Reviews
Dragnet 1967: The Christmas Story (1967)
A 25 Out of 10 Rated Christmas Dec. 25 Episode!!!
This episode is amazing!!! Wonder if the storyline really happened because it was brilliant!!! Although touching on the very religious aspect of the holiday which is the real reason for the season; if this episode were made today there's be objections probably that it was too religious. But I can't imagine anyone criticizing this beautiful story. But that was TV way back and for many people like me bring back so many childhood memories and days of simpler times.
The story is set on Christmas Eve and a very mild story for this show and for Jack Webb who looked like a very tough guy. It was actually the only episode I understand remade twice for the original radio version. This is the second remake in the 60's with Harry Morgan playing Bill Gannon. Here the story is titled "The Christmas Story" and in the 1950's episode it was titled "The Big Little Jesus". The story begins with Joe and Bill getting a call from a priest that the statue of Baby Jesus from the Manger was stolen. The priest explains it doesn't have much monetary value but has a lots of sentimental value as the people of the parish whom are poor had saved and bought it 30 years earlier. So the story goes into Joe and Bill are not on usual duty but on robbery and their swathe t is hesitant about them spending time on this case when there's bigger fish to fry but he gives in and tells them to continue in the case as they had explained the statues non monetary value to the people of the church. Not to give any secrets away but the cast was great - the priest, pawn store clerk and hotel clerk along with Jack Webb had played the same characters in the 1950's episode. You'll recognize the priest as the jewel robber from I Love Lucy on the train home from their trip episode. The alter boy is played by a young Greg from Brady Bunch and Dr. Early from Emergency is playing a bum very well. Very good job of playing a very different character. But anyway see fir yourself as others said - you won't be disappointed and as one reviewer said it's a lovely story but especially probably if you see it in the Christmas season which I did.
Interestingly I told my brother who is a Catholic priest about this touching story and he chuckled. We being too young to have watched this when it was first broadcast and saw episodes in repeats but never saw a lot of them and neither one of us as far as I remember saw this story - unless we forget although I can't imagine we could. He laughed because I was watching it on my iPad and it was very close to Christmas and a parishioner at church had just told him about watching this sane episode the night before as I believe the person saw it on a channel with old tv Christmas episodes marathon. Obviously being that person felt same as i abd commenters and I'm sure ma y other people were touched by the sincerity and poignant touching story and shared it with a priest like I thinking he would appreciate the touching point of the story considering it was from an old police tv show. I told my daughter and we are going to watch it one day because she was excited to see it but we forgot after the holiday but you can be sure we'll watch it numerous times as I did last year. I didn't know till after Christmas last year that this story was fine twice on this show. This is the episode I originally saw then watched the other to compare but the dialogue was almost identical but with other actors except the 4 I mentioned before. Extremely notable was the little boy in this episode was more believable and played the character so well of his part in fact better than the little boy in the 1950's story.
The Streets of San Francisco: No Minor Vices (1976)
Cindy Marcia; where's Jan?
Ha ha lol definitely a creepy episode because of the odd supposedly father daughter relationship. Maureen does a good job in her part except her interaction with her supposed father seems more like a boyfriend girlfriend one. As the previous reviewer says she kisses her father on the lips which is so creepy. Eve the way she hugs him with her arms around his neck. James Olsen was a fantastic actor in many things as a creepy bad guy. Lou Frizzel as "Cindy's love/hooker boyfriend interest is not believable. Again as the previous person said in their review she associates with several older men and in fact turns away a date with a guy her age. She does thank Dan for his concern and kisses him too. The previous commenter states that too and that's when they remark in her interest with men older than herself. Granted Richard Hatch was too old for a supposed teen aged but not a bad deal kissing Dan vs the other men she kissed in this episode.
Off the subject but ironically tha being Oct. 9, 2024, recently John Bon Jovi who by the way is 62 like I am; in real life recently filming a video on a Tennessee bridge happen to notice a young woman about to jump off the bridge. Being concerned he and one of his crew went over slowly to try to help the girl and thank goodness within a few seconds of talking to her was able to help her back over the railing to safety. In a clip he continues to talk to her and the story continues in the news that he helped save someone in crisis. Not to make fun of anyone but when telling a friend the story end said I wonder the outcome of the Good Samaritan had not been Jon Bon Jovi? I'd like to think this young woman was crying for help and easily helped to safety and talked out of jumping by any hood Samaritan but as most people would probably wonder what it was not Jon Bon Jovi that rescued the young woman. As the story continues Bon Jovi is hailed a hero and I'm hoping this young woman got the help she needed.
The Streets of San Francisco: Hot Dog (1976)
Review of Reviews
I chose that title because I agree with what the reviewers said and my opinion is a combo of the previous reviewers. Firstly I totally agree this and like the Magnum PI episode of course drew more people into watching and rating the show high vs if someone led well known was in the show. I liked the change of the the secondary story line and the Don Johnson with Darlene Carr. Although Mimes interpretation of what life would be like for Jeanie married to a cop and looking out for his daughters interest the way he approached Jeanie and how he told her angrily not to date the hot dog was wrong and honestly it was not his business being she was over 18.
Also I do agree with the last review they 2 dates and Jeanie's talking marriage is quick. Times were however different too at that time with more females attending college. In my days of dating; early 90's girls were getting married younger than today and I'm 12 years younger than Darleen car and married 1989 at 26. In this episode Jeannie woukdve been in real life 26 although not sure exactly what age her character was suppose to be. She still in school and I'm gathering going for masters degree. So she could've been playing her real age. I have to say my parents born in early 30's when time if dating people married younger for most parts. Women were not able to afford college and at that time woman were more homakers and marrying younger and the men were the main bread makers and supported the family. At that time I think with women not working as much the couples had children younger too because the women were more stay at home moms quitting their jobs when staring to have babies. With marrying younger and more trusting times than today of course I think dating times and engage Mrs occurred quicker. Today with our world you need to be more careful who you meet. So with that said I get what the last reviewer was saying regarding talking about marriage after 2 weeks. You never know though I know couples, myself included who dated more than 5 years before getting engaged and ended up divorced. And I know many couples who dated and got engaged within months. I worried about my daughter when she would reach the age of serious dating being things didn't work out for me. She talked about living with someone when the time came to make sure. We're practicing Catholics and I had concerns with her living with someone before marriage. Needless to say when the time did come that she got serious with someone she didn't think twice about what she said about living with someone first. She and my son- in - jointly decided to wait till after marriage to be intimate. My daughter and SIL met online and started talking a month before their first date which was in the first week of July 2017. They went out 4 times that week and were getting serious by Sept. At that point they talked about getting engaged in 9 months and they pretty much knew abd told each other they knew the other was the one for them. By the time Thanksgiving came around they talked about their future wedding referring to the fact they knew they'd get engaged at some point in not too distant future. I thought it'd be coming maybe around Easter. And they started looking at rings for their future engagement and a week before Christmas my SIL is over for breakfast and my daughter leaves for work and my SIL asks me fir permission to marry my daughter and says he's planning on proposing on their trip to Maine between Christmas 2017 and the New Year. And so it happened Dec. 27 and my daughter arrived home after the new year with a fiancée and a ring in her finger. My fears of a quick coming engagement were a little bit of a concern but I know my daughter has a level head and I had spent time with my SIL many times and loved him from the start. He's also very level headed and out on his own since high school. Today married almost 5 years later (waiting for a future grandchild a year or 2. Hopefully. So after 6 yrs of marriage ,and 5 months.
S.W.A.T.: Deadly Tide: Part 1 (1975)
What's the Best Way to Deal With a Character Being Written Out of a Show? No Explanation, Recasting the Part or In the Case an Actor Dies; Write it in the Storyline?
First I'm commenting on the commenter of the 1 review. I do agree with the cast and excitement of the episode and that this was a two parter episode. Not sure if it's a 10 but I was generous and gave the episode a 9. About the one reviewer who gave the episode a 10; they had a few questions or doubts regarding the play-out of the episode. I myself don't question the goof mentioned. How could the Lieutenant have love interests in season 2 if it was well known in season 1 he was a family man married for ten yrs. And has 2 boys? Apparently they didn't want to spend money on keeping the wife and boys as regular cast members. Of course as the 1 reviewer said it's tv land and the inexplainable disappearance of regular cast members does not necessarily need to be explained. This phenomenon probably has a syndrome name ex. Like the cousin Oliver syndrome (Cousin Oliver was brought in as a young cute cast member when the youngest of the Brady kids gets too big) when child cast members of a popular show start getting older and not as cute a young child cast member somehow makes it into the sitcom to cover the cuteness needed in the show.
Hence very often in tv sitcoms back when cast members in first few episodes or seasons (often a family member of the tv show family) without explanation would no longer be in the cast with no explanation. Example for instance the younger daughter on Family Matters who was in few episodes in beginning of series and without explanation suddenly the family had 2 children and same with Cunningham family in Happy Days. Ritchie and Joanie had an older brother Chuck for several episodes who always carried a basketball and kind of an airhead. He with no explanation after a few episodes disappeared with no explanation and suddenly the family had only 2 children and it's no mention of an older brother ever existing. Sometimes fir whatever reason an actor like in these examples isn't brought back they're may be a mention of them off to college or taking care of a sick relative or another explanation so at least your not questioning where are they. Then there's the complete change of an actor- a popular example being the change of the Darrin actors due to Dick York's health causing him to leave the show and another actor; Dick Sergeant taking over. Another example in the same show was the character Mrs. Kravitz - Alice Pearce who got sick with cancer and was replaced by Sandra Gould taking over the part. Neither actor who replaced Darrin or Mrs Kravitz performed playing the part way the original actors did so well. The actor who played Darrin at least had dark hair but he appeared flat in his performance and did not have the connection as did Duck York with Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha his wife. Arguably Sandra Gould replacing Alice Pearce as Mrs. Kravitz didn't look or act like the original Mrs. Kravitz. She was still a nosy neighbor lady but Alice Pearce played the part as a beatitudes but sometimes nosy but helpful neighbor and still like able. Sandra Gould although a good actress played the part more as a snoopy annoying sarcastic neighbor- which was more in line with the typical characters she played in other programs. Somehow the 1st Mrs. Kravitz didn't annoy you where the second actress you'd think what a nosy instigating and annoying neighbor with myself favoring the first Mrs. Kravitz. And there was no doubt though that the first Darrin was the favorite over the second. There were even commercials promoting the show later on in repeats with a theme of voting who's your favorite Darrin.
Another 2 examples of actor replacement due to a popular character actors death was in Dennis the Menace - Gale Gordon and another actress were brought in when Joseph Kearns passed away from a stroke while the show was still running. It was explained that George was away and his brother John Wilson; played by Gale Gordon was visiting Martha. He being very well known and liked veteran actor played Mr. Wilson's brother perfectly and putting up with Dennis's antics just like his brother George. Eventually it was revealed by the second Mr. Wilson, John that he and his wife bought the house from his brother George who moved away. Then the second Mr. Wilson John and his wife Eloise were now living in the former George Wilson's house and the storyline continued on. The other actor death that needed explaining back when was the explanation of Kate Bradley in Petticoat Junction when Bea Benaderet passed away from cancer while Petticoat Junction was still in production. There which was common to do was it was explained she was away and temporary mother figures were brought in at different times one supposed to be Kates sister and one her cousin. Eventually Uncle Joe is head of the hotel and surrogate mother figure Dr. Janet Craig whose office is in the hotel fills the gap. In many shows later the actual death of an actor was written into the storyline of the sitcom they played on but it was thought of depending on the sitcom it wasn't always plausible fitting into the premise of the show or too sad to write into a comedy. Two shows that come to mind that we're not as old as those I mentioned were: 8 Simple Rules with John Ritter as Paul Hennessy and Sesame Street with "Mr. Hooper played by Will Lee.
In 8 Simple Rules Paul the fathers death even though written in to the show, James Garner as Paul's father-in-law Cate's father and the children's grandfather was brought to the cast to help the family after the father passed away.
For Sesame Street and Mr. Whooper's death producers had thought about recasting the role or having Mr. Whooper move but felt writing his death into the script was a way to help children learn about death and cope with the death of someone especially a loved one. It is rated extremely high for its sensitivity and true affection and emotions. It is said that the scene where Big Bird learns of Mr. Whoppers death took one taping because of the true actual emotions of the actors that was real and even redo the scene would've been hard for the actors to go through again. That one take showed the real emotion of the subject matter. It was said it brought the adult actors to tears. It was praised for the touching way it would benefit children learning about death and coping and that it's a natural part of life and it's ok to grieve. It was also praised as one of the most influential broadcast of daytime tv, it honored Will Lee, its portrayal of Loss and grief was one of most honest and empathetic episodes on tv and won many awards. It first aired on Thanksgiving Day1983. (Will Lee passed away Dec. 7, 1982). Producers felt it would be a day parents and guardians would be home to watch it with their children.
Father Knows Best: Mister Beal Meets His Match (1958)
INAPPROPRIATE Episode for "Father Knows Best" and the Times
I didn't care for this episode. Even today in 2024. Surprisingly I haven't seen this episode. And I've seen most. I feel the devil and FBI story was high risk at the time and inappropriate as far as the subject matter and over the line as far as Christian beliefs and maybe other beliefs also. I felt it was not a storyline for a family type comedy sitcom. I would not let a child or teen watch this episode back then and maybe only an older teen today. By todays standards this theme would not be as risqué as it would be back then; It's like watching Archie Bunker in the 70's versus today. All in the Family's subject matter is mild today compared to what it was thought of in the70's.
As far as the reviewer commenting on the credits being wrong as far as the actor playing Mr. Beals. The reviewer has it wrong. The credits are correct that Mr. Beals is played by John Williams. Ray Milland is not in this episode.
Miracle on Interstate 880 (1993)
The World Series Earthquake!!!
I thought TV thus a very good movie. I was on the edge of my seat since the point of the earthquake. The heroism displayed by the rescue workers, drs and good Samaritan's was unbelievable and as the movie said in the end without a second thought of them risking their own lives. Because of the reality of the story I was so taken to the edge of my seat with great respect for those who helped in the rescue of survivors and how the victims made out. I was especially thinking when rescuers were in between the 2 decks of the highway how dangerous it was for them to be in between the decks trying to help victims. I do realize this was a tv movie and to the one commenter who stated they were related to a victim and to the real scenerio of the tragedy. Obviously only certain scenes could be done and could not completely portray certain details of what happened in real life but I definitely watched the movie with that thought in mind and with the utmost respect and understanding of the real tragedy and how it could not compare completely to the movie as if actually in the tragedy of the earthquake but as for a tv movie I think the movie was very good. The emotions and sense of what being involved in the event was felt pretty well. I had tears in my eyes at certain points knowing of course that certain parts of the movie in reality must have been tremendously difficult like when the father told the children their mother did not survive the earthquake and how Julio dealt with the loss of his leg and the touching moments of Buck's family waiting to hear about his fate and after when he was in the hospital. In the end when the children were coming home from the hospital it was a very emotional scene and especially triumphant for seeing Julio walk to his family as he got out of the car. A must see if you like true stories. So touching and emotional 35 yrs later after the earthquake and a little over 30 years since the movie was originally shown. I clearly remember the day the earthquake happened. My family and I were watching the Wirkd series on TV from home in NJ. I had a 2 month old newborn and being from the NJ area we were watching being Yankees fans. I can remember the instant the earthquake happened how the tv screen went out and you heard the sportscasters saying there was an earthquake happening and they were going to cut out. I know the game stopped and I believe the game was continued another day but not within that week being the stafium the Workd Series was at had damage that needing repairing. As I type this review I living in NJ and just having experienced the April 2024 Earthquake of 4.9 5 mos. Ago can only fathom the severity of the 1989 California earthquake of 6.9. I clearly felt and saw the shaking of the rare high on the richter scale for the NE area. Fortunately very little damage was done by the the NJ earthquake of 2024 except for Newark which is surprising compared to damage from the 6.9 ear quake of 1989 in California.
One thing I wondered was how far away from the 880 highway was the hospital and also Buck's family's home? Neither Buck's family home nor the hospital appeared to have any or minimal damage. Although I do understand that if the center of the quake was near the I 880 the severe damage there verses more of a distance away.
The Brady Bunch: Kelly's Kids (1974)
The Kelly Bunch Aka Kelly's Kids
I did t think
this episode was that bad- i actually liked it too. One of my favorites. Funny how some people like a pilot that didn't pan out as a series. Well known mother and father and (Bobby's) Mike Lookinglands real life brother was in it too. The other kids looked a little familiar. Actually there's a Christmas movie called The Christmas Gift 2009 with a similar storyline about 3 boys in an orphanage with Dean Cain, Jean Louise Kelly, Reginald Van Johnson and Mimi Kennedy. It's about 3 boys (at least one) is a different race) and Dean Cain and Jean Loise Kelly as a childless couple who help his Aunt- Mimi Kennedy out who runs the local orphanage that needs some work done over the holidays so the couple take in the 3 oldest boys to vacate the area that needs work. And You can probably guess the ending of the story. Very cute story!!!
Kojak: A Need to Know (1976)
Hector Elizondo as a Bad Guy?
Good episode- keeps you on the edge of your seat but tough to see Hector Elizondo as a bad guy especially hurting kids. The kicker is you can't wait for Kajak and men to catch he guy but he happens to have diplomat immunity helping the FBI out. He's smug about it and doesn't care if he's caught almost laughing about what he can get away with. Why would any one with diplomat immunity be set free as a criminal with a major crime? Allowing a minor crime go makes sense but not something that's this awful. Anyone having immunity should be aware it can be taken away with certain big crimes. They should not be allowed to make a joke out of his immunity.
But very good episode - Hector Elizondo dies a fantastic job making you forget he's usually a good guy- what a talented man!!!
Columbo: Uneasy Lies the Crown (1990)
Fooled By the Crown
Very good episode and story line although quite fetched to come up with how the crime was thought of and figured out. But definitely interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. Definately caught the fact that Wesley said he was not the victims doctor but dentist therefore wouldn't know his medical history. Maybe since i'm a retired RN i caught the goof but i think i would've still caught the error. I myself personally have a mitral valve prolapse so that, being an RN and the fact that i logically i know a dentist should know his patients medical health gave the error away in itself. I'm not certain if i saw this episode in my much younger days if i would've caught that but i may have since back then Cardiac patients and those with murmurs took antibiotics prophylactic before dental work. For years since it was thought unnecessary any more I did not take antibiotics for a while till more recently. When i had knee replacements and a shoulder replacement patients should be taking antibiotics for at least 2 years after surgery. More recently upon changing cardiologists (first because my cardiologist retired during covid; second because doctor office i changed to takes patients and assigns them to partner dr they want you to have - obviously based on severity of cardiac issue- ending up with checkups with DO, Physicians assistant and another dr who talked about tweaking my BP medicine but never did) to current younger cardiologist who explained since i had endocarditis in 1994 that i was the exception to the rule of not needing antibiotics pre dental work. Funny thing was and again maybe because of my medical background I never felt comfortable not taking antibiotics before dental work because of my history of endocarditis. So little off subject but i mention this story because this Columbo episode brings up dental visits- ha ha lol actually have one in 2 weeks and my dentist is very trustworthy but it's like watching the Titanic movie before going in a cruise or boat trip. Therefore i hope that maybe my story will benefit someone who's maybe been in similar situation and will feel and be in same scenerio as i being it appears they don't need to take antibiotics before dental visits but actually information missed may be a reason they really should be on antibiotics pre dental work.
Kojak: Cop in a Cage (1974)
Cold Crazy Creep in a Cage!!!
Great episode. Leaves you on edge of seat. The guy who played the bad guy was so good at being the villain The kind you hate to live!!! Ha ha lol loved Kojak poem when he told the bad guy he better not see him bothering his family and when Kojak said to villian also that if he got out of jail a hundred fifty year old man will be after him , meaning himself many years in the future. Loved seeing the parts about the greek culture and Theo on the vulnerable side of the story. Nice to see a personal episode involving Theo"a family. This is one episode i can watch over and over again. Sometimes i disagree with other reviews and there's diff ent opinions but these reviews are spot in. Definately an episode to see!!!
Kojak: Therapy in Dynamite (1974)
Dangerous Danny/Steven the Superb!!!
Very very good episode with a lot going on in one episode. Nice story idea. Leaves you on the edge of your seat. Like someone else said the wife having been jilted has every right to be peeved; i love her straightforwardness to her husband - what balls!! Ha ha lol. Someone mentioned privacy as far as Kojak joining the therapy group; I being retired RN definately get that however this took place in the 70's and I wasn't RN til 1983 which privacy is more strict of an issue today. And the70's could have been even less strict. Also as simeon's else brought up Steven Keats is excellent actor and very believable in this character as well as many he played as a guest star back then. Interesting if he had lived longer how his career would have advanced.
My biggest noticeable issue was as again another reviewer said being they were a therapist is that i agree as a retired RN that the group was not run well at all. Danny I think was looking for attention and to be popular and noticed. But he was not a good patient for group therapy due to his wanting to take control and run the show. To me although i'm not the greatest with Psychological issues i feel like he's a narcissist Bery hood surprise in this story line not suspected. I did not see it coming. Steven Keats again so great - always and frequently playing similar roles so well. I'd watch anything he was in. Love love kojak and funny - i was a little young for when he first came out with this show i never say down and watched it til about a year ago. I saw sm. Bits here and there when my mom watched it although she watched but not on reg basis. Didn't resize this was such a good series. I was married to cop and a nurse myself so very interested in hospital and cop shows usually. I'm surprised it took me to age of 60 to start watching this show.
Funny Same thing happened with the Nanny except i wasn't a kid when it started but of course still young. That i started watching about 7 years ago and never realized how fantastic it was. With that my daughter was very young so i probably missed it because i was busy and or there was another tv series i was very much into at the same time.
The Andy Griffith Show: Christmas Story (1960)
Absolutely a Fantastic Christmas Story
There's so much that's great about this Christmas Story from the grouch to the gathering and Christmas traditions. Very cute story and an unusual take on. A Christmas Carol!!! Btw Charles Dicjens story is an absolute gem and i've of my favorite Christmas story's. Love Eleanor and Andy singing and live Ben secretly wa ting to join in the festivities. There was only one a Christmas Episode made but it was a good one. Very heartwarming and shows the meaning of the season. You won't find great stories like this today. Off the subjunctive but one of my all time top fave Christmas sitcom episodes along with Dragnet the Big Little Jesus!!!A must See and so good it was made twice for viewing.
The Andy Griffith Show: Ellie Comes to Town (1960)
Emma Is A Riot; Ellie's Too Young For Andy
This was a funny episode and Emma's character is hysterical. Of course as many commented Ellie was only following rules by denying Emma her pills without a prescription. I honestly a retired RN worked in a hospital so i'm not sure how a placebo is ordered to get at an outside pharmacy. I would expect in most cases the patient is unaware they're taking a sugar pill. I do know however in the case of birth control pills the kind that you take 28 pills in a cycle abd start all over again that you
only take pills for 21 days and the next seven are sugar pills as to make it consistent that you have a 28 day cycle and restarting the next set of pills - the next cycle in time. I know you can get just the 21 days and then have to knuw dint take anything for 7 days then start the new cycle of pills over again but you need to make sure you do it in time.
Anyway we're talking about comedy tv here so the fact that Emma sneaks in the pharmacy to get her pills would really be a crime in real life today and prescriptions must be supplied to get medicine but idk what the usual was fir patients getting sugar pills. In most cases i would expect the patient dies t know the pills are sugar pills but a family member and dr would.
I do agree with commenters that Ellie is mismatched with Andy. AShe seems too young for Andy and again although she's young and attractive there's no pizazz to her character really. Eleanor Donahue was good in Father knows best but I was never that impressed with her general acting. I liked her because she seemed like a really nice person though.
The Andy Griffith Show: The New Housekeeper (1960)
Mayberry's Widower With Young Son Great Story With the Cutest Little Boy!!!
I can't believe the last review here that says Opie was a little snotty kid. There was a hint of someone else's review that they didn't care for the Child character personality of Opie. They mentioned he wears annoying. I thought Ron Howard was fantastic and the whole show was everything the other positive reviewers remarked on. I'm 51 in 2024 so the show was out before i was born although i clearly remember watching it at a very young age being it was family friendly. I loved it then and love it now!!! It had an outstanding start and to anyone who comments negatively on the show or characters needs to knuw the show would not have lasted as long as it did, had such wonderful reviews, been bc a longtime favorite and the list of pros goes on. Funny the criticism sine had for Opie- Ron Howard was clearly talented from the start. To all those who did t like the character look where he is now in 2024 and all he's accomplished in his life!!!!
The Andy Griffith Show: The Wedding (1968)
Mrs. Sprague; aka Mrs. Stevens
This was a good episode; not great. I watched it because if Navel Albertson. She was always so good at playing similar type crabby complaining mother- mother-in-law characters. I also thought it'd better because of that and how she and Howard's relationship was.
I expected more about the mothers wedding and her maybe having to say a lot about with criticism on how Howard should go about living as he did with his mother. I didn't expect it to be quick scenes on the mother end of the story. I expected it to focus more on the mothers wedding and her usual character behavior with Howard as she prepares to move out to live in Mount Pilot with her husband. I expected to do her usual to Howard in regards to her not being around to tell him what to do and how he should continue to live.
I think the episode would've been a lot better if it involved the mothers storyline more and her henpecking and other antics with Howard and a little of Howard's on his own plans.
That's why i gave it the title i did. On one more note the show being in its last season you could clearly tell it was on its last legs and they were grabbing fir straws with storylines. I found towards the end of the show. The episodes were boring. I have to say i did cont to watch them only because I had only seen a few older episodes a very long time ago and forgot them ir never saw them. Now i know why; because they weren't the greatest. But it dies continue the general story which i had a general idea about and explains the ending of the series.
The Streets of San Francisco: Whose Little Boy Are You? (1972)
AWOL Adoption
This episode was very good. It kept me on the edge of my seat. When reading the first review; the reviewer says the AWOL soldier is stable and sided with him and they disagree with other commenters in that the natural father is unstable. I agree with the other commenters that the natural father is definitely unstable. If going AWOL for a month, trying to kidnap your child that has been adopted, breaking in on your ex-wife and more is not unstable i'll eat my hat. Yes i felt bad for him. It's not his fault he's become unstable but he clearly is being irational with his plans to kidnap his biological child that was adopted and forcing his ex-wife to get back together as a family with him. Also the same commenter said the kid was blasé; actually the actor who played the little boy is still in te business as an adult actor and i thought pretty good as a child actor. I've seen him in a lot of shows and movies as a kid. He was in an other episode of Streets of San Francisco with Kim Richards and Peter Haskell where their mother was killed by greedy new husband who married their mother for her money. I did have things i questioned with this episode as far as would this happen in real life it was still a good episode.
All in the Family: The Appendectomy (1979)
Stefanie Gets Sick and Archie's Usual Concerns
This was a pretty good episode; I actually liked many of the episodes with Stefanie. I know they were more towards the end while they were grasping straws to extend the show and doing the usual bringing in a cute little kid to the storyline but I like the way they did it - not that i liked the idea Stefanies father dumped her but that Archie and Edith cared and lived her enough to want to take her in. A few whoops in this episode bring a retired pediatric RN; first Stefanies appendix i thought was almost burst irregardless she wouldn't be able to eat regular food the next morning never mind cake. Of course it's hard to do but she looked pretty bright eyed and bushy tailed fir having had surgery in the middle of the night. But still a cute little episode - i like the part where Sidney proved himself worthy of being a Dr. To Archie.
Barnaby Jones: The Murdering Class (1973)
Really Really Good Story Keeping Your Attention
This is a very interesting episode that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I chi helped when i read the synopsis because i recently saw similar storyline on Streets of San Francisco with Christopher Tabori playing a student who needs good grades to please his father. And a similar story too on Kojak with William Katt as one of the 2 students in the same situation. All 3 excellent story lines and although similar each of the stories has a different entanglement involved to unwind and solve. All the actors involved especially the students were very keen and cunning and dramatic. This episode is worth viewing. If you have a chance watch Streets of San Francisco- Most Likely to Succeed and Kojak Life, Liberation and the Pursuit of Death. The streets of San Francisco has a recognizable and great cast.
The Streets of San Francisco: The Takers (1972)
Confusing But Watch it Again; Very Good!
This episode was very good. First time i watched it i was little confused with the girls killed storyline and the older couple. I didn't catch the connection between the 2 plots but i think I was doing something so i rewatched it and really paid attention to bc what was going on and caught in to the connection of the older man and the killings. It wasn't till a little later when Arthur's wife tells Mike the story about the girls and her husband. Each time i watch it i catch on to something else i didn't before. I have to say the wife was very good telling her story to Mike - i like the way she told the story.
One of my favorites!!!!
Kojak: The Queen of Hearts Is Wild (1977)
Don't Like the New Theme Song
Absolutely agree with the other reviewer who said what was wrong with the theme song before. Funny i would've been a little young to watch Kojack when it first came out although i'm very familiar with the original theme song and hadn't remembered there was a change. I watched the older episodes as i got a little older so i'm surprised i dint remember the second theme song. Many of the 70's showed were like that for me because i was 10 in 1972 but for like with Kojack I was 10 when it started but 15 when the last season aired for the first time. Many early episodes of Kojack and other tv shiws of this time i would've watched the later episodes when first on and earlier episodes in repeats.
Kojak: A Summer Madness (1976)
Sad With Unexpected Ending
This was a very good episode but sad storyline of one of the detectives involving his home life problems. It starts with showing the couple at home and the wife looking besheveled and upset that her dog has passed away. When she starts to talk to her husband you realize she's not all with it and possibly had a mental problem. As the story unfolds you find out with little detail that there was some sort of accident the father blake's himself for that cost their son to lose his life. And of course you realized why the wife seems to nit be all with it. She goes in and out of talking line her son is still alive sometimes and others where she realizes and refers to the son being gone. Anyway as the story continues you find out more about what's going on and how the husband is struggling to try and help the wife and the wife floating in and out of reality and the sad unfolding of one thing after another happening that makes the story mire tragic. This was second time watching this episode and it took me few minutes to remember parts of the ending and what happened. There was not a lot of dialogue but more looks about how the end of the story went with actually guessing the very final story outcome. And i would say this has an unexpected ending.
Kojak: The Chinatown Murders: Part 2 (1974)
Different mafia nationalities
This was a very good episode. First time i'm seeing this 2 parter. You really have to pay attention to what's going on because there's so much action and a lot going on. I think i will watch it again to catch what was confusing. Michael Constantine - such a great actor was good as the head of Scalesi clan. A note about the 2 nd reviewer here is that they gave the heading of their review as Nervy kids. These were not kids they were young adults and the seriousness of their crimes was horrific. Hard to see the head of the Chinese clan as a bad guy. He was Sam on Quincy and a good character in that but he did do a good job in this episode. I've seen Leonard in a lot of tv shows - from what i remember he's played good characters - even in this episode how did he get mixed up with these criminals. Poor Nancy how she got involved with the Chinese clan and mafia IDK. Grandmother didn't say much and not sure why she was in the story except for showing Chinese Culture and Chinatown.
Kojak: How Cruel the Frost, How Bright the Stars (1975)
Very Good unusual Christmas Eve at the Police Station
This was a very good episode but a little unusual as i did not expect what it turned out to be. I thought it would be more down to earth but it was still good because it was interesting. I liked seeing Theo on his off time from work on a date with a young Veronica Hamel. I liked the guys at the station giving Theo a funny but good gift. It took me a while to understand that the older man who did the shooting in the bar was actually following his young wife who he was upset with because he thought she was cheating on him. I realized he was following the girl up to no hood but when i rewatched it that's when i realized the young girl was the young wife of the older man. I think the age difference threw me off. I also didn't realize till second watching that Loretta was spotted by the older husband because she looked and dressed similar to Loretta therefore leading the husband to think Loretta was his wife and why he aimed shooting at her. Luckily i was glad the drs family was spared by the old man because i didn't want too much violence to happen in a Christmas episode. The storyline with Allison was very unusual in that although Allison was afraid that her boyfriend might commit a crime - I felt the story was far fetched - I don't know that the cops would really do anything about a potential crime especially with Allison's description of her relationship. What she described as her boyfriend relationship sounded far fetched and that she was taking a date and calling a short acquaintance as a steady boyfriend. I think mostly i didn't buy the story because i would've thought her story was untrue. Too bad they didn't do more Christmas episodes of tv shows that lasted a lot of seasons. I was just watching lojack marathon on pluto today and there was an episode where it did not appear to be the holidays however Kojack said Happy Holiday to someone and you saw a small Christmas tree in the background. I saw that once on Streets of San Francisco where i don't think they had any real Christmas show but there was an episode where Mike mentions Jeannie's coming home for the holiday but there is no major focus or theme of Christmas going on except they were near a store and it appeared holiday directions were decorating the back ground.
Kojak: Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die (1974)
Please not Joyce is a crazy young man!
This is an excellent episode; Joyce is weird and turns scary and creepy. Lisa , you feel sorry for because she's already fragile mentally and this is all she needed was to witness Joyce's craziness and go deeper into mental shock. Lohan was very caring and tried to get to the bottom of what was going in and help Lisa. And Joyce's mother was excellent too as the nosy interfering demanding pain in the neck old lady. No wonder Joyce was off his rocker. This episode is one of my several favorites. The Christmas one and Ariana are also at the top of my list. This episode kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and it was sad seeing the psychiatrist killed and especially seeing Lisa pushed way over the edge where it appears she'll never get over her experience. It didn't surprise me that Joyce lost it with his mother.
Hawaii Five-O: One Big Happy Family (1973)
Creepy and kooky; spooky and all together Ooky; the Ferguson Family!!
Very chilling and scary episode especially it's supposed to partially based on a real killer Family. These people were callous and oblivious to any emotion or extreme seriousness of their crimes. I half expected they'd do the daughter in law in. My 2 questions regarding this episode and believability are the same as the other reviewers. One being the believability of them not messing up and leaving fingerprints and getting caught much sooner and the other the fact ; i got the impression the younger sister Monica appeared to be possibly under 18(mentally and physically) and special needs. I questioned why Monica was arrested as she did not appear to be intelligent enough to understand what the rest of the family were really doing. I certainly understand the arrest of the others although not sure until the daughter in law revealed the mother was the ring leader to barking the orders- as to why the mother was arrested being she was not physically in person involved with the crimes. She was just as bad as the husband and son because they did everything she said. And she was extremely eerie with her response to and Garrett at the end and if there were any question of her involvement she cooked her own goose with her statements. The son and husband of course scary in their non chalant way of the murders and even the daughter in law fully aware of herself setting up the scenes for robbery and or murder was creepy and of course rightly arrested; in fact it appeared she was trying to stage her own crime benefits and she went right along with crimes knowing of tge murders even if she did commit them herself. It appeared her blurting out what the others did was mostly to try to get herself out of whatever she could so her charges would be lessened. But i did not understand the issue with Monica being arrested. I realized McGarret may not have known of her naiveness or special needs and lack of intelligence at first but after delving into things more i didn't understand why criminal charges weren't dropped or that he didn't question her physical and mental age. The fact the daughter in law ratted on the mother and men to lighten her charges maybe - she could've spoken up about Monica. After all she called her stupid.
The one other issue was the believability of the family committing more than 150 murders. I realize on screen they were responsible for six and i get that they said they traveled to almost half the US but the 150 count went along with my questioning in all that time they supposedly committed those crimes with their simple unemotional eerie thinking how did they not slip up and leave any fingerprints every time. It sounds far fetched they would've gotten away with their crimes that many times that they would've accumulated that extreme number without being caught. Although what do i know - many serial killers are believed to have committed crimes and killings in high numbers without fully being tied or charged to everyone. With them it's hoped that they can be connected and charged with as many as possible so they'll at least be in prison for life without any chance getting out and sentenced to several life sentences. These people were in fact serial killers but it was their extremely simple thinking that was unbelievable they got away with their crimes so long.