The Equalizer (1985 TV series) season 2
| The Equalizer | |
|---|---|
| Season 2 | |
 Season 2 U.S. DVD cover | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | October 8, 1986 – May 27, 1987 |
| Season chronology | |
The second season of The Equalizer premiered on CBS on October 8, 1986 and ended May 27, 1987 after 22 episodes.
In season two, McCall faces Agency operatives who go to far, over-zealous vigilantes, a corrupt judge who abuses women, corrupt cops who abuse women, more than one hit-man, more than one mobster, crack cocaine drug dealers, heroin smugglers, a lunatic mercenary, a vengeful prisoner of war, gang rapists, an arsonist, a con-man, a con-woman, bookies, kid-nappers, baby-nappers, KGB provocateurs, gunrunners, extortionists, sex-ploiters, a peeping Tom, a serial killer, and of course thieves and robbers.
He saves an operative from suicide, clears Control in a Senate inquest, saves two marriages, saves a boy from using a gun, bails out a gambling addict, rescues a teen from pornographers, rescues an invalid from her own family, and tries his best to save a drug addict.
McCall helps Mickey help his Father-brother, takes Control as a client, and learns he has a daughter by a former lover.
He loses one love interest to an assassin, confesses what he does for a living to a second, saves a third from a murder rap, and is psychoanalyzed by a fourth.
Production
[edit]Executive Producer Coleman Luck stated, in The Story of The Equalizer special for the DVD boxset, that Universal had requested a script for a crossover episode with Magnum, P.I., despite objections from The Equalizer crew that the two shows were too different in tone; The Equalizer darker, and Magnum P.I. lighter. Ultimately the episode was never filmed, but its script was adapted, changed, and ultimately aired as "Beyond Control."[1]
Cast and characters
[edit]Main
[edit]- Edward Woodward as Robert McCall
- Keith Szarabajka as Mickey Kostmayer
Recurring
[edit]- Melissa Sue Anderson as Yvette Marcel [2][3]
- Robert Blumenfeld as Wilhite [4]
- Charles Cioffi as Lt. Kramer [5][6]
- Cleavant Derricks as Sonny Raines [7][8]
- Jack Gilpin as Harvey [8]
- Earl Hindman as Lt. Elmer [9][10][11]
- Maurice Hines as Billie Bump [2]
- Robert Joy as Jacob Stock [9]
- Robert Lansing as Control
- Lori Loughlin as Jenny Morrow [9][12]
- Mark Margolis as Jimmy [7][13][14]
- Ron O'Neal as Lt. Isadore Smalls [15][7][16]
- Austin Pendleton as Jonah [16][17]
- Chad Redding as Sgt. Alice Shepard [18]
- William Zabka as Scott McCall [9][12][19]
- Anthony Zerbe as Phillipe Marcel [2][3]
Guest stars
[edit]
Lori Loughlin as Jenny Morrow, and Martin Shakar as Frank Morrow, guest star in "Prelude." Jenny calls The Equalizer when her father Frank is abducted for writing an exposé detailing the atrocities committed by Latin American dictator, General Astiz, for whom McCall designed a coup to put him in power. Jenny is actually furious with McCall. It is why she called The Equalizer; she already knew his identity. She believes McCall is still working for the Agency, and had a hand in her father's abduction. She pulls a gun, demanding his release. Jaime Sánchez guest stars as Vincente, who works for the Astiz regime.[9]
"Prelude" co-stars include: James Rebhorn as Eric, an Agency operative who colludes with Vincente; Earl Hindman makes his first appearance as NYPD Detective Lieutenant Elmer; and Tim de Zarn as Stoller in his screen debut as an Agency operative working with Eric. Supporting actors include Joseph Mosso as Alex, an Agency operative working in surveillance (also as Vitaly Goncharov in "The Defector"[20]), and Kelly Lynch as a Bartender in The Paradise club.[9] This is Lynch's television debut, and second screen role overall, before appearing in Road House (1989).
Jessica Harper guest stars as Kate Parnell, a blind music critic in "Nocturne." Kate was an art critic before being blinded eight years prior in a brutal sexual assault. She hears the voice of the man responsible and hires McCall. Michael Parks guest stars as Logan, who is also traumatized from sixteen years in the field and a failed Company mission. He is suicidal over a stray shot that killed the fifteen year-old boy he was protecting. McCall hires Logan to protect Kate. Other guest stars include: Ron Frazier as Julian Coe, an ex-cop who is seeking higher office, but has a secret he wants buried; and Brad Sullivan as Joshua, a former Company computer expert enlisted to create a voice simulation.
In a special guest appearance, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson perform in a club prior to touring; Kate attends to review them. "Nocturne" features their 1986 #4 R&B hit single "Count Your Blessings" from their Real Love album. Co-stars include: Thomas A. Carlin as the Doorman Jeremy, whose negligence to "keep up my cheer" (i.e., drinking), nearly results in Kate's murder; Tanya Berezin as a Secretary, for Julian Coe; and Alice Drummond as a Kind Woman, who tries to help Kate in the cold open.[15]
In "A Community of Civilized Men," Broadway and film singer-actress Tammy Grimes guest stars as Julia Jacobs, a widow being harassed to pay her husband's debt. When her business is vandalized, she calls The Equalizer. She cannot understand why he doesn't ask for payment. When he closes Julia's case, she wants to get to know him on a personal level. Jennifer Grey guest stars as Valerie Jacobs, Julia's daughter. A film student at NYU, she is being targeted for something she captured on video. She too does not understand or trust McCall, and hounds him for answers. It is Grey's third television role. Other guest stars include Lewis J. Stadlen as Mr. Cooper, who hires thugs to intimidate Julia, and Lewis Van Bergen as Zahn, an assassin whose specialty is bomb-making. Both Bruce Altman as Michaels, and Zach Grenier as Wirth, have their screen debut in this episode, as thuggish debt collectors working for Cooper. Grenier's film debut was in Kenny (1988), while Altman's was in Regarding Henry (1991). In 1989, Grenier's second Equalizer role was as Pack in "The Caper."[21] Supporting actor Patrick Kilpatrick plays Webster, a police officer that questions Valerie after her mother's death.[4]
Christian Slater as Michael Winslow, and Michael A. Nickles (in his television debut) as Steve, guest star as bored teens who take a hearse for a "Joyride" unaware of the crack cocaine in the casket. It gets both boys into big trouble when Steve decides to sell the drugs. Mike doesn't want any part of it, but he is endangered nevertheless. "Joyride" features six more guest stars including Ron O'Neal in his recurring role as Lt. Isadore Smalls. Cleavant Derricks makes his first of two appearances as Company agent Sonny Raines. Raines has a gambling addiction that threatens to end his career. McCall bails him out of trouble with his bookie, and enlists him to research the opposition and back him up with firepower. Olga Bellin plays Ruth Winslow, Mike's mother, who calls McCall for help. This would be Bellin's final screen role a year before her death. Eddie Jones plays Mr. Winslow, Mike's father who, as a Vietnam veteran, wants to go with McCall to protect his son. Jones will also play NYPD Detective Lt. Brannigan in season four, beginning with "The Visitation."[22] Roger Robinson plays Norton R. Selby, the hearse owner, and a criminal who has his own boss to answer to. In her penultimate screen role, Kristen Vigard plays Rachel, a friend of Mike and Steve, who is a drug addict. She provides her "connection" to Steve, with dire consequences. McCall tries to save her from herself."[7]
Lenny Von Dohlen guest stars as Dan Turner, a civil servant and part time National Guard Lieutenant who is arrested after trying to help Nancy Polinski (played by Karen Sellon), who was stabbed during an attempted rape, in "Shades of Darkness." Initially rejecting McCall's help, Dan wants to hunt down the murderer himself, until Dillon comes after him. William Sadler (as Bill Sadler) guest stars as Rick Dillon, a deranged mercenary who hates the military and officers in particular. Other guest stars include, Caroline Kava as an unnamed mercenary recruiter who owns the Ammo Dump, a club for "cattle call" meetings, and Emily Heebner as Lorraine, Dan's concerned sister.[23]
Olympia Dukakis guest stars as Judge Paula G. Walsh, who releases Dan on his own recognizance during arraignment, with $10,000 bail, and certain assurances which she clearly states for anyone who would protest. In his penultimate screen role, Edward Binns guest stars as Father Martin O'Donohugh who, as Dan and Lorraine's priest, contacts The Equalizer for Dan on Lorraine's behalf. O'Donohugh and McCall were in the army together, and O'Donohugh, despite being a clergyman, still has contacts in the mercenary world. "Shades of Darkness" co-stars J. J. Johnston as Frank Polinski, Nancy's father who is angered at the Judge's ruling and tries to assault Dan, and Sam Coppola as Leo Barnes, who witnesses Dan over Nancy's body and calls the police. In a supporting role, Gregory Zaragoza made his screen debut as a Police Officer.[23]
Frances Fisher guest stars as Amanda Kaufman who survives a brutal gang-rape in the subway, in "Nightscape." She doesn't want revenge; only for McCall to find her husband before he's hurt or arrested for killing them. This is Fisher's third television role after recurring roles on The Edge of Night (1976-81), and Guiding Light (1985), and fourth overall after her 1983 film debut. Fisher also portrays Francesca in part one of "Mission: McCall."[24]
Thomas G. Waites guest stars as Jim Kaufman, Amanda's husband, who feels guilty he did not walk her home that night. He was...elsewhere, feels responsible, gets angry, and goes hunting. Other guest stars include: Madeleine Potter in her television debut (third screen role) as Zena, who arranges counseling for her best friend Amanda, but is also the rapists' next target (Potter also played Simone Peters in "A Dance on the Dark Side"[25]); Michael Kemmerling as Rapist #1, Matthew Cowles as Rapist #2; Michael Medeiros as Rapist #3;[16]
Austin Pendleton in his first of three appearance as computer expert Jonah, who, when McCall tells him he won't have to break NYPD's encryption, responds, "We don't have to steal it? What's the fun in that?" (He wants to erase $4,700 in parking tickets); and Lisa Banes as Allison, who, like McCall's other love interests, wonders what Robert really does for a living. She determines to listen to his story in the epilogue. Two actors co-star in their television debut; Tim Guinee as Rick (Ricky Franklin in dialog) who is also hassling women in the subway, along with his partner in crime, Time, played by Mark Boone Junior (who also plays Hall in "Silent Fury"[26]). Thomas Quinn co-stars as a Bartender who tips off McCall to the suspects' whereabouts. Quinn also played Stan in "Solo."[17] Two supporting actors make screen debuts; Becky London as a Woman Detective who is called in by the Transit Policeman, played by Robert Salas.[16]
Vincent D'Onofrio (as Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio) guest stars as Thomas Marley Jr., an arsonist, and son of mobster Thomas Marley Sr. who is incarcerated on RICO charges and awaiting trial, at which time McCall will testify against him. Marley Junior intends on framing McCall to discredit him. "Counterfire" is D'Onofrio's television debut, and third screen role after his film debut in 1983.[5] D'Onofrio also played Davy Baylor in The Equalizer episode "Suspicion of Innocence"[27] shortly after Full Metal Jacket premiered in 1987.
Lisa Pelikan guest stars as Anne Fitzgerald, a waitress at Teddie's, who hires McCall to protect her from being killed, explaining that her name has been repeatedly sent in to the obituaries. But someone has leverage on her. Other "Counterfire" guests include: Charles Cioffi in his first of three appearance as NYPD Detective Lieutenant Kramer, who interrogates McCall after Marley frames him for Clark's murder; Leonardo Cimino as Thomas Marley Sr. who directs his son's activities from jail; and William Hickey as Tom Clark, an elderly blind conman who fakes being hit by McCall's Jaguar, as part of Marley Junior's frame-up. Co-stars include: Sully Boyar as Judge Maurice Sanderling, who denies McCall bail at arraignment; Mickey Freeman as a Comedian at Teddie's in his penultimate screen appearance; Laura Dean as Terry, a hooker who phoned in the obituaries on Marley Junior's behalf; and Jihmi Kennedy as the cabbie Mosley who calls police on McCall while he's on the run (also as Clarence Marshall in "Coal Black Soul"[11] and as Ulysses in "Day of the Covenant"[28]).[5]
David Leary guest stars as Marty Bennett, leader the West Grove Citizen's Patrol (WGCP), who inadvertently cause the death of Randy Blain (played by co-star Clayton Prince), in "The Line."[13] Leary played three roles on The Equalizer, of which this is the most substantial. He also played NSA agent Grant Lawseth in "Dead Drop,"[29] and NIS agent Anton Jooste in "Day of the Covenant."[28]
Novella Nelson as guest starts as Miriam Blain, the mother of two boys, Randy and Eugene (played by Todd Rollé). She calls McCall when Randy's death is ruled an accident. Donald Buka guest stars as Ben Carrigan, the eldest in the WGCP, who gets beaten when they think he has sold them out. This was Buka's final credited on-screen role. Remaining WGCP; guest stars Bill Cwikowski as Vic Roselli and Norman Parker as Lou Marsh, and co-star James Andronica as Al Weaver. Joe Grifasi guest stars as Lt. Vocek, who believes the WGCP when they lie about Randy committing a crime. Giancarlo Esposito co-stars as Jumpin' Jack, a local thug from whom Eugene tries to buy a gun to go after the WGCP.[13]
In "Tip on a Sure Thing," Denise Dumont guest stars as Maria Rivera, whose son Roberto is kidnapped to fix the outcome of a horse race between Survivor Too and Notaquita. Daniel Faraldo guest stars as Luis Rivera, Maria's husband and a jockey who is being pressured to throw the race so Notaquita will lose. Paul Gleason guest stars as Greenleaf, who learns of Roberto's kidnapping and tries to cash in as well. Other guest stars include, Roberts Blossom as Oscar Peabody, Notaquita's trainer; Robert O'Reilly as Chance, a bookie who wants to secure the outcome of the race by any means; Ted Ross as Pike, Chance's associate; and Cleavant Derricks in his last appearance as Sonny Raines.[8]
Co-starring are Warner Wolf in a cameo, announcing horse racing news on television; Nestor Serrano in his television debut as Barry, a "blind" bookie that Raines utilizes; and Jack Gilpin in his last appearance as Harvey.[8] After The Equalizer in 1989, Robert O'Reilly landed a role in Star Trek: The Next Generation as Scarface, which led to a recurring role as the Klingon Chancellor Gowron, beginning in 1990.[8]
Dennis Christopher guest stars in "The Cup" as Father Nicholas Kostmayer, Mickey Kostmayer's brother, who hears a confession from Stephen, who is played by co-star Joe Urla in his screen debut. Stephen confesses, "They want me to kill a man..." Outside the church, Stephen is murdered in a drive-by shooting, and Nicholas is injured as well, so Mickey and McCall investigate. Colin Fox guests stars as a Bishop who oversees Father Kostmayer and enlists police protection from Lt. Elmer (guest starring Earl Hindman, in his second of three appearances in the role).[10]
Because "The Cup" involved Polish Solidarity and Russian characters, the remaining cast were relatively unknown, including: guest stars Caris Corfman as Monica, and Jaroslav Stremien as Stanislav (also as Karl Radek in "The Defector"[20]); co-stars, Avind Harum (as Eivind Harum) playing Casimir, Peter Von Berg as Kinski, and playing Jerzy is Igor Julian Panich, who is the son of Russian actor Yulian Panich. Igor later became a writer.[30] Supporting actors include, Noberto Kerner as Russian Ambassador Sikora (also as Emil Polivka in "Encounter in a Closed Room"[31]), and Anatoli Davydov as Agent One. Supporting notable cast include New York media personality Donna Fiducia who plays newscaster Diane Waters, and Lanny Flaherty who makes his first on-screen appearance as Policeman #2.[10]
In "Heartstrings," Edward Woodward's second wife Michele Dotrice guest stars as Vanessa Daniels, a widow whose newborn son Tommy is taken by a woman posing as a nurse. Other guest stars include: David Margulies as Eugene Whitman, the hospital's Chief of Administration, who arranges adoptions on the side; Michael Margotta as Norrell, an illegal adoption broker who is trying to secure a large sum from a foreign client; Sam Schacht as Frank Carter, an FBI agent, who believes the kidnapper is either a disturbed person or will demand a ransom; and Jana Schneider as an unnamed woman, who poses as nurse to kidnap babies for Norrell. Aharon Ipalé co-stars as Hector Kouros, a client seeking to adopt, no matter the means. As an asset, he has pull with Agency and diplomatic immunity. Ipalé also played Gustav Herant in "Breakpoint"[32] and will later play Pharaoh Seti I in The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001). Supporting actress Carol Woods made her screen debut as Second Nurse (surname Franks in dialog), who alerts security.[33]
James Remar guest stars as Tremayne, who hired a hit-man to kill his wife before his divorce costs him millions of dollars, in "High Performance." It is Remar's fourth television role. In her third television role, Patricia Charbonneau guest stars as Sally Stevens, a highrise steel worker who witnesses a woman being murdered across from her construction sight. Sally becomes the next target when Jordan and Tremayne notice her watching them. Other guest stars include: Michael Wincott as Jordan, the hit-man who kills Mr. Tremayne's wife (also as Jarrow in "The Caper"[21]); Charles Cioffi in his second appearance as Lt. Kramer; and veteran soap star Doris Belack as Dorian, who runs a clothing store and provides McCall a vital clue. After The Equalizer, Belack appeared in Batteries Not Included (1987), and played a recurring role in the Law & Order franchise as Trial Judge Margaret Barry.[6]
Matters get "Beyond Control" when John Ferman is killed. Ferman worked for Control as a secretary at Exden Incorporated, but was actually a KGB mole who infiltrated the Company and copied top-secret files, with the intent to sell them. Liane Curtis guest stars as Elaine Ferris, John Ferman's niece, and a teller at United Central Bank. Elaine becomes the hit-man's next target. Brian Bedford guest stars as Paul Coble, a KGB hit-man from whom Control needs protection. Other guest stars include: Philip Kraus as Petrov Durkin, KGB Station Chief, who sends two agents to scare Elaine and search her apartment (also as Dr. Gary Edward Foxworth in "Regrets Only,"[34] and Arnold in "Endgame"[35]); and Dan Ziskie as an unnamed Detective sent to investigate the break-in at Elaine's apartment. Co-starring are Paula Trueman as Mrs. Hammerschmidt, Elaine's neighbor who has a coded letter from her uncle, and Josh Mostel as Winston Erdlow, Elaine's boss at the bank.[1]
John Cullum guest stars as Judge Howard Tainey who wants a little "Carnal Persuasion" from Lisa in exchange for reducing the sentence for, or altogether vacating the conviction on, her husband for heroin possession. Lisa Hughes is portrayed by guest star Maria Holvoe in her second screen role, after which she played the Fairy Queen Cherlindrea in Willow (1987). She calls The Equalizer insisting that her husband was framed. Lisa's husband Jake Hughes is a tugboat skipper played by guest star John Laughlin. Other guest stars include Raymond Serra as Antonio, who had Jake framed for refusing to smuggle for him, and Cynthia Harris as Judge Paula G. Walsh. She was appointed at the same time as Judge Tainey, but he has advanced far beyond her. She suspects someone is pulling strings. Harris later joined the cast of Mad About You in a recurring role as Sylvia Buchman (1993–2019). Co-stars include, Louis Zorich as Zeke, a dock dispatcher who was recently fired, and Rocco Sisto as Frank, who works for Antonio.[14]
Melissa Sue Anderson guest stars as Yvette Marcel, Phillipe and Manon's daughter, and Control's goddaughter. In "Memories of Manon," Yvette remembers that Manon had spoken fondly of Robert McCall, but not much more. Yvette is kidnapped and threatened to discover the identity of Chrysalis or her father will be killed. She asks her godfather for help.[2]
Anthony Zerbe guest stars as Phillipe Marcel, a Police Inspector from Quebec who has been aiding a joint American/Canadian task force to dismantle organized crime along the Eastern seaboard, using a confidential informant code-named Chrysalis. It has helped his career at the expense of making targets of his fellow officers and his daughter Yvette.[2] Both Anderson and Zerbe reprise their roles in the season three, two-part episode "The Mystery of Manon."[36]
George DiCenzo guest stars as mob boss Frank Dorgan, who has Yvette kidnapped by his enforcer, Ernie Slackman (played by co-star David Shuman in his screen debut). Dorgan has his is own capo associates to answer to, thus the pressure to uncover and silence Chrysalis. DiCenzo also plays Bruno Dominic in the season three episode, "A Dance on the Dark Side."[25] Jon Polito guest stars in his second Equalizer role as Carmack, Dorgan's underling and associate of twenty-years, who holds a secret he doesn't want Dorgan to discover.[2]
Maurice Hines co-stars in his first of two appearances as Billie Bump. A Yale lawyer, he is an operative for the Agency. He is introduced at his own gym giving McCall a workout. Billie intercepts Slackman and Geiger to help Yvette escape, in an operation of "diversion and psychological warfare" carried out by roller-skating "raiders" (with supporting actor, Cameron Arnett).[2] In "Memories of Manon" Part 2, Kathleen Dezina (as Kate Dezina) co-stars as Yvette's mother Manon in a dream sequence.[3] This was Denzina's fourth television role after her recurring roles as Karen Dehner on Search for Tomorrow (1975) and as Marestella "Estelle" LaTour on All My Children (1977–1982). Denina, in her 1989 penultimate role, played Dream Mother in "Lullaby of Darkness."[37] Supporting actor Frank Adonis acts as Dorgan's Limo Driver and is his "left" hand man in the confrontation at the end of Part 2.[3] The two-part episode was also released as a 96-minute television movie, Memories of Manon.
Lindsay Crouse guest stars in "Solo" as Sarah McGee, an inventory control specialist who tracks production and shipping at Armstech, a munitions manufacturer. She is on the run from Pennsylvania where a warrant was issued for killing a police officer who was Sgt. Cole's partner. Sarah takes notice of McCall when he stops a robbery for the barkeeper Stan (played by co-star Thomas Quinn, who also played a Bartender in "Nightscape"[16]). When Sarah asks if McCall is a cop, Stan says "Not exactly," and hands her The Equalizer advertisement. McCall, having just been "let go" from his latest relationship, hears her story. While helping her, they become romantically involved. In his first television role, Kevin Spacey guest stars as Detective Sergeant Gunther Cole, a corrupt cop who is working with Max, Sarah's former lover who used her to gain access to Armstech. Austin Pendleton guest stars in his second of third appearances as Jonah, who helps verify Sarah's story; she was framed to hide the theft of weapons from her warehouse. Leon Russom guest stars as NYPD Sergeant Worley, who interrogates McCall with Sgt. Cole present. Russom also plays Lieutenant Borley in "Something Green."[38] Kenneth Ryan co-stars as Max (also as Mike Moore in "Torn"[39]). Broadway baritone singer Bruce Hubbard co-stars as a club Manager, where McCall and Sarah search for Max.[17]
Ann McDonough guest stars as Melanie Rowan, who has suffered her husband's abuse for years. She declares, "It's over," but it's too late; their daughter is missing. Alyson Kirk guest stars as Lynn Rowan, Melanie's thirteen year-old daughter who runs away to NYC to find "A Place to Stay" away from her abusive father Walter, but she finds a new kind of abuse and exploitation waiting for her. Kirk also played Mary Lou Halsey in "Suicide Squad" in her final screen role.[40] Margaret Welsh made her television debut in the first episode of The Equalizer as the Girl in the Subway who is grabbed by Cristolides.[41] In "A Place to Stay," Welsh guest stars in a more substantial role, as street-wise Judy, who initially tries to tell Lynn to "phone home". When Lynn hears her father yelling at her mother again, she tells Judy she's never getting hit again. Judy then gets Lynn mixed up with pornographers. Trey Wilson guest stars as Peter Marstand, a buyer of underage photos, and...more. He tells Griswald to bring Lynn to the launch party for his new architectural magazine. Chad Redding guest stars in her first appearance as NYPD Detective Sergeant Alice Shepard, working in the Juvenile Division. She handles the Rowand's case from the start, providing them ride-alongs. She tells McCall, there are three possibilities: short-timers, hard-core, or abused. She hopes for the first.[18]
Remaining guest stars include: Kario Salem as Griswald, who runs an "art" studio, and supplies photos and girls to clients; Bethel Leslie as Woman on Street, who knows Judy's game of exploitation, berates her for it, and tips McCall in the right direction, for a $20 and a promise of reward; and Ed Lauter as Walter Rowan, an abusive husband and father, who himself had an abusive father and swore he'd never be like him. Ed Lauter also played Robert Nichols in "No Place Like Home."[42] Co-stars include Robert Katims in his television debut as Grayson, the Coroner; Anne Carlisle as an Advertiser at Marstand's party; and Multi-instrumentalist Tim Cappello as a Shopkeeper of adult material, who receives underage magazines on the down-low every month, cash only. Supporting actors include Leslie Lyles; NYC stand-up comedian Rick Aviles in his third television role, as Scam who promises Lynn “A Place to Stay” and a way to make $50; and in her television debut, Nile Lanning as a Hooker not yet eighteen, who Sgt. Shepard saves from an abusive pimp.[18]
Patricia Kalember guest stars as Dr. Stephanie Davis, who hires McCall to take care of her peeping Tom "...or Dick or Harry or whatever his name." Afterwards, they begin a romance. As a psychiatrist, she helps him profile a serial killer, and he will have to protect her from him. Kalember also played Carlene Randall in the series premier, "The Equalizer."[41] Mitchell Lichtenstein guest stars as Alex Hayes, a serial killer with a "Coal Black Soul" who cannot stop himself from targeting middle-aged women. He hires The Equalizer to kill him, and when McCall says that's not the answer, Hayes replies, "Remember you said that..." before he goes out to kill again.[11]
Lois Smith guest stars as Dorothy Hermes, a theatre actress who, when Hayes arrives at her dressing room, is flattered to hear his praise at how well she plays a mother. McCall must save her from him, and she will have one more very important role to play. Smith had previously played Marie Ganucci in the season one episode, "The Confirmation Day."[43] Other guest stars include Earl Hindman in his last appearance as Lt. Elmer, who says McCall's advert is "an open call for crazies," and Chris Elliott as Rags Maloney, a peeping Tom who, when caught in the act, says he's a cable guy setting up a dish, to which McCall replies, "You are watching a dish."[11]
Co-stars include: Gale Garnett as Frances, a legal secretary who becomes Hayes' next victim when she misses her bus; Madelyn Griffith-Haynie as Jill, yet another victim; and Jihmi Kennedy in his second Equalizer role as Clarence Marshall, McCall's chauffer for the evening so that, in Clarence's words, "instead of [Robert] keeping his eye on the road, he can keep his eye on [Stephanie]."[11] Clarence, tells Stephanie that, McCall is "still holding it against me that I turned him over for stealing my cab," referring back to "Counterfire," in which McCall was on the run and his cabbie stopped to call the police on him. However, in that episode, Jihmi Kennedy's character was named Mosley, not Clarence Marshall.[5]
Robert X. Modica guest stars as Terrance Booth who has a grudge against Harry Dawson dating back to WWII. Booth terrorizes Dawson and finally abducts him with the intent to execute him as a traitor at "First Light." For Robert Xavier Modica, "First Light is the second of three roles on The Equalizer the first being Dawson in "Back Home"[44] and the last as The Sorceror in "Lullaby of Darkness."[37] When not onscreen, Modica taught acting at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse for 25 years, and at his Carnegie Hall studio for 50 years.[45] Lori Loughlin reprises her role as Jenny Morrow as Scott McCall's love interest. Scott, wanting to impress her, takes on the role of The Equalizer when her boss Harry becomes the victim of a crime. Mike Nussbaum guest stars as Harry Dawson who runs the store where Jenny works. He is beaten by thugs and his store vandalized; he suspects Victor Thorpe. Other guest stars include: Kaiulani Lee as Lorraine Watson, who questions Control at a Senate Hearing where McCall is testifying, and Jerome Dempsey as Senator Clairman, whose personal life was "officially but illegally" scrutinized by Control. After The Equalizer, Dempsey became the recurring voice of The Mayor in Shining Time Station (1989–1994). Paul Harding co-stars as Phillip Franken, who runs an art gallery. McCall recalls a similar man in Germany named Otto Mannheim. Franken made his screen debut in 1953, and only had two more appearances after The Equalizer. Other co-stars include: Quentin Crisp as Ernie Frick, a theater set designer who is hired to recreate "Barracks M," a stalag where Booth and Dawson were held during WWII; Marco St. John as Victor Thorpe, a real estate developer who is buying up the neighborhood; Ira Lewis as Porter, a thug who beats Harry and vandalizes his store; and in his television debut, Robert Haufrecht as Woods, also a thug.[12]
In "Hand and Glove," Barbara Garrick portrays Deborah Whitten, an invalid who is being terrorized by nightmares of a hooded figure trying to killer her, and even when she wakes he's there. Other guests include Mark Soper as Ken Whitten Jr., Deborah's cousin who when asked if he believes her, says only that he believes "in her." Charles Keating plays Kenneth Whitten, Deborah's uncle who doesn't want to involve the police. He prefers to keep matters quite by sequestering her in another house. He calls her psychiatrist, and suggests institutionalizing Deborah. Keating also played Vincent Brennard in "Last Call."[46] Nancy Fish co-stars as Rachel, Deborah's nurse, and William H. Macy plays Dr. Spaulding, Deborah's psychiatrist, to whom she describes her visions.[19]
John Goodman guest stars as Harold Winter, a single father who until six months ago, worked as a security specialist for a chemical company, Chemerc. He was let go because he had sold company secrets, although his boss George did not pursue criminal charges. Now, he's being pressured to provide "Re-Entry" into Chemerc to commit yet another crime. He wants to back out, but has already taken a down payment. So he is threatened with jail time and losing his son Chris to the foster system. This is Goodman's fifth television role, more than a year before joining the cast of Roseanne (1988). Steve Buscemi co-stars as Archie, who runs Wizard-o-Electro electronics store where Harold arranges for a machine to copy an access card. "Re-Entry" marks the first time Goodmand and Buscemi were on screen together, although only in a wide-shot without any dialog. This is Buscemi's third television role after a 1986 appearance on Miami Vice.
Cameron Johann guest stars in his second Equalizer role as Chris Winter, Harold's son. Chris can sense that his father is in some sort of trouble, and calls The Equalizer. Johann also played Rick Donahue in "Unpunished Crimes."[47] After a handful of other screen roles in the 1980s, Johann became a producer.[48] Other guests include the lead singer of the New York Dolls, David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) as Garnet who works as Slate's "muscle" doing his dirty work. After his Equalizer role, Johansen appeared as The Priest in Married to the Mob and as the Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged, both in 1988. He is also the voice of Beartaur in Centaurworld (2021). Joe Morton guest stars as Slate, who is after something very specific from Chemerc. He also has a silent partner in crime which he has not told Harold about, and both have been using Harold for more that this latest heist. Morton also played the recurring character Carter Brock beginning with "The Sins of Our Fathers" in season four.[49] Musician and composer Stewart Copeland makes a special guest appearance as a Pickpocket who steals a key card to access Chemerc. Copeland was the drummer of British rock band The Police both both before (1977–1986) and after (2007–2008) composing the theme music for The Equalizer. As such he has appeared in music videos since 1978, but the The Equalizer is Copland's screen debut as an actor. Graham Beckel co-stars as George Hershey, Harold's former boss at Chemerc, who is putting the moves on Joan Hawkins (played by Kitty Crooks), but she cares more for Harold. Harold likes Joan, even to the point of calling her "like family" and trusting her to look after his son Chris if anything bad should happen to him. However Harold seems oblivious as to how much she cares for him, rather than George, even to the point of seeing her mary George. After her Equalizer role, Crooks appeared in Kojak: Flowers for Matty (1990) as Walsh.[50][51]
Home releases
[edit]Episodes
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Rating/share (households) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1 | "Prelude" | Richard Compton | Carleton Eastlake | October 8, 1986 | 17.0/28[52] | |||||||
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Dictator General Astiz, for whom Robert McCall engineered a coup, kidnaps American journalist Frank Morrow.[a] His daughter Jenny[b] asks McCall to rescue him. McCall tracks down Jacob Stock, who is in his surveillance van with Alex,[c] to ask him about Urgate, Strossner, and Captain Vincente.[d] Stock, "Try The Paradise." McCall tries a con; he feigns indignity about the price of the drink from the bartender.[e] Implying he needs work, McCall convinces Vincente he'll make Frank talk, in order to reveal his location. He finds Frank's torture sanctioned by Agency operatives Eric[f] and Stoller,[g] so he confronts Control. Scott isn't pleased with his father for what he did in the past for the Agency. Robert says he doesn't really know the world enough to judge him. McCalls goes after Frank's abductors with a little help from Jacob Stock, Alex, Lieutenant Elmer, and the press. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 24 | 2 | "Nocturne" | Richard Compton | Carleton Eastlake | October 15, 1986 | 17.5/28[53] | |||||||
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Music critic Kate Parnell[h] hears a man's voice in an elevator. She cries, "It's him! Stop him! Don't you hear him?" "Who, dear... Who?" asks a kind woman.[i] "The man that did this to me!" ...Blinded, by a rapist eight years ago. Detective Lt. Isadore Smalls hasn't much evidence, but provides McCall the police report. Hearing an intruder, Kate's friend Susan calls McCall, who grills the doorman Jeremy[j] about his missing keys. Company agent Logan,[k] who is suicidal after a failed mission, tries protecting Kate. Matters worsen when Kate reviews Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson performing a hit single, "Count Your Blessings," from their new album. Someone shoots at Kate during their performance. McCall cashes a chit from computer expert Joshua[l] to create a voice simulation, and Smalls sends an APB. Former police officer Julian Coe[m] hears the APB at Crime Division and leaves. McCall asks Coe's secretary[n] about the voice. McCall and Logan race to intercept the suspect. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 25 | 3 | "A Community of Civilized Men" | Alan Metzger | Daniel Pyne & Scott Shepherd | October 22, 1986 | 12.9/21[54] | |||||||
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The widow Julia Jacobs[o] is pressed by Mr. Cooper[p] to pay her husband's debts. She asks McCall for help after collectors Michaels[q] and Wirth[r] vandalize her business. McCall, "IRS keeping you busy?" Wilhite, "Giving new meaning to, 'Uncle Sam wants you!'." Wilhite looks at Cooper's books. McCall warns Cooper. Grateful, Julia wants to get to know McCall. Preparing for his date, McCall finds a novelty from Adultarama...a signal to meet. A peepshow girl shows him to a private room...Control's there. He wants the Genesis list. McCall finds Julia murdered. Her daughter Valerie Jacobs[s] can't understand why...and, "Who ARE you?" McCall suspects Valerie is being targeted by a third party, a ghost named Zahn.[t] While McCall is surveying a bombing, police officers Webster[u] and Cook ask Valerie to come to the precinct for questions. Out of the safe house, Zahn grabs Valerie, forcing McCall to confront Zahn. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 26 | 4 | "Joyride" | Russ Mayberry | Jim Trombetta & Charles Grant Craig | October 29, 1986 | 14.4/26[55] | |||||||
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Teens Michael Winslow[v] and Steve take a hearse on a joyride, but are unaware of the crack cocaine in the coffin. Steve tries to find a buyer through their friend Rachel.[w] Mike's mother Ruth Winslow[x] calls McCall for help, so Mike and Mr. Winslow[y] show McCall the hearse, which now has a dead body in the casket. Before Control can find out, McCall pays off a gambling debt for Company agent Sonny Raines. In return, Sonny gives McCall intelligence on the hearse owner Norton R. Selby.[z] McCall bugs Selby's office at his funeral home, and Jimmy records him. McCall and Raines go to find Steve and the drugs, and calls Det. Smalls when they find Steve dead. McCall and Raines go after Aurelio and Selby. McCall tries to save Rachel from herself. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 27 | 5 | "Shades of Darkness" | Donald Petrie | Jack V. Fogarty | November 5, 1986 | 14.1/24[56] | |||||||
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National Guard Lieutenant Dan Turner[aa] sees deranged mercenary Rick Dillon[ab] escape after murdering Nancy Polinski. Leo Barnes[ac] witnesses Dan over Nancy's body. After being arrested, Dan's priest Father Martin O'Donohugh,[ad] who was with McCall in the army, contacts The Equalizer for help. Judge Paula G. Walsh[ae] releases Dan on his own recognizance, angering Nancy's father Frank Polinski.[af] Dillon tells Dan he is going to hunt him, and he starts with Dan's sister Lorraine. Martin takes McCall to see a recruiter[ag] to identify the mercenary, and the hunt is on. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 28 | 6 | "Nightscape" | Aaron Lipstadt | Carleton Eastlake | November 12, 1986 | 15.7/27[57] | |||||||
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Three men in the subway brutally gang-rape Amanda Kaufman.[ah] She asks McCall to stop her husband Jim[ai] from exacting revenge. McCall suggests she talk to a friend, so she calls Zena.[aj] He asks Det. Smalls for computer access so his hacker contact Jonah can determine the suspects' routine; rob first, drink next, rape later. McCall intercepts Jim, just as he is about to shoot Ricky Franklin,[ak] Time,[al] and another punk for harassing a woman. They are the wrong guys, but "vermin just the same." Jim leaves as police arrive. One of the rapists[am] robs a watch from a guy and stabs him before committing their next rape. McCall and Amanda find Jim, and she reveals that she knows why he is so angry. McCall gets a tip from a bartender and races to intercede before the gang can rape Zena. McCall finally opens up and admits what he does for a living to his new love interest, Allison.[an] "There's always one who wields the Sword of Damocles...." ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 29 | 7 | "Counterfire" | Alan Metzger | Scott Shepherd & Coleman Luck | November 19, 1986 | 16.0/26[58] | |||||||
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McCall walks into a bar... while a comedian[ao] does his act... poorly. McCall meets Teddie's waitress Anne Fitzgerald[ap] who asks him to protect her from being killed. He tracks down Terry,[aq] a hooker who's been putting Anne's name in the obituaries. She says it was joke from her john, Thomas Marley Jr..[ar] Elderly blind conman Tom Clark[as] fakes being hit by McCall's car, and a newsvendor berates him. Marley frames McCall for Clark's murder. NYPD Detective Lieutenant Kramer interrogates him. At arraignment, Judge Maurice Sanderling[at] denies bail, but Control arranges a distraction to extract him. Marley reports his progress to his incarcerated father.[au] On the run with his face in the newspaper, his cabbie Mosley[av] calls it in. After Marley tries to kill Anne, she tells McCall that Clark gave her that alias, and her real name is Diane Snyder, but is it really? McCall races to thwart Marley and clear his name.
| |||||||||||||
| 30 | 8 | "The Line" | Russ Mayberry | Steve Volpe | November 26, 1986 | 15.9/28[59] | |||||||
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McCall is called by Miriam Blain[aw] whose son Randy is killed accidentally by five men of the West Grove Citizen's Patrol. They lie to Lt. Vocek[ax] saying Randy was committing a crime. Jimmy gathers intel on patrolmen and local police who try to set up McCall. When they fail, patrolman Al Weaver goes after Miriam in her home and she kills him in self-defense. Her son Eugene tries to buy a gun from local thug Jumpin' Jack.[ay] Patrolmen Vic Roselli and Lou Marsh receive blackmail photos, so they suspect patrolman Ben Carrigan,[az] and they turn on each other. McCall intercedes when Vic tries to kill their leader, Marty Bennett.[ba] ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 31 | 9 | "Tip on a Sure Thing" | Donald Petrie | Scott Shepherd | December 3, 1986 | 16.2/27[60] | |||||||
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McCall starts his day while Warner Wolf announces horse racing news on television. The OTB teller[bb] gives a dizzying array of choices. McCall, "Can one just put money down on a horse to win a race?" OTB teller, "Sure, but it isn't as exciting." Even Harvey has an opinion on who will win. Maria Rivera,[bc] the wife of jockey Luis Rivera,[bd] calls McCall after a bookie named Chance[be] has his associate Pike[bf] kidnap their son Roberto in an attempt to fix the outcome of a horse race between Survivor Too and Notaquita. McCall enlists Sonny Raines' help, who leads them to his own "blind" bookie Barry.[bg] Notaquita's trainer, Oscar Peabody[bh] tries to encourage Luis, but Mr. Greenleaf[bi] learns of Roberto's kidnapping and tries to cash in as well. McCall and Ronny must find Roberto before the race begins to save him from being killed. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 32 | 10 | "The Cup" | Mario DiLeo | Story by : Andrew Sipes & Carleton Eastlake Teleplay by : David Jackson & Carleton Eastlake | December 10, 1986 | 16.4/27[61] | |||||||
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Mickey's brother, Father Nicholas Kostmayer[bj] hears Stephen Olenski's criminal confession right before a drive-by shooting. A policeman[bk] confirms, Stephan is dead. Mickey and McCall watch the Argentinean soccer match as newscaster Diane Waters[bl] interrupts with details of the shooting. After a second attempt on Nicholas, his Bishop[bm] demands police protection from Lt. Elmer. McCall and Mickey learn that Stephen was part of a Polish group that was infiltrated in a KGB plot to discredit Solidarity using a false-flag assassination. Nicholas slips out, allowing Spetsnaz commander Monica another chance to kill him, but McCall and Micky intercede. They all race to a conference for the new Russian Ambassador Sikora to thwart the plan. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 33 | 11 | "Heartstrings" | Russ Mayberry | Loraine Despres | December 17, 1986 | 15.4/25[62] | |||||||
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Tommy, the newborn son of Vanessa Daniels,[bn] is kidnapped by a nurse.[bo] Nurse Franks[bp] calls security, and the Chief of Administration Eugene Whitman[bq] meets Vanessa just as FBI Agent Frank Carter[br] arrives. Carter predicts a ransom or disturbed person as the motive, but Vanessa rules it out and calls The Equalizer. McCall suspects an illegal adoption broker, so Mickey distracts hospital personnel while McCall checks maternity records. He learns that the client for Tommy is Hector Kouros,[bs] and Whitman arranges the adoptions. Control warns McCall that Kouros is an Agency asset, and thus off-limits. The kidnapping nurse calls Vanessa to meet, but it's a trap by Norrell.[bt] McCall and Mickey confront Kouros to get Norrell's location and must now save both Vanessa and Tommy. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 34 | 12 | "High Performance" | Russ Mayberry | Jack V. Fogarty | January 7, 1987 | 17.3/29[63] | |||||||
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Construction worker Sally Stevens[bu] witnesses hit-man Jordan[bv] killing Mr. Tremayne's wife. Lt. Kramer arrives on-scene but there's no body, so she calls The Equalizer. She becomes the next target when Jordan and Tremayne[bw] see her watching them. Due to his acrophobia, McCall enlists Mickey's help to review the construction site. Mickey also finds a button from the wife's outfit in the apartment. To find who hired Jordan, McCall asks Dorian[bx] who else bought the same outfit from her clothing store. Armed with his identity, McCall sets a trap for him. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 35 | 13 | "Beyond Control" | Alan Metzger | Coleman Luck | January 14, 1987 | 15.4/26[64] | |||||||
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After the death of KGB mole John Ferman who infiltrated the Company, McCall and Mickey meet with Control who says he needs protection from KGB hit-man Paul Coble.[by] He also asks McCall to retrieve top-secret files that Fermen copied from Exden Incorporated. An agent harasses Fermen's niece Elaine Ferris[bz] at a café. She calls police after her apartment is tossed by another agent. The detective[ca] assumes the two incidents are a coincidence. Her neighbor Mrs. Hammerschmidt[cb] hands her a letter from her uncle that was delivered, but it is in code. Assuming she must have the files, Coble goes after Elaine at her bank, but fails. As a distraction to escape, he kills her boss Winston Erdlow.[cc] Mickey and Elaine try to crack the coded letter. Coble abducts Control to trade McCall for the files. McCall takes out his own insurance with KGB Station Chief Petrov Durkin,[cd] and a stand-off ensues. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 36 | 14 | "Carnal Persuasion" | Leon Ichaso | Dennis Manuel | January 21, 1987 | 15.5/25[65] | |||||||
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Judge Howard Tainey[ce] offers to release tugboat skipper Jake Hughes[cf] who was convicted of heroin possession, but only if his wife Lisa Hughes will have sex with him. Lisa insists the drugs were planted. She calls McCall who asks Judge Paula G. Walsh[cg] about Tainey. She says Tainey has powerful allies. While Jimmy monitors Tainey and Mickey protects Lisa, McCall questions dock dispatcher Zeke.[ch] Zeke says Antonio[ci] framed Jake who refused to smuggle for him. Tainey is also receiving bribes through Antonio's man Frank.[cj] McCall confronts Tainey to save Jake and stop the smugglers. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 37 | 15 | "Memories of Manon" | Tony Wharmby | Coleman Luck | February 4, 1987 | 15.0/25[66] | |||||||
| 38 | 16 | February 11, 1987 | 15.2/25[67] | ||||||||||
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Part 1 : A joint American/Canadian task force, led by Quebec Police Inspector Phillipe Marcel,[ck] is destroying mob operations along the Eastern seaboard with the assistance of an informant code-named Chrysalis. Mob boss Frank Dorgan[cl] and his associate Jean Carmack[cm] kidnap Phillipe's daughter Yvette,[cn] and threatens to kill Phillipe if she doesn't provide the identity of Chrysalis. Yvette turns to her godfather Control, who asks McCall to protect the Marcels. Control reveals that Yvette is the daughter of McCall's beloved former operative, Manon, but doesn't reveal her other secret. To get Yvette away from Mob enforcers Ernie Slackman and Al Geiger, McCall asks Mickey and Billie Bump to carry out an operation of "diversion and psychological warfare." McCall meets with Yvette to tell her he will help, and that he knew her mother. Later when Slackman tries to kill Yvette, McCall and Mickey force him tell who ordered it. Mob boss Tom Calvert who is under indictment puts pressure on Dorgan to take care of Chrysalis. So Dorgan orders Slackman to abduct Yvette again, and in the process Mickey is shot... Part 2 : Dorgan tells Carmack he's going to grab federal agent Blanchard, head of the task force. McCall tells Phillipe he suspects exactly that. McCall must now play Dorgan against Chrysalis to thwart Chrysalis' plans and save the Marcels. But his plan back-fires when Slackman gives Yvette the impression that McCall wants to trade her for money. Yvette escapes McCall's protection and is caught again by Dorgan, so she must give up Chrysalis' identity to save herself. McCall and Phillipe go through with their plan to trap both Dorgan and Carmack. McCall must then come to terms with his own connection to Yvette. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 39 | 17 | "Solo" | Alan Metzger | Carleton Eastlake | February 18, 1987 | 15.8/26[68] | |||||||
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McCall stops a robbery for bartender Stan, attracting the attention of Sarah McGee.[co] She tries tricking McCall into staying with her for protection. Dubious, he leaves just as she is grabbed by Detective Sergeant Gunther Cole.[cp] Unaware who he is, McCall shoots Cole, who is saved by body armor. Seeing Cole's badge, they flee. She claims she was framed for killing Cole's partner, and has been checking clubs frequented by her lover, Max to clear her name. Still dubious, McCall asks Jonah to check her story. Unable to find Lt. Kramer, McCall talks instead to Sergeant Worley,[cq] but Det. Cole is there too. McCall is too sly to be interrogated, so Cole leaves with a warning. He checks one of the clubs for Max, but the club manager[cr] can't or won't help. Jonah verifies Sarah was framed to hide the theft of weapons from her warehouse, Armstech. McCall tracks down the perpetrators. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 40 | 18 | "A Place to Stay" | Alan Metzger | Story by : Marc Rubin Teleplay by : Marc Rubin & Carleton Eastlake & Coleman Luck | February 25, 1987 | 18.5/30[69] | |||||||
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Thirteen year-old Lynn Rowan runs away to NYC from abusive father Walter Rowan.[cs] She's hassled by street people like "Scam"[ct] who offers Lynn “A Place to Stay” to make herself $50. Her parents follow, but they're frustrated. NYPD Detective Sergeant Alice Shepard says 50,000 run away annually. Her mother Melanie hires McCall. Lynn meets Judy who says she can find work with photographer Griswald.[cu] A street woman[cv] berates Judy for exploiting her. McCall asks Shepard where to start; she says "The Deuce...42nd street." The street woman tells him Lynn might be in next month's Puppy Love, like Judy. So he questions a porn shopkeeper.[cw] With new photos, Griswald meets Peter Marstand.[cx] Suspecting abuse, McCall confronts Walter. Shepard asks them to come to the morgue; McCall checks Judy's belongings for clues to find Lynn. Shepard tries to save yet another underage hooker from the city streets.... ^ cast End-credits PSA: The producers express their appreciation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington, D.C. for their advice and guidance in the development of this episode. | |||||||||||||
| 41 | 19 | "Coal Black Soul" | Richard Compton | Scott Shepherd | May 6, 1987 | 14.6/27[70] | |||||||
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Alex Hayes[cy] is a serial killer who cannot stop himself from targeting middle-aged women. He hires The Equalizer to kill him. McCall reports it to Lt. Elmer who wants to know why the killer called him. His next client is Dr. Stephanie Davis,[cz] who asks him to save her from a peeping tom. He promptly catches Rags Maloney[da] in the act, and then asks her out to dinner and a little romance. Meanwhile, Hayes bumps into Frances[db] who just missed her bus. The next morning Hayes calls again to warn McCall to stop him, just as he is walking Jill to her stranded car. When McCall gets home he finds a note with an address, just as Hayes arrives at the theater dressing room of Dorothy Hermes.[dc] McCall arrives in time to save her, but Haynes escapes and goes after Dr. Davis next. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 42 | 20 | "First Light" | Richard Compton | Jack Fogarty | May 13, 1987 | 15.7/28[71] | |||||||
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Scott McCall and Jenny Morrow talk about dating at a store where she works for Harry Dawson.[dd] Two thugs, Woods and Porter,[de] vandalize the store and beat Harry. Scott chases them out. Harry suspects real estate developer Victor Thorpe,[df] who is buying up the neighborhood. Robert is out of town, questioned by Lorraine Watson[dg] at a Senate Hearing against Control. Scott becomes "The Equalizer" and confronts Thorpe, who denies involvement. Terrance Booth[dh] trashes Harry's home, then hires theater set designer Ernie Frick[di] to recreate "Barracks M." Harry is threatened via his wife's headstone, with a scratched-in death date; 3/29/1987...tomorrow! Booth abducts Harry, so Scott calls his father. Robert's testimony settles the hearing, saving Control, so he returns to help. Harry wakes up in Barracks M, with Booth calling him a traitor. Booth wants "Vindication" and at "first light" Harry will die. Robert explains the significance of the date on the headstone, but for 1944, WWII. Scott does his own detective work and gets a lead to Frick, from which Robert gets Booth's location. Robert and Control lure the real traitor to Booth. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 43 | 21 | "Hand and Glove" | Alan Metzger | Coleman Luck | May 20, 1987 | 12.7/22[72] | |||||||
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Invalid Deborah Whitten[dj] has a nightmare of a hooded figure trying to killer her. When she wakes, the hooded figure is in her room. Her uncle Kenneth Whitten[dk] wants to call her psychiatrist, not the police. She claims the figure will kill her, just like her father. Her cousin Ken Jr.[dl] only believes "in her" before leaving for a triathlon. Scott visits his father with a new client, Shirley Gossett, who then claims Scott is the father of her unborn baby. Robert sets him straight about sharks (i.e., con-women). Deborah describes another vision to her psychiatrist Dr. Spaulding.[dm] Whitten suggests institutionalizing her, so she leaves and meets Scott. Robert takes the case and plants a bug on her wheelchair. Scott finds her will and Whitten Manor building plans while Robert listens to the bug. When she screams he barges in, but Whitten forces him to leave. Kenneth starts the commitment process and Deborah is taken to another house. Robert tells Scott to follow and observe, but don't act. When Scott sees a hooded figure approach the house, he acts, and so must Robert. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 44 | 22 | "Re-Entry" | Aaron Lipstadt | Story by : Dennis Manuel Teleplay by : Scott Shepherd | May 27, 1987 | 13.4/23[73] | |||||||
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Former Chemerc security specialist Harold Winter[dn] is abducted at gunpoint by Garnet.[do] Slate[dp] tells him to commit a robbery at Chemerc or else. At a bar, Harold meets Joan Hawkins and his former Chemerc boss George Hershey.[dq] Harold asks Joan to take care of his son Chris if anything happens to him. Sensing trouble, Chris calls The Equalizer, but Mickey answers. Chris explains he can't call the cops because his dad had previously sold Chemerc secrets, but George didn't press charges. McCall interrogates Wizard-o-Electro owner Archie[dr] about what Harold wanted; a machine to copy an access card stolen by a pickpocket.[ds] McCall develops a plan to catch Slate and Garnet in the act, but Garnet kidnaps Chris. Slate calls Joan to tell McCall to call off his plan or Chris dies. McCall and Mickey must now improvise to save both Chris and Harold. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ Martin Shakar as Frank Morrow
- ^ Lori Loughlin as Jenny Morrow
- ^ Joseph Mosso as Alex
- ^ Jaime Sánchez as Vincente
- ^ Kelly Lynch as Bartender
- ^ James Rebhorn as Eric
- ^ Tim de Zarn as Stoller
- ^ Jessica Harper as Kate Parnell
- ^ Alice Drummond as Kind Woman
- ^ Thomas A. Carlin as Jeremy the Doorman
- ^ Michael Parks as Logan
- ^ Brad Sullivan as Joshua
- ^ Ron Frazier as Coe
- ^ Tanya Berezin as Secretary
- ^ Tammy Grimes as Julia Jacobs
- ^ Lewis J. Stadlen as Mr. Cooper
- ^ Bruce Altman as Michaels
- ^ Zach Grenier as Wirth
- ^ Jennifer Grey as Valerie Jacobs
- ^ Lewis Van Bergen as Zahn
- ^ Patrick Kilpatrick as Webster
- ^ Christian Slater as Michael Winslow
- ^ Kristen Vigard as Rachel
- ^ Olga Bellin as Ruth Winslow
- ^ Eddie Jones as Mr. Winslow
- ^ Roger Robinson as Norton R. Selby
- ^ Lenny Von Dohlen as Dan Turner
- ^ Bill Sadler as Rick Dillon
- ^ Sam Coppola as Leo Barnes
- ^ Edward Binns as Father Martin O'Donohugh
- ^ Olympia Dukakis as Judge Paula G. Walsh
- ^ J. J. Johnston as Frank Polinski
- ^ Caroline Kava as Mercenary Recruiter
- ^ Frances Fisher as Amanda Kaufman
- ^ Thomas G. Waites as Jim Kaufman
- ^ Madeleine Potter as Zena
- ^ Tim Guinee as Ricky Franklin
- ^ Mark Boone Junior as Time
- ^ Matthew Cowles as Rapist #2
- ^ Lisa Banes as Allison
- ^ Mickey Freeman as Comedian
- ^ Lisa Pelikan as Anne Fitzgerald
- ^ Laura Dean as Terry
- ^ Vincent D'Onofrio as Thomas Marley Jr.
- ^ William Hickey as Tom Clark
- ^ Sully Boyar as Judge Maurice Sanderling
- ^ Leonardo Cimino as Thomas Marley Sr.
- ^ Jihmi Kennedy as Mosley
- ^ Novella Nelson as Miriam Blain
- ^ Joe Grifasi as Lt. Vocek
- ^ Giancarlo Esposito as Jumpin' Jack
- ^ Donald Buka as Ben Carrigan
- ^ David Leary as Marty Bennett
- ^ Merwin Goldsmith as OTB Teller
- ^ Denise Dumont as Maria Rivera
- ^ Daniel Faraldo as Luis Rivera
- ^ Robert O'Reilly as Chance
- ^ Ted Ross as Pike
- ^ Nestor Serrano as Barry
- ^ Roberts Blossom as Oscar Peabody
- ^ Paul Gleason as Greenleaf
- ^ Dennis Christopher as Father Nicholas Kostmayer
- ^ Lanny Flaherty as Policeman
- ^ Donna Fiducia as Diane Waters
- ^ Colin Fox as Bishop
- ^ Michele Dotrice as Vanessa Daniels
- ^ Jana Schneider as Kidnapping Nurse
- ^ Carol Woods as Second Nurse
- ^ David Margulies as Eugene Whitman
- ^ Sam Schacht as Frank Carter
- ^ Aharon Ipalé as Hector Kouros
- ^ Michael Margotta as Norrell
- ^ Patricia Charbonneau as Sally Stevens
- ^ Michael Wincott as Jordan
- ^ James Remar as Tremayne
- ^ Doris Belack as Dorian
- ^ Brian Bedford as Paul Coble
- ^ Liane Curtis as Elaine Ferris
- ^ Dan Ziskie as Detective
- ^ Paula Trueman as Mrs. Hammerschmidt
- ^ Josh Mostel as Winston Erdlow
- ^ Philip Kraus as Petrov Durkin
- ^ John Cullum as Judge Howard Tainey
- ^ John Laughlin as Jake Hughes
- ^ Cynthia Harris as Judge Paula G. Walsh
- ^ Louis Zorich as Zeke
- ^ Raymond Serra as Antonio
- ^ Rocco Sisto as Frank
- ^ Anthony Zerbe as Phillipe Marcel
- ^ George DiCenzo as Frank Dorgan
- ^ Jon Polito as Jean Carmack
- ^ Melissa Sue Anderson as Yvette Marcel
- ^ Lindsay Crouse as Sarah McGee
- ^ Kevin Spacey as Sgt. Cole
- ^ Leon Russom as Sergeant Worley
- ^ Bruce Hubbard as Manager
- ^ Ed Lauter as Walter Rowan
- ^ Rick Aviles as Scam
- ^ Kario Salem as Griswald
- ^ Bethel Leslie as Woman on Street
- ^ Tim Cappello as Shopkeeper
- ^ Trey Wilson as Peter Marstand
- ^ Mitchell Lichtenstein as Alex Hayes
- ^ Patricia Kalember as Dr. Stephanie Davis
- ^ Chris Elliott as Rags Maloney
- ^ Gale Garnett as Frances
- ^ Lois Smith as Dorothy Hermes
- ^ Mike Nussbaum as Harry Dawson
- ^ Ira Lewis as Porter
- ^ Marco St. John as Victor Thorpe
- ^ Kaiulani Lee as Lorraine Watson
- ^ Robert X. Modica as Terrance Booth
- ^ Quentin Crisp as Ernie Frick
- ^ Barbara Garrick as Deborah Whitten
- ^ Charles Keating as Kenneth Whitten
- ^ Mark Soper as Ken Jr.
- ^ William H. Macy as Dr. Spaulding
- ^ John Goodman as Harold Winter
- ^ David Johansen as Garnet
- ^ Joe Morton as Slate
- ^ Graham Beckel as George Hershey
- ^ Steve Buscemi as Archie
- ^ Stewart Copeland as Pickpocket
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Beyond Control" - Season 2, Episode 13
- ^ a b c d e f g "Memories of Manon" - Season 2, Episode 15
- ^ a b c d "Memories of Manon (Part 2)" - Season 2, Episode 16
- ^ a b "A Community of Civilized Men" - Season 2, Episode 3
- ^ a b c d "Counterfire" - Season 2, Episode 7
- ^ a b "High Performance" - Season 2, Episode 12
- ^ a b c d "Joyride" - Season 2, Episode 4
- ^ a b c d e "Tip on a Sure Thing" - Season 2, Episode 9
- ^ a b c d e f "Prelude" - Season 2, Episode 1
- ^ a b c "The Cup" - Season 2, Episode 10
- ^ a b c d e "Coal Black Soul" - Season 2, Episode 19
- ^ a b c "First Light" - Season 2, Episode 20
- ^ a b c "The Line" - Season 2, Episode 8
- ^ a b "Carnal Persuasion" - Season 2, Episode 14
- ^ a b "Nocturne" - Season 2, Episode 2
- ^ a b c d e "Nightscape" - Season 2, Episode 6
- ^ a b c "Solo" - Season 2, Episode 17
- ^ a b c "A Place to Stay" - Season 2, Episode 18
- ^ a b "Hand and Glove" - Season 2, Episode 21
- ^ a b "The Defector" - Season 1, Episode 3
- ^ a b "The Caper" - Season 4, Episode 18
- ^ "The Visitation" - Season 4, Episode 9
- ^ a b "Shades of Darkness" - Season 2, Episode 5
- ^ "Mission: McCall" - Season 3, Episode 6
- ^ a b "A Dance on the Dark Side" - Season 3, Episode 12
- ^ "Silent Fury" - Season 4, Episode 12
- ^ "Suspicion of Innocence" - Season 3, Episode 3
- ^ a b "Day of the Covenant" - Season 4, Episode 5
- ^ "Dead Drop" - Season 1, Episode 15
- ^ "Igor Panich" (in French). Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ "Encounter in a Closed Room" - Season 3, Episode 5
- ^ "Breakpoint" - Season 1, Episode 19
- ^ "Heartstrings" - Season 2, Episode 11
- ^ "Regrets Only" - Season 3, Episode 20
- ^ "Endgame" - Season 4, Episode 21
- ^ "The Mystery of Manon" - Season 3, Episode 16
- ^ a b "Lullaby of Darkness" - Season 4, Episode 13
- ^ "Something Green" - Season 3, Episode 15
- ^ "Torn" - Season 1, Episode 17
- ^ "Suicide Squad" - Season 4, Episode 22
- ^ a b "The Equalizer (Pilot)" - Season 1, Episode 1
- ^ "No Place Like Home" - Season 3, Episode 18
- ^ "The Confirmation Day" - Season 1, Episode 6
- ^ "Back Home" - Season 1, Episode 13
- ^ Barnes, Mike (March 16, 2015). "Robert X. Modica, Famed New York Acting Teacher, Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ "Last Call" - Season 3, Episode 19
- ^ "Unpunished Crimes" - Season 1, Episode 21
- ^ "Cameron Johann - Screenwriter / Producer: Biography". ISA Insider. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "The Sins of Our Fathers" - Season 4, Episode 8
- ^ "Kitty Crooks". Film Affinity. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ "Re-Entry" - Season 2, Episode 22
- ^ "NBC keeps on rolling". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 16. October 20, 1986. p. 38. ProQuest 1014736998.
- ^ "Four in a row for NBC". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 17. October 27, 1986. p. 96. ProQuest 1014715087.
- ^ "Mets-Sox deliver NBC another win". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 18. November 3, 1986. p. 54. ProQuest 1016898182.
- ^ "Game seven, 'Cosby' lift NBC to victory". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 19. November 10, 1986. p. 73. ProQuest 1016910246.
- ^ "NBC rolls a lucky seven". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 20. November 17, 1986. p. 52. ProQuest 1285762482.
- ^ "NBC wins prime time and news in week eight". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 21. November 24, 1986. p. 52. ProQuest 1016917184.
- ^ "Nine in a row: NBC ties second-best season streak". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 22. December 1, 1986. p. 88. ProQuest 1014739802.
- ^ "NBC narrowly wins week 10". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 23. December 8, 1986. p. 102. ProQuest 1014720590.
- ^ "NBC stays undefeated". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 24. December 15, 1986. p. 91. ProQuest 1014742080.
- ^ "NBC juggernaut keeps on rolling". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 25. December 22, 1986. p. 75. ProQuest 1016910304.
- ^ "NBC continues winning ways". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 26. December 29, 1986. p. 63. ProQuest 1016911139.
- ^ "CBS wins its second in a row". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 3. January 19, 1987. p. 210. ProQuest 1016906203.
- ^ "NBC wins prime time and news". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 4. January 26, 1987. p. 58. ProQuest 1016900438.
- ^ "Super Bowl was super for CBS". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 5. February 2, 1987. p. 70. ProQuest 1016913996.
- ^ "Prime time and news go to NBC". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 7. February 16, 1987. p. 56. ProQuest 1016919377.
- ^ "'Amerika' premiere pushes ABC to second". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 8. February 23, 1987. p. 74. ProQuest 1016922703.
- ^ "NBC overcomes ABC's 'Amerika'". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 9. March 2, 1987. p. 56. ProQuest 1016911964.
- ^ "NBC on another winning streak". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 10. March 9, 1987. p. 44. ProQuest 1016912824.
- ^ "NBC continues summer run". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 20. May 18, 1987. p. 96. ProQuest 1014717874.
- ^ "NBC-TV wins in prime time and news". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 21. May 25, 1987. p. 62. ProQuest 1016924420.
- ^ "NBC wins week with 13.8/24". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 22. June 1, 1987. p. 49. ProQuest 1016920412.
- ^ "NBC continues summer winning streak". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 23. June 8, 1987. p. 58. ProQuest 1016927329.
External links
[edit]- The Equalizer at IMDb
- List of The Equalizer episodes at epguides.com
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