The hard-boiled saga of hair-trigger cop Lieutenant Mike Torello and his obsessive pursuit of ruthless gangster Ray Luca.
Episodes
Pilot (1)
Here we meet the three major players of the series: Lt. Mike Torrello, head of Chicago's Major Crime Unit(MCU); Ray Luca, a young hood about to make his mark on the underworld; and David Abrams, an idealistic public defender trying to bury his Mob-connected roots. As the story unfolds Torrello is working with to bring down members of Chicago's underworld while Luca is taken under the wing of Manny Weisbord; one of Chicago's most powerful crime figures. As events proceed Torrello and Luca each become aware of the other's existence. Torello realizes that there is a new player that he must bring down.
Pilot (2)
Here we meet the three major players of the series: Lt. Mike Torrello, head of Chicago's Major Crime Unit(MCU); Ray Luca, a young hood about to make his mark on the underworld; and David Abrams, an idealistic public defender trying to bury his Mob-connected roots. As the story unfolds Torrello is working with Abrams to bring down members of Chicago's underworld while Luca is taken under the wing of Manny Weisbord; one of Chicago's most powerful crime figures. As events proceed Torrello and Luca each become aware of the other's existence. Torello realizes that there is a new player that he must bring down.
Final Transmission
With Torello's MCU hunting a psychopath, Luca plots jewel heists and the takeover of a sports-gambling operation.
Shadow Dancer
Torello gains a major advantage when one of Luca's burglars is connected to a robbery-homicide of a coin collector's wife. Torello finds out Julie is pregnant.
The Saint Louis Book of Blues
Mobsters support Luca's nationwide gambling scheme. A publicity-seeking sheriff hampers Torello's arrest of one of Luca's men.
The War
A book intercepted by Torello jeopardizes Luca's nationwide gambling operation. The Torellos meet with tragedy.
Abrams for the Defense
Attorney Abrams falls for a reporter helping him defend a tenant accused of assaulting a slum landlord.
Pursuit of a Wanted Felon
Conflict ruins the Torello's weekend trip. Luca situates in Las Vegas. Bigots target Abrams's relationship with Susan.
Old Friends, Dead Ends
Torello confronts his new friend, now laundering money for the Mob. Federal investigators indict Luca and Bartoli.
Justice Hits the Skids
Devastated by Kehoe's death, Torello stonewalls Breitel's federal investigation. Abrams joins the MCU on the street.
For Love or Money
Divorced Torello finds comfort with Inger. The Crime Unit nabs Luca's jewelry-heist team. Torello's best friend supplies the Mob with capital.
Hide and Go Thief
Indelli and Krychek must deal with a tense hostage situation. Torello travels to Indiana to make his move on Frank Holman.
Strange Bedfellows
Holman ideintifies Torello as a dirty cop to Breitel. After an attempt on his life, Luca takes refuge in Florida.
Fatal Crossroads
Torello is subpoenaed to testify for Luca. An enraged Abrams jumps to Torello's defense. Luca orders Torello and Abrams killed.
Torello on Trial
Breitel brutally cross-examines Torello. Acquitted Luca moves to Las Vegas. Torello gets a new assignment.
The Kingdom of Money
Torello and Krychek join the Federal Task Force planning to raid Luca's new gambling business in Las Vegas.
The Battle of Las Vegas
To take over Las Vegas casinos, Luca murders the head of a resort-workers union to put his own man in the position.
The Survivor
Torello falls in love with a Justice Attorney's former wife, only to find out that the attorney has been molesting his adopted daughter. Molestation charges jeopardizes the Unit's investigation of Luca.
The Pinnacle
Luca's greedy ploy to take over another casino puts his entire gambling empire in jeopardy.
Top of the World
Luca's jubilation over his growing business turns to fear that his associates are setting him up. Luca's insatiable lust for violence proves his undoing when he rapes Pauli's girlfriend. Pauli testifies for the prosecution in Luca's trial.
Ground Zero
After his murder mistrial, Luca clashes with a crime kingpin over plans to split up control of the sinking Luca gambling empire. Pauli changes his mind and rescues Luca from Torello as they hide in a house in the desert, a target site for nuclear testing.
Top Cast
Dennis Farina
Lt. Mike Torello
Tony Denison
Ray Luca
Steve Ryan
Det. Nate Grossman
Paul Butler
Det. Walter Clemmons
Billy Campbell
Det. Joey Indelli
Bill Smitrovich
Sgt. Danny Krychek
Stephen Lang
Atty. David Abrams
John Santucci
Pauli Taglia
Ted Levine
Frank Holman
Joseph Wiseman
Manny Weisbord
Jon Polito
Phil Bartoli
Jay O. Sanders
Steve Kordo