Hill Street Blues (TV Series) Iced Coffey (1986) User Reviews

Coming through for a fallen cop

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 9 April 2021]

Bates (a strong and affecting performance by Betty Thomas) has trouble identifying Coffey's killer. Belker's (a fine Bruce Weitz) undercover gig at a department store is made difficult by an overzealous security guard (a sidesplitting turn by Michael Strasser). Martinez (sharply played by Trindad Silva) gets busted on suspicion of bribing a judge.

It's very nice and moving to see everyone on the hill stepping up for Bates as they try to find and arrest Coffey's killer: The usually gruff Jablonski (an excellent Robert Prosky) shows a more gentle and caring side by advising everybody to be careful out there while both Fabian (sweet Zero Hubbard) and even Hunter (sturdy James Sikking) lend Bates a sympathetic ear. However, Buntz's (a fantastic Dennis Franz) trademark roughhouse tactics nearly undermine the capture of the killer. Moreover, an increasingly fed-up Ballantine (a gut-busting portrayal by Gary Miler) goes hilariously ballistic on Hunter. This episode concludes on a supremely sober and touching note with several folks all talking about Coffey in a bar.

What will Sgt Bates do now? The squad comes together in this difficult time...

[joeygirl-52-332767 · 8/10 · 23 May 2021]

Haven't quite figured out why they killed off Coffey...he was terrific in this!! Betty Thomas' portrayal of Sgt Bates is spot on, as usual. She must fight to keep her emotions in check at the risk of appearing to be the "weak" female in a sea of Alphas (and Betas, actually) - despite the fact that any of these guys would be just as emotional (regardless of whether they showed it), if their partner had been gunned down while they were left feeling helpless and unable to do anything to have stopped it from happening. Thank goodness she has Fabian (the Foster son she fought so adamantly for) in her life again to get her through. The entire squad also steps up to support her in this touching episode.

I concur with a prior poster, with regard to Bernice in City Homicide (LOVE my Aussie shows!) and her portrayal of a strong woman in charge...if you don't know this series, do yourself a favor and check it out - you'll most likely become a fan, since you're obviously a fan of HSB - anyone who enjoys police dramas typically does. That's why we're all here, after all! HOWEVER - beyond that I must disagree. One of the MOST ANNOYING, SNIVELING, narcissistic, nut job feminist, completely unaware character to "grace" the small screen was part of this same show (c'mon, we all know it) - the "honor" goes to Fay Furillo...even though she seems to have mellowed as time went on, she still grates on the nerves, and one wonders what in the bloody hell Frank ever saw in her. At least the woman (Barbara Bosson) can act, though!! If you take a look at the chick who played the character "LuLu" in the show, "The Guardian" as the main character Nick's (the wonderful Simon Baker) love interest...all descriptions of Fay's character applies, and is TRIPLED. She made the ENTIRE SERIES (EVERY episode she was in) COMPLETELY UNWATCHABLE; one just waits episode after episode for her to die a slow, painful death (I'm not the only one who thinks that). That was excruciating, as the show was very good otherwise. The woman (Wendy Muniz) who played THAT character has GOT to be the ABSOLUTE WORST actor of ALL TIME - running neck and neck with Shelly Duvall, no matter what she was in - that says it all. So watching Veronica Hamel as Joyce Davenport is enjoyable, by comparison!

Coming After Joe

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 30 July 2021]

In the wake of Joe Coffey's death, everyone is determined to hunt down his killer. So much is expected of Lucy, who just got a glimpse of the guy. Buntz wants so badly to get the murderer that he needs Lucy to finger someone who didn't do it. Of course, she is in such shock that she wants to get it over with but she doesn't really have any assuredness about the guy.

Other things that take place are Belker and this wet behind the ears security guard where he is under cover. He is sort of a Barney Fife, getting in the way. Another one is Ballantine, the guy that is always Howard's right hand man, whom he treats like dirt, going off on Hunter for all his affectations. One of the great moments. Also, Jesus gets himself in trouble, in dealing with a judge. In a bittersweet moment, the men tell Joe Coffey stories.

Excellent Series

[Old_Lady · 10/10 · 27 August 2023]

I purchased the Hill Street Blues complete series several years ago. I watched it when it was first broadcast on network television in the 1980s. It was ahead of its time. The brilliant Steven Bochco created this excellent series before other winners like LA Law. With the exception of the whining, manipulative, obnoxious ex-wife, everyone has been a joy to watch, most especially Michael Conrad, Victoria Hamel, Daniel J. Travanti and Bruce Weitz.

All of the characters do shine at different times, especially Ms Hamel, and because they're human, they're shown making mistakes. An excellent series.

Conflict of Interest

[nbrice18 · 3/10 · 31 January 2020]

Once again I was blown away about the fact that the main PD at the Hill is the wife of the police captain. Talk about a conflict of interest! Once again the most loathsome character in the history of TV is at her most shrill, shouting threats about "her client". I honestly don't think there has ever been a more strident, annoying character on TV than Joyce Davenport. I guess in the 1980s (even though the show feels like the 1970s) it was considered trend setting to portray a supposedly strong woman. For an example of a strong, capable woman in charge watch Bernice on City Homicide, an Australian crime drama. That's how it's done.