An American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.An American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.An American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.
- Won 4 Primetime Emmys
- 25 wins & 82 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn 1988, Baltimore Sun reporter David Simon joined the Baltimore Police Homicide Unit as a civilian assistant in order to chronicle a year in the life of a big-city homicide squad. His extensive notes, interviews, and observations were eventually published as the book, "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets." This book served as the inspiration for the TV series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993). Much of the first and second seasons are taken from actual events recounted in the book.
- GoofsIn a number of episodes, in-vehicle shots with a "back seat" perspective often show that the vehicle being filmed in is in fact a Chrysler-produced sedan. Note the older star-in-pentagon emblem on the steering wheel instead of the Chevy Cavaliers that the detectives drive. This is likely due to the lower headroom in the Cavalier, making it difficult to film that perspective.
- Quotes
Det. Frank Pembleton: You know, every day I get out of bed and drag myself to the next cup of coffee. I take a sip and the caffeine kicks in. I can focus my eyes again. My brain starts to order the day. I'm up, I'm alive. I'm ready to rock. But the time is coming when I wake up and decide that I'm not getting out of bed. Not for coffee, or food or sex. If it comes to me, fine. If it won't, fine. No more expectations. The longer I live, the less I know. I should know more. I should know the coffee's killing me. You're suspicious of your suspicions? I'm jealous, Kay; I'm so jealous. You still have the heart to have doubts. Me? I'm going to lock up a 14-year-old kid for what could be the rest of his natural life. I got to do this. This is my job. This is the deal. This is the law. This is my day. I have no doubts or suspicions about it. Heart has nothing to do with it any more. It's all in the caffeine.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1993)
Not much more can be said about "Homicide: Life on the Street" that hasn't already been said. Excellent writing, gripping messages, memorable characters...this is an example of the epitome of drama, this is a study of human behavior, and like the book that inspired it, this is a tribute to the brave men and women who strive to see that justice is served in real life.
In case you don't know the general idea, it's about a believable group of individuals tracking down killers--who are often portrayed as disturbed individuals themselves, not brawlers. The heart of the stories primarily takes place in two settings: The box, and the street--with humorous, often thought provoking intervals happening in the station and during car scenes.
The best season: Six, in my opinion. This season combined the series' great writing (stories like "Blood Ties", "The Subway", "Abduction", "Finnegan's Wake", "Fallen Heroes", etc.) with some general excitement throughout almost the entire run of episodes. Also, every character present has something interesting or likable about them (the poster for "Homicide: The Movie" features mostly the collective image of season six). "Homicide" didn't often focus on intimate relationships, but the main one towards the story's end was developed in a clever, truly romantic way.
Overall, as you've probably heard before, this is one of the best shows ever to air on television. It will always be regarded as such.