Sipowicz is overly eager to testify in the Cullinan murder trial, but Costas worries that Sipowicz is no match for defense attorney James Sinclair. Much to Sipowicz's chagrin, Costas thinks Sorenson will make a stronger witness and Andy increasingly loses his mind over having to deal with Sinclair's psychological button-pushing. Meanwhile, Russell and Kirkendall lead the investigation of a home invasion murder in which the widow becomes the prime suspect and everyone throws the shooting of Amadou Diallo right in their faces.

Passions ignite when the detectives of the 15th Precinct go on a personal crusade to implicate the suspect they hold responsible for the death of Sylvia Costas, while simultaneously worrying about Andy's fragile state of mind—specifically whether he's going to start drinking again or kill himself. Meanwhile, John feels responsible for Sylvia's death.