Television Review: Night of the Dead Living (Homicide: Life on the Street, S1X09, 1993)

Night of the Dead Living (S01E09)

Airdate: 31 March 1993

Written by: Frank Pugliese
Directed by: Michael Lehmann

Running Time: 46 minutes

The season finale of Homicide: Life on the Street's inaugural season, Night of the Dead Living, was a rather unconventional conclusion to the show's first year on the air. Airing in the 1990s, when US broadcast network customs were heavily focused on providing audiences with a sense of closure and finality, this episode's unorthodox approach may have left viewers feeling perplexed. Even by today's standards, Night of the Dead Living remains an intriguing anomaly, defying the expectations of a typical season finale. Originally intended to be the third episode of the series, NBC's decision to reschedule it as the season finale was a bold move, one that would ultimately pay off in terms of critical acclaim, if not ratings.

The reasoning behind NBC's decision to delay the episode's airing was largely due to its departure from the standard crime drama formula. Lacking the high-stakes action and intricate plotting that audiences had come to expect from the genre, Night of the Dead Living was deemed too unconventional for early-season viewing. However, by positioning it as the season finale, the network effectively replaced the originally intended finale, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which was deemed too downbeat for general audience tastes. This substitution would prove to be a shrewd move, as Night of the Dead Living's unique approach would go on to garner widespread critical acclaim.

At its core, Night of the Dead Living functions as a "bottle episode," confined to a single location—the Baltimore Police headquarters—over the course of one night. This setting creates an atmosphere reminiscent of a stage play, allowing for significant budgetary savings while simultaneously focusing on character development. Such episodes often provide an opportunity for actors to deliver standout performances, and this episode is no exception.

The plot unfolds on a particularly sweltering September night in 1992, with detectives Giardello and his team reporting for duty during an oppressive heatwave. The air conditioning has failed, exacerbating their discomfort as they endure what is described as "the hottest night of the year." Ironically, despite being on call during this intense period, no murders occur throughout their shift. Instead, the detectives encounter a series of peculiar events, including an eccentric drunk dressed as Santa Claus (played by Cleve Wall) and a baby left in a cage—a surreal element that adds to the episode's unique tone. Meanwhile, young cleaning woman Loretta Kenyatta (played by N’Bushe Wright) tries to finish her shift amidst the detectives' antics.

The episode's non-linear structure, which can be interpreted as a sort of flashback, helps to mitigate some of the continuity issues and potential inconsistencies with other episodes. This narrative choice allows the viewer to focus on the characters' personal struggles and relationships, rather than the intricacies of a complex homicide investigation. Indeed, one of the most interesting aspects of Night of the Dead Living is the way in which nearly every major character is given a subplot, often dealing with their personal lives rather than their professional ones. Munch is shown breaking up with his girlfriend, while Bolander musters the courage to ask Dr. Blythe out on a date. Crosetti, meanwhile, is incensed by his ex-wife's decision to allow their daughter to bring her "long-haired" boyfriend to their former home. Howard, meanwhile, is reeling from the news that her sister has been diagnosed with a potentially malignant breast tumor, while her husband is cheating on her. This personal turmoil affects her deeply, and she eventually confides in her partner, Felton.

The Adena Watson case, a recurring storyline throughout the season, continues to simmer in the background, with Bayliss still determined to crack the investigation. A promising lead, related to the theft of Adena's library-issued books, ultimately proves to be a red herring, as the culprit is revealed to be a 12-year-old boy named James Hill (played by Kenny Blank). However, this development does lead Bayliss and Pembleton to uncover a significant clue regarding the disposal of Adena's body, which in turn points to Risley "Arab" Tucker as a potential suspect. Despite this, the episode's focus on character development and personal relationships means that the homicide investigation takes a backseat, and the audience is left with a sense of meandering, rather than a driving narrative.

The episode's use of easy listening background music, which at times can be annoying and feels like the result of someone accidentally switching on a radio station, is likely intended to create a sense of atmosphere. However, it ultimately falls flat, and the viewer is left feeling that the episode is lacking in terms of plot progression.

Nevertheless, Night of the Dead Living compensates for this with outstanding performances from the cast and a poignant epilogue. As Giardello's shift comes to a close, and the sun begins to rise, he sprays his detectives with water on the roof, in a moment of levity and camaraderie. Meanwhile, Munch confesses to Officer Thormann that he has a secret ritual, where he lights a candle near the board with murder cases as a sign of respect for the victims. This revelation adds a new layer of depth to Munch's character, who had previously been portrayed as a cynical misanthrope. The episode ends on a sombre note, reminding the audience of the gravity and importance of the work that the detectives do.

Despite the episode's lacklustre ratings, Night of the Dead Living received widespread critical acclaim, including a WGA Award for Episodic Drama. This recognition was enough to persuade NBC to postpone the show's possible cancellation, allowing for the production and airing of four additional episodes as part of Season 2.

In retrospect, Night of the Dead Living can be seen as a bold, innovative episode that paved the way for the rest of the series. Its focus on character development, personal relationships, and atmospheric tension would become a hallmark of Homicide: Life on the Street, and its influence can still be felt in many modern crime dramas.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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