Hill Street Blues (TV Series) No Body's Perfect (1982) User Reviews

Worthy episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 19 June 2015]

Belker (Bruce Weitz in customary top growly form), LaRue (a sturdy Kiel Martin), and Washington (smoothly essayed by Taureen Blacque) bust drug dealer Sid (a nicely slimy Peter Jurasik). Renko a fiery turn by Charles Haid) attacks Coffey (a fine Ed Marinaro) after he sees Coffey with his ex-girlfriend Teresa (sultry Helen Shaver). Calletino (likable Rene Enriquez) hooks Esterhaus (the ever-delightful Michael Conrad) with a Hispanic immigrant whose visa has expired.

The ongoing story about burn-out coroner Wally Nydorf (an excellent performance by Pat Corley) and his increasing incompetence at his job reaches an inevitable sad conclusion, with Nydorf falling apart on the witness stand while being fiercely grilled by Davenport (a formidable Veronica Hamel) and hence forced into an early retirement. Moreover, Belker gets to show a more thoughtful and sensitive side as he tries to calm down scared gay snitch Eddie (a sympathetic Charles Levin). Hill (a bang-up portrayal by Michael Warren) has a stand-out scene in which he offers moral support to timid rookie Crawford (a terrific Franklyn Seales). And the plot about the governor's missing dog gets a resolved in a hilariously unexpected way.

Going to the Dogs

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 16 July 2021]

The continuing sage of the Lhasa Apso is finally resolved, but not quite so cleanly. Howard Hunter's slipshod life is at the center. Joe and Renko come to blows. Renko's drug bust turns ugly and the guy who helps him (who just happens to be gay) becomes a potential victim. But the central plot line is the medical examiner who screws up a murder case through his incompetence. Frank shows compassion, but old dogs are hard to change.

Every dog has his day.

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 10 February 2023]

One of the best episodes (so far) of this typically excellent season centers around coroner Wally Nydorf (Pat Corley), whose competence is called into question at a pre-trial hearing. Wally tries to stick to his guns, but it's sad watching him try to deny the reality of the situation. Sid (Peter Jurasik) is righteously busted by Mick, J. D., and Neal, and when he spots Eddie (Charles Levin) at the station, he threatens his life. Joe and Andy come to blows over the situation with Teresa (Helen Shaver). And Hill tries his best to help restore confidence to the shaken Officer Crawford (Franklyn Seales).

'No Body's Perfect' is simply as great as this series can get. It has some very powerful moments, with the guest stars doing especially creditable work. In fact, his scene on the witness stand features some of the best acting of character actor Corley's career.

There are some especially touching scenes with Mick and Eddie; the latter makes an unfortunate mistake due to his terror; while Mick can't really forgive him, he still feels sorry for him. Their final moment together here is very affecting. It was also a wonderful moment when J. D. stupidly makes fun of Eddie and Mick rushes to his defense.

More humor is derived from the ridiculous nature of the missing Lhasa Apso; although Jesus makes a big entrance while returning the pooch, it's all for naught in the end due to a dumb move on Howards' part! Barbara Babcock makes another memorable appearance as the foxy and enticing Grace Gardner, but before that, Ray tries to set Phil up with a relative of his - whose VISA is set to expire!

Even in light of these amusing segments, it's the dramatic portions that really make this top-notch episode come to life. In the end, Corley and Seales have left quite the impression indeed.

Eight out of 10.

Fetch? Seriously?

[lirmihn · 1/10 · 12 May 2023]

This otherwise 8-star episode is completely trashed by the propensity of writers who find it a comedic moment to use animal characters suffering as "a light, humorous twist." There is nothing funny about Howard thoughtlessly rolling the just-found Lhasa apso's ball out the window while saying Fetch. I detest the use of contrived death of Hollywood animals as a most-often cheap, sentimental manipulation. It's beyond lazy writing, at best. At worst, it condones animal abuse.

A funny oops moment should not involve pain & death.

Throw a human animal out the window next time & see how funny others find it.