Washington (the supremely cool Taurean Blacque) unearths evidence to clear vicious racist narcotics cop Charlie Weeks (a terrific performance by Charles Hallahan) over the back alley shooting of a black youth while Furillo (the fabulous Daniel J. Travanti) clashes with Chief Fletcher Daniels (the sublimely slimy Jon Cypher) over the investigation. Bates (Betty Thomas) and her new partner Coffey (the extremely likable Ed Marinaro) get to know each other better. LaRue's (an outstanding portrayal by Kiel Martin) alcoholism undermines his ability to do his job and causes his life to fall apart. Hill (sterling work from Michael Warren) comes down hard on a teenage mother who continually neglects her two children. Director Corey Allen relates the gripping story at a constant brisk pace and ably sustains an uncompromisingly edgy and intense tone throughout. This is without a doubt one of the single most powerful and dramatic episodes of the first season, with LaRue's drinking problems providing a majority of the strongest moments (LaRue's big breakdown in front of everyone at the station is especially painful to watch and, in a truly surprising scene, LaRue discovers Furillo in attendance at his first AA meeting, thus revealing that Furillo is a recovering alcoholic). Moreover, there are also a few inspired funny bits, with the comic highlight occurring when the ever daft Hunter (James B. Sikking in hilarious deadpan form) talks to Bates about how he's learning to see everyone more as people instead of men and women. Ken Foree of "Dawn of the Dead" fame has a neat uncredited bit as a hold-up man who attempts to rob a pawnshop Belker (Bruce Weitz) is working undercover at. And the whole show concludes on a potent note with Coffey getting shot by a motorist he pulls over. A superior episode that's essential viewing for fans of the show.
3 Reviews
An excellent closer to the first season.
Hey_Sweden3 January 2021
The case of bigoted, brutal narcotics detective Charlie Weeks (guest star Charles Hallahan) continues, and Washington uncovers more evidence that Weeks, for all his shortcomings, may well have been telling the truth about the shootout in which he was involved. Hill is obliged to take single mother Shirrets' (guest star Van Nessa Clarke) kids away from her since she doesn't seem inclined to change her ways. But this just might be the wake-up call she's needed. La Rues' unreliability becomes complete and total, and he reaches his lowest point (culminating in an outburst in the station house to which many people are witness). However, he, too, might be able to find redemption. And Officer Coffey (guest star Ed Marinaro) is determined to take his relationship with Bates to the next level, but then something unexpected happens.
This wonderfully written two-part episode (originally aired as a two-hour episode back in 1981) is once again indicative of how many dramatic *and* comedic peaks that the show runners could create. For example, the situation facing La Rue makes him so pathetic and pitiable that one can't help but feel sorry for him. 'Jungle Madness' gets off to a riotous beginning as the decorum of Esterhaus' roll calls is interrupted one morning by an exotic dancer (as it turns out, it was for his birthday). The acting from all cast members is simply superb, with Kiel Martin (La Rue), Charles Haid (Renko), and Michael Warren (Hill) doing some true bravura acting. But as fans know, La Rues' situation is all too reminiscent of the real-life alcoholism that would sadly kill Martin at a too-young age. One aspect that this viewer really enjoyed about the writing was the fact that Washington would go to such lengths to investigate Weeks' story, when he would have plenty of reason to hate Weeks under ordinary circumstances. Even Weeks questions it, to which Washington replies that it's all about doing superior police work, something that a guy like Weeks wouldn't understand.
Several familiar faces turn up: Jon Cypher (as Chief Fletcher Daniels), Eddie Barth, Tom Bower, Mimi Rogers, Jeannetta Arnette, Terry Alexander, and an unbilled Ken Foree as an armed robber.
'Jungle Madness' further proves that 'Hill Street Blues' is one of the finest cop shows in the history of television.
Nine out of 10.
This wonderfully written two-part episode (originally aired as a two-hour episode back in 1981) is once again indicative of how many dramatic *and* comedic peaks that the show runners could create. For example, the situation facing La Rue makes him so pathetic and pitiable that one can't help but feel sorry for him. 'Jungle Madness' gets off to a riotous beginning as the decorum of Esterhaus' roll calls is interrupted one morning by an exotic dancer (as it turns out, it was for his birthday). The acting from all cast members is simply superb, with Kiel Martin (La Rue), Charles Haid (Renko), and Michael Warren (Hill) doing some true bravura acting. But as fans know, La Rues' situation is all too reminiscent of the real-life alcoholism that would sadly kill Martin at a too-young age. One aspect that this viewer really enjoyed about the writing was the fact that Washington would go to such lengths to investigate Weeks' story, when he would have plenty of reason to hate Weeks under ordinary circumstances. Even Weeks questions it, to which Washington replies that it's all about doing superior police work, something that a guy like Weeks wouldn't understand.
Several familiar faces turn up: Jon Cypher (as Chief Fletcher Daniels), Eddie Barth, Tom Bower, Mimi Rogers, Jeannetta Arnette, Terry Alexander, and an unbilled Ken Foree as an armed robber.
'Jungle Madness' further proves that 'Hill Street Blues' is one of the finest cop shows in the history of television.
Nine out of 10.
What a First Season!
Hitchcoc9 July 2021
Can they keep it up. A two parter with so many events. We have the continuing saga of Washington sticking up for Weeks who is the lowest of the low as a policeman. We have J. D. Larue hitting bottom after his drunkenness continues to nearly get more people killed. We have Hill and the young mother who neglected her children disappointed and angry. A striking one is Andy Renko falling for a beautiful college professor and she with him, but? And we get to know Joe Coffey who is Lucy Bates' partner and who adores her. I remember when Ed Marinaro played for the Minnesota Vikings. The season closes with Larue getting a surprise and Coffey's fat unknown.
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