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The Philadelphia homicide squad's lone female detective finds her calling when she is assigned cases that have never been solved. Detective Lilly Rush combines her natural instincts with the updated technology available today to bring about justice for all the victims she can.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 Look AgainNext upSep 28, 2003 · 45 min · ★ 7.6
Synopsis
Lilly investigates a 1976 case involving a teenage girl who was beaten to death on a tennis court during a party at a plush estate.
Guest stars: Elizabeth Franz (Evelyn Shelby), Tim Choate (Charlie Winters), Becki Newton (Young Melanie), Sherman Howard (Tim Dorn), Bree Turner (Ellen Curtis), D.W. Moffett (Todd Whitley), Michael Reilly Burke (Eric Whitley), Finn Wittrock (Young Eric)
- E2 GleenOct 5, 2003 · 45 min · ★ 7.7
Synopsis
The fiancé of a fireman asks Lilly to help prove that a convicted felon, about to be paroled on an unrelated crime, is responsible for the murder of the fireman's first wife. The young mother was killed by a homemade bomb shortly before she was to testify in court against a man who exposed himself to her.
Guest stars: Madeline Carroll (Gwen Deamer (1983)), Delane Matthews (Lorraine Loomis), Doug Spinuzza (Louie Amante), Brett Cullen (Rob Deamer (2003)), Julia Vera (Maria Sanchez (2003)), M.F. Bernier (Albert Miller), Jack Galle (Frank Lawson (1983)), Dorian Lopinto (Pauline)
- E3 Our Boy Is BackOct 12, 2003 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
Synopsis
A serial rapist sends a letter to the squad announcing his return to Philadelphia after five years and his plan to strike again. Lilly's best hope of catching the rapist comes from a victim who is able to provide a composite sketch.
Guest stars: Bree Turner (Ellen Curtis), Gwendolyn Whiteside (Gail Chimayo), Christopher Shea (Larry Detroit), Joy Hooper (Anna Berlin), Brooke Swift (Caitlin Young), Sarah Rosenberg (Bridget Young), Greg Zola (Bruce), Joel Bissonnette (Carl)
- E4 Churchgoing PeopleOct 19, 2003 · 45 min · ★ 7.1
Synopsis
Lilly re-investigates the case of a murdered church organist, when his Alzheimer's-stricken widow begins having flashbacks of the night in question.
Guest stars: Douglas Smith (Ryan Bayes (1990)), Jimmi Simpson (Ryan Bayes (2003)), Aimee Teegarden (Tina Bayes (1990)), David Forsyth (Officer Silvan), Isabella Hofmann (Charlotte Bayes), Kevin McCorkle (Gil Sherman), Kerrie Keane (Judy Enright), Kelli Dawn Hancock (Ashley)
- E5 The RunnerOct 26, 2003 · 43 min · ★ 7.5
Synopsis
After a drug addict brings in an audio tape she found on which a fatal shooting is heard, Lilly reopens a 1973 murder case involving the death of a twenty-one-year-old rookie cop. The young officer was shot three times in the chest while responding to a call at a drug-infested housing project.
Guest stars: Cory Hardrict (Joe Washington), Marlene Warfield (Samuela Robbins), Matt Bushell (Butch Rinaldi (1973)), Steve Ryan (Butch Rinaldi (2003)), Rif Hutton (Mason 'Runner' Tucker (2003)), Tianna Danielle Kenney (Sammy (1973)), Sheila Jerome (Diane Washington (1973)), Aldis Hodge (Mason 'Runner' Tucker (1973))
- E6 Love Conquers AlNov 9, 2003 · 44 min · ★ 7.4
Synopsis
A petty crook, Ricky, hoping to get a reduced sentence, relates witnessing a young man washing blood out of his car the night a teen track runner was murdered. The young athlete, Paige Pratt, was found shot, and her boyfriend Al Clarkson was originally imprisoned for the crime.
Guest stars: Vincent Ventresca (Bennett Cahill (2003)), James DuMont (Will Harrell (2003)), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Summer Glau (Paige Pratt), Doug Kruse (Al Clarkson (2003)), Kevin McCorkle (Gil Sherman), Lacey Beeman (Jane (1981)), Tim DeZarn (Ricky Stockvis)
- E7 A Time to HateNov 16, 2003 · 45 min · ★ 7.0
Synopsis
Lilly investigates the case of Daniel Holtz, a college baseball player who was found beaten to death in an alley behind a gay bar in 1964. Daniel's mother comes to Lilly in the hopes that his killer can be brought to justice before she dies. Lilly discovers the maltreatment gay victims received in the 60's, when her investigation discloses that it may have been a policeman's nightstick that made the lethal blows.
Guest stars: Jack Guzman (Bartender), Brandon Routh (Henry Phillips (1964)), Willam Belli (Drag Performer #1), Barbara Tarbuck (Helen Holtz (2003)), Bill Henderson (George Polk), Alicia Ziegler (Coed #1), Chelcie Ross (Henry Phillips (2003)), Kathleen Lloyd (Deborah (2003))
- E8 Fly AwayNov 30, 2003 · 46 min · ★ 7.9
Synopsis
When a young woman, Rosie, wakes up from a coma, Lilly re-opens the fall in which her 6-year-old daughter Toya died. Things get complicated when the mother remembers very little of that night, and Lilly feels especially motivated to find the killer.
Guest stars: Laura Regan (Rosie Miles), Beata Poźniak (Tammy (uncredited)), Victor Togunde (Philip Williams), Svetlana Efremova (Landlord)
- E9 Sherry Darlin'Dec 7, 2003 · 46 min · ★ 7.4
Synopsis
Lilly gets an anonymous phone call from a man claiming he killed an elderly woman back in 1989 and buried her body in the basement of a house. When Lilly checks the dwelling, a body is recovered, but the alleged murderer refuses to identify himself.
Guest stars: Lois Hall (Krystal Hogan), Christina Cox (Sherry Stephens (2003)), Jake Bern (James Hogan (1989)), Silas Weir Mitchell (James Hogan), Sarah Buehler (Dana Meyers)
- E10 The HitchhikerDec 21, 2003 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
Synopsis
Rush and Valens investigate the case of a cold-blooded killer who shot a young man trying to hitchhike his way home to Philly from Atlanta.
Guest stars: Garrett Strommen (Matt Mills (1997)), Nathan Baesel (Blaine Robbins (1997 / 2003)), Franklin Dennis Jones (Examiner), Fredric Lehne (Sam Royal)
- E11 HubrisJan 11, 2004 · 46 min · ★ 7.8
Synopsis
A college professor (Jeffrey Nordling), who lost everything − his career, his family, his reputation − after being suspected of murdering one of his female students (Kaitlin Doubleday) in 1995, offers new information regarding the case that he hopes will clear his name. He believes the student's death is connected to a copycat murder of a prostitute. Rush investigates the woman who was killed and the men in her life in order to discover which one of them killed her.
Guest stars: Kaitlin Doubleday (Holly Richardson), Lisa Dean Ryan (Barbara Carise), Robert LaSardo (Jesus Torres), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Jeffrey Nordling (Roy Minard), E.J. Callahan (Archie), Mary Kathleen Gordon (Susan Richardson)
- E12 GluedJan 18, 2004 · 46 min · ★ 8.4
Synopsis
Det. Stillman asks Lilly to re-open a case he couldn't solve, wherein an 8-year-old boy, Tim Barnes, was murdered in 1980. The prime suspects included a catholic priest, three glue-sniffing teenagers, one elusive suspect, and the boy's own parents.
Guest stars: Marc McClure (Father Declan (1980)), Chelsea Field (Nicole Barnes (2004)), Jordan Wood (Tina Barnes (1980)), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Trent Cameron (Latrell Richmond (1980)), Ridge Canipe (Tim Barnes (1980)), John Lawlor (Father Declan (2004)), Todd Waring (Sean Murphy (2004))
- E13 The LetterJan 25, 2004 · 45 min · ★ 6.8
Synopsis
Rush and Valens re-open the case of a 25-year-old black woman, who was murdered in 1939, after the woman's granddaughter comes forward with new information. The woman was assumed to be a prostitute murdered by a client, but letters written by the victim indicate that she was afraid of a milkman.
Guest stars: Anne Marie Howard (Jennifer), Keke Palmer (Arlene (1939)), Lillian Lehman (Blanche Debbins (2004)), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Geoffrey Lewis (Nathan 'Jonesy' Jones (2004)), Leslie Silva (Sarah Tucker), Dan Desmond (Barnsley), Meta Golding (Sadie Douglas)
- E14 Boy in the BoxFeb 15, 2004 · 43 min · ★ 8.1
Synopsis
The 1958 death of an unknown 6-year-old boy found in a field inside a cardboard box is reinvestigated after a small suitcase with the child's picture and his old cowboy hat is left in front of a church. The new probe reveals that the rowdy boy lived at a Catholic-run orphanage and was adopted two days before his suspicious demise.
Guest stars: Molly Cheek (Gretchen Culliver (2003)), Jacqueline Scott (Sally Bower (2003)), Delaney Williams (Fred Calvin (2003)), Bruce Gray (Dr. Milton Thayer (2003)), Autumn Reeser (Sister Grace Ashley), Samantha Eggar (Sister Vivian Dole (2003))
- E15 Disco InfernoFeb 22, 2004 · 46 min · ★ 8.0
Synopsis
Construction workers discover a skull with bullet hole under the ruins of a disco club burned down in 1978. 22 people died in the fire. Rush and Valens come to the conclusion that the burning of the club was arson, meant to cover up a murder leaving them with not one, but 23 cold cases.
Guest stars: Johnny Palermo (Ken Mazzacone (1978)), Amanda Wyss (Sonya Witkowski (2004)), Michael Fairman (David Rosen (2004)), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Nichole Hiltz (Doreen Denova (1978)), Robin Riker (Doreen Denova (2004)), Ciara Hughes (Sonya Witkowski (1978))
- E16 VolunteersMar 7, 2004 · 46 min · ★ 7.5
Synopsis
When the remains of a young black man and a white woman are found under the foundation of a building, Rush and Valens discover that not only did the two go missing in 1969, but that they may have been killed professionally for their work in an underground abortion clinic.
Guest stars: Trever O'Brien (Charlie Rinzler (1969)), Karen Austin (Terri Maxwell (2004)), Chris Sarandon (Adam Clarke (2004)), Doug Spinuzza (Louie Amante), Amber Benson (Julia Hoffman), Maggie Grace (Renee (1969)), Marisol Nichols (Elisa), Katee Sackhoff (Terri Maxwell (1969))
- E17 The Lost Soul of Herman LesterMar 14, 2004 · 46 min · ★ 7.5
Synopsis
When the son of a murdered high-school basketball star receives a death threat, Rush and Valens reopen the 1987 case of Herman Lester who was stabbed to death only hours after leading his team to win the state championship.
Guest stars: Tyrone Burton (Ray Lester), Tommy Hinkley (Billy Berkenpass Sr. (1987)), Mehcad Brooks (Herman Lester), Sam Scarber (Big Ed Brown (2004)), Shawn Woods (Big Ed Brown (1987)), Marisol Nichols (Elisa)
- E18 ResolutionsMar 28, 2004 · 43 min · ★ 7.9
Synopsis
Lilly investigates an unsolved hit-and-run accident from New Year's Eve 1999 that left a man dead, after a recovering alcoholic comes forward and claims she is the one who hit him. But the evidence points to the guy being murdered, not accidentally run down.
Guest stars: John Kapelos (John Butler), Cameron Dye (Mel Davis), Stacy Edwards (Susan Cardiff), Kevin McCorkle (Gil Sherman), David Andriole (Greg Cardiff)
- E19 Late ReturnsApr 4, 2004 · 43 min · ★ 7.5
Synopsis
The shooting death of a man in his driveway is connected to the unsolved 1992 murder of a Democratic campaign worker whose lifeless body was thrown into a nearby river on election night. The investigation centers on the relationship the dead woman had with a present-day congressman. Apparently, the victim in the current homicide probed into the earlier slaying and discovered damning new evidence. Elsewhere, Lilly spies Kite flirting with a new ADA and gets jealous.
Guest stars: Hilary Angelo (Beth Reardon (1992)), Laura Allen (Vanessa Prosser), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Jim Meskimen (PJ Prosser), Terri Garber (Abbey Lake (2004)), Lee Garlington (Carol Prosser), Lauren Stamile (Abbey Lake (1992)), Blake Robbins (David Lake (2004))
- E20 GreedApr 18, 2004 · 43 min · ★ 8.0
Synopsis
The team reopens the 1985 case of a wealthy stock broker. At the time it was deemed that Charles Danville was killed when someone attempted to steal his car, but new evidence suggests that he may, in fact, have been murdered.
Guest stars: Michael Paré (Randy Price), Sam Ball (Randy Price (1985)), T.J. Thyne (Kip Crowley (1985)), William Bumiller (Charlie Danville), Marisol Nichols (Elisa), J.P. Hubbell (Beau Munger)
- E21 Maternal InstinctsApr 25, 2004 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
Synopsis
The 1989 case of a woman murdered in front of her 3-year-old son is re-opened. A psychologist asks Det. Rush to look into the case again when the son, now a 17-year-old teen, suffers from intense nightmares and troubled behavior.
Guest stars: W. Earl Brown (Victor Lake), Heidi Bohay (Sally Frandsen (1987)), J. Downing (Leon Kincade (2004)), Michael Nouri (Kyle Silver), Ashton Holmes (Sean Morgan / Bobby Gordon), Tracy Middendorf (Rebecca Morgan / Linda Frandsen)
- E22 The PlanMay 2, 2004 · 46 min · ★ 8.5
Synopsis
The 1999 drowning death of a military academy's swim coach, which was originally ruled as accidental, is reinvestigated after the homicide division receives a note that suggests it was murder. Back at the office, Valens searches for Elisa after she goes missing.
Guest stars: Noel Fisher (Jerry Kasher), Spencer Daniels (Young Jerry Kasher), Robert Rusler (Lt. Nash Cavanaugh), Tequan Richmond (Young R.J. Holden), Jason Dohring (Dominic LaSalle), Alec Medlock (Young Dominic LaSalle), Marisol Nichols (Elisa), Sean Michael Afable (Boy #1)
- E23 Lover's LaneMay 23, 2004 · 44 min · ★ 6.6
Synopsis
When DNA evidence reveals that a wrong man was convicted for killing 15-year-old Eve Kendall back in 1986, the team re-opens her case in an attempt to find the real killer.
Guest stars: Larry Joshua (Wayne Larkin (2004)), Ronne Troup (Rita (1986 & 2004)), Josh Hopkins (Jason Kite), Mae Whitman (Eve Kendall), Robin Weigert (Anna Mayes), Marisol Nichols (Elisa)
Cast & crew
Created by Meredith Stiehm
Kathryn Morris
Danny Pino
Jeremy Ratchford
Thom Barry
Tracie Thoms
John FinnImages · 13
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Reviews · from TMDB members
drystyxApr 18, 2023
This was easily the most creative and freshest of the detective series of the modern time frame from 1980 to 2020. The show revolves around the regular cast, who pretty much stay in the background to the actions of guest stars. That's pretty much how most good TV action shows work. For instance, shows like The Big Valley and The Virginian would have the regular players be the "passing crowd of the public" for whatever guest stars came around with their drama. In other words… Read more
, the "drama kings and queens" come and go. In this show, there was always some ironic twist to a "cold case" of murder. It might not even be "murder" when it's figured out. There are lots of "flashbacks", and of course these don't involve the regular players. The show had a fresh approach that one doesn't generally see from the usual hacks of the writer's guild.
