Starsky and Hutch: The Committee (1977)
Season 2, Episode 21
7/10
Secret mission
11 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Murderers and rapists, beware. The courts may not be able to hold you, but a group of vigilantes is prepared to see that justice is done. Your days are numbered.

Starsky and Hutch are as frustrated with the courts and the lawyers as the other cops in Bay City, but they are just as concerned about the vigilante group, especially when it seems probable that cops are involved. Starsky and Hutch devise a plan to get Starsky invited to be part of the vigilante group in order to identify and stop them.

This is a good episode and has some surprises for the viewers. Starsky and Hutch are part of a secret that we don't know up front, so that gives the story a different flavor. When Starsky and Hutch argue, and Starsky punches Hutch at the bar, we start to suspect that something is going on behind the scenes. Soon they will let us in on the ruse.

The mission is a tight little plan, but then Dobey inadvertently (carelessly) exposes the secret and puts Starsky's life in danger. Quick thinking by Starsky and a timely arrival by Hutch save the day.

I like almost everything about this episode except for that tired 70s plot point that criminals get so much protection under the law that they can never be convicted of anything, no matter what they do. Was it really that hard in the 70s to put criminals away for their crimes? Why did our TV shows give us that scenario over and over in all of our cop shows? There must have been a reason, but I don't know what it was. Besides that, Dobey comes off especially bad in this episode. He is overly gruff, partly inept, and mostly just along for the ride; Starsky and Hutch hatch the plan and take the lead and figure everything out while Dobey eats his sandwich and chews them out. Starsky and Hutch never lose respect for Dobey, but the writers don't make it easy.

PMG and DS play our smart and reliable cops with heart and tenacity. The system will not break them down, no matter what. That's why we keep tuning in. Go, team!
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