As usual we have some interesting stuff going on. The search for the dog seems to have ended with a deal being made. The Phantom is apparently more complex that it appears. Teresa wants to break it off with Andy. Everything she says about him is the absolute truth. Coffey gets involved, making the ending a bit of a mystery. Phil gets the nerve to finally ask Grace to marry him, after his ring is stolen from the jewelry store.
3 Reviews
Sound episode
Woodyanders2 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Esterhaus (the delightful Michael Conrad) asks Grace (marvelous Barbara Babcock) to marry him. Martinze (robustly essayed with swaggering bravado by Trinidad Silva) claims to know the whereabouts of the governor's kidnapped dog, but wants something in return for disclosing the information. Theresa (sultry Helen Shaver) breaks up with Renko (an excellent Charles Haid) and goes after Coffey (likable Ed Marinaro). Irascible coroner Nydorf (ably played with peppery aplomb by Pat Corley) accidentally cremates a body needed for a homicide investigation.
Director David Anspaugh keeps the eventful and absorbing story moving along at a snappy pace. The compact script by David Milch and Michael Wagner offers some neat insights into the severe damaging consequences of gross incompetence concerning the cremation of the corpse. Moreover, there's some funny business about a prank involving the "phantom of the hill" that's played on a bunch of rookies and scruffy Belker (Bruce Weitz in top growly form) has a hilarious scene in which he goes to a jewelry store to run an errand for Esterhaus. Washington (a superb performance by Taureen Blacque) has a stand-out speech in which he candidly talks about shooting an innocent man by mistake. In addition, Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, splendid as usual) has a touching moment with Esterhaus when Esterhaus comes to talk with Furillo after Grace turns his marriage proposal down.
Director David Anspaugh keeps the eventful and absorbing story moving along at a snappy pace. The compact script by David Milch and Michael Wagner offers some neat insights into the severe damaging consequences of gross incompetence concerning the cremation of the corpse. Moreover, there's some funny business about a prank involving the "phantom of the hill" that's played on a bunch of rookies and scruffy Belker (Bruce Weitz in top growly form) has a hilarious scene in which he goes to a jewelry store to run an errand for Esterhaus. Washington (a superb performance by Taureen Blacque) has a stand-out speech in which he candidly talks about shooting an innocent man by mistake. In addition, Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, splendid as usual) has a touching moment with Esterhaus when Esterhaus comes to talk with Furillo after Grace turns his marriage proposal down.
More excellent television.
Hey_Sweden2 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Esterhaus has worked up the nerve to ask Grace to marry him, and he entrusts Belker with the task of picking up the ring - only for the ring to get stolen right under Belkers' nose. The so-called "Phantom" continues to terrorize cops and citizens alike from the sewers. Renko's girlfriend Teresa (Helen Shaver) tells him that she wants to break up; she's already developed an interest in Coffey. Jesus (Trinidad Silva) comes to the station to reveal knowledge of the kidnapped dogs' whereabouts, but he wants something special in return. Eddie (Charles Levin) has become absolutely terrified of his lover, and Belker, with great reluctance, agrees that Eddie can stay at his place. Finally, over-worked, stressed-out coroner Wally Nydorf (Pat Corley) screws up again and cremates a body that was crucial in making a case against a suspect.
One of the things that this viewer found affecting about this episode was how I was able to sympathize with a number of the characters, especially Esterhaus at the end. What was also quite interesting was seeing how intimidating Esterhaus could be when very angry with someone, as he starts demolishing a wooden chair in front of the jewel thiefs' partner.
Not that every element of the script is that serious or sobering: the "Phantom" subplot seems to be resolved with a comic twist (which is then followed by another dramatic sequence as Crawford (Franklyn Seales) questions whether he is really cut out to be a cop). Hunter is visibly repulsed and indignant when a dog brought into the station house has urinated on him. And Frank & Joyce have an amusing, unexpected encounter with Fay and the judge who'd been presiding over the case of her traffic accident.
As always, 'Hill Street Blues' has done an admirable job of telling potent dramatic stories while injecting moments of humor that never get too silly.
Eight out of 10.
One of the things that this viewer found affecting about this episode was how I was able to sympathize with a number of the characters, especially Esterhaus at the end. What was also quite interesting was seeing how intimidating Esterhaus could be when very angry with someone, as he starts demolishing a wooden chair in front of the jewel thiefs' partner.
Not that every element of the script is that serious or sobering: the "Phantom" subplot seems to be resolved with a comic twist (which is then followed by another dramatic sequence as Crawford (Franklyn Seales) questions whether he is really cut out to be a cop). Hunter is visibly repulsed and indignant when a dog brought into the station house has urinated on him. And Frank & Joyce have an amusing, unexpected encounter with Fay and the judge who'd been presiding over the case of her traffic accident.
As always, 'Hill Street Blues' has done an admirable job of telling potent dramatic stories while injecting moments of humor that never get too silly.
Eight out of 10.
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