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Cop Rock Season 1 Episode 1

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 9/26/90

A drug raid leads to the arrest of Tyrone Weeks and Patricia Spence. Patricia (Patty) has an infant baby girl who is remanded to child welfare. During their preliminary hearing, Tyrone is set free on his own recognizance due to overcrowding of L.A. County's jails. He later kills Officer Gilbert Braden, partner of Officer Frank Rose. Officer Vicki Hill takes pity on Patty Spence and convinces Captain Hollander to pull strings to have her released and to have the baby, Crystal, returned to her. Vicki is also contending with a lovesick partner, Officer Andy Campo, and a jealous husband, forensics expert Ralph Ruskin. Detective Vincent LaRusso forcibly coerces the identity of the man who killed Gilbert Braden from an accomplice while his partner, Detective W. Donnie Potts, looks on. Later, LaRusso fakes an injury to gain juror's sympathy while testifying against a drug dealer. Chief of Police Roger Kendrick blames the mayor and her policies for the death of Gilbert Braden and gives an impassioned speech begging Mayor Plank to provide funds for new jails. Mayor Plank responds by stating that she has already authorized a new jail to be built in honor of Gilbert Braden. She later accepts a bribe from a contractor and awards him the contract to build the new jail. Patty Spence, desperate for drug money, offers to sell information about Tyrone Weeks to the police. Hollander offers her $50 upfront with an extra $50 to come if her information pans out. When her information turns out to be false, Patty, in desperation, sells her baby for drug money. LaRusso and Potts manage to locate Tyrone Weeks and convince a judge to issue a search warrant of his property, but before they can arrive at the house, Officer Gaines and his rookie partner have already detained Tyrone against his rights and the bust is blown. Infuriated, LaRusso orders everyone out of the house, but Donnie refuses to leave. LaRusso kills Tyrone in cold blood. Ralph covers for LaRusso in his forensic report, but Capt. Hollander isn't convinced by Ralph's report and vows to bring LaRusso down....moreless

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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Mick Murray	Det. Joseph Gaines
James McDaniel	Off. Franklin Rose
Larry Joshua	Captain John Hollander
Peter Onorati	Det. Vincent LaRusso
Anne Bobby	Off. Vicki Quinn
Barbara Bosson	Mayor Louise Plank

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Ellen Barber	Matron	Guest Star
Shaun Baker	Streeet Kid	Guest Star
Josie Kim	Social Worker	Guest Star
Kathleen Wilhoite	Patricia Spence (uncredited)	Recurring Role

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NOTES (4)
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- This episode drew heavy criticism from conservatives and the religious right for its use of the word "scumbag" in reference to a criminal. The reasoning for the criticism was that "scumbag" was a colloquialism for "condom," although by 1990, the term had already become synonymous with "sociopath," and had, in fact been used in several police dramas prior to the premiere of Cop Rock without ever generating controversy.
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- Although it doesn't appear until the third act, a majority of the show's detractors cite the number, "He's Guilty," as the moment the show lost credibility for them. This IS a particularly disturbing number, as the jury is magically transformed into a church choir, and everyone in the courtroom suddenly turns against the defendant, including the judge and the defendant's attorney, all singing as a church choir against the backdrop of an American flag. Impartiality and "Separation of Church And State" fly out the window.
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- The songs in this episode were composed by Randy Newman, who is featured in the opening credits singing the show's theme song, "Under The Gun." This is the only episode in which Newman contributed songs.
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- Barbara Bosson initially appears in the show in very heavy make-up, intended to make her look hideous. It worked. A future story line will involve her getting plastic surgery to correct a few of "God's mistakes."
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