We have some stories brought to closure (as much as possible) here. Hill and Renko go on the road with James Cromwell and Officer McBear, visiting schools and parks. The bear proves a claw in the side. Henry finally begins to see things clearly. Furillo stands firm against a crooked cop who has been assigned to the hill. Next, Frank reveals a secret that is very sad for him to admit. Stan signs a waiver which says he left the hospital of his own free will. Two seasons to go.
3 Reviews
Worthy closer for the fifth season
Woodyanders10 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Garilbaldi (solid Ken Olin) takes legal action to stop the drug test screenings. Belker (top work by Bruce Weitz) nails two high-ranking officers in his undercover operation. Hill (likeable Michael Warren) and Renko (an amusing Charles Haid) are put in charge of a bear. Goldblume (a fine Joe Spano) takes care of Gina's estate.
The business with the bear provides a few good laughs along with one genuine shock when said bear attacks a person. Moreover, once again we get the usual convoluted bureaucratic red tape making things difficult for officers to either do their work or maintain any sense of integrity, with Furillo (the always terrific Daniel J. Travanti) butting heads with shifty deputy chief Briscoe (a superbly slimy Andy Romano). It's also nice to see Goldblume reconcile with Furillo and remain on amicable terms with Fay (a lovely turn by Barbara Bosson). In addition, Furillo's continual struggle with his alcoholism adds additional dramatic punch. This episode further benefits from sturdy guest contributions from James Cromwell as animal trainer Lowenhandler, Basil Hoffman as smarmy lawyer Ed Greenglass, and Stephen Macht as smooth corrupt detective Dugan, plus Darwin Joston of "Assault on Precinct 13" fame has a nifty bit at the end as a recovering alcoholic at an AA meeting.
The business with the bear provides a few good laughs along with one genuine shock when said bear attacks a person. Moreover, once again we get the usual convoluted bureaucratic red tape making things difficult for officers to either do their work or maintain any sense of integrity, with Furillo (the always terrific Daniel J. Travanti) butting heads with shifty deputy chief Briscoe (a superbly slimy Andy Romano). It's also nice to see Goldblume reconcile with Furillo and remain on amicable terms with Fay (a lovely turn by Barbara Bosson). In addition, Furillo's continual struggle with his alcoholism adds additional dramatic punch. This episode further benefits from sturdy guest contributions from James Cromwell as animal trainer Lowenhandler, Basil Hoffman as smarmy lawyer Ed Greenglass, and Stephen Macht as smooth corrupt detective Dugan, plus Darwin Joston of "Assault on Precinct 13" fame has a nifty bit at the end as a recovering alcoholic at an AA meeting.
Conspiracy of Wrong Cops
JasonDanielBaker30 April 2014
Detective Harry Garibaldi (Ken Olin) is in trouble with Captain Frank Furrillo (Daniel J.Travanti) who has been informed that Garibaldi's random drug test came back positive for marijuana. Garibaldi was successful in presenting a legal brief making the results of all the urine tests free from disciplinary action. But Furrillo tells Garibaldi he doesn't trust a cop on reefer.
Furrillo, a recovering alcoholic had minor amounts of booze detected in his sample giving him cause to revisit his own problem following a heated discussion with Deputy Chief Warren Briscoe (Andy Romano). His berating of Garibaldi smacks of hypocrisy but Furrillo has the kind of character that others lack and demands more of himself.
Detective Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque) had amounts of codeine in his sample to treat a knee problem. Like the other cops what is on the test is not grounds for disciplinary action but the information lingers and the way in which it may be used is cause for worry.
Officer Andy Renko (Charles Haid) and Officer Bobby Hill (Michael Warren) draw the nuisance assignment of going to school assemblies with a mascot bear to try to teach kids street safety rules. The unpredictable animal causes problems and an unfortunate incident which results in a public relations nightmare for Renko.
Sgt. Mick Belker (Bruce Weitz) runs a sting to get corrupt cops shaking down a dry cleaner/tailor. He gets the help of Garibaldi and Garibaldi's partner Detective Patsy Mayo (Mimi Muzyk), Officer J.D. LaRue (Kiel Martin) and his partner Detective Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque) but the shocking result of the bust has dramatic repercussions for cops city-wide.
Detective Patsy Mayo (Mimi Muzyk), Garibaldi's partner and Dugan's sometime girlfriend is in danger of guilt by association having known ties to wrong cop Dugan and fading star Garibaldi. Personal loyalties have their place in the lives of these cops but the job is the job.
The biggest crisis for Hill Street's boys and girls in blue in this closing episode to the fifth season is of course the one raised by very corrupt cop Phil Dugan (Stephen Macht) who claims to know things about a network of corruption that could threaten lives of other officers as well as the reputation of the department.
Stephen Macht's mysterious and disturbing arc as Phil Dugan delivered requisite foreboding in both what he said and didn't say. The economic characterization marks one of the most effective of his long career. This storyline eerily predated Iran-Contra.
Furrillo, a recovering alcoholic had minor amounts of booze detected in his sample giving him cause to revisit his own problem following a heated discussion with Deputy Chief Warren Briscoe (Andy Romano). His berating of Garibaldi smacks of hypocrisy but Furrillo has the kind of character that others lack and demands more of himself.
Detective Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque) had amounts of codeine in his sample to treat a knee problem. Like the other cops what is on the test is not grounds for disciplinary action but the information lingers and the way in which it may be used is cause for worry.
Officer Andy Renko (Charles Haid) and Officer Bobby Hill (Michael Warren) draw the nuisance assignment of going to school assemblies with a mascot bear to try to teach kids street safety rules. The unpredictable animal causes problems and an unfortunate incident which results in a public relations nightmare for Renko.
Sgt. Mick Belker (Bruce Weitz) runs a sting to get corrupt cops shaking down a dry cleaner/tailor. He gets the help of Garibaldi and Garibaldi's partner Detective Patsy Mayo (Mimi Muzyk), Officer J.D. LaRue (Kiel Martin) and his partner Detective Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque) but the shocking result of the bust has dramatic repercussions for cops city-wide.
Detective Patsy Mayo (Mimi Muzyk), Garibaldi's partner and Dugan's sometime girlfriend is in danger of guilt by association having known ties to wrong cop Dugan and fading star Garibaldi. Personal loyalties have their place in the lives of these cops but the job is the job.
The biggest crisis for Hill Street's boys and girls in blue in this closing episode to the fifth season is of course the one raised by very corrupt cop Phil Dugan (Stephen Macht) who claims to know things about a network of corruption that could threaten lives of other officers as well as the reputation of the department.
Stephen Macht's mysterious and disturbing arc as Phil Dugan delivered requisite foreboding in both what he said and didn't say. The economic characterization marks one of the most effective of his long career. This storyline eerily predated Iran-Contra.
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