The Equalizers: Recent Episodes
The Equalizers
The Equalizer aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989. It inspired two Denzel Washington movies and a reboot with Queen Latifah, but the original series with Edward Woodward is largely forgotten (It can be streamed on nbc.com or the NBC Roku app. Your move, Peacock). In a perfect world, it would receive all the nostalgic love of your MacGyver, your Magnum PI, your A Team, your Knight Rider. The premise - a retired special agent puts an ad in the paper to help those who feel the odds are against them (take that, paper clips and talking cars). Never heard of it? Not a problem. Vince, Chris, and Chuck take a deep dive into the show one episode at a time - incredibly absurd plots, well-known guest stars in every episode (sometimes 4 or 5!), and all other aspects of this show that make it a true hidden gem. Note: This is pure episodic TV, very few larger plots and themes, so no need to listen in order. This podcast, like say the celebrated show Parks+Rec, had a gestation period, and our full crew kicked in on season 1 episode 16, so you might want to skip ahead. Photo Credit: Bill Heck
The Equalizers Clip Show Celebration! Before kicking off season four, Chris and Chuck dust off their matching tuxes, rent out the closest thing the Chicagoland area has to the Acadamy Awards' Dolby Theater (the Hyatt O'Hare in Rosemont), and host the first ever Equalizers podcast clip show! For the special occasion, your humble hosts have picked out a few clips from the most recent podcast season: from the highly acclaimed to fan favorites to personal picks to the most historically significant. It was a magical evening and thanks to everyone for coming out and celebrating... and for helping remind Frank Whaley not to fill up on appetizers!
@equalizerspod equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com https://www.facebook.com/equalizerspodcast/ Additional audio: myNoise
It happened first when the Eagles reunited and it's happening again: Hell freezing over. And in our case it's not because dumptruck full of money pulled up to our front door (ahem, Don Henley). No in our noble case it's a quest for truth, for perspective, and to not be Equalizer snobs. Of course we're talking about watching the 2021 reboot of The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah, now in its third season. We watched the first two episodes to get a feel of the premise and the structure of the show. Are we biased? Possibly, though we try to keep the "Woodward did it better" takes to a minimum. If anything it shows growth and maturity for the two of us, personally and as podcasters. Baby steps, it takes a village, we can be heroes, just for one day.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 21: Hand and Glove Aired on CBS: May 20, 1987 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Coleman Luck Featuring: William Zabka, Barbara Garrick, William H. Macy
This one is a bit of a departure. And by a bit, we mean it seems like someone switched an Equalizer script with a Scooby Doo script at the last minute and it was too late to turn back (we'll look for a corresponding Scooby Doo where a woman is being hunted by the KGB in gritty 80s Times Square). EQ and his doofus son Scott help a woman haunted by a mysterious man in black in her dreams... and maybe in real life! Is it all in her head? Is her rich family behind it or just especially negligent? Will her therapist William H Macy help her battle her own psyche? Will The Equalizer bounce around genres in the upcoming season? There's more questions than answers in this intrguing episode.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 20: First Light Aired on CBS: May 13, 1987 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Jack Fogarty Featuring: William Zabka, Lori Laughlin, Robert Modica, Quentin Crisp (!), Kaiulani Lee
Ladies and gentlemen, strap yourselves in. William Zabka is back as Scott McCall aka Son of the Equalizer. And with EQ out of town, Scott is trying to do some equalizing himself, namely protecting his girlfriend Lori Laughlin (!) and her boss from a man seeking vengeance for a double cross at a WWII POW camp. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the EQ episode: EQ and Control in DC sub-sub committee meetings; Quentin Crisp as an older Liberace-type Broadway icon turned set designer for criminal's evil whims; Monuments Men-esque Nazi art thievery; Zabka's traded a violin for a guitar; so much more. And the EQ episode itself is just the tip of the iceberg for what we consider our duty to cover in this podcast episode.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 19: Coal Black Soul Aired on CBS: May 6, 1987 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Scott Shepherd Featuring: Patricia Kalember, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Chris Elliott (!), Lois Smith, Earl Hindman (Wilson), the great Jihmi Kennedy, and Gale "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" Garnett
There's a serial killer loose but more importantly, The Equalizer has found himself a ladyfriend. And as he'll tell you, she's quite the dish. Not only that, she's a therapist, and she can help him go all Freud 101 on that serial killer, so much so that EQ's main strategy to combat him is to psych that mother out. And does this ladyfriend feel the same for the Equalizer? Oh yes she does. And just how much younger is she? Oh really? Jesus. So is it like a silver fox piss-off-the-parents thing? Anyways, we'll get to the bottom of all that in the podcast.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 18: A Place To Stay Aired on CBS: February 25, 1987 Directed by: Alan Metzger Story : Marc Rubin, Teleplay : Carleton Eastlake, Coleman Luck Featuring: Ann McDonough, Alyson Kirk, Trey Wilson, Kario Salem, and Ed Lauter
The streets of NYC in 1987 were harsh. For a runaway teenager once you step foot in that city, you're on the fast track to a hellish existence for the rest of your short life. The only way you can survive is with the help of a retired secret agent who offers his services in classified ads, and he's a pretty busy guy. In this Very Special Episode (with a message before the end credits and everything), The Equalizer addresses these topics - runaways, the exploitation of minors, domestic abuse - with the delicacy of last episode's car bomb.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 17: Solo Aired on CBS: February 18, 1987 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Carleton Eastlake Featuring: Lindsay Crouse, Kevin Spacey, Austin Pendleton
We get it. A lot of us aren't really in the mood to watch Kevin Spacey in anything. And if you are, it'll probably be to watch some classic 90s movie, or to hate watch K-PAX. So instead of writing about him (though he does give a top level EQ villain performance), we'll focus on the romantic sparks flying between Robert McCall and guest Lindsay Crouse, much more complex than the typical damsel in distress. Good plot, good characters. Sure it had an inevitable action scene in an abandoned warehouse, but even the warehouse was better than average, some top tier catwalks. The Equalizer came out of their epic two parter with guns (and grenades) a blazing.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 16: Memories of Manon: Part 2 Aired on CBS: February 11, 1987 Directed by: Tony Wharmby Written by : Coleman Luck Featuring: Melissa Sue Anderson, Anthony Zerba, George DiCenzo, Jon Polito
Second half of a two parter! We see just what the freedom of the two part format gives the show: deeper relationships, deeper drama, denser plots. At times it helps (a rift between EQ and Mickey? We're doing it). At times it brings more focus to plot points you might otherwise gloss over (wait, they're "delaying" a bomb?). We're not saying it's as epic as say Kill Bill 1 and 2. We're just saying that the next Equalizer "Manon" two parter (Memories of Manon in season three) has a lot to live up to.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 15: Memories of Manon: Part 1 Aired on CBS: February 4, 1987 Directed by: Tony Wharmby Written by : Coleman Luck Featuring: Melissa Sue Anderson, Anthony Zerba, George DiCenzo, Jon Polito, Maurice Hines
Folks, there's a lot to process here. We've got the first Equalizer two parter which means a big cliffhanger ending. We've got perhaps the biggest dramatic bomb drop moment for the Equalizer. And we've got Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Sue Anderson, a big deal for any Prairie-head out there, like our very own Chris Daniels. Hear how a police inspector from Quebec can take down all the Mafia on America's east coast, just how closely Anderson is tied to the show, and what the Equalizer and his gym trainer consider "psychological torture".
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 14: Carnal Persuasion Aired on CBS: January 21, 1987 Directed by: Leon Ichaso Written by : Dennis Manuel Featuring: John Cullom, Maria Holvoe, Louis Zorich, Cynthia Harris, John Laughlin
Oh boy, this one is doozy. It answers the question we've all had at some point: What if you put together the docks and legal angles of season two of The Wire with the movie Indecent Proposal, then crank the creepiness up to 11? You'd come out with this episode of The Equalizer. It's creepier than you might expect, with an otherwise dense plot mixed in with classic EQ far-fetched shenanigans. Top tier episode. Also we dive into the composer of the music from The Equalizer, Stewart Copeland from The Police!
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 13: Beyond Control Aired on CBS: January 14, 1987 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Coleman Luck Featuring: Briad Bedford, Liane Curtis, Paula Trueman, Josh Mostel
A deeper dive into the Agency than we've had in a while. The Agency gets infiltrated by a KGB! Control has to find all the copies they made before KGB gets their hands on it... and before they get their hands on him! Mickey's on the case too to break some code. Plus bombs, poison needles, a coffin factory, and some thick thick tension between Control and the Equalizer. Also we feature a new format to the show: Chris and Chuck somehow able to break down everything the Equalizer is putting out there within an hour!
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 12: High Performance Aired on CBS: January 7, 1987 Directed by: Russ Mayberry Written by : Jack V. Fogarty Featuring: James Remar, Patricia Charbonneau, Michael Wincott, Doris Belack
A female construction worker sees a murder while high up on a building construction site. No one takes her seriously except of course Robert McCall, the Equalizer. Only thing is, Equalizer's only documented fear is a fear of heights! The two of them bond (and maybe more) over their vulnerabilities and team up with Mickey to solve this mystery, a mystery which includes hit men, a bomb, hiding a body... seemingly no motive... barely any details at all, really... just enough to drive us crazy.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 11, Heartstrings Aired on CBS: December 17, 1986 Directed by: Russ Mayberry Written by : Loraine Despres Featuring: Michele Dotrice (Edward Woodward's real life wife!), David Margulies, Mickey, Control
With a title like this, you know this episode is explicitly designed to tug at your heartstrings. And tug it does! And who's there to help? None other than Michele Dotrice whom Edward Woodward marries the month after this episode airs! Not only that, but the real life married couple Loraine Despres and Carleton Eastlake worked on the script together! The plot does not disappoint: a stolen newborn baby, the sordid world of baby brokerages, and Mickey's soon-to-be iconic (probably) diversion techniques. Show note: Chuck apologizes for the frog in his throat and referring to the Dotrice family as Doltrice several times but oddly not every time.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 10:The Cup Aired on CBS: December 10, 1986 Directed by: Mario DiLeo Written by : Carleton Eastlake, Andrew Sipes, David Jackson Featuring: Dennis Christopher (Breaking Away!), Keith Szarabajka (Mickey is back!), Caris Corfman, Earl Hindman (Wilson)
Is tackling religion, the KGB, and Polish trade unions too much for one tv episode? Not for the Equalizer! And not only that, this episode marks the return of EQ's trigger happy sidekick Mickey Kostmayer! The two of them have to protect a priest (Mickey's brother, ooh, character development) who must keep his silence after a member of Solidarity confides in him. And the KGB's in there too giving the whole thing an Americans vibe. Top tier episode!
Additional audion credit: bkarwowski, Stockwaves @equalizerspod equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com
The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 9: Tip On A Sure Thing Aired on CBS: December 3, 1986 Directed by: Donald Petrie Written by : Scott Shepherd Featuring: Paul Gleason (Breakfast Club), Ted Ross, Roberts Blossom (Old man from Home Alone), Denise Dumont, Warner Wolf, Cleavant Derricks, Nestor Serrano
Once again, the Equalizer is on location in New Jersey! This time at Monmouth Park after a jockey's son is kidnapped so that some bookies can win big. A nice departure for the Equalizer, and a nice departure point for us to discuss Star Trek 4 The Voyage Home, Rocky 4, Hot Shots, the Super Bowl Shuffle, and more. That's what's nice about The Equalizer, it's an inspiration.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 8: The Line Aired on CBS: November 26, 1986 Directed by: Russ Mayberry Written by : Steve Volpe Featuring: Giancarlo Esposito, Mark Margolis, Novella Nelson, David Leary, Norman Parker, Joe Grifasi
A meaty concept: The Equalizer goes up against a ragtag citizens patrol group. Between them, a vengeful brother, and the actual police, the show could reflect on different viewpoints and methods for doling out justice. But unfortunately we don't get much of that and those searching for larger themes might be left wanting. But there's still plenty of absurdity, some good bursts of action, a punchline to one of the few through stories (Jimmy's divorce), not to mention both Gus Fring and Hector Salamanca from Breaking Bad in the same episode! (unfortunately not in the same scene).
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 7: Crossfire Aired on CBS: Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Scott Shepherd & Coleman Luck Featuring: Vincent D'Onofrio, Lisa Pelikan, Miguel Pinero
"The best of season 2 so far." Heard it here first. After a few weeks of women in (creepy 80s) peril, we're back to a fun crazy Equalizer. He's been framed for murder! By Vincent D'Onofrio! Who's an arsonist! And the Equalizer has to be sprung from prison by Control! A lot of weird plot points, action scenes, gadgets, bold criminal psychology, and an ending which may hint at a new focus for the Equalizer in the future (or maybe not). Top tier Equalizer episode which of course means the topmost tier of television in general.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 6: Nightscape Aired on CBS: November 12, 1986 Directed by: Aaron Lipstadt Written by : Carleton Eastlake Featuring: Frances Fisher, Thomas G. Waites, Matthew Cowles, Austin Pendleton, Lisa Banes, Mark Boone Jr.
Look, we know. It's another plotline with a woman getting assaulted. This season's got a lot of those. But if we get past that, there's a lot of stuff to report on - like how EQ goes to a computer data friend to triangulate the criminals, or Equalizer getting uncharacteristically emotional. Or hey, the Equalizer's on a date! It's been a while! Good for him, he's found love and he's more in touch with himself. Let's just focus on that and forget everything else.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 5: Shades of Darkness Aired on CBS: November 5, 1986 Directed by: Donald Petrie Written by : Jack V. Fogarty Featuring: William Sadler, Olympia Dukakis, Edward Binns
The plot on its own: The Equalizer goes up against a crazy mercenary killer who framed a National Guardsmen for murder. Sure that's probably a passably entertaining hour of television. But if we know the Equalizer a) "crazy" will be over-the-top deranged evil b) the world of mercenaries will be portrayed purely for entertainment and not based in reality c) they'll throw in some other out-there details just to taste, in this case religion and the paranormal. Similarly we pack the podcast for maximum entertainment: scene reads, analysis, and Soldier of Fortune magazine.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 4: Joyride Aired on CBS: October 29, 1986 Directed by: Russ Mayberry Written by : Jim Trombetta, Charles Grant Craig Featuring: Christian Slater, Kristen Vigard, Cleavant Derricks, Eddie Jones, Ron O'Neal, Mark Margolis
A 16 year old Christian Slater stars as Michael Winslow (just let that sink in for a minute) who stumbles into a dangerous world of drugs after taking joyride in a hearse which contains a coffin filled with crack. I mean, do we still need to keep describing this episode? It should go without saying that this world of drugs is nowhere near reality. Also the Equalizer is at his most bloodthirsty, just going around murdering criminals. Another can't miss episode.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 3: A Community of Civilized Men Aired on CBS: October 22, 1986 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Daniel Pyne, Scott Shepherd Featuring: Jennifer Grey, Tammy Grimes, Zach Grenier
Listen. Episode 2 of season 2 was amazing. Episode 4 is amazing too. But they're not all winners. You'd think an episode starring Jennifer Grey which aired halfway Ferris Bueller and Dirty Dancing would be can't miss TV. Every show is entitled to a dip in quality every once in a while. But is it so bad it's good? Is it an underappreciated gem? Yeah I guess and probably not, respectively. But are we still here recapping it? Man, we had a hazy few years where we were accepting deals with gypsies and witches left and right and we're still sorting through a lot of paperwork, but yes yes we're still here.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 2: Nocture Aired on CBS: October 15, 1986 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Carleton Eastlake Featuring: Ashford and Simpson (yes the musical duo who gave us Solid as a Rock), Jessica Harper (Suspiria), Michael Parks (Kill Bill)
True, it's getting harder to watch old Equalizers lately: it's somehow disappeared from Roku apps and nbc.com is sometimes flaky ( https://www.nbc.com/the-equalizer ), BUT this is one jam-packed entertaining episode that needs to be seen. And yes sure true, the larger plot of this episode is a pretty rough (a woman hears the voice of her attacker who made her blind), BUT see what flowers are at your feet: a powerhouse cast; poetry analysis (which our own Chris Daniels guides us through); a blockbuster-grade plot to find the attacker through voice recognition; and, the purple jumpsuited elephant in the room, an extended musical performance by Ashford and Simpson! Absolutely not to be missed.
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The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 1: The Distant Fire Aired on CBS: October 8, 1986 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Carleton Eastlake Featuring: William Zabka, Lori Loughlin, James Rebhorn, Kelly Lynch, Robert Lansing, Robert Joy
It's an all new season of The Equalizer! What fresh new angle will the show take now that it's had some time to regroup? The establishment of a season-long story arc? A new look for Robert? A new intro sequence at least? Or does it seek to prove that the formula works, let's just stick to what we know. That's closer to what we get, but it still packs a punch: William Zabka (returning as EQ's son), Lori Loughlin (!), James Reborn (aka Oh yeah, that guy), a new branch of the agency, EQ's seldom-seen gun room (!!). Season 2 is the highest rated season of the show, so strap in everybody!
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The trailer for the podcast The Equalizers, an episode recap podcast of the hit 80s TV show The Equalizer starring Edward Woodward. An overview of the podcast plus some highlights from our first season as we prep for season 2.
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Listen, we get it. When you think of the Equalizer, you may think of Queen Latifah but mostly you're thinking of Denzel Washington. Where we're coming from is methodically picking apart each episode of the original 80s TV show The Equalizer with Edward Woodward. Now that we're in a break between seasons, we thought we'd extend an olive branch and watch the first Denzel Equalizer movie (2014) with the same sharp eyes we will one day be known for. If you are a fan of the movie, you most likely have at least a passing curiosity what the original show was like. In a perfect world, you would invite three friends, who just happen to be experts on such things, for a movie night to hear several ties back to original series. Now you can do the next best thing and learn what it's like to watch this Equalizer from our eyes. This is how we grow.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 22: Pretenders Aired on CBS: April 8, 1986 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Scott Shepherd Featuring: Tony Musante, Chad Redding, Philip Bosco, Ron O'Neal, Robert Lansing, Mark Margolis, Bruce Jarchow
In the season finale, McCall protects a woman from her neighbor who's a whole thing - backed by the agency, dealing with Europe's biggest drug dealer, possibly out to assassinate the ambassador of the continent of Africa, not to mention waving his gun around in the hallway and being totally inconsiderate. This aired back when season finales meant not so much a culimation of an entire season's worth of plot building but rather maybe the well's run dry on what the Equalizer could possibly help someone with. Luckily for us the fount of details to make fun of overfloweth.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 21: Unpunished Crimes Aired on CBS: April 1, 1986 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : John Burke, Grenville Case Featuring: Dan Hedaya, Regina Baff, John Cameron Mitchell, John Cullum, Jon Polito, Lee Wallace
It's the classic tale of an independent inventor (Dan Hedaya) getting an idea stolen from him by a big company. Except in the Equalizer universe, it happens every so often that terrorists take CEOs hostage; terrorism groups like Red Wind that we find out have some kind of deal with the CEO of the company that's shutting out Dan Hedaya! Plus the Equalizer does some reluctant family therapy with Dan Hedaya's family by making them fix his kitchen. Oh and the company's name is Penatrax.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 20: No Conscience Aired on CBS: March 26, 1986 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Mark Frost Featuring: Laurie Metcalf, D.W. Moffett, Linda Thorson, Kelly Curtis, Madison Arnold, Mark Margolis
Picture this: You're in an improv group asking for a situation and someone shouts "A ladies man who has 36 hours to give some bad guys some unknown thing a woman gave him." First you'd be like "uh, what?" which would be perfectly valid, there are things to pick apart right off the bat and many red flags that you shouldn't proceed. But if you do go for it, even if you're one of those What's My Line? guys, you would not approach what weird wild stuff happens in this season one episode of The Equalizer. We really want to say more but we don't want to spoil it and this podcasting platform might not be able to handle such craziness in a description field.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 19: Breakpoint Aired on CBS: February 19, 1986 Directed by: Russ Mayberry Written by : Scott Shepherd and Don Carlos Dunaway Featuring: Patricia Clarkson, Tony Shaloub, Earl Hindman (Home Improvement's Wilson!)
The Equalizer goes all Die Hard two years before Die Hard came out. Patricia Clarkson is getting married, Robert McCall is attending and has to step into action when a group of terrorists led by Tony Shaloub break in and take the wedding hostage. Almost all the action takes place in this hotel, including Mickey coming in to help, and Robert getting more gruesome than we've ever seen him before. Top tier Equalizer episode.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 18: Unnatural Causes Aired on CBS: February 12, 1986 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Susan Woollen Featuring: Gwen Verdon (!), Kim Delaney, Bobby DiCicco, Mark Margolis, Ron O'Neal, Alice Spivak
It was a simpler time for serial killers. Pre-Hannibal Lecter it wasn't about a psychology, it was enough that someone killed multiple people and had some gimmick, let's say, sure, orchids. The Equalizer takes on the show's first serial killer as well as help a woman free herself from a pimp, all the while endangering his clients, his old friends, and probably a few bystanders. Top tier Equalizer episode.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 17: Torn Aired on CBS: February 5, 1986 Directed by: Russ Mayberry Written by : Carl Eastlake Featuring: A young Melissa Joan Hart, Patricia Richardson, Ron O'Neal, Saul Rubinek (last appearance on the show)
A powerhouse episode. The most ambitious cinematography on this show yet as the Equalizer flashes back to his work on the field long ago. Someone from his past is back in town, a double crosser with the ominous name: Brian. Also a pre-Clarissa Melissa Joan Hart calls the Equalizer since her dad is set to be released from prison. Come for the recap. Stay for the guest star career connections, the historical context, and the deep thematic analyses.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 16: Wash Up Aired on CBS: January 29, 1986 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Mark Frost Featuring: Robert Davi (Goonies), Ron O'Neal's first appearance as Lt Isador Smalls (Super Fly!), Yvonne Wilder, Bill Cwikowski, Brian Tarantina, Michael O'Hare, Mark Margolis, Irving Metzman, Joe Spinell
Once again, the tremendous trio Chris, Vince, and Chuck providing what everybody needs - a detailed breakdown of classic Equalizer episodes. It's the #3 episode of 1986, a bit back to the basics after the first two episodes grandly kicked off the new year. There's a lot to pick apart as the Equalizer dives into the colorful yet vague world of window washing unions the only way he knows how - faking a drug deal so the guy who, it turns out, likes sticking up drug deals in his spare time gets caught red-handed with a lot of drugs the Equalizer acquired somehow... and with Super Fly's help.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 15: Dead Drop Aired on CBS: January 22, 1986 Directed by: Donald Petrie Written by : Maurice Hurley & Joel Surnow Featuring: Everybody... Mickey, Jimmy, Sterno, Dana, Saul Rubinek annoying Jason, and Robert Lansing as Control is back! Also Robin Curtis, James Eckhouse (90210), Roma Maffia, and Robert O'Reilly (Gowron).
A florist unrealistically falls into danger with an unrealistic organization specializing in the hazily-defined criminal network of dead drops. But whatever, the important thing is that this is a big great "gang's all here" epsisode. For this nonsense case, Robert is calling all his agency friends (Mickey, Jimmy, Sterno, Dana), battling Jason the annoying agency guy, and checking in his old friend Control. The odd plot is overshadowed by watching the Equalizer lead a team of all his agency buds. And then at the end, he goes up against the dad of Brandon and Brenda Walsh.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 14: Out of the Past Aired on CBS: January 15, 1986 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Cyrus Nowrasteh Featuring: legend Sandy Dennis (as ex Mrs Equalizer), Stephen McHattie (Elaine Benes' psychiatrist), Barry Primus, Brad Dourif (Cuckoo's Nest!), Jasmine Guy (Whitley! in her first post-Fame role), Sylvia Miles, super cool James Gammon (Major League), Dan Moran
The Equalizer defending the current husband... of his ex-wife! Against a crazy dude just out of prison who has a cough... and it's fatal. The problem of this episode we've seen the Equalizer solve before, but the cast is great in this one - some legends, some up-and-comers, all very strong. This episode is the first one aired in 1986 after a few weeks off over the holidays, and they came in swinging.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 13: Back Home Aired on CBS: December 18, 1985 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Neil Cohen Featuring: Frank Converse, Charles Hallahan (The Thing, Hunter), Marisa Berenson (Barry Lyndon), Jude Ciccolella, Helen Hanft ("the Ethel Merman of off-off-Broadway"), Allen Swift (voice of Underdog's Simon Bar-Sinister), Jordan Marder, and NFL great Fred Williamson (back for another episode!)
Equalizer Christmas episode! Like all classic Christmas stories (Wonderful Life, Christmas Carol), this one oddly revolves around crusty old bankers. To add Equalizer flair, this banker is also the negligent landlord of some pleasant old "geezers"... and an aspiring arsonist... and hires a hit against his wife. A lot to dissect in this one, like opening individually wrapped Russian dolls.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 12: Reign of Terror Aired on CBS: December 11, 1985 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Steve Bello Featuring: Lonette McKee (Brewster's Millions), Fred Williamson (NFL great), Immanuel Pena, and Paul "My name's Paul and this is between y'all" Calderon
The Equalizer has to save a health clinic in the slum from being overrun by a glam apocalyptic street gang, and all without using a gun. Not because he lost his whole arsenal of guns or anything, but the new doctor in town insists... and because he's had some rare troubled thoughts about his past aided by a theatrical pantomime shooting gallery where ex-agents go to think.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 11: Desperately Aired on CBS: December 4, 1985 Directed by: Donald Petrie (Mystic Pizza!) Written by : Charles Grant Craig Featuring: Blanche Baker, Tovah Feldshuh, Ray Sharkey, David Margulies, Jack Gilpin, Carlos Carrasco, Roma Maffia
We've seen it before - a woman looking for an escape from her boring household goes into the city, then within an hour is in way over her head. In this case, she's the target of a trained assassin! Luckily her friend knows of this guy called the Equalizer who can help protect her, take on the larger assassin racket, and maybe even help her marriage. Some great stuff, including Robert McCall consulting Dana, the expert on the seedy underbelly of New York City.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 10: Bump and Run Aired on CBS: November 20, 1985 Directed by: Richard Compton Written by : Jim Trombetta Featuring: Meat Loaf, Brian Bedford (voice of Disney's Robin Hood!), Mark Linn-Baker (Cousin Larry!), Charles Dutton (Roc), Nathan George (Cuckoo's Nest) and Keith Szarabajka (Mickey!)
The Equalizer often butts heads with the police department for doing the work he feels they should be doing. His judgemental eye turns to the city courthouse this episode after a client of his needs protection from two vengeful bump-and-runners. Also on his plate (get this) - a serial killer who believes he's acting with the same moral code as the Equalizer! Also Robert's loyal cohort Mickey makes his triumphant return, this time showcasing his softer side as he falls in love with the woman he's protecting. Lotta levels in this one.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 9: Mama's Boy Aired on CBS: November 13, 1985 Directed by: James Sheldon Written by : Heywood Gould Featuring: Christine Baranski, Adam Horovitz (Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys!), Alex Winter (Bill of Bill and Ted!), Bob Gunton (the Shawshank warden!)
Folks, this one is must see TV. It's got so many elements of a great Equalizer episode - several celebrities, bad guys who can't stop talking how bad they are, a ludicrous portrayal of the world of crime, and a complicated Equalizer plan that makes no sense (but does include him deep undercover as a suave player in the drug scene). It's got family strife, martial arts, and one of the most memorably bizarre scenes of the show to date.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 8: The Distant Fire Aired on CBS: November 6, 1985 Directed by: Alan Metzger Written by : Robert Sabaroff Featuring: Jon DeVries, Alberta Watson (La Femme Nikita), Saul Rubinek (1st of 3 appearances), Bill Cobbs, Mark Margolis (Jimmy has more divorce woes), Frank Adonis
The Equalizer teams with a hitman to save the life of a woman they were both romantically involved with! Take a guess, of the three men - Robert McCall; a hitman; her current husband, an embassador - which one she loves most? And can never shake from her mind after all these years. Also there's a new personality at the agency who is not a fan of McCall. And a chase on an aircraft carrier. Top tier TV!
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 7: The Children's Song Aired on CBS: October 30, 1985 Written by: Howard Chesley Directed by: Richard Compton
Robert McCall and his son Scott (William Zabka) are off to a cabin to chop some wood and have a special talk. But soon they have to protect a hitchiking woman (Dana Barrow, Audrey Griswald!) -- and themselves! -- from a bunch of country hoodlums (led by Bradley Whitford!). Also Ed O'Neil and Kelso from Scrubs! The story is narrower in focus than previous episodes, but that just makes the plotholes that much bigger.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 6: The Confirmation Day Aired on CBS: October 23, 1985 Story by : Eric Blakeney & Gene Miller Teleplay by : Edward Adler & Heywood Gould Directed by: Richard Colla
Louie Ganucci (Burt Young!) gets involved in the dumbest heist and needs protection against the local mob boss (Joseph Wiseman - Dr No!). Louie's son (Ilan Mitchell-Smith - Weird Science!) brings in the Equalizer to mediate as only he knows how - go right to the highest bad guy with an elaborate plan that could only work within this show's specific fictional universe. Also there's some other team of bad guys.... and a 3 minute second plotline about a Norma Desmond type.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 5: Lady Cop Aired on CBS: October 16, 1985 Written by: Kathryn Bigelow (!!) Directed by: Russ Mayberry
The Equalizer is hired by a rookie female police officer assigned to a team of officers who are oh boy so corrupt in just everything they do, from junior high antics to psychotic pure evil. Robert McCall's strategy is to play mind games on them, from the irritating and mundane to the most oddball scene in the show yet.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 4: The Lock Box Aired on CBS: October 9, 1985 Written by: Frank Military Directed by: Russ Mayberry
What happens when a Midwestern family goes against their better judgement and visits New York City? About the only thing that can happen - their teenager daughter is whisked away by a charming but evil Adam Ant. Luckily these out-of-towners hear tell of a certain individual known as The Equalizer. Also Robert McCall has a love interest! Tons of great guest stars - Adam Ant, JT Walsh (flexing his acting chops), Luis Guzman, Lori Petty, David Allen Grier, Richard Portnow.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 3: The Defector Aired on CBS: October, 1985 Written by: Heywood Gould Directed by: Rod Holcomb
It's not easy to make show that focuses on Russian spies yet has zero international intrigue, but The Equalizer finds a way. First every action scene has to make no sense off the bat then get weirder from there. For quieter scenes, have Robert unbutton way too many shirt buttons. And for good measure, add a second plot with a teenager terrorized by a gang straight out of a community theater production of Grease.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 2: China Rain Aired on CBS: September 25, 1985 Written by: Victor Hsu Directed by: Richard Compton
Episode 2. The first episode after the "establish several throughline plots" pilot. The Equalizer is called in to help return a kidnapped boy. But he's going to need help... Cue the first appearance of his up-for-anything agency cohort Mickey Kostmayer. You'd think with a more straightforward episode we'd have less to talk about, but you'd be wrong. In fact, who do you think you are thinking that? This is The Equalizer, there are endless things to pick apart.
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The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 1: The Equalizer (pilot) Aired on CBS: September 18, 1985 Written by: Michael Sloan Directed by: Rod Holcomb Notable guest stars: Patricia Kalember, Jerry Stiller, David Proval
Like most pilots, this one packs in a lot - gotta give the audience a taste of every aspect of what they're in store for with this brand new show. In this one:
- Robert McCall (EQ) breaking from the agency and posting his iconic ad in the classifieds.
- EQ trying to make amends with his son.
- Equalizing #1, large scale: a communications company blackmailing senators!
- Equalizing #2, personable scale: a woman has a dangerous stalker.
... and a lot of establishing that he is "the Equalizer" and just what exactly equalizing means.
Note: This is pure episodic TV, very few larger plots and themes, so no need to listen in order. This podcast, like say the celebrated show Parks+Rec, had a gestation period, and our full crew kicked in on season 1 episode 16, so you might want to skip ahead.
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