The Hill Street Station erupts into complete chaos after two police officers are shot down in the line of duty. Renko (superbly played by Charles Haid) learns that his cancer-stricken father John (Morgan Wooward) only has days to live. Belker (Bruce Weitz growling it up with his trademark ferocious gusto) gets his driver's license renewed. This episode scores strongest with its fascinatingly complex and intense depiction of the byzantine investigation for the gun that was used in the shooting: Said firearm turns out to be a piece that was lifted from the police property department, Furillo (a typically outstanding Daniel J. Travanti) struggles to maintain his composure throughout and, in an especially powerful scene, has to inform one cop's widow that her husband is dead; and this episode doesn't pull any punches in its candid display of plea bargaining and roughhouse tactics as essential foul means to getting the dirty job done with utmost efficiency. Fortunately, there are a few refreshing humorous moments amid all the despair and pandemonium: Belker takes his annoying driving instructor on a rousing and harrowing car chase when a robbery occurs during his road test and Nick Savage makes another welcome amusing appearance as the ubiquitous Pickpocket who's always getting busted by Belker. Character actor Tracey Walter has a neat guest role as wormy snitch Sammy. And it's nice to see LaRue (solid work from Kiel Martin) participating in the investigation despite still being relegated to the motor pool.
3 Reviews
"How'd you like an ear for breakfast, dog breath?"
Hey_Sweden18 February 2022
The main story thread of this rock-solid episode is the killing of two uniformed cops, who were investigating suspicious activity in a stereo store. One cop dies outright, the other ends up in surgery. It turns out that the murder weapon was once in police custody, and has changed hands a couple of times over the last two years. Meanwhile, Renko is so troubled by the toxic relationship between him and his father that it's affecting his work behavior.
'The Shooter' punches across some real home truths. It's a dangerous world that these characters inhabit, cops and crooks alike. If a lowlife wants to get their hands on a weapon, they can do so. Even Joyce has resorted to carrying a gun in her handbag; although she doesn't like the thing, she simply refuses to be helpless in a life-or-death situation. Also, it's never easy for a person in Franks' position when they have to inform a cops' loved ones that they died on the job. This results in a devastating scene where the dead cops' widow is furious and refuses to be consoled.
Fortunately, it's not all dead-serious. For one thing, Belker once again nabs the character Pickpocket (the ever-hilarious Nick Savage), who gives his name as "Jean-Claude Killy" when he's caught with ski equipment. Later, Belker is taking his driving test, and naturally takes off after a perp when they rob a store right in front of him. The best part is when Belker shows that his eyesight is much better than the tester thinks: he reads the FINE PRINT on an eye chart!
It's nice once again to see a chipper J. D. who seems to have his act in order. He even helps out in the investigation when he threatens to stick an informant (the fantastic, ubiquitous "Hey, it's that guy" character actor Tracey Walter ("Repo Man", "The Silence of the Lambs")) in a dryer!
The excellent roster of guest stars also includes Alley Mills and Morgan Woodward (once again playing Renkos' sister and father), Alan North of 'Police Squad!', this time on the other side of the law, George Murdock ('Barney Miller'), Robert Phalen ("Halloween" '78), Lee Weaver (who would go on to a recurring role on the series as Buck Naked), and Arnold Johnson ("Putney Swope").
Directed by Thomas Carter, who guided nine episodes of the series in total.
Eight out of 10.
'The Shooter' punches across some real home truths. It's a dangerous world that these characters inhabit, cops and crooks alike. If a lowlife wants to get their hands on a weapon, they can do so. Even Joyce has resorted to carrying a gun in her handbag; although she doesn't like the thing, she simply refuses to be helpless in a life-or-death situation. Also, it's never easy for a person in Franks' position when they have to inform a cops' loved ones that they died on the job. This results in a devastating scene where the dead cops' widow is furious and refuses to be consoled.
Fortunately, it's not all dead-serious. For one thing, Belker once again nabs the character Pickpocket (the ever-hilarious Nick Savage), who gives his name as "Jean-Claude Killy" when he's caught with ski equipment. Later, Belker is taking his driving test, and naturally takes off after a perp when they rob a store right in front of him. The best part is when Belker shows that his eyesight is much better than the tester thinks: he reads the FINE PRINT on an eye chart!
It's nice once again to see a chipper J. D. who seems to have his act in order. He even helps out in the investigation when he threatens to stick an informant (the fantastic, ubiquitous "Hey, it's that guy" character actor Tracey Walter ("Repo Man", "The Silence of the Lambs")) in a dryer!
The excellent roster of guest stars also includes Alley Mills and Morgan Woodward (once again playing Renkos' sister and father), Alan North of 'Police Squad!', this time on the other side of the law, George Murdock ('Barney Miller'), Robert Phalen ("Halloween" '78), Lee Weaver (who would go on to a recurring role on the series as Buck Naked), and Arnold Johnson ("Putney Swope").
Directed by Thomas Carter, who guided nine episodes of the series in total.
Eight out of 10.
A Day in the Life
Hitchcoc13 July 2021
When a police officer is killed, it sets things in motions and brings out the emotions. Furillo is furious about the pointless deaths. There is a sad scene where he has to tell the widow of the dead man that her husband has died. There is nothing he can say to deflect her fury. There is a continued effort to find the gun and connect it to someone. LaRue isn't back but working his way. There is a great scene where Belker, while taking his road test, takes off in the student car, with his supervisor in tow.
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