We wrap up season five this week and there’s a lot going on, Goldblume (Joe Spano) doesn’t have time to grieve for Gina’s (Jennifer Tilly) very public murder, because he’s too focused on getting involved in the investigation, and executing her will.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg on the precinct this week. The season’s penultimate episode, You’re in Alice’s, was written by Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch, Roger Director and Jacob Epstein from a story by Steven Bochco, Lewis and Milch. It was first broadcast on 9 May, 1985.

Belker (Bruce Weitz) is working undercover at a dry cleaner’s which leads to a bust involving corrupt cops, and while a good story, the real narrative worth following is the one focusing on Hill (Micheal Warren) and Renko (Charles Haid). The pair find themselves trying to help a homeless man and his family, who have staked a claim under a city bridge with countless others. Hill reaches out to a newscaster he knows and gets the story on the air, something which brings attention to their plight and others and may motivate people to help.

Joyce Davenport (Veronica Hamel) is settling back into her role as public defender. With Lucy (Betty Thomas) recovering from an injury, Jablonski (Robert Prosky) patrols with Coffey (Ed Marinaro), and he begins to realize he’s not as young as he used to be.

Calletano (Rene Enriquez) and Hunter (James Sikking) both interview for a captain’s position, with surprising results, and there’s trouble around the hill, especially for Washington (Taurean Blacque) and Garibaldi (Ken Olin) when a mandatory drug test is announced for that morning.

And Frank (Daniel J. Travanti) may have had a drink…

Grin and Bear It closed out the season on 16 May, 1985. The script was written by Lewis, Milch, Mark Frost and Elia Katz from a story by Bochco, Lewis and Milch. And look! There’s James Cromwell as a guest star!

Goldblume is still reeling from the death of Gina, and is stunned to learn he can’t be an executor for her will if he’s been listed as one of the beneficiaries, bequeathed a million dollars.

Two of the cops that were in line for the captain’s position aren’t as clean as it was thought, one is dead, and one is in the wind, elevating the hopes of both Calletano and Hunter. Garibaldi works on getting the drug test results dismissed, but not before they come back positive for alcohol in Frank’s system.

Joyce and Frank have a chat over the fact that he’s taken a drink and should get to an AA meeting quicker than soon. Please.

Jablonski leaves the hospital without permission, and Hill and Renko draw the primo assignment again this week. This time, they are assigned to accompany Officer McBear and his trainer Lowenhandler (Cromwell). Unfortunately, said bear is a little old, has retired from the circus and will be cool and collected if treated properly, but when joe citizen gets a little close and picks on the bear (this would be akin to a modern-day idiot leaning too close for a selfie) and McBear attacks, forcing Renko to shoot the animal, wounding it.

It’s a tough ride for everyone as the season closes out, so where will season six take us? We’ll find out next week. Until then, let’s be careful out there.