The Equalizer (1985–1989)

A retired intelligence agent turned private detective helps various threatened clients to equalize the odds.

Creators:

Richard Lindheim, Michael Sloan

Stars:

Edward Woodward, Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Edward Woodward	...	Robert McCall (88 episodes, 1985-1989)
Keith Szarabajka	...	Mickey Kostmayer (55 episodes, 1985-1989)

Storyline

Robert McCall is "The Equalizer", a private detective with a lot of contacts who is available for hire if you have a problem that you don't know how to solve. His no-nonsense attitude, compassion, and experience with dealing with a wide variety of situations makes him a powerful and useful detective.

---

Plot Keywords:

detective | spy | new york city | manhattan new york city | neo noir

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Equalizer

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the height of the show's popularity, actor Edward Woodward was often approached on the street by people in need, with situations similar to those depicted in the show. He began carrying flyers with the phone numbers of social services organizations and legal clinics for them to contact.

---

Quotes

Robert McCall: You have five seconds to give me the name.
[pause]
Robert McCall: Time's up, throw him out of the window!

---

Connections

Spoofed in Big Guns (1989)

User Reviews

Robert McCall was the ultimate chess player!

"The Equalizer" was an action-adventure TV series unlike any that I had ever seen before. It effectively mixed espionage, crime drama, and the private eye genres into a wonderful film noir package. Robert McCall (played to perfection by Edward Woodward) was no Mike Hammer, nor was he meant to be. He relied more on brains than brawn and his plans worked like a game of chess. Whether he attended an embassy affair or was running down a lead on a guns dealer in the South Bronx, McCall seemed right at home.

Disenchanted with his cloak-and-dagger life in the CIA, and perhaps seeking some redemption for some of his darker exploits in the name of God and Country, he broke away from "the Company," and offered his services to people in trouble.

McCall's strength was his abilities as a strategist and tactician. Although he was quite able in shootouts and fisticuffs, he tended to leave the rough stuff to other operatives who sometimes took time off from their day jobs (usually in the CIA) to work for McCall. One of his most trusted colleagues was his comrade-in-arms Mickey Kostmeyer (played by Keith Szarabajka), a Company man who seemed willing to dive into any dangerous situation for the thrill.

Although McCall resigned from the CIA, he continued to maintain contact with his friend and former boss, a man known only as Control (played by Robert Lansing). There is a history of camraderie between Control and McCall, but Control's job tends to get in the way of that friendship. When one of Control's operations involved lying to McCall, and McCall confronted him, Control's only response was, "It's what I do for a living, Robert."

All in all, a wonderful show with high production values. I'm only sorry it lasted four seasons.