BLIND JUSTICE: FOUR FEET UNDER (TV)

Summary

One in this dramatic action series about Jim Dunbar, a New York City police detective who faces doubt and controversy when he returns to work after being blinded in a shoot-out.

In this episode, Dunbar assures wife Christie that he is "ready" to attend a party with her colleagues, though he is rattled by a momentary stumble in the street. Dunbar and Bettancourt then interview the Crider family, whose 10-year-old son Ben has gone missing; mom Allison admits that dad Lloyd was recently released from a stint in prison. Dunbar smells decay in the backyard and orders the ground dug up. When it turns out to be the family's dead dog, Russo criticizes Dunbar for the pointless delay. Fisk sternly reminds Dunbar to attend his mandated psychiatric sessions, and Lloyd is devastated when he is called to identify his son's body, found discarded in a park.

The detectives zero in on Kent Newell, a registered sex offender from the Criders' neighbor, and he quickly admits to harming Ben. Dunbar, however, is skeptical of the confession and questions Kent personally, who offers inaccurate details of the crime and admits that he confessed to avoid angering Russo and Selway. Russo demands to know why Bettancourt is siding with her partner, sure that Dunbar will "wash out" and harm her future career. Dunbar agrees that he "has something to prove," and the coroner reveals untreated broken bones and other injuries on Ben's body. Lloyd firmly denies abusing his son, swearing that his post-prison anger issues did not extend to physical harm. Dunbar is annoyed when Bettancourt cuts off the interview, still believing that the father is a viable suspect.

Dunbar attempts to mask his discomfort at the party, though he soon grows frustrated with Christie's co-worker Clay Simmons and his seemingly flirtatious behavior. The couple argues bitterly at home, with Christie pointing out that he was the one who was unfaithful, not her. When questioned again, Allison nervously denies any violence from Lloyd, though little brother Jake reveals that Lloyd intentionally killed the dog in a fit of rage. Russo and Selway confirm that Ben's teacher reported bruises on the boy; under further interrogation, Allison and Lloyd both break down and admit that the latter accidentally killed Ben in a moment of misplaced anger. With the case closed, Dunbar finally sits down with Dr. Galloway, who observes that he seems overly defensive. Dunbar, however, cites his impressive record in the military and in the NYPD, determined that he will "make this work." Back at home, Christie decides that they are "past talking" and only postponed a breakup because of his injury. She later finds him amidst a rainstorm in the park and takes his hand, signaling her willingness to work on the marriage. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: March 15, 2005 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:58:35
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:86318
• GENRE: Drama, police/detective
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, police/detective; Murder; Blindness; Child Abuse
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2005
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Finding Neverland" home video
  • TV - Commercials - "Ladder 49" home video
  • TV - Commercials - Alavert allergy medication
  • TV - Commercials - America Online Internet services
  • TV - Commercials - American Lung Association asthma tests
  • TV - Commercials - Best Buy stores
  • TV - Commercials - Buick automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Century 21 realtors
  • TV - Commercials - Chrysler automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Claritin-D allergy medication
  • TV - Commercials - Domino's Pizza restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Farmers insurance
  • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Kellogg's Nutri-Grain bars
  • TV - Commercials - Levitra erectile dysfunction medication
  • TV - Commercials - Lincoln-Mercury automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Philip Morris QuitAssist smoking cessation program
  • TV - Commercials - ReMax realtors
  • TV - Commercials - Save the Children charity services
  • TV - Commercials - Sears stores
  • TV - Commercials - Sprint cellular services
  • TV - Commercials - Target stores
  • TV - Commercials - The American Red Cross
  • TV - Commercials - The Foundation for a Better Life organization
  • TV - Commercials - Verizon Wireless cellular services
  • TV - Commercials - Visa Business credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Volkswagen automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - World Vision association
  • TV - Promos - "20/20"
  • TV - Promos - "Alias"
  • TV - Promos - "Blind Justice" upcoming episode
  • TV - Promos - "Eyes"
  • TV - Promos - "Grey's Anatomy"
  • TV - Promos - "Jake in Progress"
  • TV - Promos - "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
  • TV - Promos - "Primetime Live"

CREDITS

• Steven Bochco … Executive Producer, Created by
• Matt Olmstead … Executive Producer, Created by
• Nicholas Wootton … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
• Bill Clark … Executive Producer
• John Badham … Executive Producer
• Jeffrey Downer … Producer
• Dayna Bochco … Producer
• Jeremy Beim … Co-Producer
• Tom Keefe … Associate Producer
• Gary Fleder … Director
• Mike Post … Music by
• Ron Eldard … Cast, Detective Jim Dunbar
• Marisol Nichols … Cast, Detective Karen Bettancourt
• Reno Wilson … Cast, Detective Tom Selway
• Frank Grillo … Cast, Detective Marty Russo
• Michael Gaston … Cast, Lieutenant Gary Fisk
• Rena Sofer … Cast, Christie Dunbar
• Sheila Kelly … Cast, Allison Crider
• Robert Cicchini … Cast, Lloyd Crider
• Pat Healy … Cast, Kent Newell
• Jane Lynch … Cast, Dr. Taylor
• Max Jansen Weinstein … Cast, Jake Crider
• Patrick Fabian … Cast, Clay Simmons
• Saul Rubinek … Cast, Dr. Allan Galloway
• Annie Grindlay … Cast, Carol Stone
• Mark Brady … Cast, ESU Officer
• Dan Remmes … Cast, Samaritan
• Marco Verna … Cast, Uniform