In the series pilot, Lt. Mike Torello (Dennis Farina), the head of Chicago's Major Crime Unit in the early '60s, has a personal interest in a case involving the son of a close friend who gets mixed up with mobster Ray Luca (Anthony Denison).

A psychopathic killer becomes the Major Crime Unit's top priority; Torello learns of Luca's plans for a nationwide sports-betting operation; Julie wants to start a family.

Torello introduces himself as a “friendly” cop to one of Luca's burglary crew after the crew's new man kills a woman; and the Torellos get some good news.

To ensure his takeover of a sports-betting operation, Luca sends Holman to St. Louis, where a politically motivated sheriff is overly friendly to Holman's MCU tail.

Luca's superiors blame him for the debacle in St. Louis, prompting him to seek advice from Abrams; Torello leaves a gift for Luca after the MCU halts his truck hijackings; Julie enters the hospital. Guest stars Miles Davis, Michael Madsen.

A reporter helps Abrams in his defense of a tenant who assaulted a slumlord; Torello promises a despondent Julie a vacation. Guest stars Ving Rhames, Pam Grier.