Hill Street Blues (TV Series) A Hill of Beans (1983) User Reviews

Worthy closer to the third season

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 11 August 2015]

The transport with everyone's salary money gets robbed. Belker (essayed with growly gusto by Bruce Weitz) and LaRue (sturdy Kiel Martin) track down the man who shot Washington (an engaging turn by Taureen Blacque). Benedetto (a bravura portrayal by Dennis Franz) busts Rollie (a terrific Michael Lerner). Furillu (Daniel J. Travanti, typically superb) finds Martinez (a nicely swaggering Trinidad Silva) behind bars.

The payroll robbery subplot provides a good deal of tension and humor, LaRue's loyalty to his partner Washington is quite touching, and there's some really funny business involving Furillo and Davenport (a positively ravishing Veronica Hamel) trying (and failing) to get some time alone together for a little afternoon delight. Moreover, the storyline with Benedetto gets resolved in this show's customary uncompromisingly grim manner while the ultimate outcome of struggling junkie Rico's (ace work from Marco Rodriguez) attempts to kick his habit proves to be simply heartbreaking.

Things Wrap Up Nicely

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 17 July 2021]

There are several issues that are dealt with. First is the whole payroll thing. A courier, bringing 50 grand to the station to pay off the beleaguered employees, is robbed. It would seem that such a sizable amount wouldn't be kept in a box and hand delivered. A second major issue and the main plot development involves Benedetto's (Dennis Franz"s) criminal behavior. This leads to a dramatic conclusion. There are other minor events including the betrayal of Leo by the guy he worked like crazy to help. Joe also gets some really good news. And there is a hilarious scene as Frank and Joyce try for some afternoon delight.

A riveting conclusion to the third season.

[Hey_Sweden · 10/10 · 5 November 2023]

An incensed J. D. works with Belker to find the trigger man who nearly cost Neal his life. Meanwhile, the case against Rollie Simone (a perfectly calm and arrogant Michael Lerner) continues, but now bad cop Sal Benedetto (Dennis Franz) is feeling his situation close in on him. And although the staff of the station will be finally getting their pay - in cash, no less - the courier actually gets ripped off!

'A Hill of Beans' refers to Jesus' (Trinidad Silva) repeated attempts to profit off of a federal grant. It's amusing when he finally ends up in real hot water and does get sent to prison. Frank expresses his disappointment in the guy, but then characters experiencing disappointment is a bit of a running theme in this excellent episode (I refer to the unfortunate final few minutes when all of one characters' attempts to help someone else come to naught).

For all of his faults, the friendship that J. D. has with Neal is touching, as we can see just how livid he is with Sal and the botched undercover operation; we also get a nice scene with J. D. visiting Neal in the hospital. (For me, this has been some of Kiel Martins' best acting on the series to date.) There's also a very nice moment as Fay shares her great news (she'll be having a baby girl) with Frank and then Phil, and she asks Phil if he'll be the baby's godfather.

The big finale with Sal is effectively intense, and it leads to an unsurprising resolution that still hits pretty hard. But, as Frank says, "he won't be missed".

A hilarious comic highlight has one of Frank & Joyces' romantic rendezvous get interrupted by an ailing waiter.

All in all, this brought the third season to a close in real style.

10 out of 10.