season plays out, maybe I’m wrong.