Series synopsis
The Beat is an American crime drama television series that premiered on UPN on March 21, 2000. It ended on April 25, 2000. It was created by Tom Fontana. It stars Derek Cecil, Mark Ruffalo, Heather Burns and Poppy Montgomery.
The Beat delves into the personal and professional lives of two young police recruits who patrol New York's streets. The city's daily machinations are seen through the often bloodshot eyes of Officers Mike Dorigan and Zane Marinelli, two youthful, irreverent partners who are truly products of their generation and unique urban environment. Issues of race, excessive police force – and the unpredictable quirkiness of New York's outspoken locals – compel both men to rely on their sense of humor just ...
Premise
The Beat delves into the personal and professional lives of two young police recruits who patrol New York's streets. The city's daily machinations are seen through the often bloodshot eyes of Officers Mike Dorigan and Zane Marinelli, two youthful, irreverent partners who are truly products of their generation and unique urban environment. Issues of race, excessive police force – and the unpredictable quirkiness of New York's outspoken locals – compel both men to rely on their sense of humor just to make it to the end of their shift.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Derek Cecil as Mike Dorigan
- Mark Ruffalo as Zane Marinelli
- Heather Burns as Beatrice Felsen
- Poppy Montgomery as Elizabeth Waclawek
Guest cast
- Judah Friedlander
- Mary Beth Hurt
- Malcolm Barrett as Russsell Lucas
- Kathleen Chalfant
- Ellen Muth as Jacqueline Hutchinson
- Luis Guzmán
- Scott William Winters as Damon Lawrence
- Domenick Lombardozzi as Joey Kilmer
- Lee Tergesen as Steve Dorigan
- Richard Belzer as John Munch
- Victor Colicchio
- Don Wallace
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 13 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 7 | ||
| Season 1 | 6 | March 21, 2000 | April 25, 2000 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Every Beat of My Heart | |
| 2 | Get It On (Bang the Gong) | |
| 3 | Call on Me |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Beat Goes On Beat cops Mike Dorigan and Zane Marinelli are partners in New York's 12th precinct. Mike and his med student girlfriend Elizabeth announce their engagement while Zane's latest fling, Beatrice, wears her pyjamas out to the bar. Her new meds make her ""fuzzy"". Jamal Jones, a black suspect, dies in custody in the 12th's holding cell creating tensions on the street and in the stationhouse. On duty, Mike and Zane handle a motorcycle vs. taxicab incident, a shotgun-toting peeping tom, a teenage girl's suicide, a pigeon serial killer, and a suspected child molester. Off duty, Mike and Elizabeth quarrel about his drinking and Elizabeth leaves. Zane arrives with his luggage after Beatrice trashes his apartment. Beatrice reveals that Zane's father murdered his mother, then sets fire to Zane's apartment. (UPN) |
March 21, 2000 |
| 2 |
They Say It's Your Birthday On his 29th birthday, Zane is plagued by thoughts of his father. Mike's brother Steve, a fire investigator, attends the scene of Zane's torched apartment. Mike and Zane argue about whether Beatrice should be a collar for arson. Elizabeth expresses apprehension about the idea of having a big wedding. Zane finds Beatrice, but spends the night with her, instead of taking her in. On duty, Mike and Zane handle a man who thinks he's talking to Bob Marley, Mike inadvertently talks a jumper down by heeding the call of nature, and a domestic nearly turns deadly when the wife changes her mind about having her husband arrested. Detective Munch from the Special Victims Unit shows up at the scene of a DOA because he's 'nostalgic for a good homicide'. At a traffic stop, Mike is accused of racial bias. Tensions over the Jamal Jones killing rise when Officers Ulrich and Newell are cleared by the review board. The pigeon killer remains at large. Beatrice disappears. (UPN) |
March 28, 2000 |
| 3 |
Three Little Words Zane insists that Beatrice is ""gone for good"" and wants Mike to drop the idea of arresting her for arson. Mike's brother, Steve, gives Elizabeth a pep talk about life as a cop's wife, and plans to throw an engagement party for the couple. On a robbery call with Ulrich and Newell, Mike witnesses Ulrich using excessive force on a suspect. The suspect turns out to be Mike's former partner, Chris Livingston, now a narcotics detective on an undercover job. Mike's earlier doubts about Ulrich's role in Jamal Jones' death are heightened when Ulrich asks him to find out if Livingston is taking the incident to internal affairs. Zane has dinner with his Nana and re-opens his investigation into his father's murder conviction. In prison, Zane's father tells him to leave the case alone. Beatrice shows up at Mike and Elizabeth's place looking for her camera. A man shoots his 5-year old son because he's ""defective"". Zane steps in when Officer Ryan seems tempted to comply with the man's request that sh |
April 4, 2000 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | UPN |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 21, 2000 |
| Last aired | April 25, 2000 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Canceled |
| Schedule | Tuesday at 20:00:00 |