The men at the Hill lend valuable assistance when a gang war erupts in a different precinct. Esterhaus' pending nuptials are starting to give him pause, especially when his *other* lover, Grace Gardner (the foxy and enticing Barbara Babcock) pays him a visit at the station house. We finally get to see his significant other, Cindy (Lisa Lindgren) at the climactic wedding ceremony. Corrupt detective Macafee (Dan Hedaya, effectively sleazy as he so often is) starts to go mad with paranoia when he believes attempts on his life are imminent. (What he knows could bring down powerful people, and Frank, with extreme reluctance, agrees to the use of some of his people in protecting Macafee.)
Written by actor Alan Rachins ('L.A. Law'), and directed by series producer Gregory Hoblit, this solid episode has plenty of ingratiating humour to help it go down nicely. It also gives star Daniel J. Travanti the chance to do some great, intense acting, as Frank rips the D.A. (Thomas Callaway) a new one for needlessly putting his men in harms' way. Michael Conrad is wonderful as always as Esterhaus, and has a great scene with Joe Spano a.k.a. Goldblume. A delicious guest star turn is provided by a moustachioed Michael Tucker (another future 'L.A. Law' cast member) as an amiable and prolific cat burglar who knows how to tell a good story.
The most memorable moment occurs at about the 32 minute mark, when Grace is determined to utilize her feminine wiles to influence Esterhaus. And the episode is wrapped up in a rather charming and sexy way as Frank and Joyce discuss the possibility of making their relationship known.
Excellent entertainment, as always.
Eight out of 10.