Hill Street Blues (TV Series) Parting Is Such Sweep Sorrow (1984) User Reviews

Goodbye to Phil

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 20 July 2021]

Lucy has a shaky first day in Phil's position but gets the hang of it as hell breaks loose. Rencko gets a hernia lifting a 300 pound plus woman out of a bathtub. The liberal judge keeps releasing prisoners who commit more crimes the minute they leave. Daniels gets some food for thought at the end of the episode. Finally, there is a touching scene where the guys get together to scatter Phil's ashes on a back street.

Fine episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 6 April 2016]

Bates (an excellent Betty Thomas) takes over as roll call sergeant. Pimp Lester (a stand-out performance by Clarence Williams III) turns himself in only to be confronted by a professional hit-man (a fearsome portrayal by Drew Snyder). Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, splendid as usual) scatters Esterhaus's ashes on the Hill in an informal ceremony.

The subplot about overcrowding criminals in cells at Hill Station conveys a strong and jarring sense of total pandemonium. The punk extras at a murder site and a gay black male nurse are both total hoots. Moreover, there are funny bits by Diana Bellamy as a fat lady stuck in a bathtub and Lee Weaver as jolly flasher Buck Naked. The strained relationship between Coffey (ably played by Ed Marinaro) and his fragile girlfriend Sandy (a moving Linda Hamilton) is handled with great sensitivity. A conversation between Goldblume (sturdy Joe Spano) and Fay (impressive work from Barbara Bosson) likewise proves to be quite thoughtful and affecting. And the ceremony for Esterhaus concludes everything on a poignant note.