Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2.fluke 9/24/84; site colossus.fluke.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!fluke!moriarty From: moriarty@fluke.UUCP (Jeff Meyer) Newsgroups: net.tv Subject: Re: Hill street blues (2/13) (and a hint of things to come) Message-ID: <2714@colossus.fluke.UUCP> Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 11:52:43 EST Article-I.D.: colossus.2714 Posted: Thu Feb 20 11:52:43 1986 Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 05:29:53 EST References: <135@valid.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA Lines: 85 >This episode was really a let-down for me. Maybe I have unrealistic >expectations, but when the show's emotional anchor is put in a life- >threatening situation, I expect heart-wrenching stuff. This episode >blew some good capital by trivializing the crisis. Hmm... I have to think this is one of the better episodes I've seen this year. The suspense of Frank living or dying is really not there (Travanti is the main character of the show), so instead of suspense, we're given a look at characters reactions and the flashback. As for the reactions, I particularly liked Mick (and the pinch he gives the guy he planning to "pop" with the words "I like MY job, too!"); and thought Joyce's final emotional release VERY good -- this is a character who keeps under control when it can be of help, but this ending (and the music that accompanied it) was trying to go against a trivial "gosh, happy ending 'cause everyone's OK" finale. I also enjoyed the flashbacks, as this was a period where we've never even been given a hint of how they met. Frank's quiet attitude was particularly noticable from his present demeanor. > - Sgt. Bunz was quite good when attempting to console Joyce: a > very intriguing brew of sympathy, mysticism, and lechery. > And Joyce's reaction of being comforted and revulsed was also > good. An excellent step in Sgt. Bunz's character development. > However, they blew the credibility with his "Dead-eye Dick" > shooting at the end of the episode. Totally agreed on the character; Buntz is so really coming off as a rich charcter. His humor and some of his mannerisms are pretty slimy, but with the episode where he tells his old partner to bugger off, I've gotten the impression that he transferred to the Hill for the "better environment", i.e. a chance to become more like the cop he wants to be. Of course, he also believes that he should be able to bend rules however he feels, which is a dangerous attitude in anyone; but Buntz has (as he tells Joyce) amazing instinct, and even when he crosses the line of the law, he seems to stick to his own code (legally and morally, the hunting of the street punk in a previous episode was wrong; however, the character was not particularly pleasant in his own right, so no one loses much sleep over his demise). However, I did like the way Buntz reacted with the "Deadeye Dick" routine -- laughing at the shot. This seems to be how he release tension. > - And the fact that they "got their man" was very disappointing. > It continues the recent trend of wrapping up stories in a single > episode, usually with the bad guy squarely behind bars. I can > watch "Dragnet" reruns if I need a dose of that old schlock. I agree that I would have also liked to see this extended (hope the captain isn't up and around by next episode). > - The "lone nut" is the same guy who played a recurring character > on Barney Miller. Basically the guy would be arrested for > making a public disturbance, brought down to the station house, > and reveal some horrible secret about himself. One time he > believed he was a werewolf; another time he was possessed by Satan. > Anyway, the character's name was Mr. Laszlo; in the HSB episode, > he impersonated a harness bull named Officer Laszlo. Cute stuff. Nice connection with the Laszlos; but the character he played in this episode came from a previous episode where he attempted to assasinate Ozzie Clevelend. My big objection to this episode is that Henry didn't spot this guy right off -- he certainly remembers him, as Henry lets the guy go, and almost gets the new mayor shot because of it. He also describes (in this episode) the assasin as previously trying to kill a "minor local official". Ozzie is a minor local official? What's a major one? Still, as you point out, Laszlo is obviously another MTM in-joke (I thought St. Elsewhere had a patent on them...) ONE FINAL NOTE: Expect to see a rather major event on the next (2/27) episode. I wish the person who told me hadn't told me, as it has spoiled it for me; but I want to preserve the surprise for you. "Queensboro president Donald Mannis, charged with receiving bribes in exchange for city contracts, resigned on Tuesday. Mannis feels he must devote more time to impending litigation, some of which might eminate from a recent statement he made comparing New York Mayor Ed Koch to Nazi Martin Bormann. A spokesman from the Bormann estate said they are weighing the odds of a slander suit. Mayor Koch could naturally be reached for comment, but we chose not to listen." -- Dennis Miller Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer ARPA: fluke!moriarty@uw-beaver.ARPA UUCP: {uw-beaver, sun, allegra, sb6, lbl-csam}!fluke!moriarty <*> DISCLAIMER: Do what you want with me, but leave my employers alone! <*>