This outstanding us police procedural remains a cornerstone of the genre without it we wouldnt have The Shield or (particularly) The Wire. Andre Braugher is the standout in a generally strong cast that includes Yaphet Kotto, Ned Beatty and Jon Polito, all playing Baltimore detectives on the same shift, doing underappreciated work where results come in at a trickle often over several episodes.
Theres also a healthy procession of guest appearances, including Robin Williams, Luis Guzmán and a cameo from Baltimore native John Waters. Behind the camera, selected episodes are directed by executive producer Barry Levinson and Stephen Gyllenhaal, who manages to get pre-pubescent son Jake into the cast.