Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti in customary sterling form) deals with antsy juvenile gang leader Hector Ruiz (a fine performance Panchito Gomez), who has taken two people hostage in a grocery store. Moreover, Furillo has to do his best to keep gung-ho emergency squad leader Hunter (a delightfully kooky portrayal by James B. Sikking) from going overboard with his handling of the situation. Director Arnold Laven tackles the gripping premise in a commendably low-key and understated way without ever getting too overly dramatic. Laven also builds a good deal of suspense and keeps the pace swift throughout. Best of all, Hector isn't depicted as some sneering one-dimensional nasty hoodlum; instead he's shown in a sympathetic warts'n'all human manner. This episode also delivers several nice moments of humor, with Hill (Michael Warren) and Renko (Charles Haid) deciding to steal a side of beef that Hector has pumped a few bullets into. Nick Savage makes another welcome appearance as the pickpocket who's constantly being arrested by Belker (Bruce Weitz); in one of the show's funniest running gags he always gives Belker a totally ridiculous fake name (this time he says he's F. Scott Fitzgerald!). And the episode ends with a lovely reconciliation scene between Furillo and his ex-wife Fay (beautifully played by Barbara Bosson).
Review of Choice Cut
