Mon, Mar 3rd, 2008
07:00 Starsky And Hutch
08:00 Hunter
09:00 Andy Barker PI
09:30 The Evidence
10:30 Seinfeld
Starsky And Hutch. Season 2, Episode 14. Despite some very corny elements (and a lot of improbably coincidences) this is a very strong (very dark) episode of the series. A 19 year old girl (with the mental age of 10) is raped en route to her birthday party. She also happens to be a close friend of Starsky and Hutch (and pretty much all the other cops in the city - sheesh!). Normally, making the cops personally involved in their cases annoys the frak out of me, but this is one of the few times that it is almost justified. Almost. The episode opens with a classic Starsky And Hutch scene. Hutch uses Starsky's clothes in a bundle to enter a laundrymat where hostages have been taken and Starsky is forced to burst in wearing nothing but a towel. It's a funny, silly scene. But it illustrates the appeal of the series: two friends having fun and lots of action. The rape storyline allows the show to pause for several "heartwarming" scenes before (at mid-way point) Starsky And Hutch have captured the rapists. At this point things take a surprising turn and we see how the system fails to protect the girl who was attacked. Our heroes frustration with the system takes up the latter half of the episode and makes for very enjoyable viewing, as they break down doors and cause a fuss until thay have bullied the DA into trying the case on their terms. There's a lovely scene at the end when the girl in question, having overheard lots of stuff about her at the hearing, tries to come to terms for the first time ever with the fact that she is never ever going to grow any older. She laments the cards that fate has dealt her. And it is Starsky who comes to the rescue, making a strong case for the joys of never having to grow up. Starsky is the perfect character to do this. And the scene is a gem. Great performances from Diana Scarwid and Paul Michael Glaser.
Hunter. Season 3, Episode 1. My favourite cop show of all time. Together with Columbo and Kojak (who I think of as being in slightly different genres). The third season premier offers up all that is great about the show: Scenes of banter/chemistry between Hunter and McCall, a well-told story for a case-of-the-week, and scenes with all the best supporting characters.
Michael Wren plays a reporter with a vendetta against Hunter, as a consequence of a run-in at the start of the episode. As the story unfolds, the reporter realises that someone is out to get him. At first he thinks it is Hunter. Hunter and McCall, meanwhile, are more concerned with solving the case they were working on at the start of the episode (as well as dodging the media storm that is new brewing up around Hunter since he started to appear nightly on the 6 o'clock news). There's a wonderful scene where the reporter, having survived a gun attack on his life, shows up at Hunter's home to have it out. As they talk, Hunter figures out that something is really going on and offers the hand of friendship. Only to take it away very quickly when the reporter continues to act like a jerk. The reporter leaves. Then pauses outside. Slowly, coming to the realisation that Hunter is not the enemy after all. It's a great scene. The two characters eventually reach a truce, but the story has a few more very enjoyable twists. Great performance from Alex Courtney at the very end. Hunter at it's best. A+
Andy Barker PI. Episode 6. It started strong, and will always hold a special place in my heart, but this series really faded out at the end. These final two episodes have been very light on laughs.
The Evidence. Episode 6. One of the best cops shows of the last decade. A solid buddy cop show, with great stories week-after-week. Which, of course, sank without trace in the ratings. Anyway, this sixth outing finds the boys on the trail of a stolen bottle of wine. The chemistry between the two male leads is fantasic, the series has a great visual style (lots of wide shots taking in the whole cityscape behind them) and a lot of strong guest stars.
Seinfeld. Season 8, Episode 21. Lots to love here. Mainly Kramer setting up a reality tour of his own life and taking people on a long arduous bus ride to nowhere. George also pretends to be new in the city so he can date a girl.
Highlight? Hunter.
Starsky And Hutch, Hunter, Andy Barker PI, The Evidence, Seinfeld
