Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, terrific as ever) angrily agrees to use his men to protect shifty corrupt cop turned informant Ralph Macafee (a pleasingly sleazy portrayal by Dan Hedaya) from a possible assassination attempt. Esterhaus (a wonderfully warm and affable performance by Michael Conrad) has second thoughts about his upcoming marriage to Cindy after Grace Gardner (Barbara Babcock in splendidly bold and sexy form) pays him a visit at the station house. Meanwhile, a gang war breaks out on the streets. The always vibrant and enticing Bancock totally burns up the screen with her sensuous and smoldering presence as Gardner; her big confrontation scene with Esterhaus in the basement of the police station is a sizzling erotic doozy. Hedaya likewise excels as the nervous Macafee; he astutely nails the twitchy paranoia of his character as Macafee slowly, but surely succumbs to blind panic while holed up in a crummy apartment. Betty Thomas as Lucy Bates has some sweet moments talking to potential dates on the phone. Michael Tucker contributes a marvelously engaging turn as charming cat burglar Mr. Heidel. Goldblume (Joe Spano) has a lovely locker room chat with Esterhaus about tying the knot. And the disastrous climactic wedding ceremony is a complete hoot.
3 Reviews
"What's a Belker?" "THIS is a Belker, dog breath."
Hey_Sweden24 November 2020
The men at the Hill lend valuable assistance when a gang war erupts in a different precinct. Esterhaus' pending nuptials are starting to give him pause, especially when his *other* lover, Grace Gardner (the foxy and enticing Barbara Babcock) pays him a visit at the station house. We finally get to see his significant other, Cindy (Lisa Lindgren) at the climactic wedding ceremony. Corrupt detective Macafee (Dan Hedaya, effectively sleazy as he so often is) starts to go mad with paranoia when he believes attempts on his life are imminent. (What he knows could bring down powerful people, and Frank, with extreme reluctance, agrees to the use of some of his people in protecting Macafee.)
Written by actor Alan Rachins ('L.A. Law'), and directed by series producer Gregory Hoblit, this solid episode has plenty of ingratiating humour to help it go down nicely. It also gives star Daniel J. Travanti the chance to do some great, intense acting, as Frank rips the D.A. (Thomas Callaway) a new one for needlessly putting his men in harms' way. Michael Conrad is wonderful as always as Esterhaus, and has a great scene with Joe Spano a.k.a. Goldblume. A delicious guest star turn is provided by a moustachioed Michael Tucker (another future 'L.A. Law' cast member) as an amiable and prolific cat burglar who knows how to tell a good story.
The most memorable moment occurs at about the 32 minute mark, when Grace is determined to utilize her feminine wiles to influence Esterhaus. And the episode is wrapped up in a rather charming and sexy way as Frank and Joyce discuss the possibility of making their relationship known.
Excellent entertainment, as always.
Eight out of 10.
Written by actor Alan Rachins ('L.A. Law'), and directed by series producer Gregory Hoblit, this solid episode has plenty of ingratiating humour to help it go down nicely. It also gives star Daniel J. Travanti the chance to do some great, intense acting, as Frank rips the D.A. (Thomas Callaway) a new one for needlessly putting his men in harms' way. Michael Conrad is wonderful as always as Esterhaus, and has a great scene with Joe Spano a.k.a. Goldblume. A delicious guest star turn is provided by a moustachioed Michael Tucker (another future 'L.A. Law' cast member) as an amiable and prolific cat burglar who knows how to tell a good story.
The most memorable moment occurs at about the 32 minute mark, when Grace is determined to utilize her feminine wiles to influence Esterhaus. And the episode is wrapped up in a rather charming and sexy way as Frank and Joyce discuss the possibility of making their relationship known.
Excellent entertainment, as always.
Eight out of 10.
Nuptials and Beyond
Hitchcoc8 July 2021
Much action focuses around Phil's libido. The aging sergeant decides to finally marry the eighteen year old because she can produce children. This leaves Rose in the lurch and she is having none of it. So it's not surprising when the wedding takes an interesting turn. The more serious stuff has to do with an effort to keep Macafee alive so he can turn state's evidence. More police corruption at the top seems to be at work. Furillo has probably accepted life on the Hill by crossing those who affect his future. Also, D. J. has a rude surprise concerning his Boozamat.
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