Rites of Spring (19 May 1981)

An undercover narc with a history of racism is accused of shooting an unarmed black man. LaRue's drinking starts to affect his job performance. Hill goes out of his way to help a woman who ... See full summary »

Director:

Gregory Hoblit

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
Charles Hallahan	...	Charlie Weeks
Ed Marinaro	...	Officer Joe Coffey

Storyline

An undercover narc with a history of racism is accused of shooting an unarmed black man. LaRue's drinking starts to affect his job performance. Hill goes out of his way to help a woman who neglected her children. Goldblume's son lands in the hospital.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 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:

120 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Gong Show (1976)

User Reviews

Stand-out episode

Hill (Michael Warren) and Renko (Charles Haid, as lovable as ever) arrest a young mother who regularly abandons her children. Brutal racist narcotics officer Charlie Weeks (superbly played by Charles Hallahan) gets investigated for a fourth time after he shoots an unarmed black man. LaRue's (fine work from Kiel Martin) alcoholism starts to catch up with him. Goldblume (a touching portrayal by Joe Spano) gets worn down when his sickly infant son winds up in the hospital. This episode is notable for introducing future series regular Ed Marinaro as amiable patrolman Joe Coffey, who was delightfully partnered with Lucy Bates (Betty Thomas) for several seasons. The most potent and poignant moments stem from Goldblume's concern about his son and increasing disillusionment with his thankless job. Moreover, director Gregory Hoblit stages an exciting back alley shoot-out with real aplomb, with especially inspired use of strenuous slow motion. James Remar contributes a perfectly slimy turn as boorish sexist jerk cop Cooper while Mimi Rogers is charming as Sandra Pauley, a sweet night school English teacher Renko falls for. Hunter (the always dryly amusing James B. Sikking) and Esterhaus (Michael Conrad) have a lovely conversation about women. Weeks has a crackling confrontation with Washington (Taurean Blacque) in the station house bathroom. And a sexy afternoon hook-up between Furillo (the terrific Daniel J. Travanti) and Davenport (the insanely ravishing Veronica Hamel) rates as one of the single most steamy scenes from the first season.