<Tr> <Td> Bonnie Somerville </Td> <Td> Laura Murphy </Td> <Td> entire season </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> </Tr> <P> Note: Garcelle Beauvais - Nilon, Jessalyn Gilsig, and John F. O'Donohue did not return for the twelfth season . Their absences are never explained to the audience . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No. in series </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Production code </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 242 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Dress for Success" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Matt Olmstead Teleplay by: Matt Olmstead </Td> <Td> September 21, 2004 (2004 - 09 - 21) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1201 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> The precinct's hyper - controlling new C.O., Lieutenant Thomas Bale, alienates the squad . Meanwhile Ortiz is partnered with flirtatious rookie, Detective Laura Murphy . A "sexologist" and a homeless man are murdered, Clark drinks and womanizes after the suicide of his former girlfriend, and Sipowicz has a stalker . </P> <P> Notes </P> <Ul> <Li> Bonnie Somerville makes her first appearance as a Detective Laura Murphy </Li> <Li> Currie Graham makes his first appearance as a Lieutenant Thomas Bale . Graham had appeared in a different, supporting role in Season 4's "Emission Impossible". </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 243 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Fish Out of Water" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Nicholas Wootton Teleplay by: Nicholas Wootton </Td> <Td> September 28, 2004 (2004 - 09 - 28) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1202 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> Tensions rise when a dead pregnant woman leads Sipowicz and Clark to a possible adoption scam . A woman married to an ex-con claims an intruder beat her and stole her grandmother's diamond ring . Sipowicz suspects his stalker poisoned his fish at the precinct, and Lieutenant Bale micromanages Sipowicz's investigation . </P> <P> Notes </P> <Ul> <Li> Mackenzie Phillips guest stars as a Lorraine Stuval </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 244 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Great Balls of Ire" </Td> <Td> Mark Tinker </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Tom Szentgyorgyi Teleplay by: Tom Szentgyorgyi </Td> <Td> October 12, 2004 (2004 - 10 - 12) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1203 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Detective Sipowicz's son is abducted before being returned safely, a reformed sex offender is murdered in a case that ensnares a former victim, and Lt. Bale once again clashes with everyone in the squad . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 245 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Divorce Detective Style" </Td> <Td> Mark Tinker </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Keith Eisner Teleplay by: Keith Eisner </Td> <Td> October 12, 2004 (2004 - 10 - 12) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1204 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> A man reports that his son has been kidnapped for ransom; Sipowicz and Clark have a falling out; a young woman is found murdered in the closet of her apartment; Clark's testimony at a murder trial is impeached because he had sex with a woman involved, and a mysterious party continues to harass Sipowicz, who finds a listening device planted in his car . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 246 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "You're Buggin' Me" </Td> <Td> John Hyams </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Greg Plageman Teleplay by: Greg Plageman </Td> <Td> October 26, 2004 (2004 - 10 - 26) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1205 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> Sipowicz attempts to pull a drunk Clark out of a bar, only to be shot in the shoulder on the street . While suspicion falls on Sipowicz's stalker, the case turns out to involve Clark's drinking behavior . Meanwhile, Sipowicz's investigation of the listening device in his car leads him to a confrontation with Stan Hatcher, and Sipowicz avoids dismissal from the force only through the reluctant intervention of Lieutenant Bale . </P> <P> Note </P> <Ul> <Li> Jonah Hill guest stars as a store clerk </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 247 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "The Vision Thing" </Td> <Td> Tawnia McKiernan </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & William Finkelstein Teleplay by: William Finkelstein </Td> <Td> November 9, 2004 (2004 - 11 - 09) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1206 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> A man is stabbed while riding the bus with his family, a video store clerk is stabbed by a robber, a wealthy antiques dealer reports a suspicious burglary, and Medavoy takes a part - time job as security guard in a bar . </P> <P> Notes </P> <Ul> <Li> Jimmy Smits makes an uncredited (to maintain a surprise) appearance as the spirit of Bobby Simone </Li> <Li> Dennis Christopher guest stars as Mr. Prosser </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 248 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "My Dinner With Andy" </Td> <Td> Kevin Hooks </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Tom Szentgyorgyi Teleplay by: Tom Szentgyorgyi </Td> <Td> November 16, 2004 (2004 - 11 - 16) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1207 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> A material witness in a murder case is beaten in an alley, Medavoy's job is at risk when he's caught moonlighting as a bar bouncer, and Jones wants custody of Michael--but so does the boy's felonious father . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 249 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "I Like Ike" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Keith Eisner Teleplay by: Keith Eisner </Td> <Td> November 23, 2004 (2004 - 11 - 23) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1208 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Clark protects a court witness whose life is in danger; Jones shows up in family court, but Michael is missing and Michael's father accuses Jones of hiding him; Medavoy faces possible charges for moonlighting, and Sipowicz studies for the sergeant's exam . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 250 </Th> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> "The 3 - H Club" </Td> <Td> Mark Tinker </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark, Greg Ball & Steve Blackman Teleplay by: Greg Ball & Steve Blackman </Td> <Td> November 30, 2004 (2004 - 11 - 30) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1209 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> When Michael's father, Craig Woodruff, is shot dead--while Michael and Jones' home gun are missing--Sipowicz and Clark are forced to treat both Jones and Michael as suspects . Medavoy is tried and found guilty of moonlighting in a bar, and a boy is molested by someone driving a church van . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 251 </Th> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> "The Dead Donald" </Td> <Td> Carol Banker </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Tom Szentgyorgyi Teleplay by: Tom Szentgyorgyi </Td> <Td> December 7, 2004 (2004 - 12 - 07) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1210 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> The brother of a mentally disabled man is found dead, a con - man rents the same apartment to multiple parties and Greg likes a realtor named Bridget who was conned, Sipowicz and Clark clash with Bale when Bale decides to bust a nervous father for offering a bribe to drop drug charges against his son, and Sipowicz takes the sergeants' exam . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 252 </Th> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> "Bale Out" </Td> <Td> Jake Paltrow </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Keith Eisner Teleplay by: Keith Eisner </Td> <Td> December 14, 2004 (2004 - 12 - 14) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1211 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> Sipowicz finds Bale's credit card in a crime suspect's home and has to confront Bale with his findings . A respected attorney is shot to death in his car, Ortiz and Murphy investigate a drive - by shooting at a basketball court, Clark accompanies A.D.A. Munson to a party honoring a lecherous judge, and Medavoy has a lunch date with Bridget the realtor . </P> <P> Notes </P> <Ul> <Li> Chad Allen guest stars as Kyle Tanner </Li> <Li> David Garrison guest stars as Russell </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 253 </Th> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> "I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid" </Td> <Td> Alan Rosenberg </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & William Finkelstein Teleplay by: William Finkelstein </Td> <Td> December 21, 2004 (2004 - 12 - 21) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1212 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> A young pregnant woman is murdered, and the cops find out the father is a bigamist whose two families hold the key to solving the case . Attractive young women who had just begun attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are being killed, and Andy leads the squad in an undercover investigation to find the killer, while Greg ends up closing more than one deal when he helps Bridget on a real - estate call . </P> <P> Notes </P> <Ul> <Li> Corbin Bernsen guest stars as Bob Cavanaugh </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 254 </Th> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> "Stoli With a Twist" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Tom Szentgyorgyi Teleplay by: Tom Szentgyorgyi </Td> <Td> January 11, 2005 (2005 - 01 - 11) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1213 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> <P> Sipowicz and Clark investigate a serial killer who infiltrates AA meetings and preys on female members by strangling them and smudging their lipstick as his trademark . Ortiz and Murphy go undercover in a sting operation to catch the AA killer . A man is found stabbed to death in his apartment, which is full of steroids, and the investigation leads Clark to face the woman he slept with earlier and wrecked a murder case over . </P> <P> Notes </P> <Ul> <Li> Sasha Mitchell guest stars as Darian Lasalle </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 255 </Th> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> "Stratis Fear" </Td> <Td> Bob Doherty </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Keith Eisner Teleplay by: Keith Eisner </Td> <Td> January 18, 2005 (2005 - 01 - 18) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1214 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Sipowicz and Clark investigate the murder of a successful immigrant restaurateur with a taste for young girls, Ortiz learns the Joint Narcotics Task Force is after her cousin's boyfriend, and Jones finds himself probing a retired cop about the murder of the lover of his paralyzed son's wife . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 256 </Th> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> "La Bomba" </Td> <Td> Mark Tinker </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Greg Plageman Teleplay by: Greg Plageman </Td> <Td> January 25, 2005 (2005 - 01 - 25) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1215 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Sipowicz and Clark investigate when a wealthy businessman is killed when his car explodes . They think his business dealings in Colombia or an Israeli ex-security guard might have something to do with it, but the victim's cold - hearted daughter holds the key to solving the case . Ortiz and Murphy catch a case of a teenager who was beaten to death in an alley . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 257 </Th> <Td> 16 </Td> <Td> "Old Man Quiver" </Td> <Td> Ed Begley, Jr . </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & William Finkelstein Teleplay by: William Finkelstein </Td> <Td> February 1, 2005 (2005 - 02 - 01) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1216 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Sipowicz and Clark investigate when an elderly millionaire, married to a voluptuous wife 52 years his junior, is found smothered to death . Medavoy and Jones look into the death of a judge's elderly mother found murdered in a retirement home, A.D.A. Munson introduces Clark to her arrogant and powerful father, and Sipowicz is promoted to Sergeant . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 258 </Th> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> "Sergeant Sipowicz Lonely Hearts Club Band" </Td> <Td> John Hyams </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Tom Szentgyorgyi Teleplay by: Tom Szentgyorgyi </Td> <Td> February 8, 2005 (2005 - 02 - 08) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1217 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> When a U.S. Army sergeant is shot to death, Clark suspects the brother of a soldier killed in Iraq . A homeless man is found dead in a dumpster, and Medavoy's girlfriend Bridget Scofield makes him an offer he can't refuse . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 259 </Th> <Td> 18 </Td> <Td> "Lenny Scissorhands" </Td> <Td> Rick Wallace </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark & Keith Eisner Teleplay by: Keith Eisner </Td> <Td> February 15, 2005 (2005 - 02 - 15) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1218 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Sipowicz, Murphy and Ortiz investigate the shooting of a fellow police officer; Clark and Jones, now partners, investigate the beating death of a woman whose newly religious husband owns a jewelry store; Bale is shot in the course of a murder investigation, and Medavoy retires from the job . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 260 </Th> <Td> 19 </Td> <Td> "Bale to the Chief" </Td> <Td> Jesse Bochco </Td> <Td> Story by: Bill Clark, Tom Szentgyorgyi & Keith Eisner Teleplay by: Tom Szentgyorgyi & Keith Eisner </Td> <Td> February 22, 2005 (2005 - 02 - 22) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1219 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> With Bale hospitalized, the squad gets a new boss, who's more interested in golf than crime solving . When a young Muslim bride is found stabbed to death, Ortiz and Murphy suspect her husband; Sipowicz, Clark, and Jones arrest the man who shot Bale; and Bale himself, permanently disabled, recommends Sipowicz as new squad commander of the 15th precinct . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 261 </Th> <Td> 20 </Td> <Td> "Moving Day" </Td> <Td> Mark Tinker </Td> <Td> Story by: Steven Bochco, Bill Clark & William Finkelstein Teleplay by: William Finkelstein </Td> <Td> March 1, 2005 (2005 - 03 - 01) </Td> <Td> JB01 / 1220 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="7"> Two new rookies arrive at the 15th, Ray Quinn & Joe Slovak . Sipowicz' first day as boss has him questioning his decision to take the job when top brass try to stop the squad's investigation of a very rich and very powerful man as the suspect in the beating death of a high - class call girl . At the end of the episode, Lt. Thomas Bale and Sipowicz bury the hatchet as Bale hands the squad over to Andy . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> No. in series </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Production code </Th> </Tr>

How many episodes in season 12 nypd blue