Peter Caine (Chris Potter) is one-quarter Chinese, and is a Metro Division police detective, call sign "Baker-19." He is considered to be a marksman. He is left-handed, and wears his police revolver on his right hip. He wears a silver and onyx ring on his right hand. Peter is also afraid of heights.
Peter grew up watching Hill Street Blues and The Rockford Files, and wanted to be "one of the good guys." Peter defines himself as a cop, but when Caine reenters his life after so many years, he is forced to come to terms with the person that he was, seeking spiritual enlightenment, Caine's son. It is not an easy reconciliation for him, surrounded as he is by violence, and he believes his father to be ashamed of him. In "Rain's Only Friend," when Peter attempts to resign the police force after his actions result in the wounding of an innocent bystander, Caine convinces him that he is still the same person he was as a child, only more so, and that love is not conditional on approval. Peter also has a deeply-rooted sense of abandonment, first by his mother, then Caine, then other people in his life like his first real love, Jenine. In "The Bardo," Caine helped Peter to come to terms with this, helping him find some peace of mind.
One of his favorite drinks is a martini with "just a breath of vermouth." He also drinks light beer and eats "souvlaki burgers," chili and burritos. Caine has suggested that what he eats is every bit as dangerous as what he does.
At the temple, Peter had his own room, with a single bed and posters on the walls.
He lives in a hi-rise apartment which is said to have two bedrooms, though we've only seen evidence of one. It's decorated fairly modern, bluish-gray walls, red walls in the bedroom, photo-prints on the walls, a bookshelf containing such titles as "The Zen of Archery." There are three Kung Fu statuettes on one shelf, and one of Peter's prized possession in his living room was his train set, which took up a full corner of the room. The train set disappeared in later seasons.
Peter was twelve years old when the temple was destroyed; after the death of his father's fellow priest, Ping Hai, he lived at the Pineridge Orphanage. At around age 15, he met Captain Paul Blaisdell. Peter elected to cut math class to attend Blaisdell's lecture, thereby changing both their lives. Blaisdell took Peter under his wing, eventually becoming his foster father and sponsoring him in the Police Academy. In his later adolescence, he was recognized as a part of the Blaisdell family, and considers Paul Blaisdell's wife Annie to be his mother, and their daughters Carolyn and Kelly his sisters.
Peter once took a course in bomb disposal, but slept through most of it. Peter was also sent to Washington, D.C. by Blaisdell for a course in undercover work, where he met Paul Caldrin ("I Never Promised You A Rose Garden").
Following graduation from the Academy, Peter flew Cessnas out of the Clayfield Airport.
Peter consistently irritates his father by calling him "Pop." Caine told Peter that slapping him "pushes the lesson in."
Peter's desk is in the squad room, as opposed to a private office, and he has a computer on the desk. Peter carries a 9mm Beretta and works at the 101st precinct. He drives a black corvette convertible (1st season), and a Dodge Stealth (2nd season). When someone (in "Shaman") comments on how a cop can afford such a flash car, he reveals he bought it (the Corvette) at a police auction. Peter has a reputation for being something of a loose cannon.
Although for many years, Peter eschewed the teachings of his father, once Caine returns, Peter began to rediscover his early teachings. Over time, his kung fu skills improved, until at last, he passed the test given him by the Chinese council in "Redemption" to become a "bojaya" or protector to the royal heir. Peter depends on his gun for protection in difficult situations, but he was forced to relinquish his weapon in order to protect the prince; instead, he depended on his newly-awakened kung fu skills.
Peter took and passed the lieutenant's exam in "Citizen Caine," but elected to remain a detective at the 101st.
In "Destiny," at the end of the third season, Peter chose to complete his Shaolin training, earning the right to ascend to the priesthood. Moments before he would have taken the final step, Peter realized that his destiny was to remain a police officer, something his father had always known.
Fortunately for the opposite sex, Peter is not generally the kiss- and-die type. However, he seems unable to maintain a stable long- term relationship with any one woman.
In "Reunion," we learned that Valerie Mitchell (Cali Timmons) was Peter's first crush. When Valerie told him he didn't know she had a crush on him as well, he pointed out he did, but didn't know what to do with it. Peter was seen going out with Valerie at the end of "Reunion."
We saw Peter's "first real love" Jenine (from when he was in the police academy), in "The Bardo." Apparently, Jenine terminated the relationship, for which Peter continued to feel bitter.
It was also implied that he and Kira Blakemore (Belinda Metz) knew each other previously at the police academy, and had possibly dated in the past. In "Shadow Assassin," they were developing a romance when she was killed by the Shadow Assassin.
Club singer Carol Hastings (Tamara Bernier), another of Peter's exes, was brought out in "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden." He apparently dropped her when he met Tyler, and he claimed that Tyler slapped the opposite side of his face that Carol slapped.
In "Initiation," he had recently broken off an engagement with Tyler Smith (Marla Schaffel), a rock-and-roll singer who accused him of being crazy. She appeared again in "Sunday at the Hotel with George," singing at the wedding reception for Peter's foster sister, Carolyn. She told him that he might yet convince her to marry him, and not to stop trying. Although this was the last time we see Tyler, she was mentioned again in "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden."
In "Pai Gow," he began to get involved with a beautiful Chinese woman named Jennifer Sung (Betsy Soo), who worked for an out-of-town magazine (possibly as an editor), so their relationship never becomes developed.
While consoling Dancing Moon (Lisa LaCroix) in "Shaman" after the death of her brother, Peter ended up kissing her, too, and it appeared that there could be a relationship there. She never appeared in the series again, however.
In "Out of the Woods," he met and dated Mel (Deborah Duchene).
Peter's mother, Laura Katherine Caine (Eve Crawford), died on March 7, 1966, and is buried near the grounds of the Shaolin Temple in Braniff, CA. (There is reason to believe that the stonesmith who carved the headstone was dyslexic, since March 6, 1967 makes much greater sense in terms of timeline!) Peter carries in his wallet a photo of his mother, given to him by Caine at the temple. Laura always wore a yellow flower in her hair. Caine described Laura as looking like the actress Rhonda Fleming, but when Peter asked who that was, Caine instructed him to "watch the late show." Although outside contact was limited, Peter obviously had access to television, and on one occasion, was caught playing a portable video game in the temple. On their return to the temple in 1994, Caine found a locket containing a picture of Laura and a picture of Laura and Peter, and gave it to Peter. In "Dragonswing II," the timeline concerning Laura becomes even more confused, when Caine visits the Shaolin Temple in 1967 to meet with the Dalai Lama, and tells him that Laura has been dead three months, and that Peter is two years old at the time.
Captain Paul Blaisdell (Robert Lansing) has a mysterious past, and there are rumors of covert government activities. He told Peter that there is history between him and the FBI in "Dragonswing." He took a leave of absence during the Gulf War, giving rise to rumors that he was advising Swartzkopf on strategy. Paul Blaisdell's past is shrouded in mystery. There have been hints about the the CIA, Peter refered to him as an "old mercenary," and he himself admitted to "having a history." In "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden," he showed up with an arm in a sling, apparently from having taken a bullet. But he would not say how or where. There are also rumors of the killing of a top terrorist in Nambia linked to Blaisdell. Strenlich frequently referred to Blaisdell as "the old man." Blaisdell seemed to have adjusted to Caine's return better than anyone, and had expressed concern to both Peter and Caine on their adjustment.
Blaisdell hinted at the brutality of his old profession in "Gang of Three." We learned that he was once in charge of a mercenary wing, Falcon's Wing, in "Retribution," when he was set up by members of that wing to frame him for the murder of another member of the wing. Following the capture of the real murderer, Blaisdell resigned the force and left the city in order to tame his own demons. The Blaisdell character was supposed to return in the episode "Manhunt" slated for the third season, but the script was rewritten when actor Robert Lansing died of cancer in October, 1994. The Blaisdell character has been referred to several times in the third season, especially by Peter, Captain Simms, and Kermit, who had been brought to the 101st by Blaisdell.
Annie Blaisdell (Janet-Laine Green), his wife, has been blind since she was 3 months old. They met on a blind date set up by Steadman (Patrick MacNee). They were halfway through the meal before Paul realized his "blind date" was really blind. She is intuitive with heightened sensitivities to make up for her blindness (she "sees" Caine, she hears fingertips, etc.). She often refers to herself as "the blind chick." Her relationship with Paul Blaisdell is close and loving; Paul calls her "darling" and sometimes "babe." She's the only mother Peter has ever known and he's absolutely devoted to her. She appeared in "Sunday at the Hotel with George," "Blind Eye" and "Retribution." According to the series bible, she is Blaisdell's second wife, and stepmother to at least Carolyn Blaisdell McCall, if not Kelly Blaisdell as well. Since the death of Robert Lansing, the Annie Blaisdell character has only been mentioned, and has not appeared again.
Paul and Annie Blaisdell have two daughters, Carolyn Blaisdell McCall (Kim Nelles) (married to Todd McCall in "Sunday at the Hotel with George") and Kelly Blaisdell (Jhene Erwin) (a student who still lives at home). Both girls consider Peter to be their brother. They both appeared in "Blind Eye" and "Retribution" as well. Carolyn also appeared in the episodes "Manhunt" and "Eye Witness," both without Annie and Kelly. In "Eye Witness," Carolyn was pregnant with her first child, although she was unhappy that her husband Todd was constantly travelling.
Mary Margaret Skalany (Victoria Snow) was introduced in "Rain's Only Friend") as Peter's partner on the night shift. She and Caine felt an immediate connection and attracted, and went out to dinner for the first time at the end of that episode. She and Caine continue to torment Peter with indications of flirtation ("May I Ride With You"). She also appeared in "Laurie's Friend," "The Bardo," "Gang of Three," "Aspects of the Soul," "Retribution," "Rite of Passage," "Manhunt," "Target," "Quake!" (during which she was saved from the damaged precinct by Blake), "Cruise Missiles," "Banker's Hours," and "Brotherhood of the Bell." The relationship between Caine and Skalany has continued to deepen, to the point where Skalany has become open about her feelings toward Caine, and Peter more accepting of those feelings.
Kira's sister, Jody Powell (Belinda Metz) was introduced in "Only the Strong Survive," although she appeared in an episode aired earlier, "The Ancient Lottery," as well as "The Innocent" and "Retribution." In the third season, she appeared in "Plague," teaming up with Kermit while the Caine boys battle rats, "Return of Sing-Ling," "Citizen Caine," "Quake," and "Eye Witness." They were deliberately partnered by Blaisdell because Peter continued to blame himself for Kira's death, while Jody had long since relinquished that concept. In "Quake," Jody admitted to feelings toward Peter, but later recanted them after the crisis is over. She appeared in other episodes, as well, including "Cruise Missiles" and others.
The third season introduces the new captain of the 101st Precinct, Captain Karen Simms (Kate Trotter). She's a no-nonsense professional with a flashy clothes sense. She has been seen so far in "Rite of Passage," in which she both dressed down Peter for his lackadaisical attitude, and praised him as her best homicide detective, "Return of Sing-Ling," "Manhunt," "Citizen Caine," "Quake," and "Eye Witness." Simms and Strenlich have a strained working relationship that is gradually working itself out. In "Quake," Simms learned enough about Kermit to become intrigued; the eventual direction of this relationship is still to be determined.
Chief Frank Strenlich (William Dunlop) is an ex- Marine, and his wife's name is Molly, with whom he partners in bridge. He is the Chief of Detectives. There are indications of marital discord in "Tournament," but when he is critically injured in "Warlord," his wife Molly demonstrates that she is deeply in love with him. They were married in Las Vegas, and have several children and dogs. He favors dark colors in his wardrobe. He also has a private office off the squad room. Strenlich's father was also a cop.
Detective Kermit Griffin (Scott Wentworth) wears dark green glasses and rarely leaves his computer. He also tends to wear white socks, white shirts, and dark suits with a tie. He has a private office that is loaded with computer equipment, disks, and a weapon to protect them. He has a sister named Marilyn (mentioned in "Out of the Woods" and "Quake!" and finally revealed in "Demons"). Kermit is also an uncle to Marilyn's two children. He has at least one ex-wife, who apparently sent him a "Dear John" letter posthumously (believing he'd been killed in Afghanistan). There are hints of a past for Kermit as well, and he has been known to warn people that he is "a dangerous person." Kermit smokes, eats gummy bears, and wears a pocket protector. He's not sure if he got his name from wearing green glasses day and night, or his voice. In "Sunday at the Museum with George," we learned that he knew Blaisdell before the force, and in fact learned how to take out an assailant without losing his sunglasses from Blaisdell. Kermit's weapon of choice is a Desert Eagle (not a Glock as originally thought), although he tends to prefer mounting his attacks from the PC. In "Rite of Passage" and "Plague," we learn more about Kermit's mercenary past, including the fact that he and Blaisdell worked together in Afghanistan. Kermit also appeared in "Manhunt," helping Peter to evade the Federal Marshalls, and in "Chinatown Murder Mystery." Kermit was apparently once in the arms business, legend has it that he never allows his adversaries to see his eyes, and he drives a lime-green Corvair convertible. In "Quake," we learned that Kermit joined the police force to escape into the bureaucracy. Clues about Kermit continue to be dropped from time to time. He also appeared in "Cruise Missiles," and once worked with the villain of that episode (Selenger, when he was with the CIA) and "Banker's Hours," which featured an old friend from his spy days, John Durham.
Dr. Nicholas J. Elder (David Hewlett) - Nickie to his friends - is the county coroner, and a friend of Peter's. Obsessed with meeting women, Nickie is always asking Peter's advice. He drove a Volvo he bought for his mother, and asks Peter's advice on a sexy car. Caine picks one out for him. It is Nick's technical expertise that exposes the frame-up of Peter Caine in "Manhunt." He appeared in several other episodes, including "Magic Trick," "The Innocent," and "Citizen Caine." Nickie is a soap fan, and has a TV in his office in the Coroner's Building. Nickie put aside plans for his vacation in "The Promise" to help Peter break into the coroner's office in the small town where Caine was visiting, and helped demonstrate that the malpractice case under question was in fact a murder.
Other recurring characters in the precinct are:
Also at the precinct are Detective Marvin Katz (Robert King), and John Broderick (John Bourgeois), the desk sergeant. Broderick is reputed to hold a "tight front line" and governs the front desk with an iron hand. He was one of the precinct buddies playing cards at Peter's apartment in "Dragonswing II." When Captain Simms took over the 101st, she greeted Broderick by telling him she'd heard that he keeps a tight front line; Broderick is apparently well-respected within the force.
Peter's snitch is Donny Double D (Michael Rhoades), a con man of quite a bit of style and chutzpa. Articulate, at times even magniloquent, Donny trusts Peter, and the two men have an odd sort of friendship. Donny also knows Eppy, but doesn't trust him as far as he can throw him. Donny's father was a sea captain, and by the time he was 11, he had seen all the major ports in the world. He wants to own his own boat, and sail away forever. His girlfriend Lula (Starvoula Logothettis) is even more entertaining, as she's at least 4 inches taller than Donny and dressed in leather and frequently revealing clothing. In "Gang of Three," Donny was threatened into proposing marriage to Lula, and asked Peter to be his best man (Peter readily accepts). In "Plague," the wedding still had not taken place, but Donny's feelings for Lula are clearly sincere - when the disease struck her, he was frightened for her life. Donny and Lula were finally married in "Cruise Missiles," with Peter acting as best man, and Caine officiating.
Peter has also become friendly with
Bartender Terry (Matt Trueman) started out at the Agrippa Club in "Inititiation," later moved to the Ambrosia Club. He also did the honors at Carolyn Blaisdell McCall's wedding, making Caine a "grasshopper." He now tends bar at Chandler's. It's possible that he's the owner or manager of Chandler's, since he is always there, seems to be in charge of the wait staff, and was holding down the fort during "Quake."
Channel 3 Newswoman Sandra Mason (Catherine Blythe), first introduced in the first season episode, "Secret Place," may not be a friend of Peter Caine's, but in "Target," she told him she'd like to be. She appears sporadically throughout the series, usually shoving a microphone in Peter's face and giving him a hard time. In "Target," after Peter saved her life from an assassin who'd taken her hostage, she became his biggest fan.
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