Cold Case (season 1)

Country of origin United States

No. of episodes 23
Release
Original network CBS
September 28, 2003 May 23,
Original release
2004
Season chronology
Next
Season 2

Season one of Cold Case, an American television series, began airing on September 28, 2003. 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. Joining Rush on her mission are a team of
talented detectives: Scotty Valens, Rush's confident and street-smart partner; Nick Vera, rough
around the edges but a sharp investigator; Will Jeffries, an experienced veteran who's been around
the block; Kat Miller, no-nonsense and resourceful; and Lieutenant John Stillman, Rush's mentor
and sometime father figure. With their assistance, Rush is able to take on the toughest cases, giving
voice to victims unable to speak for themselves making sure none is ever forgotten. Season one
regular cast members include Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn, Thom Barry and Jeremy
Ratchford. In 3 episodes, Justin Chambers had played Chris Lassing, Lilly's partner on the
Philadelphia Homicide Squad, but left the show to star as Alex Karev in ABC's hit drama show
Grey's Anatomy.
Characters[edit]
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[edit]
U.S.
No. No. in
Title Directed by Written by Original air date viewers
overall season
(millions)
Mark Meredith
1 1 "Look Again" September 28, 2003 15.55[1]
Pellington Stiehm
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 fifteen
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.
Loosely based upon the Martha Moxley case.
A homicide featured in an early scene in the episode is later investigated in the episode The
Badlands, which occurs one year later.
First appearance of Kathryn Morris, Justin Chambers, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford and
Thom Barry.

2 2 "Gleen" Paris Barclay Jan Oxenberg October 5, 2003 13.96[2]

The team reinvestigates the 1983 murder of twenty five year old Dana Deamer, a young mother
who was killed in an explosion outside her own house 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.

"Our Boy Is
3 3 Bryan Spicer Stacy Kravetz October 12, 2003 12.82[3]
Back"
When a serial rapist sends an intimidating letter to the Cold Case squad announcing his return to
Philadelphia after five years of absence, the team reinvestigates the 1998 murder of Gail Chimayo,
a twenty one year old college student who was believed to be one of his victims, in an effort to
identify him before he strikes again.

Song featured in the intro: "How's It Going to Be", by Third Eye Blind
Song featured in the finale: "Heroes", by The Wallflowers.
Loosely based upon the real-life Philadelphia case of Troy Graves, the Center City Rapist.
Lassing does not appear in this episode.
Alternatively titled "Useless Cats".

"Churchgoing Mark Meredith

4 4 October 19, 2003 11.62[4]
People" Pellington Stiehm
The team reinvestigates the 1990 murder of 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.
Final appearance of Justin Chambers as Det. Chris Lassing.

David Veena
5 5 "The Runner" October 26, 2003 14.08[5]
Straiton Cabreros Sud
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, twenty one year old Joe Washington, who was
killed after responding to a call at a drug-infested housing project. Rush soon discovers several
inconsistences 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.
Loosely inspired by Daniel Faulkner's murder by Mumia Abu-Jamal.

"Love Conquers Greg

6 6 Kim Newton November 9, 2003 14.39[6]
Al" Yaitanes
The team reopens the 1981 murder of Paige Pratt, a sixteen year old high school track runner after a
petty thief hoping to receive a reduced sentence comes forward claiming to have evidence that the
girl's boyfriend, then twenty one 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.
Loosely based upon the 1995 murder of Adrianne Jones by Diane Zamora and David
Graham.
First appearance of Danny Pino as Scotty Valens and Josh Hopkins as ADA Jason Kite
 7 7 "A Time to Hate" Deran Sarafian Jan Oxenberg November 16, 2003 13.95[7]
A seventy five year old woman asks Lilly to reinvestigate the unsolved murder of her son Daniel
Holtz, a 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.

Song features in the intro: "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", by Betty Everett
Song featured in the finale: "Turn! Turn! Turn!", by The Byrds.

James Veena Cabreros

8 8 "Fly Away" November 30, 2003 16.46[8]
Whitmore, Jr. Sud
The team reinvestigates the 2001 death of six year old Toya Miles after her young mother, Rosie,
wakes up from a two year coma with a fragmented memory of the night of Toya's death. Lilly and
the squad try to put the pieces together to determine if Rosie, or someone else, is responsible.

No arrest, as it is proven that the victim's death was an accident.

Song featured in the intro: "Sleep", by Azure Ray
Song featured in the finale: "Heaven (Candlelight Mix)", by DJ Sammy.

9 9 "Sherry Darlin'" Rachel Talalay Sean Whitesell December 7, 2003 16.11[9]

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, a eighty year old
grandmother who went missing that same year. The team discovers that Krystal lived with her
orphan grandson, 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.
Valens does not appear in this episode.

10 10 "The Hitchhiker" Marita Grabiak Sean Whitesell December 21, 2003 13.95[10]
The team reopens the 1997 murder of Matthew Mills, a twenty 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.

Agnieszka Stacy Kravetz &

11 11 "Hubris" January 11, 2004 15.20[11]
Holland Kim Newton
The team reopens the 1995 murder of twenty one 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. The
professor hopes to clear his name after another young woman is killed in an identical fashion as the
first victim, though the team is skeptical about the professor's innocence.

Song featured in the intro: "Wonderful", by Adam Ant

Song featured in the finale: "Don't Look Back in Anger", by Oasis.
12 12 "Glued" Peter Markle Tyler Bensinger January 18, 2004 12.80[12]
Lt. Stillman asks Lilly to reinvestigate one of his first cases as a homicide detective: the 1980
murder of eight year old Timothy Barnes, who was knocked out and left for dead in a snow drift.
Suspects include his own 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.

Veena Cabreros
13 13 "The Letter" Tim Hunter January 25, 2004 15.75[13]
Sud
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 twenty five year old black
woman named 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: "Stars Fell on Alabama", by Louis Armstrong and Ella
Fitzgerald.
Song featured in the finale: "Blue Moon", by Ella Fitzgerald.
The killer confesses to accidentally killing her.

"The Boy in the

14 14 Karen Gaviola Meredith Stiehm February 15, 2004 17.33[14]
Box"
The team reopens the 1958 murder of an unidentified six year old boy, whose body was found in a
cardboard box in a field outside Philadelphia. 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.
No arrest as it's proven the death was accidental.
This was based on the real-life case of "The Boy in the Box", a still-unsolved Philadelphia
case.
Loosely inspired by the radiation experiments conducted at the Walter E. Fernald State
School.

James
15 15 "Disco Inferno" Tyler Bensinger February 22, 2004 15.33[15]
Whitmore, Jr.
The team reinvestigates a mysterious 1978 fire that killed 22 people and destroyed a disco nightclub
when the newly discovered remains of twenty two year old Benny Rosen are discovered and it's
revealed that he killed by a headshot wound, which leads the team to deduce that the fire was
actually a cover-up.

Song featured in the intro: "Disco Inferno", by The Trammps

Song featured in the finale: "Last Dance", by Donna Summer.
This episode features 23 homicides, the most in the series.
Loosely based on both The Station Nightclub fire and The Happy Land fire.
16 16 "Volunteers" Allison Anders Jan Oxenberg March 7, 2004 15.98[16]
Human remains found during a building demolition prompt the team to investigate the unsolved
1969 double murders of Julia Hoffman and Gerald Gary, two hippies who belonged to a group that
performed illegal abortions.

Song featured in the intro: "Volunteers", by Jefferson Airplane

Song featured in the finale: "Get Together", by The Youngbloods.

"The Lost Soul of

17 17 Tim Matheson Sean Whitesell March 14, 2004 15.92[17]
Herman Lester"
After a high school basketball phenom receives threatening phone calls, the team reopens the 1987
murder of his father, 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 discover 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.

Alex
18 18 "Resolutions" Kim Newton March 28, 2004 14.26[18]
Zakrzewski
The team reinvestigates the 1999 murder of Greg Cardiff, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident
on New Year's Eve, after a recovering alcoholic comes forward as the possible culprit. During the
investigation, however, the team finds evidence that the victim may actually have been poisoned
just before his death.

Song featured in the intro: "Save Tonight", by Eagle Eye Cherry.

Song featured in the finale: "Hands", by Jewel.

Jay Beattie & Dan

19 19 "Late Returns" David Straiton April 4, 2004 14.25[19]
Dworkin
Suspicious evidence found at the scene of a current murder prompts the team to reopen the 1992
murder of twenty two Vanessa Prosser, a young, highly politically involved woman who was killed
on the night of the 1992 presidential election.

Loosely based on the Chandra Levy case.

Song featured in the intro: "Don't Stop", by Fleetwood Mac
Song featured in the finale: "Ordinary World", by Duran Duran.

20 20 "Greed" Karen Gaviola Stacy Kravetz April 18, 2004 12.93[20]

The team reopens the 1985 murder of Charles Daniville, a wealthy stockbroker who was killed
during an apparent botched carjacking. The team uncovers evidence that the victim may have been
cheating his clients, suggesting that the carjacking may have been a cover-up for a revenge crime.

Song featured in the intro: "Karma Chameleon", by Culture Club

Song featured in the finale: "All Through the Night", by Cyndi Lauper.
Loosely inspired by the movie Wall Street.
 "Maternal
21 21 Kevin Hooks Laurie Arent April 25, 2004 14.83[21]
Instincts"
When a juvenile delinquent comes forward claiming to have witnessed his mother's death, the team
reinvestigates the 1989 murder of the young mother, thirty year old Rebecca Morgan, who may not
have been whom she appeared to be.

Based loosely on the Cathleen Krauseneck case.

Song featured in the intro: "Closer To Fine", by Indigo Girls
Song featured in the finale: "Eternal Flame", by The Bangles.
First appearance of Susan Chuang as Dr. Frannie Ching

Veena Cabreros
22 22 "The Plan" Agnieszka Holland May 2, 2004 14.39[22]
Sud
The team reopens the 1999 murder of Nash Cavanaugh, a thirty five 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.

23 23 "Lover's Lane" Nelson McCormick Meredith Stiehm May 23, 2004 14.53[23]
When DNA evidence reveals a man was wrongfully convicted of murder, the team reopens the
1986 murder of Eve Kendell, a fifteen year old girl who was raped and killed during a date with her
boyfriend, sixteen year old Mark Adams at a popular lover's lane. The team soon discovers the
victim was a regular object of male affection, 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.
Loosely based upon the 1999 murder of Krystal Dawn Steadman at the hands of Thomas
Soria Sr. and Jr. The location of the attack was based on the early attacks of the Zodiac
Killer.