Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, terrific as usual) has to deal with angry store owners who have formed their own vigilante group because they feel that the police haven't down enough to protect them from local criminals. Esterhaus (marvelously played by Michael Conrad) receives a cryptic note from an ex-con he busted. Renko (Charles Haid in excellent angry form) gets steaming mad when the lie detector test for the shooting suspects proves to be inclusive. This episode delivers a few genuinely surprising moments; for example, when Esterhaus confronts ex-con Kermit Trench (a nice portrayal by Ron Feinberg) he turns out to be a repentant born again Christian who in an unexpectedly touching scene asks Esterhaus to forgive him for his past indiscretions. Moreover, this particular show makes the valid point that the media can be a negative catalyst for stirring up the general public by distorting the news they report. Renko has a few strong moments in which he gets on his partner Hill's (Michael Warren) case for shutting him out of his life. Popping up in nifty guest roles are Andrea Marcovicci as trouble-making TV news reporter Cynthia Chase, the ravishing Gale Nash as Belker's (Bruce Weitz) hot date Debbie, Nick Savage as the pickpocket Belker is always busting, and Mark Metcalf as cocky rookie Officer Harris, who in a truly shocking scene meets an abrupt violent end when a hooker he has underestimated cuts his throat with a concealed knife.
3 Reviews
Typically excellent writing.
Hey_Sweden17 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Among the story threads here: Esterhaus ventures outside the station house to confront a nemesis from his past, Kermit Trench (Ron Feinberg), feeling that it's just something "that a man's got to do". Frank asks ex-wife Fay for a favour regarding hard-luck kid Hector. Renko gets upset when lowlife criminal Eddie Hoban takes a polygraph test and it proves inconclusive; he's also keeping a secret from his partner Hill when it comes to his daily routine. And Frank is also concerned that crusading TV newswoman Cynthia Chase (Andrea Marcovicci) has been instigating business owners on a particularly crime-ridden street to resort to vigilantism.
Georg Stanford Brown is in the directors' chair for this riveting episode, written with both grit and heart by series creators Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll (along with Anthony Yerkovich). The script does have something to say about the way that men can sometimes let their ego do their thinking for them. And it maintains the series tradition of balancing drama and humour without things ever getting too, too grim, or overly silly. Bochco, Kozoll, and Yerkovich do acknowledge stories from past episodes in endearing ways. (Fay, making a much less abrasive entrance than what we're used to seeing from her, is careful to point out to everybody that she has no weapon in her possession.) The acting is wonderful from all concerned, with a particularly nice job here by Michael Conrad (a.k.a. Esterhaus). The big confrontation between him and Feinberg turns out to be something highly unexpected, showing that sometimes it is NOT too late for criminal types to experience a change of heart. Charles Haid (Renko) and Michael Warren (Hill) are also especially effective here, with the roster of guest stars also including Mark Metcalf (Officer Harris) and Luis Avalos (concerned business owner Mr. Viatoro).
Finally, no matter what shortcomings a particular character may have, their unfortunate end does bring 'Up in Arms' to a sobering conclusion.
Eight out of 10.
Georg Stanford Brown is in the directors' chair for this riveting episode, written with both grit and heart by series creators Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll (along with Anthony Yerkovich). The script does have something to say about the way that men can sometimes let their ego do their thinking for them. And it maintains the series tradition of balancing drama and humour without things ever getting too, too grim, or overly silly. Bochco, Kozoll, and Yerkovich do acknowledge stories from past episodes in endearing ways. (Fay, making a much less abrasive entrance than what we're used to seeing from her, is careful to point out to everybody that she has no weapon in her possession.) The acting is wonderful from all concerned, with a particularly nice job here by Michael Conrad (a.k.a. Esterhaus). The big confrontation between him and Feinberg turns out to be something highly unexpected, showing that sometimes it is NOT too late for criminal types to experience a change of heart. Charles Haid (Renko) and Michael Warren (Hill) are also especially effective here, with the roster of guest stars also including Mark Metcalf (Officer Harris) and Luis Avalos (concerned business owner Mr. Viatoro).
Finally, no matter what shortcomings a particular character may have, their unfortunate end does bring 'Up in Arms' to a sobering conclusion.
Eight out of 10.
Too Many Cooks
Hitchcoc7 July 2021
Frank is left with everything on his shoulders. A group of shop owners, riled up by a reporter, start a vigilante group. Phil is contacted by a deadly adversary who is just out of prison. Bobby and Renko are still at it when a lie detector forces the sends supposed shooter back on the street. A loudmouth rogue cop won't take no for an answer and pays dearly. Excellent writing and superb storytelling.
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