Cold Case season 1#ep3
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox television season
| season_number = 1
| bgcolour = #005F5F
| image =
| caption =
| network = CBS
| first_aired = {{start date|2003|9|28}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2004|5|23}}
| num_episodes = 23
}}
The first season of Cold Case, an American television series, aired on CBS from September 28, 2003 to May 23, 2004. Cold Case is a drama about Lilly Rush, an enigmatic and highly effective detective on the Philadelphia Homicide Squad. Rush's instinctive understanding of the criminal mind and her singular passion for uncovering the truth makes her the perfect fit for investigating cold cases, yester-crimes that have remained unsolved – some only a few months old, others going back decades. Rush and her team use their wits to take on aging evidence and witnesses with buried secrets, uncovering fresh clues, digging into old wounds and doggedly pursuing the truth. The first episode focuses on Rush finding passions for opening cold cases, and throughout the season gaining more and more passion, making cold cases her main job within the Homicide Unit. For the first 4 episodes, Rush is paired up with Chris Lassing (Justin Chambers), who left after episode 4 because of health reasons. Justin Chambers who played Lassing left the show to star as Alex Karev in ABC's hit drama show Grey's Anatomy. Replacing him, in episode 6 was Scotty Valens (Danny Pino), who continued with the character throughout the series. Alongside them is Will Jeffries (Thom Barry), a long-time detective, Nick Vera (Jeremy Ratchford), a rough around the edges cop, and Lieutenant John Stillman (John Finn), a gentle yet caring boss who always plays by the rules. Recurring in this season, starting from episode 6 is Josh Hopkins, playing ADA Jason Kite, who eventually grew into a relationship for Rush as the season progressed.
Characters
class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
! Actor !! Character!! Main cast !! Recurring cast | |||
Kathryn Morris | Det. Lilly Rush | entire season | {{n/a}} |
Danny Pino | Det. Scotty Valens | episodes 6–23 | absent in episode 9 |
John Finn | Lt. John Stillman | entire season | {{n/a}} |
Thom Barry | Det. Will Jeffries | entire season | {{n/a}} |
Jeremy Ratchford | Det. Nick Vera | entire season | {{n/a}} |
Justin Chambers | Det. Chris Lassing | episodes 1–4 | absent in episode 3 |
Doug Spinuzza | Louie Amante | {{n/a}} | episodes 2, 16 |
Josh Hopkins | ADA Jason Kite | {{n/a}} | episodes 6, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 23 |
Ameenah Kaplan | Leticia Castillo | {{n/a}} | episode 15 |
Susan Chuang | Dr. Frannie Ching | {{n/a}} | episode 21 |
Kevin McCorkle | Det. Gil Sherman | {{n/a}} | episode 4, 6, 18 |
Episodes
{{see also|List of Cold Case episodes}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=1
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Look Again
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|9|28}}
|ProdCode = 475195
|WrittenBy=Meredith Stiehm
|DirectedBy=Mark Pellington
|ShortSummary= Detective Lilly Rush from Philadelphia Homicide force is transferred to the Cold Case Unit. She kicks off her career as a Cold Case detective by reopening the 1976 murder of Jill Shelby, a 15-year-old girl who was found beaten to death at a party hosted by her wealthy neighbors, one of them being her boyfriend, after one of the neighbors' former housekeepers comes forward, claiming to have witnessed the murder. Lily must battle both the rich society and people reluctant to go back to that fateful night to solve the case.
- Song featured in the intro: "More Than a Feeling", by Boston
- Song featured in the finale: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?", by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=2
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Gleen
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|10|5}}
|ProdCode = 176702
|WrittenBy=Jan Oxenberg
|DirectedBy=Paris Barclay
|ShortSummary= The team reinvestigates the 1983 murder of 25-year-old Dana Deamer, a young wife and mother who was killed in an explosion outside her own house while picking up what was supposed to be a box of laundry detergent shortly before she was to testify in court against a man who indecently exposed himself to her in public. The daughter believes the man is culpable, but when the team delves into Dana's personal life, they discover a shocking secret that could lead them to the true killer.
- Song featured in intro: "Owner of a Lonely Heart", by Yes
- Song featured in the finale: "Straight from the Heart", by Bryan Adams.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=3
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Our Boy Is Back
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|10|12}}
|ProdCode = 176704
|WrittenBy=Stacy Kravetz
|DirectedBy=Bryan Spicer
|ShortSummary=The team reinvestigates the 1998 murder of 21-year-old college student Gail Chimayo when her killer, a serial rapist who has been inactive for the past five years, sends them a letter announcing his return to Philadelphia and his intentions.
- Song featured in the intro: "How's It Going to Be", by Third Eye Blind
- Song featured in the finale: "Heroes", by The Wallflowers.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=4
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Churchgoing People
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|10|19}}
|ProdCode = 176701
|WrittenBy=Meredith Stiehm
|DirectedBy=Mark Pellington
|ShortSummary=The team reinvestigates the 1990 murder of 49-year-old Mitchell Bayes, a church organist, when his Alzheimer's-stricken widow begins having flashbacks from the night he died. The team soon learns dark secrets about the family that could lead them to the killer.
- Song featured in the intro: "Faith", by George Michael
- Song featured in the finale: "Live to Tell", by Madonna.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=5
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=The Runner
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|10|26}}
|ProdCode = 176703
|WrittenBy=Veena Cabreros Sud
|DirectedBy=David Straiton
|ShortSummary= When a drug addict brings in an audio tape capturing the recording of a fatal shooting, the team reopens the 1973 murder of a young police officer, 21-year-old Joe Washington, who was killed after responding to a call at a drug-infested housing project. Rush soon discovers several inconsistencies with the statement and fears a dirty cop may have been involved.
- Song featured in the intro: "Midnight Train to Georgia", by Gladys Knight & the Pips
- Song featured in the finale: "Lean on Me", by Bill Withers.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=6
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Love Conquers Al
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|11|9}}
|ProdCode = 176706
|WrittenBy=Kim Newton
|DirectedBy=Greg Yaitanes
|ShortSummary= The team reopens the 1981 murder of Paige Pratt, a 16-year-old high school track runner, after a petty crook, hoping to receive a reduced sentence, comes forward claiming to have evidence that her boyfriend, then 21-year-old Al Clarkson was wrongly convicted of her murder. Rush and her new partner, Scotty Valens, get off to a rocky start.
- Song featured in the intro: "Keep On Loving You”, by REO Speedwagon
- Song featured in the finale: "She's Got a Way", by Billy Joel.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=7
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=A Time to Hate
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|11|16}}
|ProdCode = 176707
|WrittenBy=Jan Oxenberg
|DirectedBy=Deran Sarafian
||ShortSummary=A woman asks Lilly to reinvestigate the unsolved murder of her son Daniel Holtz, a 21-year-old former college baseball player, who was beaten to death outside of a gay bar in 1964 after it was discovered that he was homosexual. Things get personal however, when the team discovers a police nightstick at the crime scene, implying that a policeman may have been involved.
- Songs features in the intro: "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", by Betty Everett / "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)", by The Shangri-Las.
- Song featured in the finale: "Turn! Turn! Turn!", by The Byrds.
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{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=8
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Fly Away
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|11|30}}
|ProdCode = 176708
|WrittenBy=Veena Cabreros Sud
|DirectedBy=James Whitmore, Jr.
|ShortSummary=The team reinvestigates the 2001 death of 6-year-old Toya Miles, who died after falling through her bedroom window, along with her then 23-year-old mother, Rosie, who survived, but suffered severe head trauma, putting her in a two-year coma. Her recent awakening makes Lilly and the squad try to put the pieces together to determine if this young mother or someone else is responsible for the tragedy.
- Song featured in the intro: "Sleep", by Azure Ray
- Song featured in the finale: "Heaven (Candlelight Mix)", by DJ Sammy.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=9
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=Sherry Darlin'
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|12|7}}
|ProdCode = 176705
|WrittenBy=Sean Whitesell
|DirectedBy=Rachel Talalay
||ShortSummary= When Lilly receives an anonymous phone call from a man who claims to have killed an elderly woman in 1989, the team investigates the disappearance of Krystal Hogan, an 81-year-old grandmother who went missing that same year. The team discovers that Krystal lived with her orphaned step-grandson, then 19-year-old James Hogan, whose lifestyle she disliked.
- Song featured in the intro: "Lovesong", by The Cure
- Song featured in the finale: "The End of the Innocence", by Don Henley feat. Bruce Hornsby.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=10
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=The Hitchhiker
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2003|12|21}}
|ProdCode = 176709
|WrittenBy=Sean Whitesell
|DirectedBy=Marita Grabiak
|ShortSummary= The team reopens the 1997 murder of Matthew Mills, a 20-year-old hitchhiker killed on his way back to Philadelphia after winning big in Atlantic City, when new evidence is uncovered linking a current case to his murder. Scotty learns a lesson in humility after he makes a poor call that hinders the investigation, and the team makes a stunning discovery that could also close the case.
- Song featured in the intro: "Walkin' on the Sun", by Smash Mouth
- Song featured in the finale: "I Believe", by Blessid Union of Souls.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=11
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=Hubris
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|1|11}}
|ProdCode = 176710
|WrittenBy=Stacy Kravetz & Kim Newton
|DirectedBy=Agnieszka Holland
|ShortSummary= The team reopens the 1995 murder of 21-year-old Holly Richardson at the request of one of her college professors, whose career ended in disgrace after he was suspected of her death after their affair was discovered. The professor hopes to clear his name after another young woman is killed in an identical fashion as Holly, though the team is skeptical about his innocence.
- Song featured in the intro: "Wonderful", by Adam Ant
- Song featured in the finale: "Don't Look Back in Anger", by Oasis.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=12
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Glued
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|1|18}}
|ProdCode = 176711
|WrittenBy=Tyler Bensinger
|DirectedBy=Peter Markle
|ShortSummary=Lt. Stillman asks Lilly to reinvestigate one of his first cases as a homicide detective: the 1980 murder of 8-year-old Timothy Barnes, who was knocked out and left on the snowy ground and died tragically of hypothermia. Suspects include his parents, a group of troubled teenage boys, and his priest.
- Song featured in the intro: "Running on Empty", by Jackson Browne
- Song featured in the finale: "Follow You Follow Me", by Genesis.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=13
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=The Letter
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|1|25}}
|ProdCode = 176713
|WrittenBy=Veena Cabreros Sud
|DirectedBy=Tim Hunter
|ShortSummary=After a young woman comes forward with new information about the death of her grandmother, Lilly and the squad reopen the unsolved 1939 rape and murder of a 25-year-old black woman, Sadie Douglas. During their investigation, the team uncovers racial tensions and a secret romance that could help identify the killer.
- Song featured in the intro: “Dream Lucky Blues”, by Julia Lee.
- Song featured in the finale: "Blue Moon", by Ella Fitzgerald.
|LineColor=005F5F
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=14
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=Boy in the Box
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|2|15}}
|ProdCode = 176712
|WrittenBy=Meredith Stiehm
|DirectedBy=Karen Gaviola
|ShortSummary=The team reopens the case of the 1958 murder of an unidentified 6-year-old boy, whose body was found in a cardboard box in a field outside Philadelphia, after a suitcase is found containing a photo of the boy, among other things. The team discovers that the boy may have been part of the government's radiation experiments on orphans.
- Song featured in the intro: "You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven", by Johnny Cash
- Song featured in the finale: "Sweeter Than You", by Ricky Nelson.
|LineColor=005F5F
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=15
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title=Disco Inferno
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|2|22}}
|ProdCode = 176715
|WrittenBy=Tyler Bensinger
|DirectedBy=James Whitmore, Jr.
|Viewers=15.33{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-02-24|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022404_15|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=The team reinvestigates a mysterious 1978 fire that killed 22 people and destroyed a disco nightclub when the newly discovered remains of 22-year-old Benny Rosen reveal that he was killed by a gunshot to the head, which leads the team to deduce that the fire was actually a cover-up. The investigation reveals that the victim’s profession was conflicting with his personal life.
- Song featured in the intro: "Disco Inferno", by The Trammps
- Song featured in the finale: "Last Dance", by Donna Summer.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=16
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Volunteers
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|3|7}}
|ProdCode = 176716
|WrittenBy=Jan Oxenberg
|DirectedBy=Allison Anders
|Viewers=15.98{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-03-09|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=030904_05|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=Human remains found during a building demolition prompt the team to investigate the unsolved 1969 double murders of 22-year-old Julia Hoffman and 23-year-old Gerald Gary, two hippies who belonged to a group that facilitated access to illegal abortions.
- Song featured in the intro: "Volunteers", by Jefferson Airplane
- Song featured in the finale: "Get Together", by The Youngbloods.
|LineColor=005F5F
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=17
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=The Lost Soul of Herman Lester
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|3|14}}
|ProdCode = 176714
|WrittenBy=Sean Whitesell
|DirectedBy=Tim Matheson
|Viewers=15.92{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-03-16|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=031604_07|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=After a high school basketball phenom receives threatening phone calls, the team reopens the 1987 murder of his father, 17-year-old Herman Lester, another star basketball player who was found stabbed to death hours after leading his team to victory in the State Championship. The team tries to determine if there is a link between the phone calls and the murder.
- Song featured in the intro: "Walk This Way", by Run-DMC and Aerosmith.
- Song featured in the finale: "Walk Like a Man", by Bruce Springsteen.
|LineColor=005F5F
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=18
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=Resolutions
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|3|28}}
|ProdCode = 176717
|WrittenBy=Kim Newton
|DirectedBy=Alex Zakrzewski
|Viewers=14.26{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-03-30|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=033004_05|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=The team reinvestigates the 2000 murder of 39-year-old Greg Cardiff, a husband and father who was killed in a hit-and-run accident just a few minutes into New Year's Day, after a recovering alcoholic comes forward as the possible culprit. During the investigation, however, the team finds evidence that the victim was poisoned and already dead when the car hit him.
- Song featured in the intro: "Save Tonight", by Eagle Eye Cherry.
- Song featured in the finale: "Hands", by Jewel.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=19
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|Title=Late Returns
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|4|4}}
|ProdCode = 176718
|WrittenBy=Jay Beattie & Dan Dworkin
|DirectedBy=David Straiton
|Viewers=14.25{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-04-06|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=040604_07|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=Suspicious evidence found at the scene of a current murder prompts the team to reopen the 1992 murder of 22-year-old Vanessa Prosser, a young and highly politically involved woman who was killed on the night of the 1992 presidential election. The team learns that the victim was dating a congressman with a dark secret.
- Song featured in the intro: "Don't Stop", by Fleetwood Mac
- Song featured in the finale: "Ordinary World", by Duran Duran.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=20
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=Greed
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|4|18}}
|ProdCode = 176719
|WrittenBy=Stacy Kravetz
|DirectedBy=Karen Gaviola
|Viewers=12.93{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-04-20|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=042004_05|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary= The team reopens the 1985 murder of Charles Danville, a wealthy 35-year-old stockbroker who was shot and killed during an apparent carjacking gone wrong, after new evidence points towards premeditated murder. The team uncovers evidence that the victim may have been cheating his clients and having illicit relationships with his protégés.
- Song featured in the intro: "Karma Chameleon", by Culture Club
- Song featured in the finale: "All Through the Night", by Cyndi Lauper.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=21
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Maternal Instincts
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|4|25}}
|ProdCode = 176720
|WrittenBy=Laurie Arent
|DirectedBy=Kevin Hooks
|Viewers=14.83{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-04-27|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=042704_03|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=When a juvenile delinquent comes forward claiming to have witnessed his mother's death, the team reinvestigates the 1989 murder of the young mother, 30-year-old Rebecca Morgan. The team soon discovers that the victim is not who they thought she was.
- Song featured in the intro: "Closer to Fine", by Indigo Girls
- Song featured in the finale: "Eternal Flame", by The Bangles.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=22
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=The Plan
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|5|2}}
|ProdCode = 176721
|WrittenBy=Veena Cabreros Sud
|DirectedBy=Agnieszka Holland
|Viewers=14.39{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-05-04|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050404_06|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=The team reopens the 1999 murder of Nash Cavanaugh, a 35-year-old military academy's strict swim coach who drowned in the academy pool, after the homicide division receives a note suggesting his death was a homicide. The team learns that the victim was a pedophile who preyed upon his weaker students.
- Song featured in the intro: "Machinehead", by Bush
- Song featured in the finale: "Wise Up", by Aimee Mann.
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}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Cold Case season 1
|EpisodeNumber=23
|EpisodeNumber2=23
|Title=Lover's Lane
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2004|5|23}}
|ProdCode = 176722
|WrittenBy=Meredith Stiehm
|DirectedBy=Nelson McCormick
|Viewers=14.53{{cite web|publisher=ABC Medianet|date=2004-05-25|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052504_07|title=Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2010-06-29}}
|ShortSummary=When DNA evidence reveals a man was wrongfully convicted of murder, the team reopens the 1986 murder of Eve Kendell, a 15-year-old girl who was raped and killed during a date with her boyfriend, 16-year-old Mark Adams, who was also assaulted but survived, at a popular lover's lane. The team soon discovers the victim was a regular object of relentless attention, leading them to believe that her murder may have been a crime of passion.
- Song featured in the intro: "And We Danced", by The Hooters.
- Song featured in the finale: "Leather and Lace", by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley.
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}}
}}
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Cold Case television}}
Category:2003 American television seasons