Hill Street Blues
(1981)
Run Time: 49 min
Color: Color
Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1
Sound: Mono
Producer: MTM Enterprises
Genre
- Crime
- Drama
- Mystery
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 146
Overview
The original "ensemble drama," this is the story of an overworked, under-staffed police precinct in an anonymous inner city patterned after Chicago. We follow the lives of many characters, from the lowly beat and traffic cops to the captain of the precinct himself. This is the show that blazed the trail followed later by such notable ensemble dramas as "St. Elsewhere" and "L.A. Law."
Other Related Shows
Barbara Bosson
Fay Furillo
Betty Thomas
Officer Lucy Bates / Sgt. Lucy Bates
Bruce Weitz
Sgt. Mick Belker
Charles Haid
Officer Andrew Renko
Daniel J. Travanti
Capt. Frank Furillo
Dennis Franz
Lt. Norman Buntz / Det. Sal Benedetto
Ed Marinaro
Officer Joe Coffey
James B. Sikking
Lt. Howard Hunter / Sgt. Howard Hunter
Joe Spano
Lt. Henry Goldblume / Det. Henry Goldblume
Ken Olin
Det. Harry Garibaldi
Kiel Martin
Detective J.D. LaRue / Officer J.D. LaRue
Michael Conrad
Sgt. Philip Freemason 'Phil' Esterhaus
Michael Warren
Officer Bobby Hill
Rene Enriquez
Lt. Ray Calletano / Capt. Ray Calletano
Robert Prosky
Sgt. Stanislaus 'Stan' Jablonski
Taurean Blacque
Det. Neal Washington
Veronica Hamel
Joyce Davenport
1.
Trial by Fury
Sergeant Esterhaus appears only at roll call; it is explained that he will be spending each daytime training cadets (in fact actor Michael Conrad was increasingly ill and unable to act). Officer Jock Buchanan appears for the first time promoted to Corporal. The murder of shopkeeper Rodriguez is overshadowed (and unsolved) by the rape and murder of a nun by two black men. They are caught and finally confess, chiefly to avoid being released uncharged into the angry mob awaiting them. Calletano faces up to an IRS tax audit. Belker arrests Eddie Gregg - his first encounter with the young male prostitute, destined to have a profound effect upon the detective.
2.
Domestic Beef
Bates and Coffey find a steer in a fifth floor apartment, but Hill and Renko preside over the disaster of trying to return it to ground level in a sling under the police helicopter. Captain Hogan (Jefferson Heights) is found guilty of misconduct at Furillo's insistence by a Board of Rights because he could not control corruption in his precinct. Hogan later crashes the 25th anniversary dinner of Chief Daniels, makes an impromptu speech, then goes home and kills himself. John Gennaro, an action film star, visits the Hill in order to prepare for his next film role. Goldblume, undercover as an ice-cream salesman, arrests a 15-year-old robber. Belker, on the same operation, forgets his mother's birthday. LaRue is turned down for a security job in the Bahamas, and is furious that the job is offered to Washington instead.
3.
Heat Rash
The heatwave continues. A gang meeting to discuss participation in the Hollywood movie proves a success. Fay begins work as a crime reporter, thanks to a press pass issued by Chief Daniels. John Gennaro insists on tagging along with Belker, much to Belker's annoyance. Bates and Coffey have to deal with "a man from outer space" who needs a phone to call home. Councilman Detweiler is arrested for drunk driving, but is released on the orders of Chief Daniels. LaRue continues to sulk over the Bahamas job being offered to Washington. Hunter heads into hospital with a tumor, fearing he has cancer. The Chief orders Furillo to get rid of Goldblume because of an alleged incident with an underage prostitute - Furillo, naturally, resists.
4.
Rain of Terror
Officers Coley and Lyle, prominent figures of early series three episodes who had looked like new regulars, are discovered (by LaRue and Washington) to be corrupt - both are arrested and suspended. Furillo defies Chief Daniels in supporting Goldblume and incurs the Chief's wrath. Hunter's tumor is discovered to be benign, although he has already discussed his funeral plans with Furillo. Renko meets a lovely woman on his birthday and spends an hour of passion with her - only to discover that she is a prostitute hired by his friends. Initially reacting badly, later he asks her to accompany him to a baseball game and she accepts. After being told to stay away, John Gennaro is killed when he intervenes in Belker's meet with a drug dealer. Washington turns down the job offer in the Bahamas to stay with partner LaRue. The heat wave finally breaks.
5.
Officer of the Year
Ray Calletano is Hispanic Officer of the Year, but unexpectedly uses his presentation dinner to attack the Police Department for institutional racism. Belker is undercover in a massage parlor, while Washington (as back up outside) accidentally shoots dead the shop keeper rather than the robber in the confused aftermath of a robbery in the massage parlor's neighboring store. Bates has her first court appearance and is made to look foolish by Davenport. Renko chases a mugger and subsequently dates the female victim. Frank Junior is missing throughout the episode, but is found in a tearful final scene.
6.
Stan the Man
Centered on a condemned building, in one storyline Goldblume contends with an elderly resident determined to jump from the roof, while in another storyline Hill deals with a family who will not leave without grandma (immobile, elderly, and almost blind). The grandmother predicts that God will deal with the situation, and (holding her Bible) a little later passes away. Detective Mizell[2] (undercover narcotics) clashes with Washington and LaRue during a meeting with "Sid the Snitch" (first appearance; will recur and then become a semi-regular character in the final season), and later also with Furillo. Out of control, he later smashes up LaRue's car and finally is found dead - causing suspicion to fall on LaRue. Hunter continues to get closer to Nurse Wulfawitz. Also, the condition of Belker's father deteriorates. Having become determined to fund a home nurse, he seeks a loan at his bank, which is firstly refused, but then granted after Belker thwarts an armed robbery. Meanwhile Davenport, having been attacked by a crazed arrestee, spends the episode in the hospital.
7.
Little Boil Blue
The boil of the title is on Hill's posterior. A suspect is found in the Mizell[2] murder; Daniels asks Furillo to investigate and keep Fuchs informed - then behind Captain Fuchs' back indicates that he wants Fuchs hung out to dry. Belker is undercover investigating insurance fraud, which requires him to get knocked down by Goldblume in a car. Bates and Coffey try to deal with a disturbed Vietnam veteran, but the encounter ends in disaster. Fay's first newspaper article is twisted by the editors, prompting her to accept the (previously unwelcome) advances of attorney Wachtel in order to secure some free legal advice. Joseph Chapman appeared as Freed.
8.
Requiem For a Hairbag
Chief Daniels praises Mizell[2] at his funeral, for the sake of his family, while preparing to act on the evidence of Mizell's widespread corruption. Councilman Detweiler threatens to expose Mizell's corruption - and corruption in the police force in general - but before he can act, he kills an old lady while driving drunk. Hill is naked on the doctor's table when his fellow officers burst in to arrest the doctor for fraud - much to their amusement. LaRue abandons his attorney, Wachtel, moments before Wachtel too is arrested on the same charge. Hunter proposes to his nurse girlfriend, but she (a Jewish woman) turns him down on grounds of religion. Fay Furillo's home is burgled. Bates and Coffey deal with a baby abandoned in the back of their patrol car. A title card before this episode states: "This episode of Hill Street Blues is dedicated to the memory of Dominique Dunne". She portrayed Cindy, the abused teenage mother of the abandoned baby. Dunne had died just 14 days before airdate, after having been attacked by an ex five days before her death.
9.
A Hair of the Dog
Six newly qualified officers start their first shift, including Robin Tataglia (who was destined to remain to the very end of the series). The Governor pays a visit, during which his wife's Lhasa Apso (a gift from the people of Tibet) is stolen and held for ransom; on Chief Daniels' orders disproportionate police resources are assigned to the search. Fay's big mouth lands her in jail on a Contempt of Court charge. A missing autopsy report highlights drastic failings on the part of the coroner and his staff; Furillo (an old friend) tries to help. Eddie Gregg becomes an informant for Belker.
10.
Phantom of the Hill
The Phantom (a fictional sewer-dwelling beast, acted out by an experienced officer to frighten rookies) strikes; played by LaRue, he strikes terror into the four new officers in a storm drain until one of them panics and opens fire - happily missing his target. Eddie Gregg informs on his boyfriend, who has committed a multiple murder; Belker allows Gregg to sleep at his house. Belker also arrests a suspect during a robbery at a jeweler, where he is collecting a ring for Esterhaus. Esterhaus proposes to Grace Gardner, but is rejected. Renko's girlfriend has had enough of his reverse-snobbish attitude and breaks off their relationship. The coroner's incompetence intensifies as it transpires that a corpse essential as evidence has been cremated. Furillo, Joyce, Fay and Fay's judge have an awkward encounter at a hotel elevator while both leaving and arriving.
11.
No Body's Perfect
Coroner Nydorf is humiliated in court, despite Furillo's warning that the authorities wish to get rid of him. Officer Crawford is partnered with Hill, his third partner is three days; despite having gotten a reputation for cowardice, Crawford bravely stands up to an armed murderer, winning the respect of his colleagues. Renko and Coffey fight over a woman, but make up. Sid the Snitch is arrested. Belker's relationship with Eddie Gregg becomes more complex. The Governor's wife's dog is found - but promptly lost again by Hunter. Ray Calletano attempts to set up Esterhaus with Esperanza, the cousin of his wife (Rosa), whose US visa is close to expiring. Big Bertha, the station furnace, misbehaves throughout the episode, causing extreme flows of heat in the building.
12.
Santaclaustrophobia
To catch a thief Belker is one of three detectives undercover as street Santas in this Christmas episode. Later Belker distributes toys at the Children's Hospital, assisted by several cast members dressed as elves or reindeer. Thus attired, they make a significant arrest (of armed muggers) on their way home in a police van. Hill's father visits, but is not welcome. He borrows money and leaves again. Washington suffers guilt following his shooting of an innocent shopkeeper three months earlier.
13.
Gung Ho
The Gung Ho Chinese takeaway supplies lunch to a busy Hill Street station, resulting in multiple upset stomachs. Two terrorists from the "Uhuru" movement are questioned in the station following the armed robbery of a security van, in which two guards were killed. Meanwhile the same group shoots dead Officer Dorsey while he is getting coffee across from a games arcade where he, Tataglia, and Belker are undercover. The group's headquarters is later discovered, and all those inside are killed in a shoot-out with the Hill Street officers.
14.
Moon Over Uranus
Furillo, woken in the night by the county sheriff to vouch for Renko who had exposed himself at a stag party, assigns Renko to parking ticket duty, riding a Vespa moped. His first ticket is issued to Detective Salvatore Benedetto (Dennis Franz, who later portrayed Lt. Norman Buntz), and leads to a fist fight. Goldblume, now promoted to Lieutenant, tries to support a young woman threatened by her ex-boyfriend. Bates and Coffey arrest a survivalist who is then, in a case of mistaken identity, shot in the station by a detective from another precinct, whose daughter has been attacked. Fay tries to get herself sent to court in order to see her traffic judge boyfriend again after a row. Chief Daniels takes to the streets, but is bitten by a rat, leading to an intensive rat hunt.
15.
Moon Over Uranus: the Sequel
Renko rescues several people from a burning building, and is recommended for a medal - and returned to motor patrol. Hill fights Benedetto, to avenge Renko. Goldblume's female victim is murdered by her stalker, as she predicted, and as Goldblume had feared. Chief Daniels orders a massive swoop on drug dealers, but the operation is aborted by Furillo. Hunter is upset, but Daniels is furious, ordering a series of repeat operations. Furillo goes on a date while Joyce Davenport is out of town.
16.
Moon Over Uranus: the Final Legacy
Furillo questions Davenport about why she never checked into her hotel while away on interview; their relationship becomes strained. Goldblume, distraught over his failure to protect the young woman in the previous episode, is frantic to protect a family whose son refuses to join the local gang. Lieutenant Calletano sports a toupee (to the amusement of colleagues) before confessing a fear that he will never be promoted to Captain (in the light of Goldblume, who is a confidante of Furillo, being recently promoted to Lieutenant). Sergeant Esterhaus confides that he once took, and passed, the Lieutenant's Examination, but was still passed over for promotion to that rank. Fay finds out why Judge Grogan is avoiding her.
17.
The Belles of St. Mary's
LaRue makes a fool of himself when a group of schoolgirls visit the station - revealing his fantasies about schoolgirls, which recur in later episodes (see ep 140, for example). Vic Hitler, a penniless comedian with multiple outstanding traffic tickets, is arrested, and causes much amusement. The death-in-custody of a young black man leaves Coffey under suspicion. Lieutenant Calletano and newly promoted Lieutenant Goldblume argue over seniority - technically Goldblume is senior as he is a "Detective Lieutenant", while Calletano believes he has seniority, having been a Lieutenant for several years. Furillo takes them out to lunch to solve the problem, but relationships remain tense. Belker and Tataglia develop their relationship further. Fay learns that she's pregnant. Davenport is offered a job in Washington.
18.
Life in the Minors
LaRue continues to work with Vic Hitler, investing $500. The much sought-after biker is found and arrested - an alternative suspect in the death-in-custody, though IAD continue to question Coffey (much to the annoyance of Bates). Belker's father dies, and Furillo breaks the news while Belker is on an operation. Calletano, still working on his promotion prospects, draws up a list of refutations of possible criticisms of himself (none of which have actually been made). LaRue sets up a false undercover operation to lure one of the school girls into a van. She offers him sexual favors, but he has a lucid moment, makes his apologies and takes off.
19.
Eugene's Comedy Empire Strikes Back
Crockett, the biker, continues to cause trouble. Furillo and Davenport surprise themselves, and everyone else, by getting married during their lunch break. Fay Furillo is distressed at the news and admits she had hoped that she and Frank would get back together eventually. Tataglia transfers to a different precinct, maintaining her relationship with Belker but no longer working with him. Bates goes undercover as a bus driver and successfully arrests armed robbers. Vic Hitler begins a comedy routine on stage, arranged by LaRue, but then falls asleep - later admitting he has narcolepsy.
20.
Spotlight on Rico
Benedetto reappears, this time on temporary transfer to Hill Street. While making his first arrest (Moe Feldstein) with Washington, he kills Crockett (the biker) who had drawn a gun and threatened the detectives. A man (Jonathan Banks) arrested at the scene of a murder in a night shelter turns out to be the murderer; it is discovered that he has dissociative identity disorder with about 30 personalities. Hunter proposes to Nurse Wulfawitz, who turns him down and ends their relationship. Rico finally comes down from his six-year high on drugs, thanks to Leo's dedicated support. Benedetto proves corrupt when the episode closes with him illegally executing Moe Feldstein in a secret nighttime meeting.
21.
Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart?
LaRue's attempts to fool colleagues with a cow's heart fall flat - nobody mistakes it for a human heart. Hill and Renko recover a large sum of money and are tempted to keep it - but don't. Their cruiser is stolen by a young boy living rough, for whom Hill rapidly develops an affection. Hunter continues to develop a relationship with his Vietnamese masseuse. A bomb in the Men's Room at the precinct house is claimed as the work of the multiple-personality secure hospital escapee, who is later cornered by Goldblume but kills himself by jumping from a window. Washington and Benedetto, undercover, are jumped by two masked and armed men instead of meeting with the contact mark-the m?l?e ends with a gunshot to Washington's left shoulder area. The scene concludes with Benedetto frantically driving Neil to the closest hospital while he is bleeding heavily with his life on the line.
22.
A Hill of Beans
The theme of unpaid police wages, raised over the previous two episodes, reaches a climax when the payroll is sent in cash, but the courier is robbed by the Diablos street gang en route. Their leader, Jesus Martinez, is jailed and the cash recovered at the close of the episode. The background rejoicing is poignantly overwritten by the cameras focusing on Rico, who has returned to drugs and is high, and Leo, deeply grieved that Rico's "rescue" has failed. "Iggie", a corrupt property clerk at the Midtown precinct, is arrested and surrenders the name of Benedetto as being behind the holdup which left Washington wounded. Benedetto is cornered in a bank and takes his own life. In two other storylines of the close of the season, Esterhaus is deeply moved when Fay asks him to be Godfather to her unborn daughter, and the TK4600 robot, after featuring in several episodes with its English inventor, is finally put to practical use while Benedetto is temporarily holding a hostage. The robot's inventor asks Bates and Coffey for a farewell encounter, with clear sexual overtones - the officers turn him down and withdraw.