NYPD Blue - "From Hare to Eternity"

Original Air Date: December 14, 1993

Directed by: Eric Laneuville

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: It is Christmastime in the precinct which is dealing with the kidnapping of a doctor’s daughter, a woman and her son who claim to have been robbed and an impending children’s Christmas party.

Featured Feline: Early in the episode, Lucas (Markus Redmond) enters the investigation room carrying a very large long-haired ginger tabby cat. He announces that the cat, whose name is Big Bad Bert, has cleared the lower levels of the building of all rodents. The officers applaud.

NYPD Blue - From Hare to Eternity - Lucas Markus Redmond entering room with large longhaired ginger tabby cat Big Bad Bert

NYPD Blue - From Hare to Eternity - Lucas Markus Redmond holding large longhaired ginger tabby cat Big Bad Bert

Lucas then explains that he can now offer the cat’s services to their level. Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) notes that the “panther” Lucas is holding is more of a size to eat cops.

NYPD Blue - From Hare to Eternity - Lucas Markus Redmond holding large longhaired ginger tabby cat Big Bad Bert with Martinez Nicholas Turturro behind

The cat is then set down as Lucas says, “Let the hunt begin.” The cat hisses just before he is set down, then he starts to prowl beneath the desks.

NYPD Blue - From Hare to Eternity - Lucas Markus Redmond holding large hissing longhaired ginger tabby cat Big Bad Bert

NYPD Blue - From Hare to Eternity - large longhaired ginger tabby cat Big Bad Bert under desks

Late in the show, Lucas is carrying Big Bad Bert when Detective Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) confronts him. Medavory purchased a rabbit to act as the Christmas rabbit for the children’s party, but was horrified to find that the cat had killed and eaten it, forcing Medavoy to purchase a replacement bunny. “That animal is a killer!” Medavoy complains.