Life, Death, Eternity (14 Mar. 1981)

Frank risks a promotion to commander by pursuing an investigation that links a city councilman from another district to the murder of a prostitute. Belker is harassed by a new anti-Semetic cop.

Director:

Jack Starrett

Writers:

Michael Kozoll (creator), Steven Bochco (creator),

Stars:

Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Conrad, Michael Warren

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel J. Travanti	...	Capt. Frank Furillo
Michael Conrad	...	Sgt. Phil Esterhaus
Michael Warren	...	Officer Robert 'Bobby' Hill
Bruce Weitz	...	Sgt. Mick Belker
James Sikking	...	Lt. Howard Hunter (as James B. Sikking)
Joe Spano	...	Det. Henry Goldblume
Barbara Bosson	...	Fay Furillo
Taurean Blacque	...	Det. Neal Washington
Kiel Martin	...	Officer John 'J.D.' LaRue
René Enríquez	...	Lt. Ray Calletano
Betty Thomas	...	Officer Lucy Bates
Charles Haid	...	Officer Andrew Renko
Veronica Hamel	...	Joyce Davenport
Dolph Sweet	...	Lt. Emil Schneider
Barbara Babcock	...	Grace Gardner

Storyline

Frank risks a promotion to commander by pursuing an investigation that links a city councilman from another district to the murder of a prostitute. Belker is harassed by a new anti-Semetic cop.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 March 1981 (USA)

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

MTM Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dwight Schultz and George McDaniel guest star as two last chance cops. George McDaniel later guest starred on The A-Team: Wheel of Fortune.

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Quotes

Capt. Frank Furillo: [about the cop Belker bit] Any teeth marks?
Det. Henry Goldblume: No, looks like a clean bite.

User Reviews

Superior episode

Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, aces as usual) risks his promotion to commander by investigating the murder of a teenage prostitute that's linked to a well-respected city councilman. Belker (nicely essayed with typically growly gusto by Bruce Weitz) gets harassed by despicable and vindictive anti-Semetic cop Officer Ludwig (a supremely repellent portrayal by George McDaniel). Larue (Kiel Marton) tries to get his "saloondraumat" business off the ground. Phone repairman Marve Box dies on the job. This episode is especially notable for introducing Jon Cypher as Chief Fletcher Daniels, a slimy and obnoxious opportunist who's more interested in advancing his own career than he is in enforcing the law. Moreover, this show offers a meaty and provocative central theme about personal ethics versus professional ambitions (Furillo is pressured by others to place the blame of the hooker's death on a suspect that he doesn't think is guilty of said crime) and warrants extra praise for treating the touchy subject of anti-Semeticism in an intelligent and straightforward manner. James B. Sikking as the marvelously nutty Hunter has a few wickedly funny moments while Barbara Babcock makes the most of her one scene as the extremely sexy and vibrant Grace Gardner. Dolph Sweet likewise impresses as the no-nonsense detective Lt. Emil Schneider. Jack Starrett, veteran director of such hugely enjoyable 70's drive-in exploitation favorites as "Cleopatra Jones," "Race With the Devil," and "A Small Town in Texas," handles the show with his trademark tight and muscular aplomb; the brisk pace and tough hard-hitting tone are expertly sustained throughout.