|
"And the Rockets Dead Glare" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American police drama television series ''Homicide: Life on the Street''. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 17, 1993. In the episode, Howard testifies in a murder trial, Pembleton is offered a promotion, and Lewis and Crosetti go to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. to investigate a political refugee's murder. The teleplay was written by Jorge Zamacona based on a story by executive producer Tom Fontana, and the episode was directed by Peter Markle. It marked the first appearances of two recurring characters: defense attorney Darin Russom (Michael Willis) and Detective Frank Pembleton's wife Mary, who was played by actor Andre Braugher's real-life wife Ami Brabson. The episode also featured a guest performance by actress and future model Bai Ling. The murder trial portrayed in the episode is based on a trial featured in David Simon's 1991 non-fiction book, ''Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets'', on which the series was based. Howard's procedural missteps, and her subsequent recovery, was based on that real-life trial. The writers sought to realistically portray the trial scenes by focusing on less dramatic courtroom elements. Some of the detectives in "And the Rockets' Dead Glare" make arguments for drug liberalization, particularly John Munch, whose arguments were inspired by actor Richard Belzer's real-life personal history with drug abuse. Since ratings for ''Homicide'' had gradually declined throughout the season, NBC announced a decision about whether the series would be renewed would depend on the Nielsen ratings of the final four episodes, including "And the Rockets' Dead Glare". Nevertheless, it was seen by a relatively low 6.61 million household viewers, a decline from the previous week's "A Dog and Pony Show". ==Plot summary== Lewis (Clark Johnson) and Crosetti investigate the execution-style shooting death of a Chinese college student. A friend in his dormitory (Bai Ling) says the victim was a student leader at the Tiananmen Square protest and had been hunted ever since. The detectives go to Washington, D.C. to talk to the Chinese embassy about the murder, but they deny any knowledge of the incident. Secret Service agent Gruszynski (Ed Lauter) confronts Lewis and Crosetti and tells them not to waste the embassy's time, but agrees to give the detectives a tour of Washington before they go. Crosetti is excited to see the landmarks but Lewis, who believes the Secret Service agent knows who committed the murder, remains confrontational with Gruszynski. When Gruszynski still refuses to help, Crosetti and a frustrated Lewis leave Washington. Felton (Daniel Baldwin) and Howard (Melissa Leo) prepare to testify in the murder trial of "Pony" Johnson (Geoffrey C. Ewing). State prosecutor Danvers (Željko Ivanek) tells an anxious Howard that the case depends entirely on her testimony. Felton, who in contrast to Howard is very relaxed, claims Howard is in love with Danvers, which she vehemently denies. Howard testifies, but nervously fumbles facts and allows defense attorney Darin Russom (Michael Willis) to create reasonable doubt to the jury. After receiving reassurance from Danvers, however, Howard is recalled and performs much better, seriously damaging Russom's case. Johnson is found guilty of murder and Danvers offers to buy Howard dinner, which she accepts much to Felton's amusement. Munch (Richard Belzer) and Bolander (Ned Beatty) respond to a corpse found in the woods, next to a van full of low-quality marijuana. Munch proves to be an expert on hemp, and discusses how the plant was grown by founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The detectives eventually identify the victim as a middle man for a drug dealer, and Bolander finds a neighbor who saw Jones holding a gun to the victim's head the night before the murder. Munch, Bayliss (Kyle Secor) and narcotics detective Russ DeSilva (Steven Marcus) debate whether drugs should be illegal; the homicide detectives claim legalization would reduce violent crime and that drug revenue could go to good causes. Bolander asks Munch if he smokes pot, but he refuses to answer. That night, Munch and Bolander arrest the drug dealer at home. Captain Barnfather (Clayton LeBouef) and Colonel Granger (Gerald F. Gough) offer Pembleton (Andre Braugher) a promotion to lieutenant and the vacant shift commander position working alongside Gee (Yaphet Kotto). Pembleton asks for time to consider it, and the duo ask him not to mention the offer to Gee. Gee is inquisitive and immediately senses Pembleton is lying when he says the discussion was nothing. After discussing the offer with his wife Mary (Ami Brabson), Pembleton decides not to take the job and confesses to Gee, who has already learned the truth and is disappointed Pembleton did not tell him sooner. The episode ends with Pembleton going to the bar with his fellow detectives, which he seldom does. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「And the Rockets' Dead Glare」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|