Cold Case is one of the best police procedurals of all time, but some episodes are much better than others. We all know that episodes from procedural dramas can vary drastically in quality, given the very nature of the format. Despite the tough competition, Cold Case managed to stand out for a variety of reasons.
Cold Case‘s approach to solving old, but not forgotten, crimes helped create a series that was significantly different from other police procedurals. The crime drama was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and although it’s been 15 years since Cold Case concluded, several episodes still hold up. These include stories about how imperfectly the justice system operates or the effect that having unsolved crimes has on the loved ones of a victim.
10
“Look Again”
Season 1, Episode 1
Cold Case season 1, episode 1, is the perfect introduction to the series, as it lays the groundwork for what audiences should expect from the show. “Look Again” effectively outlines that the show will have a unique premise, that of focusing on past crimes using flashbacks, while also introducing the people who will be in charge of solving these old cases.
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Cold Case Episodes and Their IMDb Rating |
|
|---|---|
|
Episode |
IMDb Rating |
|
“Look Again” |
7.6 |
|
“The Crossing” |
7.4 |
|
“True Calling” |
8 |
|
“Ghost of My Child” |
8.1 |
|
“Detention” |
8 |
|
“The Letter” |
8.3 |
|
“Daniela” |
8.4 |
|
“Forever Blue” |
8.6 |
|
“Death Penalty: Final Appeal” |
8.6 |
|
“A Perfect Day” |
8.7 |
Compared to other Cold Case episodes, “Look Again” has a simple yet entertaining case. What makes it one of the best episodes of the show is how it highlights Detective Rush’s skills and determination to help those in need and ensure that the victim gets the justice they deserve.
9
“The Crossing”
Season 7, Episode 1
The first episode of Cold Case’s final season utilizes a different storytelling formula compared to the usual installments. It focuses on an unsolved crime as well as the present time, where Detective Rush testifies against Major Kitchener, who attempted to kill her in the previous season. Because of the change in formula, “The Crossing” has the advantage of drawing audiences in with two different yet equally engaging storylines.
What makes “The Crossing” one of Cold Case’s best episodes is that it shows a different side to Detective Rush. When Major Kitchener is released on bail, the law enforcement officer begins to engage in uncharacteristic behavior. The detective is always a stickler for rules and an upholder of the law, so it was interesting to see that she, too, could crack under pressure.
8
“True Calling”
Season 6, Episode 2
One of Cold Case’s most interesting episodes, “True Calling,” sheds light on the education system and the challenges that inner-city schools face. Season 6, episode 2 was a reminder that the procedural drama could pack an emotional punch when it wanted. Detective Rush’s resolve to right a wrong is made more apparent in “True Calling” as she fights to help bring Laura’s killer to justice.
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One Of My Favorite Parts Of Cold Case Makes The Show’s Scrapped Reboot Even Sadder
Cold Case had several great things going for it, such as its cast and fresh storyline, so it’s disappointing that the crime drama didn’t get a reboot.
What Cold Case does so well is that it has both sad stories and a happy ending. “True Calling” is perhaps Cold Case’s most inspiring episode as it shows that there are good people who risk everything to do what’s right. While Laura’s story had a tragic ending, the impact she had on her students, particularly Ronaldo, and those around her left a lasting impression.
7
“Ghost of My Child”
Season 5, Episode 18
“Ghost of My Child” is a notable episode in Cold Case as it delves into drug addiction and how society treats those who are living with substance addiction. Like many Cold Case episodes, “Ghost of My Child” doesn’t hold back when it comes to including a heavy subject matter as part of its plot. The episode is as thrilling as it is heartbreaking because its mystery doesn’t seem to have an easy resolution.
The Cold Case reboot was canceled because CBS and Warner Bros. couldn’t reach a deal.
For most of Cold Case, Detective Rush is portrayed as a white knight. However, “Ghost of My Child” shows that she and her team have prejudices that could stand in the way of doing their jobs. This episode stands out because it proves that Detective Rush is a human with a set of beliefs that guide how she treats her suspects. “Ghost of My Child” is refreshing because it shows Detective Rush and her team in another light, but helps them see the error of their ways.
6
“Detention”
Season 3, Episode 12
Cold Case proved time and time again that it was way ahead of other police procedural dramas when it came to the themes that were featured in the show. “Detention,” the twelfth episode in the third season of the crime drama, is one of Cold Case’s most impactful stories because it deals with mental health. The episode shines a glaring light on depression and loneliness, as it shows the emotional pain that Trevor was going through.
Some of the episodes in Cold Case, such as “Boy in the Box,” were based on real crimes.
“Detention” shows the effects of social isolation and the impact that being viewed as an outcast can have. While the episode is undoubtedly sad, it’s also heartwarming since Trevor did have people who cared about him, even though he felt like he was alone for most of his life. The cast, once again, gives an incredible performance that brings a subject that many people deal with in a way that isn’t preachy, but relatable, to life.
5
“The Letter”
Season 1, Episode 13
While the crimes that are investigated in the police procedural drama take place in the past, they are usually set not too far from the present. “The Letter,” however, is set in 1939, a time in America that was filled with racial tension. Cold Case has never been shy about delving into heavy themes, and the thirteenth episode in season 1 of the series is proof of that.
“The Letter” is a heartbreaking episode that could at times be difficult to watch. Although racial disparity is a huge part of the story, betrayal and the realization that you can never truly know a person also help drive the narrative forward. Fortunately, the family of the victims does get closure at the end of the episode as Detective Rush and her team figure out what happened to Sadie, but her tragic ending is something that stays with you long after the credits roll.
4
“Daniela”
Season 2, Episode 3
Another standout in Cold Case’s roster is the audience and critically acclaimed, “Daniela.” One of the show’s most tragic stories, “Daniela,” deals with domestic abuse and the effects that it has on its victims. Like many of Cold Case’s episodes, “Daniela” offers a satisfying ending that ties up all the loose ends while at the same time taking audiences on a thrilling ride.
What makes “Daniela” memorable is how well it plays into Detective Rush and Valens’ camaraderie.
What makes “Daniela” memorable is how well it plays into Detective Rush and Valens’ camaraderie. The two law enforcement officers have a few heartwarming moments that lighten the dark subject in the episode. “Daniela” leaves a lasting impression because of how it carefully unravels its mystery and reveals secrets that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
3
“Forever Blue”
Season 4, Episode 10
“Forever Blue” further proves that Cold Case is one of the best TV shows of the 2000s. Law enforcement corruption is something that most TV shows shy away from, but Cold Case handled it in a nuanced and compelling way and showed the dark side of the demanding job. It delves into the imperfections of the law enforcement system with a powerful story.
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The reboot of the classic police procedural drama, Cold Case, that focused on forgotten cases, was canceled before it even got into production.
Given how Cold Case has covered a wide range of important subjects, it’s not surprising that one of its best episodes deals with LGBTQ+ rights, with “Forever Blue” taking place in 1968. Cold Case season 4, episode 10 has a sweet love story that proves that love conquers all, but it also explores the pain that comes with prejudice.
2
“Death Penalty: Final Appeal”
Season 3, Episode 20
“Death Penalty: Final Appeal” is one of Cold Case’s highest-rated episodes, and it’s easy to see why. The episode has a slightly different tone, as this time, Detective Rush and her team are working to help free a man on death row as opposed to just trying to find a perpetrator of a past crime. Cold Case’s cast is incredible, but “Death Penalty: Final Appeal” brings out the best in each character.
The music perfectly matches the somber tone in “Death Penalty: Final Appeal,” resulting in an episode that stays with you.
“Death Penalty: Final Appeal” is gripping from start to finish as the stakes in the episode are high. While the episode is filled with tension, it’s also emotional and pulls at the heartstrings because of its heartbreaking premise of a man who was wrongly accused of committing a crime. The music perfectly matches the somber tone in “Death Penalty: Final Appeal,” thus resulting in an episode that stays with you.
1
“A Perfect Day”
Season 3, Episode 9
“A Perfect Day”, the series’ best episode, is a great example of how Cold Case combines emotional stories with its whodunnit formula. Cold Case mastered the art of telling an engaging mystery with unpredictable conclusions, and “A Perfect Day” is the quintessential example of that.
Since it deals with the death of a child and the unravelling of dark family secrets, “A Perfect Day” has an emotional pull. It’s one of the most disturbing episodes of the series. “A Perfect Day” has everything that made the show a hit, and while it was just one of many standalone cases, this episode might be the one that best defines Cold Case.
