Wiseguy (1987)
Vinnie Terranova does time in a New Jersey penitentiary to set up his undercover role as an agent for the OCB (Organized Crime Bureau) of the United States. His roots in a traditional Italian city neighborhood form the underlying dramatic base throughout the series, bringing him into conflict with his conservative mother and other family members while acting undercover as syndicate enforcer.
-
Episode 1 - A Rightful Place
Release Date: 1989-09-20While keeping vigil over Rudy, Vinnie learns that Grosset's father-in-law was also hit, setting up a power struggle within the mob. Albert courts Vinnie's alliance by letting him in on his plan to smuggle millions of dollars worth of heroin into the country. Vinnie goes to the Commission and demands Rudy's seat at the table. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 2 - Battle of the Barge
Release Date: 1989-09-27The tension mounts between Cerrico and Grosset over control of the garbage collection business. Grosset forms an uneasy alliance with Chinatown mobster Chin. Carlotta urges Rudy to get better and get Vinnie out of the middle of the impending mob war. The OCB closes down the explosives factory in Chinatown. Gina Grosset kills Chin. After an assassination attempt at the opera, Amber tells Vinnie to move out. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 3 - Sins of the Father
Release Date: 1989-10-04Frank wants to pull Vinnie off the case when he finds out that D.A. Peter Alatorre plans to expose Vinnie as the head of the Commission in a news conference. Albert is distraught when his son is expelled from school because of his recent press coverage. Rudy calls Alatorre to his hospital room to show that he is back in the country, taking the heat off Vinnie. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 4 - Heir to the Throne
Release Date: 1989-10-11Rudy discovers Joey's plan to kill him, Albert and Vinnie, so sets his own plan into operation by convincing Albert he must kill Grosset. Albert and Joey have a showdown that ends with Joey dead and Albert in jail for his murder. Wanting her due, Gina sets up a meet with the Commission to offer them Albert's heroin deal. When Frank easily affects the arrest of the Commission, Vinnie begins to suspect that Rudy set everything up for them. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 5 - Sleepwalk
Release Date: 1989-10-25Frank and Dan urge Vinnie to try and reconcile with Amber. At their urging, he goes to her, they make love, then she demands that they see a counselor. Following their therapist's advice, they go away for the weekend, where they both realize they're too involved in their careers to be able to maintain a relationship with each other. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 6 - How Will They Remember Me?
Release Date: 1989-11-01When a local priest finds a box that belonged to Pete, he takes it to Vinnie, who finds a diary of his father's inside. As he reads it, he finds out about a dark episode involving his father and the local mob. The episode uses black and white film and familiar faces to bring John's diary to life. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 7 - People Do it All the Time
Release Date: 1989-11-08Vinnie and Frank try to cheer up Dan, who's depressed about becoming a grandfather. When Lauren finds a phony check in her husband's pocket, she asks Dan to investigate, and he uncovers a scam a local builder is using to bilk his insurance company. The builder is shut down, throwing Stephen out of a job and making him decide to leave town. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 8 - Reunion
Release Date: 1989-11-15Vinnie attends his 15-year high school reunion and bumps into two old friends, one a mob lawyer and one a detective. Vinnie is torn between telling Denise he's a cop and protecting his cover. Frank tells Vinnie that Denise has bugged his house, making Vinnie furious and determined to teach Denise a lesson. Denise and Mooch get married. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 9 - Day One
Release Date: 1989-11-29Vinnie is called to Washington to investigate a counterfeiting operation designed to sabotage the Japanese economy. Frank warns Vinnie to be careful, that there is some kind of power play going on, because Paul was mysteriously sent to Thailand, leaving Mark in charge. Vinnie suspects Masters wants to set him up for throwing the coup of Isle Pavot. Mark is relieved of duty when he loses control after his former mentor is murdered. Vinnie meets Kate Gallagher. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 10 - Day Four
Release Date: 1989-12-06In the aftermath of economist Valenti's assassination, new paths open in Vinnie's investigation of the plot to disrupt the Japanese economy. Although Vinnie strongly suspects that Masters is behind the plot, he follows the trail Masters sets out for him. Vinnie and Kate both go to Utah to track down the mysterious Mr. Wilson. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 11 - Day Seven
Release Date: 1989-12-13Vinnie and Dan find evidence of the counterfeiting ring in Utah, but it seems to have come too easily, so Vinnie heads into the mountains to meet a billionaire recluse, Prescott Wilson, who might hold the key to the truth in the case. Frank and Vinnie convince Senator Pickering to delay passage of Senator Getzloff's trade bill while they search for the plane carrying the yen. Masters presents the Attorney General with photos of Vinnie and Kate talking with Wilson, as well as the printing plate with Vinnie's prints on it. Frank is ordered to arrest Vinnie. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 12 - Day Nine
Release Date: 1989-12-20Vinnie is the fall guy in the alleged plot to disrupt the Japanese economy, prompting the Attorney General to launch a classified Senate investigation that could cost Vinnie his badge. Fearing her career is ruined, Kate attempts suicide. After hearing all the evidence, the Attorney General relieves Vinnie of his duties, stating there's enough to prosecute him for treason. Prescott Wilson arrives and places all the blame on Masters. Masters goes off the deep end and kills Strichen. Vinnie is cleared of all charges. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 13 - Meet Mike McPike
Release Date: 1990-01-10During a budget meeting, Frank gets a call from Jenny that his father is causing trouble at the rest home he's at. Frank takes Mike home while he looks for a new home for him. Mike tells Frank he's not going to leave until Frank reconciles with Jenny. Vinnie takes Mike to a bar for lunch and the old man gets them into a brawl. Jenny reluctantly agrees to have dinner with Frank and Mike. Mike realizes Frank and Jenny aren't going to get back together, so he allows Frank to find him a new rest home. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 14 - To Die in Bettendorf
Release Date: 1990-01-17Steelgrave's former accountant, Sid Royce, is suffering in the Witness Protection life Frank assigned him. When his wife leaves, he snaps and decides to get revenge against Frank for destroying his life. Jenny agrees to have dinner with Frank, then invites him back home. Their romantic evening is destroyed when Sid pulls a gun on them. Jenny talks Sid into letting Frank go by convincing him she's his missing wife. Frank kills Sid in front of Jenny, ending whatever chance they might have had at reconciling. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 15 - Romp
Release Date: 1990-02-07Feeling lonely, Vinnie joins his old buddy Mike Caccatori at the bachelor party for their high-school friend Jimmy ""The Legend"" Vitale, but the trio's friendship is put to the test when Jimmy reveals that he's broke and owes money to a loan shark. It ends up being a dream. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 16 - A One Horse Town
Release Date: 1990-02-14Frank's reporter friend tells him about a corrupt town in Washington, spurring Frank to assign Vinnie to the case. Vinnie sets his cover as a truck driver whose rig just got repossessed. The local sheriff investigates Vinnie and finds out he used to be a cop, so he offers him a job as deputy. Vinnie prevents Bobby from killing Volchek, then fakes Bobby's death to win Volchek's trust. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 17 - His Master's Voice
Release Date: 1990-03-07When the bodies of two missing deputies turn up, it points to a serial killer who has been terrorizing the northwest. Volchek assigns the investigation to Vinnie when Stem loses control. Frank warns Vinnie he has to leave after Dan tells him there's a 40 man task force on the way to Lynchboro. As Volchek tries to eliminate possible suspects, Stem confesses to the murders, then electrocutes himself. Vinnie flashes back to Sonny killing himself, then snaps and takes off, stealing Frank's car.(source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 18 - Hello Buckwheat
Release Date: 1990-03-14Vinnie calls in Roger Lococco to take over the case, then holes up in a seedy hotel in Seattle. Frank is more interested in looking for Vinnie than in nailing Volchek. Paul orders Frank to continue the case and offers him another agent, which Frank refuses. Roger takes over as sheriff. Dan moves to Seattle to support Frank and look for Vinnie. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 19 - Let Them Eat Cake
Release Date: 1990-03-21Vinnie takes a job hauling hospital waste as he continues to hide out in Seattle. Frank finds out Volchek is going to bribe a state official to get the license for his hospital and plans to arrest them after dinner. Roger uncovers Volchek's cryogenic vault. Lacey talks to Roger about how important Volchek is to the town, causing him to throw the arrest. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 20 - Meltdown
Release Date: 1990-03-28Volchek becomes depressed over losing the hospital. Roger and Frank try to save Lynchboro by getting Volchek to realize he really is in control. Vinnie goes to Kousakis when he realizes the waste they're dumping is causing a hepatitis outbreak in a nearby school, then attacks Kousakis when he tells Vinnie to mind his own business. Vinnie tries to alert an official to the toxic waste, but it turns out the guy is corrupt and tells Kousakis to kill Vinnie. Feeling trapped, Vinnie kills the two gunmen sent to kill him, then flees into the night. Roger leaves, telling Frank to tell Vinnie they're now even. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 21 - Sanctuary
Release Date: 1990-04-11Depressed, Vinnie contemplates suicide, then hears church bells. He goes to confession and breaks down, begging Father Pat to help him. Frank goes to Seattle to look for Vinnie. Vinnie tells Father Pat about the toxic dumping, and the priest arranges a press conference. Frank finally finds Vinnie at the church. Kousakis overhears the plan to expose him on the news and shoots at them, wounding Frank and Father Pat. Vinnie and Dan chase Kousakis. Dan finds out Frank is in critical condition and goes to the hospital. After trying to revive Frank, the doctors give up when he flat lines. (source: http://www.plasticcow.com/wiseguy)
-
Episode 22 - Brrump-Bump
Release Date: 1990-04-18Frank has an out-of-body experience, then briefly awakens when he hears Vinnie calling him. Kousakis kills Harriet, then hides out at the church while waiting to kill Boden. Vinnie decides to try repairing the church bells in the hopes that they will awaken Frank from his coma. Vinnie discovers Kousakis in the bell tower, but Kousakis jumps to his death before Vinnie can summon the police. Vinnie repairs the bells and rings them, waking Frank.