 Meanwhile , although Munch ( Richard Belzer ) is cynical and despairing over his recent break @-@ up with ex @-@ girlfriend Felicia , the normally @-@ grumpy Bolander ( Ned Beatty ) is unusually cheerful as a result of his budding romantic relationship with Linda ( Julianna Margulies ) , a much younger ( 26 @-@ year @-@ old ) waitress . Nervous about his first real date with her , Bolander asks Howard ( Melissa Leo ) to go on a double @-@ date with him , along with Howard 's boyfriend , prosecuting attorney Ed Danvers ( Željko Ivanek ) . The double date goes well until a lonely Munch crashes , joins the table and ruins the mood of the evening complaining about his romantic woes . Bolander , Munch and Linda leave together and walk to Fort McHenry , where Linda offers Munch words of encouragement . Impressed with her , Munch leaves Linda and Bolander alone , where they happily watch a fireworks show . 
