Self Defense (Homicide: Life on the Street)

Self Defense is an episode of the of the American police drama television series . It originally aired on NBC on April 9, 1999. The episode was directed by Barbara Kopple and written by cast member Yaphet Kotto, who also plays Lt. Al Giardello. The episode is significant in story arcs regarding the romance between detectives Laura Ballard and Paul Falsone and Lt. Giardello's continued difficulties in his attempts to get promoted to a captaincy.