Here we meet the three major players of the series: Lt. Mike Torrello, head of Chicago's Major Crime Unit(MCU); Ray Luca, a young hood about to make his mark on the underworld; and David Abrams, an idealistic public defender trying to bury his Mob-connected roots. As the story unfolds Torrello is working with Abrams to bring down members of Chicago's underworld while Luca is taken under the wing of Manny Weisbord; one of Chicago's most powerful crime figures. As events proceed Torrello and Luca each become aware of the other's existence. Torello realizes that there is a new player that he must bring down.

With Torello's MCU hunting a psychopath, Luca plots jewel heists and the takeover of a sports-gambling operation.

Torello gains a major advantage when one of Luca's burglars is connected to a robbery-homicide of a coin collector's wife. Torello finds out Julie is pregnant.

Mobsters support Luca's nationwide gambling scheme. A publicity-seeking sheriff hampers Torello's arrest of one of Luca's men.

A book intercepted by Torello jeopardizes Luca's nationwide gambling operation. The Torellos meet with tragedy.

Attorney Abrams falls for a reporter helping him defend a tenant accused of assaulting a slum landlord.

Conflict ruins the Torello's weekend trip. Luca situates in Las Vegas. Bigots target Abrams's relationship with Susan.

Torello confronts his new friend, now laundering money for the Mob. Federal investigators indict Luca and Bartoli.

Devastated by Kehoe's death, Torello stonewalls Breitel's federal investigation. Abrams joins the MCU on the street.

Divorced Torello finds comfort with Inger. The Crime Unit nabs Luca's jewelry-heist team. Torello's best friend supplies the Mob with capital.

Indelli and Krychek must deal with a tense hostage situation. Torello travels to Indiana to make his move on Frank Holman.

Holman ideintifies Torello as a dirty cop to Breitel. After an attempt on his life, Luca takes refuge in Florida.

Torello is subpoenaed to testify for Luca. An enraged Abrams jumps to Torello's defense. Luca orders Torello and Abrams killed.

Breitel brutally cross-examines Torello. Acquitted Luca moves to Las Vegas. Torello gets a new assignment.

Torello and Krychek join the Federal Task Force planning to raid Luca's new gambling business in Las Vegas.

To take over Las Vegas casinos, Luca murders the head of a resort-workers union to put his own man in the position.

Torello falls in love with a Justice Attorney's former wife, only to find out that the attorney has been molesting his adopted daughter. Molestation charges jeopardizes the Unit's investigation of Luca.

Luca's greedy ploy to take over another casino puts his entire gambling empire in jeopardy.

Luca's jubilation over his growing business turns to fear that his associates are setting him up. Luca's insatiable lust for violence proves his undoing when he rapes Pauli's girlfriend. Pauli testifies for the prosecution in Luca's trial.

After his murder mistrial, Luca clashes with a crime kingpin over plans to split up control of the sinking Luca gambling empire. Pauli changes his mind and rescues Luca from Torello as they hide in a house in the desert, a target site for nuclear testing.