Ep 5. Officer of the Year

Officer of the Year is the fifth episode of the third season of the critically acclaimed police drama Hill Street Blues. The episode, written by David Milch and directed by Michael Kozoll, first aired on NBC on November 10, 1982.

The episode begins with a series of vignettes featuring the various officers of the Hill Street precinct preparing for the upcoming ceremony awarding Officer of the Year. We see Sgt. Phil Esterhaus (Michael Conrad) advising his officers on the proper dress code, Officer Bobby Hill (Michael Warren) struggling to find a suitable shirt, and Detective Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque) providing a stern warning to a new recruit. Meanwhile, Capt. Frank Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti) is met with a sudden influx of homicides and has to deal with an overzealous reporter (played by Diana Muldaur) desperate for a scoop.

As the ceremony gets underway, tensions are high and emotions run deep. Officer Bobby Hill is immediately discounted due to his past drug addiction, and Detectives Washington and LaRue (Kiel Martin) are at each other's throats over a petty dispute. It seems that the only person who is enjoying the ceremony is the egotistical Officer Mayo (Robert Hirschfeld), who is convinced that the award is his and revels in the attention.

But as the ceremony unfolds, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. It turns out that the award was never meant to be a competition, but rather an acknowledgment of outstanding service. This revelation throws Officer Mayo into a tailspin, as he realizes that all of his boasting and bragging has been for nothing.

Meanwhile, the case load at the precinct continues to pile up. Capt. Furillo is forced to deal with a family tragedy as well as a mob hit, while Sgt. Esterhaus tries to keep his officers focused despite mounting pressure and stress.

Throughout the episode, the show's signature blend of humor, drama, and sharp social commentary is on full display. The ensemble cast of talented performers bring their A-game, with standout performances by Conrad, Martin, and Travanti in particular.

Officer of the Year is a standout episode of Hill Street Blues, showcasing the show's ability to tackle serious issues and complex character relationships while still delivering plenty of laughs and entertaining moments. Its nuanced portrayal of police work and the pressures that come with it remains relevant and engaging to this day.