Homicide: Life on the Streets question re: seasons five and six

[rachelmanija]

I am just finishing up season five, and was disturbed by the introduction of the loathesome Falsone. I had thought he didn't appear till season seven. I hate him and every other character who appears for the first time in seasons six and seven, except for Giancarlo Esposito, who I don't hate but who I don't think was written very well. Are there any episodes in season six that I should skip because they focus on characters I despise, don't have great moments for characters I love (that would be everyone who was introduced earlier), and aren't essential to the storyline?

And with season seven, which I remember mostly detesting, which episodes are essential and which are skippable? I don't want to miss the lead-up to the series finale (which I loved), but I also don't want to be tortured by horrid episodes that are all about Falsone and the two women that I hate but whose names I don't recall.

Finally, let me just put in my vote regarding the Great Luther Mahoney [spoiler] Controversy: Dirty. The gun was down. And by the way, what a shocker Lewis's behavior was, which I'd forgotten all about.