As Christmas draws near, the zone commander, Haverill, starts to come down on Lt. Fancy about his work skills and Sipowicz later intervenes and threatens Haverill to lay off Fancy or he will reveal some incriminating evidence about him being a racist. Meanwhile, Kelly and Sipowicz investigate the kidnapping of a doctor's daughter. Janice must pass some more information to the mob about the station's moves and wonders how she will get out of this situation. Also, Martinez and Medavoy question a woman and her young son who claim to have been robbed by a man who picked them up while they were hitchhiking in North Carolina. But Martinez later discovers that the woman, Kathy, is not who she claims to be, which leads to a hostage situation, involving Donna, at the station. Sipowicz reluctantly plays Santa as the precinct's annual Christmas party, and Martinez receives his gift from Lt. Fancy when he is promoted to detective, while Medavoy panics when the station's pet cat eats the Christmas rabbit, and Kelly visits his Alzheimers-stricken mother who resides in a nursing home.

Just days after Sylvia gives birth to a baby boy (Theo), Sipowicz suffers an emotional setback when Andy Jr. is found murdered in the line of duty. Sipowicz wants Simone to lead the case of his son's killer and also wants the opportunity for restitution. With Russell in tow, Simone tries to balance his desire for revenge, as well as his quest for justice to catch the killers. While Sipowicz breaks the news of his son's death to his first wife, Katie, he begins to show signs of an emotional breakdown. In the midst of all this turmoil, Donna makes her decision when she quits her job as administrative assistant to the precinct and moves to California, leaving New York for good.

A homeless guy Danny was trying to protect turns up dead. The DOA's father is concerned about the trust fund his sister will now inherit.

Danny is restored to full duty. Off. Szymanski's cousin is knocked down in the street and killed. Capt. Bass's wife is injured during a robbery at her store. Greg plays matchmaker.

The detectives investigate two crimes: the murder of a back-alley cosmetic surgeon and a violent rape; Clark finally takes Laughlin on in the boxing ring.

Andy and Connie return from their week's holiday with Theo. A boy goes missing, and the squad is lead to a pedophile in the area. John meets with a lawyer about his father's estate.

A bomb threat is received at the courthouse. John Clark is placed on restricted duties pending charges for murder of the prostitute. John Irvin buys a new car only to be carjacked on the first drive.

IAB start interviewing the officers who were in the diary, and Sipowicz and Clark are blamed as rats. A social worker appears to have taken her own life. A former cop wants his ashes buried at the precinct.