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The Commish

TV·1991–1996·5 seasons, 94 episodes·ABC·Drama, Comedy·1h·Created by Stephen J. Cannell, Stephen Kronish

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Tony Scali is a former Brooklyn cop now the Police Commissioner of a small upstate city. But for Scali, this is no desk job. He's a tough yet compassionate boss, a loving husband and father, and a hands-on law enforcer with an unorthodox style of bending the rules. From parenthood to politics, from sex crimes to murder cases, one man takes it day-to-day with offbeat humor and street- smart skill.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Father Image (1)S05E03 · 8.0During a high - profile serial murder case a old mentor of tony becomes involved with the case.

Cast

Episodes by season

Season0122Episodes1991–92AiredSeason avg
  1. S01E01In the Best of FamiliesSeptember 28, 1991Tony is threatened with criminal negligence after the son of a prominent lawyer hangs himself in his cell.
  2. S01E02Do You See What I See?October 5, 1991The commissioner sets out to trap a serial rapist in a Santa Claus mask who's been terrorizing the city.
  3. S01E03The Poisoned TreeOctober 12, 1991Rachel refuses to believe Tony when he tells her that her school teacher colleague, Jim Hollister, is a child molester.
  4. S01E04Nothing to Fear But ...October 26, 1991After receiving a pair of baffling death threats, Tony initiates around-the-clock surveillance of his unsuspecting family.
  5. S01E05A Matter of Life or Death (1)November 2, 1991Tony initiates a sweep to find a pair of missing cops; devises an ingenious way of keeping an habitually drunk driver off the road; and deft
  6. S01E06A Matter of Life or Death (2)November 2, 1991Two missing cops have been found under water, there a jail hunger strike going on and tony's up for the nypd commissioner job.
  7. S01E07Behind the Storm DoorNovember 9, 1991Tony is pursued by a woman he suspects is filing false complaints.
  8. S01E08The HatchetNovember 16, 1991Tony butts heads with both a tough cop who is overzealous in his handling of criminals, and a hard-nosed management consultant hired by the
  9. S01E09Two ConfessionsNovember 30, 1991Tony is doubly stymied when identical twins both initially confess to the same murder, then, in a surprise about-face, accuse each other of
  10. S01E10Commissioner's BallDecember 7, 1991A serial killer has been mutilating the bodies of Eastbridge tradsients and homeless people - and Tony begins to suspect the perpetrator's i
  11. S01E11No Greater GiftDecember 21, 1991During the holiday season, Tony investigates the murder of an elderly woman allegedly killed in her home during a Christmas burglary; matche
  12. S01E12The Fourth ManJanuary 4, 1992After Commissioner Scali's friend and colleague, Chief of Detectives Irv Wallerstein, is struck down during a bloody encounter with hijacker
  13. S01E13Charlie Don't SurfJanuary 18, 1992Vietnamese gangs threaten Eastbridge and Tony steps in to help.
  14. S01E14SkeletonsFebruary 8, 1992A mugging triggers a woman's repressed mernosy of her brother's murder, which she witnessed as a child. The suspect, free for the past 35 ye
  15. S01E15The Wicked FleeFebruary 22, 1992After seeing his mother killed by a stranger, a boy withdraws deep into himself, prompting a sympathetic Tony to step up his efforts to catc
  16. S01E16True BelieversFebruary 29, 1992The unwelcome appearance in Eastbridge of white supremacists leads to a murder, with the suspicion soon arising that one or more of Tony's a
  17. S01E17Officer AprilMarch 7, 1992After he shoots a woman in a drunken domestic squabble, Officer Kelly becomes the victim of a terrorization campaign.
  18. S01E18Sex, Lies, and KeroseneMarch 21, 1992Tony and Paulie investigate a puzzling arson case in which the husband of a beautiful woman appears to have been murdered.
  19. S01E19Judgement DayApril 4, 1992Tony winds up in one of his own jail cells when he runs afoul of an imperious judge who's hiding a fearsome secret.
  20. S01E20Shoot the BreezeMay 2, 1992Tony attempts to protect an informant from a mysterious hit man, while Stan Kelly enjoys a romantic encounter with a beautiful new Eastbridg
  21. S01E21Video VigilanteMay 9, 1992Tony is embarrassed, then enraged, as a publicity-seeking "video vigilante" metes out even more bizarre and harsh punishment to offenders.
  22. S01E22The Puck Stops HereMay 16, 1992Mike Cermak - star high-school hockey player, recovering addict, and good friend of the Scali family - becomes a prime drug-ring suspect.

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Season0222Episodes1992–93AiredSeason avg
  1. S02E01Adventures in the Skin Trade (1)September 26, 1992The daughter of one of Tony's friends is missing, so he and Paulie pose as porn film investors to find out the truth.
  2. S02E02Adventures in the Skin Trade (2)October 3, 1992Tony escapes from the kidnappers with the help of the porn producer and then they pursue a film entrpreneur.
  3. S02E03Guns & SonsOctober 10, 1992David is the only witness to a shooting involving his best friend and a bullying classmate. Tony pursues the case unaware of David's knowled
  4. S02E04The Rolodex MadamOctober 24, 1992Tony is astonished to discover a wealthy socialite is the proprietor of a prostitution ring. The socialite is murdered, but not before Tony'
  5. S02E05The Witches of EastbridgeOctober 31, 1992The town is in shock when a heart is cut from a corpse at the funeral home. Meanwhile, the town believes a recluse taints halloween treats.
  6. S02E06The Two Faces of EdNovember 7, 1992An old friend of Tony's is having marital trouble—which could be causing deadly incidents.
  7. S02E07EscapeNovember 14, 1992Rachel redecorates. One of Tony's friends, who harbors a secret, is a target from an escaped convict.
  8. S02E08A Time to Be BornNovember 21, 1992Rachel goes into labor, Tony is kept away due to a friends crisis.
  9. S02E09WitnessDecember 5, 1992Rachel becomes the target of a killer when she witnesses a murder whilst grocery shopping.
  10. S02E10Sleep of the JustDecember 12, 1992While Tony suffers from loss of sleep after becoming a father again, he puzzles over the case of a rapist who has diplomatic immunity.
  11. S02E11The FrameDecember 19, 1992A notorious mob boss retires to Eastbridge and, in turn, the crime rate rises.
  12. S02E12StonedJanuary 2, 1993Things are not going well for Tony: he's carjacked of his gift of a new car for Rachel, a patient from psychiatric hospital escapes, things
  13. S02E13The Heart is a Lonely SuckerJanuary 16, 1993While Stan is having problems protecting Carmela from a curse, Tony thinks that a video dating service's client is a homicidal thief.
  14. S02E14The Sharp PinchFebruary 6, 1993Tony hunts for a kidnapped infant who is seriously ill.
  15. S02E15Dead Cadet's SocietyFebruary 13, 1993David's behavior and school works deteriorates. A group of young men from a prep school commit a burglary and one of them suspiciously disap
  16. S02E16Family Business (1)February 20, 1993The son of Nick Collette arrives in Eastbridge, which causes more trouble for Tony and a local businessman.
  17. S02E17Out of Business (2)February 27, 1993Following on from the previous episode; Nick Collete seeks revenge and Tony continues his crusade to bring him to justice.
  18. S02E18The Ides of MarchMarch 13, 1993A man takes his ex-wife hostage. Things are further complicated by the involvement of one Tony's officers. The psychic who found the ring To
  19. S02E19Blue FluApril 1, 1993When budget cuts hit the Eastbridge PD, the majority of officers call in sick. This leaves the remaining officers to tackle a series of "pus
  20. S02E20Eastbridge BoulevardMay 1, 1993A new reality police show comes to town. Meanwhile, a former movie star is implicated in her ex lover's murder.
  21. S02E21Sight UnseenMay 8, 1993A rapist is targeting blind female college students. Rachel makes an investment in art.
  22. S02E22The Anti-CommishMay 15, 1993Tony receives mysterious telephone calls from someone who can help solve a drug dealer’s murder. Rachel gets a good job offer that, ultimat

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

Season0322Episodes1993–94AiredSeason avg
  1. S03E01Suffer the Children (1)September 25, 1993Tony and the head of a juvenile care centre clash when Tony suspects the man is responsible for the disappearance and probable murder of a m
  2. S03E02Suffer the Children (2)October 2, 1993Following the discovery of human bones at a location used by the juvenile centre Tony continues to bring his suspect to justice. Rachel and
  3. S03E03Scali, P.I.October 9, 1993After their decision regarding their careers Tony struggles to cope with his new job as a P.I. while Rachel finds it much easier to adjust.
  4. S03E04Burned Out CaseOctober 16, 1993Someone close to David dies as a result of a drug overdose and he struggles to cope with the harsh realities of law enforcement when Tony's
  5. S03E05The Set-UpOctober 23, 1993Rachel is being framed for murder after Tony's probe of a criminal network goes wrong.
  6. S03E06Rising SunNovember 6, 1993Tony's city-council pal won't vote for a Japanese businessman's purchase of prime Eastbridge real estate. In a second short story arch, juv
  7. S03E07HeroNovember 13, 1993The Scali's babysitter accuses an Eastbridge high school quarterback of rape, Tony must investigate despite the mixed feelings of the commun
  8. S03E08Dying AffectionNovember 20, 1993The police are puzzled by two aged armed robbers; is everything as it seems? Cyd breaks up with her boyfriend and strange things start happ
  9. S03E09All That GlittersNovember 27, 1993Stan's fiance, Monica is implicated in assisting in a robbery. Tony discovers Monica was previously in trouble with the law before with her
  10. S03E10MansionDecember 4, 1993Amanda Hannington Wallace, the wife of a local multi-millionaire, is found dead her her mansion. When the autopsy is performed, the coronor
  11. S03E11A Little HeartDecember 18, 1993When a donor heart meant for a sick little girl is stolen, Tony heads up a team of detectives bent on finding the heart before anything can
  12. S03E12BennyJanuary 15, 1994Rachel's cousin Benny is a used car salesman, and Tony doesn't know what to believe when a case involving the murder of a young woman leads
  13. S03E13Keeping SecretsJanuary 22, 1994The recent beatings of many members of the homosexual community prompts Hank Radovich to come out to his fellow officers, none of which are
  14. S03E14Dog DaysFebruary 5, 1994Cyd finds the body of a young woman who appears to have died from an overdose of angel dust. The only witness is a young man named Billy, wh
  15. S03E15Father EddieFebruary 12, 1994A young woman is found dead and evidence leads Tony to a friend of his, a Priest who teaches local kids boxing
  16. S03E16Bank JobFebruary 26, 1994Tony and Rachel have a fight, and Tony begins throwing himself into his job. When Rachel is taken hostage in a bank robbery and also forced
  17. S03E17Romeo and JulietMarch 12, 1994After the body of Gary Ellis is found, the case soon leads Tony to Gideon Fisher, the father of David's girlfriend Sheri. Tony demands that
  18. S03E18SecurityMarch 19, 1994Residents of an apartment block employ their own security after one of them is attacked and a number of them are burgled. The residents feel
  19. S03E19Dead DrunkApril 2, 1994The wife of one of Tony's officers is killed by a drunk driver, leaving him with an eight-year-old daughter. The investigation leads to prom
  20. S03E20The Letter of the LawApril 30, 1994Rachel is shocked when the mother of one the children she helps doesn't want her daughter's art featured in a magazine. It transpires that h
  21. S03E21Sergeant KellyMay 7, 1994More than anything Stan wants to become a sergeant, but the sergeant's test isn't the only obstacle in his way. He also needs to prove that
  22. S03E22The Iceman ComethMay 14, 1994The force must rally themselves after Stan's death in a car explosion. Tony feels particularly bad, because he can't forget that he was the

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

Season0422Episodes1994–95AiredSeason avg
  1. S04E01Against the Wind (1)September 24, 1994After being struck with a ball, Tony is hospitalized and it looks like he is going to be permanently paralyzed. But his family refuses to gi
  2. S04E02Against the Wind (2)October 1, 1994Tony's attempts at physical therapy are proving unsuccessful, and despite the love and support of his family he is beginning to lose hope th
  3. S04E03Working GirlsOctober 8, 1994While investigating an armed robbery, Tony goes undercover and hires an escort to get some important information. He is shocked to see his f
  4. S04E04Born in the USAOctober 15, 1994Isaac and Grace Caldwell are illegal immigrants who own and operate a small electrical shop. After they witness a murder, Tony has to convin
  5. S04E05Who Do You Trust?October 22, 1994While an officer who is posing as a crooked cop in order to expose a crime ring which be be the genuine article who has problems as tony als
  6. S04E06Nancy with the Laughing FaceOctober 29, 1994While working on an embezzlement and a kinapping case Paulie starts to becomes to emotionally involved.
  7. S04E07RevengeNovember 5, 1994A corrupt ex-officer that Tony imprisoned seeks revenge upon his release.
  8. S04E08Head CaseNovember 12, 1994Tony uncovers a plot to frame an innocent man for the murder of a fellow patient at a mental institution.
  9. S04E09The Lady VanishesNovember 19, 1994An old student of Rachel's starts hinting that he saw his stepmother commit murder.
  10. S04E10GhostDecember 3, 1994Officer Lopez is suspended after he fatally shoots a robber the press have nicknamed 'The Ghost'. Later, Tony believes that he see's the sam
  11. S04E11A Christmas StoryDecember 17, 1994An old friend of Tony gets his life back on track with help from a retirement hotel resident.
  12. S04E12HiddenJanuary 7, 1995Tony helps a man find his estranged family who entered and then left a witness protection program. The family are also hunted by a mob boss.
  13. S04E13The Johnny ClubJanuary 14, 1995David is caught shoplifting, meanwhile Tony finds out an accident victim was in debt to a loan shark and that he was also a polygamist.
  14. S04E14The Golden YearsFebruary 2, 1995A gangster who Tony's mother was dating is found killed. The main suspect is Tony's father.
  15. S04E15AccusedFebruary 9, 1995Tony is accused of sexual harassment by an computer technician.
  16. S04E16The TrialFebruary 16, 1995A serial sex-offender is found not guilty then later murdered. A prior victim's relative targets those he feels responsible for the failure
  17. S04E17Cry WolfMarch 2, 1995While trying to solve a major gold robbery, Tony must rely on help from a conman.
  18. S04E18BrooklynMarch 9, 1995Tony and Paulie travel to Brooklyn to help investigate the reopening of the case of their fallen friend and officer.
  19. S04E19Letting GoMarch 23, 1995Tony and Paulie take on a shady investment broker at his own game. All the while, Rachel and Tony are in emotional turmoil awaiting the resu
  20. S04E20The KidMarch 30, 1995A hopeless teenager gets a help from Tony and Paulie.
  21. S04E21Off Broadway (1)May 13, 1995While investigating the murder of his friend's daughter, tony gets help from a New York police officer.
  22. S04E22Off Broadway (2)May 20, 1995Tony and Connie Muldoon close in on the serial killer, Connie's daughter might be the next victim.

Season 4 ranked & reviewed

Season056Episodes1995–96Aired 8.0Season avg
  1. S05E01In the Shadow of the Gallows (1)November 30, 1995Tony faces the biggest challenge of his career when an murder case from his past resurfaces.
  2. S05E02In the Shadow of the Gallows (2)November 30, 1995Tony faces the biggest challenge of his career when an murder case from his past resurfaces.
  3. S05E03Father Image (1)December 7, 1995 8.0During a high - profile serial murder case a old mentor of tony becomes involved with the case.
  4. S05E04Father Image (2)December 14, 1995During a high - profile serial murder case a old mentor of tony becomes involved with the case.
  5. S05E05Redemption (1)January 11, 1996While on the trail of an arsonist, the commish notices that all the clues point to the wife father's.
  6. S05E06Redemption (2)January 11, 1996While on the trail of an arsonist, the commish notices that all the clues point to the wife father's.

Season 5 ranked & reviewed

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