Homicide Life on the Street - The Complete Season 7 (1993)

Homicide's seventh season was surely its riskiest. Could they go on without Andre Braugher--should they even try? Fortunately, the answer is yes. As good as Braugher was, Homicide wasn't a star vehicle and the ensemble remained strong. Of course, there were a few cast changes, but that was nothing unusual. In season premiere "Famiglia," two new characters are introduced: Det. Renée Sheppard (Michael Michele, Ali) and Sgt. Giardello's FBI agent son, Mike (Giancarlo Esposito, Do the Right Thing), visiting from Arizona. In the follow-up "Brotherly Love," Mike decides to stay and becomes special liaison to the Baltimore PD. In addition, Austin Pendleton (Oz) would appear frequently as Chief ME George Griscom.

As ever, a variety of charismatic performers dropped by during 1998-1999. They include Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU), Jena Malone (Donnie Darko), Wallace Shawn (My Dinner With André), and Reed Diamond (Judging Amy), reprising his role as Mike Kellerman. In addition, a crossover with Law & Order ("Sideshow") brought Benjamin Bratt, Jerry Orbach, and Sam Waterston into the fold. Notable seventh season directors include Lisa Cholodenko (High Art), Miguel Arteta (Chuck and Buck), Joe Berlinger (Paradise Lost), and Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark).

The general consensus is that Homicide's seventh season was its weakest. Even at its worst, however, it was still the smartest crime drama on network television. Although year seven would turn out to be the last, the show didn't really end until broadcast of Homicide: The Movie the following year. In it, the surviving cast members reunite to solve the attempted assassination of mayoral candidate Giardello. The TV movie also ties up loose ends from series finale "Forgive Us Our Trespasses" (like whether Kyle Secor’s Tim Bayliss killed a murder suspect). Unfortunately, it isn't included with this 22-episode set. --Kathleen C. Fennessy Amazon.com

common people

this last season of season seven was good for a season ending. It showed cop are human beings who at times make bad decisions like everyday people then learn from them, sometimes they don't. the show sheds light on the inner workings of being a peace officer I loved the acting by andre braugher who is supreme talent in my view of him. I can't forget the african king yaphet koto playing watch father over his children. the show is great. April 7, 2008

Great Show, Terrible Discs

This is a great show, and although many people said that this is the season that made the show jump the shark, I just don't agree. The writing remains among the best television has ever had to offer. HOWEVER -- the last four episodes are completely unwatchable, due to problems with the discs, causing the video to freeze or sometimes jump back to the main menu. There is no way around this, and even trying to skip the problematic scene by using the menu has no effect. I tried three different DVD players and finally gave up by sending the package back and getting them replaced. But the replacement discs freeze in the exact same spots. Great show, too bad this DVD set doesn't allow me to watch the whole thing. February 4, 2008

Homicide-Baltimore

A great show but this is not the greatest season although my girlfriend appears in one episode so it's worth the price to me. Add it to your collection. You won't be disappointed. December 10, 2007

Great Great Great

I haven't watched these in a looong time, but loved the series. All were great, though I'd say the very first show was too heavy and too sad for me. While I also was sooo disappointed with Andre Braugher's departure (character Frank Pembleton), the series hung in there well and with kudos from me. Michael Michele (or is it the other way) just great, and the other characters, Mike Giardello among them phenomenal. While I agree to some extent with the reviewer that felt that Al G. and Mike G. did not have enough of a link as father and son, at the same time, I felt it believable, and thought each showed consistently very fine performances. Really liked Reed Diamond-Mike, missed him when he left. As far as another's comment that the police station was re-decorated...this was after devastating/traumatic cop killings at the station. I found this believable and needed. While I know it was only TV, it felt like we really lost our own. Also, Bayliss morphing from somewhat strange into somewhat stranger was powerful...and frighteningly real.

Can't say enough GREAT about this show...the building of characters is what made it soooo powerful and enduring. September 30, 2007

Weekly show

This was the final season for this show. It was a gret series with lots of great actors. July 4, 2007

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