Ep 17. The Belles of St. Mary's

The Belles of St. Mary's is the seventeenth episode from the third season of the award-winning police drama, Hill Street Blues. The episode begins with the officers of the Hill Street precinct responding to a domestic dispute call at a run down Catholic girls' school, St. Mary's. When they arrive, officers Goldblume and Bates make their way to the scene, only to discover that it's Sister Teresa, the principal of the school, who has had an argument with her cleaning lady. Sister Teresa tries to apologize, but Goldblume, feeling sympathetic towards her plight, tries to reassures her that everything is okay. The argument, however, has attracted the attention of the local newspaper, and reporter Maggie Filbert has shown up to investigate.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Esterhaus is worried about his relationship with Grace Gardner, a prostitute with whom he has developed a connection. He confides in his fellow officers, who try their best to offer him advice and comfort. The situation becomes complicated when Grace gets arrested for solicitation and ends up in the same holding cell as a violent offender. Esterhaus is faced with a difficult situation when he tries to have her released. Several discussions about whether or not Esterhaus should put his job on the line to help Grace ensue.

Elsewhere, Captain Furillo is dealing with more bureaucratic problems, as he tries to keep the district attorney happy while dealing with a high-profile case involving a wealthy businessman accused of fraud. Furillo is under pressure to secure a conviction, but he discovers that his star witness, a former employee of the businessman, isn't as reliable as he had first thought.

As the episode progresses, each of these storylines intertwine in unexpected ways. Goldblume begins to feel more and more invested in the plight of Sister Teresa, and he ends up embroiled in a dangerous situation when he agrees to help her out. Meanwhile, Esterhaus's relationship with Grace takes a surprising turn, and Furillo becomes more and more determined to solve the case that has landed in his lap.

The Belles of St. Mary's is a tense and emotional episode, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters of Hill Street Blues are put to the test as they deal with difficult situations both in their personal and professional lives. From the tense standoffs between Goldblume and a dangerous criminal to the heart-wrenching scenes between Esterhaus and Grace, the episode is a roller coaster of emotions. The show's famous mix of humor, drama, and action is on full display in this episode, making it a must-see for fans of the series. Ultimately, The Belles of St. Mary's is a powerful look at the complicated lives of police officers and the challenges they face every day.