The WORST episodes of Cagney & Lacey

Every episode of Cagney & Lacey ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Cagney & Lacey!

Mary Beth Lacey and Chris Cagney are teamed up as NYPD detectives in this landmark series. Their opposing personalities (one is tough and the other sensitive) mesh to make this one of the greatest crime-fighting duos of all time.

Last Updated: 11/22/2024Network: CBSStatus: Ended

6.69

13 votes

#1 - Beauty Burglars

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/8/1982

Cagney and Lacey lead an investigation into a series of robberies at exclusive beauty salons committed by assailants posing as cops.

6.70

10 votes

#2 - Choices

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/14/1984

After the key witness in the upcoming trial of a shady landlord dies, Cagney and Lacey must re-canvas his building in search of new witnesses before he gets set free; meanwhile, Chris thinks she may be pregnant.

Watch Now:Apple TV

6.87

15 votes

#3 - Mr. Lonelyhearts

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/6/1982

A search for a missing woman leads to a bigamy scam; Cagney deals with an ardent suitor.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.00

8 votes

#4 - Matinee

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/19/1984

The investigation into the death of a wealthy woman from Chris' hometown offers a glimpse into Cagney's past. Meanwhile, the son of Lt. Samuels is arrested for stealing a car.

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7.00

10 votes

#5 - The Informant

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/9/1983

Cagney and Lacey disagree about using a young informant to help them nab a drug dealer selling PCP to students.

Directors: Michael Vejar

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.00

9 votes

#6 - Chop Shop

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/14/1983

Members of a car-theft ring take Isbecki hostage after they learn he's a cop; and Petrie is involved in the shooting of a black youth.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.00

18 votes

#7 - Suffer the Children

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/22/1982

Cagney and Lacey become involved in an investigation of child abuse and possible murder when they rescue a child from a window ledge.

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7.00

15 votes

#8 - Street Scene

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/15/1982

Cagney and Lacey are accused of racial prejudice when they investigate a gangland beating.

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7.06

16 votes

#9 - Beyond the Golden Door

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/8/1982

An illegal immigrant is murdered, and the trail leads to a large racket in modern-day slave trading.

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7.10

10 votes

#10 - The Gang's All Here

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/28/1983

The detectives of the 14th precinct set out to bring the perpetrators to justice after they are robbed of their guns, shields and possessions while celebrating Petrie's promotion at a bar--except for La Guardia, who found the experience so humiliating that he wants to resign.

Directors: Christian I. Nyby II

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.10

10 votes

#11 - Date Rape

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/21/1983

A date rape investigation divides Cagney, who, along with the male detectives, feels the victim brought it on herself, and Lacey, who doesn't believe that philosophy.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.11

9 votes

#12 - Jane Doe #37

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/14/1983

Chris takes on the case of a murdered bag lady; and Cagney and Lacey are asked to star in a recruiting commercial for the NYPD.

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7.11

9 votes

#13 - I'll Be Home for Christmas

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/20/1982

On Christmas Eve, the squad searches for a sticky-fingered Santa inadvertently released from a holding cell; and Petrie's wife goes into labor.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.12

17 votes

#14 - Witness to an Incident

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/25/1982

A young policeman's career hangs in the balance when Cagney and Lacey can't agree on the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a civilian.

7.13

16 votes

#15 - High Steel

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/15/1982

Harvey aids Chris and Mary Beth as they investigate the suspicious death of a former co-worker of his who fell from a high-rise.

7.13

16 votes

#16 - Pop Used to Work Chinatown

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/1/1982

A Chinatown robbery brings Cagney's retired father (Dick O'Neill) back on the beat.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.13

8 votes

#17 - To Sir, With Love

Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/16/1987

Story by Sandy Sprung and Marcy Vosburgh. Samuels is getting the Distinguished Service Award at a banquet. All Cagney and Lacey have to do is plan the banquet, coordinate the entertainment, get the balloons, and make cannoli. Very funny, especially the cannoli scene.

Directors: Ray Danton

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.13

15 votes

#18 - Hot Line

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/22/1982

Cagney and Lacey investigate a series of stranglings involving women who worked for an erotic phone line, and Samuels' job is put in jeopardy when he publicly disagrees with his superior about the case.

7.17

6 votes

#19 - Video Verite

Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/1987

A valuable music video has been stolen, and there's some suspicious white powder about. In the meantime, Cagney's niece Bridget again visits, trying to carve out a career as a New York actress

Directors: Jackie Cooper

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.17

6 votes

#20 - Play It Again, Santa

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/23/1985

Cagney and Newman don Santa suits to probe the disappearance of two street musicians; and Chris discovers that the lawyer she's dating is seeing other women.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.17

6 votes

#21 - American Dream

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/7/1985

Cagney and Lacey uncover an extortion operation when a series of arsons all seem to benefit the same company; meanwhile, after Harvey gets a promotion, the prospect of finally being able to buy a house hits home for the Lacey's.

Directors: Sharron Miller

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.20

10 votes

#22 - Hopes and Dreams

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/10/1983

Cagney and Lacey investigate a rash of burglaries taking place in upscale apartment buildings; and a disabled girl's cynicism makes Chris all the more determined to recover the girl's stolen bicycle.

Watch Now:Apple TV

You Call This Plain Clothes? (aka Bang, Bang, You're Dead)

7.22

37 votes

#23 - You Call This Plain Clothes? (aka Bang, Bang, You're Dead)

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/25/1982

The detectives again go undercover as prostitutes

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7.25

8 votes

#24 - Sorry, Right Number

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/20/1986

A rash of burglaries coincides with a heat wave; Lacey and Isbecki are trapped in an elevator; and Cagney frets over a long weekend with David.

Directors: Alexander Singer

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.25

8 votes

#25 - Affirmative Action

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/24/1983

When a new female detective is assigned to the 14th precinct, Cagney and Lacey can't agree on whether or not she is just too eager to prove herself or completely incompetent.

Watch Now:Apple TV