Fits Like A Glove
Directed By: Ted Demme
Story By: Tom Fontana, Julie Martin
Teleplay By: Bonnie Mark
When Gaffney allows a crime scene involving Goodrich's murder to be washed down before any evidence could be gathered from it, Russert not only takes him off the case (making Pembleton the primary), but also transfers him out of Homicide. Two more victims are found, both women who worked to help other women, and both are found naked in a dumpster near a church, wearing only white gloves - and a man who tracks serial killer memorabilia is interested in buying one of them. Pembleton finds out there have been similar murders in other states. Meanwhile, Bayliss, Lewis and Meldrick begin the bureaucratic process of trying to get approval for the bar, but hit a snag. Finally, Felton confesses to Howard that he's been seeing Russert.
This episode contains examples of:
- Bait-and-Switch: Given Munch's attitude towards drugs, and given his implied misadventures in the 60's, we're led to believe he had a conviction in the past he's been trying to cover up. Instead, it's Bayliss who has a conviction on his record.
- Blatant Lies: Discussed - Giardello suggests Russert lie to Rhodes to prevent him from airing the story on the murder, so she calls him up and claims they'll have the murderer within 24 hours.
- Chain Letter: Bayliss admits to Lewis and Munch he got taken in by a chain letter scheme, which is what got him into trouble in the first place. He later approaches the bureaucrat who denied Lewis and Munch their permit and asks if he can submit a new form that mentions the gambling conviction so they can get their permit.
- Continuity Nod: Intrepid Reporter Matt Rhodes is still investigating Goodrich's murder.
- Crisis of Faith: Pembleton admits to Sister Magdalena the case has made his faith suffer.
- Multi-Part Episode: The second of three parts.
- Nightmare Fetishist: Fuchs, the man who has all sorts of serial killer memorabilia, and wants one of the white gloves found at the crime scene. This makes everyone suspect him at first, but as Pembleton finds out, he was on a plane when one of the murders was committed.
- Politically Incorrect Villain: Gaffney refers to Pembleton as "sambo", which is what makes Russert tell him she's transferring him out of Homicide.
- Shout-Out: Fuchs brings up Ed Gein, and mentions he was the inspiration for Norman Bates.
